CA1070433A - Machine for affixing circuit elements to printed circuit boards - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A machine for processing and securing parallel lead electronic circuit elements into lead receiving openings formed in a printed circuit board is provided. The machine includes a supply assembly for selectively supplying one group of a plurality of distinct groups of parallel lead elec-tronic circuit elements, the supply assembly including a selecting sub-assembly for selecting one of the circuit elements from the selected group circuit ele-ments to be supplied. A transfer assembly includes a chuck for receiving the supplied circuit elements and displacing same to a release position. An insert assembly is adapted to effect release of the circuit elements when the chuck is displaced to a release position and includes a holding sub-assembly for receiving each circuit element released by the chuck at the release position and a plunger sub-assembly adapted to engage the circuit elements at the re-lease position and displace the circuit elements from the release position to an inserted position. A board handling assembly disposes the receiving openings in the printed board in alignment with the circuit elements so that the parallel leads each circuit element are received in the appropriate receiving openings when same are displaced to the inserted position.

Description

1~7~)~33 This application is a division of copending application Serial NoO
249,354, filed on April 1, 1976, in the name of Tokyo Denki Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha.
This invention is directed to a machine for processing and securing parallel lead electronic circuit elements to a circuit substrate and in particular to automatically securing selected electronic circuit elements from a plurality of stored groups of electronic circuit elements to a printed circuit boardO
~ eretofore, machines specifically provided for applying parallel lead electronic circuit elements to printed circuit boards have been provided.
One approach is to feed the printed circuit substrate section by section through a line of special purpose machines for individually applying each different type of electronic circuit elements to the circuit board. An alter-native approach is the use of quasi-single use machine capable of mounting a single type or several different types of circuit elements in a particular order on the printed circuit board by moving the circuit board in first and second perpendicular coordinate directions each time an element is mounted to the circuit board. Nevertheless, such prior art machines require considerable expense in providing the extra equipment capable of handling the different types of electronic circuit elements, often cause considerable time loss when the type of circuit element processed by the machines is changed, and are less than reliable. Thus, such automated machinery for mounting parallel lead elec-tronic circuit elements to printed circuit boards has not provided the same benefits which obtain to the automated application of coaxial type circuit elements to such printed circuit boards.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide automated machinery for mounting paralle7 lead electronic circuit elementsto printed circuit boards.
A further object of this invention is to provide improved automated machinery for automatically inserting parallel lead electronic circuit elements into receiving openings in printed circuit boards without utilizing a special support member for supporting supplied circuit elements until the circuit - 1 - ~, ~F

elements are to be inserted into the circuit boardO
Still a further object of this invention is to provide a simplified and less expensive automated machinery for processing and securing parallel lead electronic circuit elements to printed circuit boards.
According to the present invention, there is provided in a machine for automatically inserting parallel lead type circuit elements into openings in a printed circuit board, the improvement comprising; supply means for selectively supplying to appropriate circuit element selection means a group of electronic circuit elements from a plurality of groups of electronic circuit elements; and circuit element selection means for selecting one of said circuit elements from said selected group of circuit elements supplied thereto by said supply means.
For a fuller and better understanding of the present invention, in addition to the invention disclosed in the parent application, reference is made to the following description given in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a plan view of an automatic machine assembly for process-ing and securing electronic circuit elements to a printed circuit board con-structed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the instant invention;

~_ ~f 1070~3 Fig~u~e is an elev~tional view of the machine assembly ~epicted in Figure l;
Figurc 3 is an clcvational vicw of the machine assembly depicted in Figurc l;
Figure 4 is a sidc eleYational view of the machine assembly depictcd in ~igure 3;
Figure 5 is a sectional view ta~en along ~ine I-I of Figure 3;
Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FiO~ure 3;
Figure 7 is a plan view of a circuit element carrying tape construct-ed in accordance with the instant invention;
Figure 8 is an elevational end view of the circuit element carrying tape illustrated in Figure 7;
Figure 9 is a plan view of a separated portion of the circuit element carrying tape illustrated in Figure 7;
Figure 10 is a plan view illustrating processed electronic circuit element about to be receivcd by the insert sub-assembly dçpicted in Figure 28;
Figure 11 is a sectional view of an electronic circuit element secured to a printed circuit board by a machine assembly constructed in accordance with the instant invention;
Figure 12 is a perspective view of a shclf sub-assembly constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the instant invention;
Figurc 13 is a plan view of the shelf sub-assembly depicted in Figure 12 and a column sub-asscmbly constructed in accordance with a preferre~
embodiment of the instant invention;
Figure 14 is an elevational view of a tape feeding sub-assembly and cutting sub-assembly constructcd in accordance with a prcferred embodiment of the instant in~cntion;
Figure 15 is a partial pcrspcctive YiCW of a cutting asscmbly and chuck constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the instant invcntion;
Figure 16 is a partial sectional view of a cutting sub-assembly ~Id clluck illustratcd in ligure 15;
Figure 17 is a sectional view in full elevation of a chuck construct-ed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the instant invention;
Figure 1~ is a full sectional plan view of the chuck depicted in Figure 17;
Figure 19 is a sectional view of a rotary chuck support constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the instant invention;
Figure 20 is a sectional vlew taken along line III-III of Figure 19;
Figure 21 is a plan view of the circuit element carrying tape illustrated in Figure 7;
Figure 22 is an elevational end view of the circuit element carr~ing tape depicted in Figure 21;
Figure 23 is a plan view of a portion of the circuit element carrying tape being gripped by a chuck, illustrated in section;
Figure Z4 is a plan view of an electronic circuit element being gripped by a chuck, illustrated in section, after removal of the tape therefrom;
Figure 25 is a sectional view of a rotary chuck support construc~ed in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the instant invention;
Figure 26 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IY of Figure 2~;
Figure 26A is a developed view of the barrel cam illustrated in Figure 26;
Figure 27 is an elevational view of a cutter sub-assembly constructel in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the instant invention;
Figure 28 is a sectional view of an insert sub-assembly constructed in accordance with a prefcrred embodiment of the instant invention;
Figure 29 is a sectional view taken along line V-V of Figure 2S;
Figures 30(a) through 30~f) respectivcly depict the sequence of the ~ 4 --1070~33 circuit elements being inserted into the openings in the printed circuit board in accordance with the instant invention;
Pigure 31 is a sectional view of a clamping mechanism of the insert sub-assembly constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the instant invention;
Figure 32 is a clamping mechanism constructed in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the instant invention;
Figure 33 is an elevational view of the clamping mechanism depicted in Figure 32;

Figure 34 is a perspective view of the clamping mechanism depicted in Figure 32;
Figure 35 is an elevational partially sectional view on an insert sub-assembly constructed in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the instant invention;
Figure 36 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI of Figure 35;
Figure 37 is an elevational view of insert assembly depicted in Figure 35;
Figure 38 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII of Figure 35;
Figure 39 is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of Figure 35;
Figure 40 is a sectional view of a lead cutting and bending sub-assembly constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the instant invention;
Figure 41 is a sectional view taken along line IX-IX of Figure 40;
Figure 42 is a plan view of a cutter of the lead cutting and bending sub-assembly depicted in Figure 40;

Figure 43 is a sectional view taken along line X-X of Figure 42;
Figures 44(a) through 44(e) illustrate the operating sequence of the lead cutting and bending sub-assembly depicted in Figure 40; and Figure 45 is a rear surface view of a printed circuit board after thc opcr~ltion of thc insert asscmbly is completed.
Refercn~e is now nla~c to Eigurcs 1 and 2 whcrein a rccl support asscmbly, gerlerllly indicatcd as and a machinc 1 for automatically process-ing and inscrting electrorlic circuit chip clements in a printcd circuit board are dcpictcd As is c~plailled in detail below7 the machine components and rcel supply assembly components are controlled by a conventional programmed N~ panel (not shown), such panels being well-known in the art rendering discussion directed thereto unnecessary.
Reel support assembly 2 includes a plurality of tape carrying reels 4~ each tape carrying reel having a tape 3 carrying a series of electronic circuit elements attached thereto. The tape reels are mounted in a conven-tional manner to the tape support assembly to permit the tape wound thereon to be guided around guide rollers S and feed rollers 6 to the machine 1.
Each of the tapes 3 includes a predetermined electronic circuit component such as a specific value capacitor, resistor etc. As is illustrated in Figurc 7, the circuit elements 17 are of the two-parallel lead variety and are securcd to the tape 3, which tape includes apertures 32 therein. Accord-ingly, the tapes 3 having the respective circuit elements to be secured to a printed circuit board, also refcrred to as a printed circuit substrate, are wound upon the reels 4 and distributed into parallel relationship by the respective guide rollers 5 and feed rollers 6 whereafter the respective tapes are applicd through a comb-like guide 7 to the machine 1.
Referring specifically to Figures 3 through 6, the machine 1 is substantially comprised of a supply asscmbly, generally indicated as 8, a transfer assembly, generally indicatcd as 9, an insert assembly generally indicated as 10, a table assembly, generally indicated as 11, and a frame 1 for supporting thc rcspective supply, transfer, insert and table asscmblies.
The operation of thc rcspcctive supp]y, transfer, inscrt and tablc assemblics is hereinafter explained with yarticular referencc to Eigurcs 3 through 11, ~07()43;~
whereafter, ~ach o~ th~ r~s~cctive assemblies will be described in detail.
Each o f the respective circuit clement carrying tapes 3 are supplied to the su~ply assembly 8. The particular tape that is supplied is selectcd by the NC program and applied to a cutter sub-assembly, generally indicated as 16, which sub-assembly effects cuttin~ of the specific tape along a line A-A illustrated in Figure 7 in order to separa~e each circuit element and portion of tape carrying same as illustrated in ~igure 9. After cutting of the tape portion and associated circuit element at the cutting sub-assembly, the parallel leads of the circuit element are gripped by one of a plurality of chucks 15 provided on the periphery of a rotary chuck holder 14 mounted at any angle of 45 with respect to the horizontal plane. During the trans-fer of the circuie element by the transfer assembly, the leads of the circuit element 17 are cut along line B-B, indicated in Figure 9, into the form illustrated in Figure 10, whereafter the circuit element is transferred in an upri~ht state to be positioned at the insert assembly 10. At the insert assembly position, each circuit element 17 is clamped by the insert assembly and released by the chuck, whereafter the circuit element is urged into and through openings in the printed circuit board by the insert assembly. As is detailed below, the insert assembly can include a rotary head sub-assembly for turning the circuit element 90 about its vertical axis when required.
The printed circuit board 18 to which each electronic circuit element 17 is to be secured is positioned on the table assembly 18, and the table assembly is coordinately displaced in the X and Y directions in a horizontal plane in accordance with programmed instructions from the NC program to thereby bring the lead receiving openings of the printed circuit substrate into alignment with the insert assembly. Once the parallel leads are inserted through the openings in the printed circuit board, the portions of the leads extending through the openings in the substrate 19 are bent at right-angles in the manner illustrated in Figure 11, to thereby secure the circuit element 17 to the substrate 19.

~070433 Accordi~l~ly, thc suppl~ assembly 8, transfcr assembly 9, insert asscmbly 10 and table asscmbly 11 arc suppoltcd by thc frame 12 and effcct processin6, inscrting and sccuring of the respective circuit elemcnts to a printed circuit board in thc manner to hcreinaftcr be discussed in greater detail with resp~ct to the spccific assemblics.
As illustrated in the prefcrred embodiment depicted in Figures 1 and 2, twenty tape reels are provided on the supply assembly 8, and the respective feed rollers 6 individually associated with each of the tape reels are selectively driven by the NC program. Each of the feed rollers 6 is a sprocket driven wheel with teeth for engaging the respective openings 32 disposed along the length of the tape 3 so that intermittent rotation of th~ roller effects a step by step feeding of the circuit elements secured to the tape 3. The guide 7 has a comb-like structure so that each of the individual element carrying tapes 3 is passed between the adjacent comb teeth.
A furthcr comb-like guide 20 is disposed on the machine 1 and belts formed of flexible material such as rubbcr, leather and synthetic resins are stretched between the individual teeth of the guides 7 and 20 so that the respective circuit element carrying tapes 3 slide over the belts with the friction between the belts and tapes substantially eliminated. The comb-like guide 20 is vertically displaceable to facilitatc distribution of the tapes in a manner to be discussed more fully below.
The supply assembly 8 of the machine 1, as is more particularly illustrated in Figures 12 through 16~ includes a shelf sub-assembly, generally indicated as 21, a column sub-assembly generally indicated as 22, a tape feeding sub-asscmbly gcnerally indicated as 23, and a cutting sub-assembly gcnerally indicatcd as 24. The shclf sub-asscmbly 21 is comprised of twenty elongated shclves 25 arrangcd one above the othcr, in stacked relationship, in ordcr to support thc respcctive circuit elcment carrying tapes 3 thereon. The shelf sub-asscmbly 21 is ,, su~ported in a frame 26 (Fi~urc 4! in such manner that the shelves 2S can be lowered and raised with respect to frame 26 and so that each shelf 25 can be independently laterally displaced with respect to the lengthwise e~tent there-of.
The col~mn sub-assembly 2~ vertically raises and lowers the shelf sub-assembly 21 to bring a predetermined tape supporting shelf 25 into a proper elevation to be latèrally displaced by kick-out cylinder 27. The tape feeding sub-assembly 23 effects intermittent feeding of the tape 3 carried by the laterally displaced shelf 25 through distinct increments in the length-wise direction of the tape selected. The cutting sub-asse~bly 24 effects a severing of the end portion of the tape 3 as same is incrementally advanced to the cutting sub-assembly 24 to thereby separate each electronic circuit element 17 secured to the tape.
The column sub-assembly 22 includes a vertically disposed threaded shaft 28 and guide rods 29, the threaded shaft being rotated at a predeter-mined rotational spoed by a suitable drive source such as a pulse driving motor. The threaded shaft 28 ant guide rods 29 are fitted in respective vertical female threaded bores and guide bores for~ed in the frame 26 of the shelf sub-assembly 21. Accordingly, the vertically arranged shelves 25 are provided on a first side of the frame 26, and each shelf 25 is supported by horizontal support rods 30 fitted for axial movement in respective horizontal bores formed in the frame 26. Each shelf 25 is elongated and includes a longitudinal channel or groove in which the circuit element carrying tape 3 is positioned. As illustrated in Figure 13, each circuit element carrying tape 3 is set in the longitudinal channel formed in the shelf 2S by raising the tape positioning levers 31 including fitted pilot pins 33 which pin ex-tends therefrom into the openings 32 formed in the tape 3. ~nock pins 34 couple the positioning levers 31 to an associated lever shaft 35, which shaft is supported by bearings 36 and is biased by a biasing spring 37 to maintain the levers 31 in a horizontal position.

Accordingly, when an NC program command provides a feed command for a specific circuit elenlent carrving tape 3 to be deli~ered, the pulse motor is rotated to provide a gi~ell number of rotations of the threaded shaft 28 to raise and lower the frame 26 to thereby bring the shelf 25 supporting the eircuit ele~nent carrying tape 3 to be selected into re~istry with the level at which the kick-out cylinder 27 is disposed. A photoelectrie light sensor (not shown) is provided for detecting when the selected shelf 25 is disposed at the feed position and in response to detecting same energizes a cylinder whieh operates to push bar 38 ~o the position indieated at 38' in Figure 13. By sueh movement, the seleeted shelf 25 is laterally projected by the associated support rods 30 thereby bringing the seleeted tape 3 to the displaeed position indieated at 3'. A stopper 39 is disposed for limiting the displaeement of the bars 3 and additionally, return springs 40 are provided for effeeting return of the bar 38 once the kick-out eylinder 27 is returned to a rest position.
Referring speeifieally to Figures 12 and 14, the tape feeding sub-assembly 23 and cutting sub-assembly 24 are depieted. The tape feed assembl~
23 ineludes a feed arm 41 displaeeable about a rectangular path eonsisting of vertieal and hori30ntal strokes illustrated by the arrows D, E, F and G in Figure 14 along appropriate horizontal guides or like meehanisms. Feed arm ~1 ineludes tapered pitch-correcting pins 42 and guidepins 44, which guidepins are biased by respective springs 43.
During each do-~nward stroke of the feed arm 41 (indicated by the arrow D), the eorreeting pins 42 enter assoeiated openings 32 in the cireuit element carrying tape to eorreet the positioning thereof, whereafter, guidepins 44 are inserted into other openings 3~ by being biased thereagainst. Simulta-neous therewith, a release linlc 45, which release li~c is coup]ed to a hoo!~ 46 is raised, causing the positioning levers 31 to be raised by hook 46 and re-lease hold of the tape 3. Thereafter, the neYt e.Ycursion of the feed arm 41 in a direction toward the eutting sub-assembly 49 (indicated by arrow E), causes the tape to be moved one increment and is brougllt to a halt. Accordingly~

the lell-1ing e~ Or'tiO~I O1` the circrlit element carrying tape 3 comes to rest at a predetermilrcd position at the top of a cutter base 47 in the position indicated in figure 1~.
Thereafter, cutter holder 49 is lowered by a drive mechanism (not shown), such a~ a hydraulic cylin~cr or the lilce, so that a tape holder 50 contacts and talces hold of the tape 3, and the cutter holder 40 continues to be lowered against the compression of spring 51. The tape 3 is severed by a cutter 48 as a result of the lowering of the cutter support 49 to thereby separate a portion of the tape carrying only one circuit element 17. An auxiliary cutter 48' is provided to insure that the portion of the tape is cut even if the cutter 48 does not effect a removal of the portion of the tape.
Once the portion of the tape is severed, feed arm 41 commences its upward excursion (in the direction of the arrow F) while at the same time, hook 46 is lowered to thereby lower the positioning levers 31, to insert the guidepins 33 into the openings 32 in the tape 3 to thereby effect positioning and holding of the tape. Finally~ thc final horizontal excursion of the feed arm (in the direction indicated by the arrow G) effects a return of the feed arm to its initial starting position. Accordingly, the supply assembly selects the specific tape from the group of tapes carrying circuit elements, and thereafter effects a severing of a portion of the tape containing one circuit element from the group contained on the tape selected to be transferred by the transfer sub-assembly 9 during the next phase of operation of the machine 1. Thereafter, the aforedescribcd operation of the supply assembly is rrpeated until the number of selected elements from a particular group represented by the tape selected is completed, whereafter, the hook 46 is raised to open the positioning levers 31 and cylinder 27 is rendered inoperative thereby causing thc laterally dis-placcd shclf 25 to be retracted to thc initial position by the restoring force of the springs 40 to thercby render thc supply sub-assembly ready for the next NC program cornmarld.

iO70433 It is notcd, that thc supply asscmbly dcscribcd hercin rcnders it possible to automatically suppl~ a lar,c number of distinct electronic circuit componcllt clcments. Additionally, certain electronic circuit clemcnts may be automatically and selcctivcly supplied from a large number of differing circuit elcmcnts by appropriately programmirlg thc ~C program. ~loreover, in addition tothe reliability of the supply assembly being impro~ed, the amount of space required to provide different elements is limited, and only a single tape feed sub-assembly is required. Moreover, the efficiency obtained in supplying the different circuit elements provides for considerable cost savings during manufacture.
Reference is now made to Figures 6 and 15 through 20 wherein the transfer assembly 9 is illustrated in detail. As is specifically illustrated in Figure 15, once the portion of the tape 3 supporting the electronic circuit element 17 is separated by the cutter 48, the portion of the tape is maintained in position by the tape holder 50. A chuck 15 disposed at a position proximate to the cutter base 47 is raised relative to the element 17 and grips the paral-lel leads 53 of the circuit element by means of a fixed claw 67 and movable claws 52. Once the gripping is effected by the chuck, the cutter support 49 is retracted to thereby releasably secure the hold of the circuit element by the holder 50. Thereafter, the transfer assembly 9 moves the chuck 15 with the element gripped thereby to the insert asscmbly 10 in a manner to be discussed more fully bc]ow.
The transfer assembly 9 includes a plurality of chucks 15, a rotary chuck support, generally indicated as 54, and d cutter sub-asscmbly 16 for cutting the extra lcad portions and tape off each circuit element during the transfer operation In Figures 19 and 20, a preferred ~xample of the rotary chuck support 54 is illustratcd. A rotary chuck holdcr 14 is supported on a shaft 56, which shaft is rotatably supportcd by bcarings 57. The shaft is axially oriented at a right anglc to an uppcr front portion of the frame 12 iO70433 so th~t the a.~is 1~ le~`in~ gle of IS witll rcspect to thc hori~ont~.l.
Tl~e rotal~ ih~lc~ holder 1~ inclu.tcs .1 bo~ to which is secured a timing member 15 and a sp~lr gc~lr ;9. A ~inion 60 transmits rotatioll from a gear 61 to gear 59 alld accordingly to thc rotary chuclc holder 1~. Cear 61 is adapted to inter-mittently rotate the rotary chuck holder at constant incre~ents. For example, intermi~tent rotation of thc rotary chucl;holder can be effected by a pulse motor or a reciprocating cylinder via a ratchet lever.
In order to effect synchroni7ation of the intermittent rotation of the rotary holder 14, the timing member 48 is provided with a plurality of peripherally disposed notehes, the respective notehes being adapted to receive a lateh lever 63 adapted to be displaced into and out of contaet therewith.
The respeetive ehueks 15 are provided at ~n;formly spaced distances around the periphery of the rotary ehuck holder 14 and are positioned to eireumseribe a eone eo-axial with the axis 13 of the shaft 56, the cone having an apex angle of 90 . An equal number of notches is provided for the number of chucks in ordcr to insure that the incremental pitch of intermittent rotation eorresponds to the number of chucks. For example, if twelve chucks are provided, twelve notehes 62 are provided to effeet a eomplete revolution of the rotary holder after twelve incremental rotations. Also, at the highest rotary position of the rotary chuck holder 14, the chuck 15 is vertieally disposed, and at tne lowest position of the rotary holder, the chuck 15 is hori7ontally disposed~
the diametrical]y opposed chucks defining an angle of 90 with respect to each other.
Referring specifically to ~igures 16, 17 and 18, chuck 15 includes movable claws 52 and fixed claw 67. Fixed claw 67 is integrally formed with block 68, bloclc 6S being adapted to be urged against a fixed block 70 by a biasing spring 69. ~ovable claws 52 are mounted to movable block 6S by pivot pins 71 to permit the fixed claws to be pivotable thcreabout. The movable claws are brought into engagement by tllC disp]acement of a second block 72 in a dircction toward tllc respective mov~-ble claws 52. A roller 73 is rotatably mountc1 by a pin 7~ to block ,~ and is ada~tcd ~o recei~e forces for moving the block 72 in the dircction toward the movablc claws when gripping of the parallel leads of thc circuit to bc transferred by chuck 15 is to occur.
Block 72 is further adapted to be moved in the direction toward the mo~able claws cvcn after thc cnd wall 75 of block 68 strikes fixed block 70 and con-tinues to be moved in such direction until locked by means of a spring biased ball 102 disposed in a recess 104 formed therein. Accordingly, the recess 104 is so positioned as to insure that the movable claws 52 firmly grip the leads 53 to maintain thc leads securely gripped thereby. A roller 76 is rotatably mounted by a pin 77 on an integrally projecting portion of the block 72. When roller 76 is mo~ed in a direction away from the fixed claws, as is best ;llustrated in Figure 17, the block 72 is thereby moved in the same direc-tion, causing the movable claws 52 to be pivoted away from each other about pins 71 by biasing spring 105 thereby releasing their grip on the parallel circuit elemcnt seads~ Once the block 72 is sufficiently displaced away from the movable claws to effect a sufficicnt opening of the claws to thereby pre~
vent gripping of the leads thereby, the end wall 78 of block 72 strikes an end wall 75 of 'ulock 68 and thercby carries block 68 in the same dircction therewith. The block 72 includes a reccss 103 therein which can be engaged by a ball 102 to thereby maintain the block 72 in the release position.
~efcrcnce is now made to l~'igures 15, 16 and 21 through 24 wherein the operation of the cutting asscmbly and chuck 15 are illustrated. Specifical-ly, the elemcnt supporting tapc 3 incl~sdcs a base strip 65 and an adhcsi~e tape 66 bonded to the base strip in such manner as to sandwich therebetween the parallel lcads 53 of a spccific typc of elcctronic circuit clcmcnt such as a capacitor, illustrated by circular head 6~.
A scrics of clectronic circuit clcmellts are uniformly spaccd along the lengthwisc extent of the tapc with the openill~s 32~ as noted abovc, being r disposed midway '~et~tccn thc adjaccnt clcctronic circuit elemerlts to insure reliability durin6 processinO of the tapc. It is noted that the respective opcr~in6s 3~ can be providcd betwccn thc respective parallel leads in order to facil.itatc proccs~in~ of thc tapc.
Refcrri~lg particularly to Figure 16, the clement carrying tapc 3 is suppor~cd by and gllided along a channel in shelf 25 by the tape feeding sub-assembly 23 so that the circuit element to be secured to the printed circuit board is brought into registry with the cutter base 47. Thereafter, the cutter sub-asscmbly is displaced into contact with the tape 3, thereby placing the tape holder 50 in contact with the circuit element and tape portion and further permitting the cutters 48 and 48l to sever the portion of the base strip 65 - and adhesive tape 66 thereby leaving a single circuit element secured in the portion of the tape being held between the tape holder 50 and cutter base ~7.
Coincident with the severance of the tape portion, a command signal effects opcration of cylindcr 88 and crank 87, illustrated in Figure 6, to thereby effect engagement of rollcr 73 aligned in position with the cutter assembl~- 24 and parallel leads of the circuit element to thereby cause the fixed claw 67 and movable claws 52 into the same elevation as the parallel leads of the ci.rcuit element. Accordingly, fixed claw 67 is disposed between the opposite leads of thc electronic circuit el.emcnt whereaftcr the movable claws 52 are brought together in the manner described above with respect to F`igures 17 and 18, to thereby grip the respectivc leads~ As is illustratcd in ~igure 23, at this point, the portion of the tape remains on the extended portion of the leads with the mo~able claw 52 and fixed claws 67 cf the chuck 15 firmly gripping the circuit element to bc transferrcd. Upon gripping of the circuit element leads by thc chuck 15, thc cutter support is vertically displaced away from the cutter base 47 to thercby relcase hold of the tape 3 by thc tapc holder 50. Thereafter, thc circuit clement is displaced to a new position b3-the chuck grippi.ng samc and thc base strip 65 and a~lcsivc tapc 66 are rcmoved by a cuttin~ of tllc lclds along thc linc H-H in ~igure ~3 ~l a malmcr to be discussed morc I`ullJ bclo~, thcrcby lcaving thc circuit el~mcnt dcpictcd in Figure 24 to bc transferrcd to the insert position.
It is notcd that thc usc of the circuit clement carrying tape con-struction illustratcd in ligure 21, wherein a series of electronic circuit elements are disposed at miformly spaced increments along the lengthwise extcnt of the tape, in combination with the uniformly spaced openings in the tape, permits increment by increment feeding of each circuit element so that the circuit element can be reliably separated from the remaining circuit elements secured to the tape. Moreover, the tape permits the particular element to be transferred to be specifically clamped by the tape holder at a proper position~ so that a portion of the tape carrying the specific circuit element can be removed, and then the separated element can be removed from the base strip and adhesive tape by a cutting of the leads between the chuck and base strip. In this manner, a highly precise and reliable assembly for con-tinuously processing electronic circuit elements is provided. Moreover, although circuit elements often can become misaligned when same are secured to the tape 3 as illustrated in Figure 21, by utilizing the clamping features of the chuck 15, and securing the leads proximate the tape, problems of mis-alignment are clearly avoided. Moreover, no take-up reel or othcr take-up mechanism is required since the portions of the tapc are severed and only a simple waste container for collecting the cut-off ends is needcd.
Rcference is now made to Figurcs 25, 26 and 26A whcrcin a further embodiment of the rotary sub-assembly 54 is depictcd, like reference numeralc being utilizcd to describe like elcments illustratcd and dcscribcd above. The rotary chuck support 14 is securcd to shaft 56 and is rotatablc about thc axis 13 of the shaft, which axis extcnds at an angle of 45 with rcspcct to thc horizontal. A disc 79 is securcd to the shaft 56 and support rollcrs 80 which rollers are pcriphcrally disposed thcrcabout (the rollcrs 80 being cvenly spaced about thc pcriphcry and corrcsyonding in mlmber to the number of chucks 15. As is illustrated in detail in Figure 26~ a barrel cam 81 respectively cngages the drive rollcrs 80 to effcct an intermittent rotation of the rotary chuclc holdcr 1~1.
In Figure 26A, a developed view of the intermittent barrel cam 81 illustrates the manner in which the ridge portions 85 and groove portions 86 are alternately arranged to effect intermittent rotation of the rotary chuck holder 14. The ridge portions 85 and groove portions 86 defire an incline screw-like camming surface over a radial angle of 240 of barrel cam 81, the remaining 120 of the barrel cam surface having ridge portions and groove portions that are parallel to a plane normal to the cam axis. The ridge por-tions 85, groove portions 86 and rollers 80 operating in cooperating relation-ship therewith are highly toleranced in diameter and pitch to thereby limit any backlash durin~ operation. Accordingly~ by driving the cam shaft 82 at a constant speed, the disc 79 and hence the rotary chuck holder 14 are inter-mittently rotated through precise increments during engagement of the rollers 80 by the inclined ridge portions 85 of the bearing surface and ceases to be rotated in response to engagement by the parallel portions of the ridges 85.
The cam shaft 82 is rotated at a constant speed during the steps of selecting the tape carrying shelf 25 or in the case of coordinate displacements of the printed circuit board supporting table, and the rotation thereof may be inter-rupted by utilizing a onc-way clutch, illustrated as 91 in ~igure 6, provided between the pulley 84 and drive motor~ illustrated as 92 in Figure 6, to effect synchronization of the rotation of thc cam sha~t with thc timing cycle of the machine.
A bell crank 87 is drivcn by a cylindcr 88 and cffccts a displacemcnt of the block 72 of the chuck 15 by haYing rollcr 89 carricd by thc belt crank 87 engage samc to thereby effect a clamping action by thc chuck 15. ~n elcc-~ronic photodctccting switch 90 is aclaptcd to dctect thc arrival of thc clcc-tronic circuit elemcslt 17 in legistry with the cutter assembly ~ to thcrebyprovide a signal to thc ~C program controllcr and synchroni~e displaccmcnt of thc cylindcr to effcct clamping of the circuit element 17 by the claw 15.
As noted abovc, the transfer assembly 9 includes a cutter sub-assembly 16 depictcd in Figure 27 for severing the tape portion and portion of the paral-lel leads securcd by the tape portion along the line H-H illustrated in Figure 23, when the clamped circuit element is transferred from the horizontal position wherein same is gripped by the chuck 15 to the vertical insert position. The cutter sub-assembly 16 is positioned ~ith respect to the rotary chuck support 54~ as is best illustrated in Figure 3~ so that the circuit element 17 including the portion of the tape secured thereto is disposed between cutting blades 97.
To this end, levers 95 and 96 are pivotally mounted by a pin 94 on a bracket 93 and support the respective blades 97 in facing relationship. Links 98 couple the respective levers 95 and 96 to a lever 100~ which lever is rotatably secured about a pivot pin 99 to be pivotally driven by a drive cylinder 101. According-ly~ a pivot~ble driving of the lever 100 effects displacement of the lir~s 98 and levers 95 and 96 to effect opening and closing of the cutting blades 97 to thereby effect a cutting of the leads along the line H-H illustrated in Figure 23, whereafter, the circuit element gripped by the chuck takes on the form illustrated in Figure 24 and is transferred to the insert assembly in a ~anner to be described more fully below.
Rcferring particularly to Figures 28 through 31, the insert asscmbly for inserting the circuit elements in the printed circuit board is depicted.
By way of reference, Figure 28 illustrates a circuit element such as a capacltor 115, after the chuck has been displaced to the insert position, but prior to release of the circuit clement 115 by the c~luck. A movable blocl; 110 includcs a bolt 109 having securcd thcrcto a ro~l end 108. Rod cnd 108 is couplcl through a rod 106 to a cylindcr 107, which cylinler in response to a con~and signal from the NC program cffects a do~l~ard displaccment of the movable block 110.

~070433 Securcd to the moYable block 110 is a cam 116 and a pirL 111. The pin 111 is lowercd by a comprcssion spring 112 as the block is displaced downward thereby applying a weak do~mward spring force against a push bar 114 coupled to the pin 111 by a bracket 113. Whcn the head of the capacitor 115 is disposed in the recess 114' of the push bar 114 and is completely covered thereby, the state illustrated in Figure 30 (b) is obtained. As the movable block 110 is being I displaced downward, a roller 117 pivotably supported on a pin 118 secured to a lever 119 is cammingly engaged by ca~ming surface 116 to thereby effect a pivoting of the lever 120 away from the capacitor 11~ and into contact with the roller 76 of chuck 15 to thereby effect a releasing of the capacitor ele-ment 15 from the grip of the chuck 15~ as is particularly depicted in Figure 30(c). At this point, the capacitor element is prevented from turning by the recess 114' in the push bar 114, the engagement of the push bar 114, with the head of the capacitor effecting a downward displacement of the capacitor leads between lead quide 121 and lead holder 122, as is more particularly illustrated in Figure 31.
In an alternate embodiment, the push bar can be providcd with a spring-biased chuck 123 as is more particularly illustrated in Figure 32, the spring-biased chuck being particular suited for lightly gripping irregular type circuit elements or circuit element having unusually shaped leads.
Once the capacitor 115 is transferred to the insert position depicted in Figure 30(c) and is released by the chuck 15, the capacitor is lowered into a position proximate to the openings in the printed circuit board. The second stage of lowering the circuit element to thc ~osition indicated in Figure 30(d) is effected by pin 124 secured to movable block 110, which pin under control of thc spring 125 is displaced into 126 to cffect displace~cnt of same ~mtil halted by stopper 1~7. Thereaftcr, movable bloclc 110 is further lowered~
whcreby a further pin 128, more particular]y illustratcd irL ~igurc 29, furthcr displaces the push bar 114 in a dowLLward dircction, the displac~mcnt of thc ~070433 push bar 114 in a downward direction being effected by a spring 129 having a weaker biasing force than the spring 112 to therehy urge the leads of the capacitor through the openings in the substrate, the leads being guided by the lead guide 121 and lead holder 122 to obtain the inserted state depicted in Figure 30(e) of the drawings. Thereafter the tip portion of the leads extend-ing through the holes of the printed circuit substrate are cut off, if neces-sary, and then bent or clamped by suitable means, hereinafter described. Once bending is completed, the cylinder 107 effects displacement of the movable block in the upward direction away from the printed circuit board. The block 110 includes a cam 130 formed thereon for displacing a roller 131 to thereby displace a lever 132 in such manner as to be pivoted about a pin 135 and there-by effect vement of slidable pin 136 into contact with a roller 137. The consequence thereof is that the roller 137 effects a counter-clockwise rotation of lever 139 about pin 138 resulting in the lead guide 121 formed on the end of lever 139 being moved away from the circuit element. A roller 143 carried on a lever 141, which lever is rotatably mounted by pin 140 in response to the counter-clockwise pivoting of the lever 139 is engaged against a fixed element 14~ to thereby effect a clockwise rotation of the lever 141, thereby effecting a further rotation of the lead holder 122 in a clockwise direction. In such manner, the lead guide 121 and lead holder 122 are retracted from the leads to define an open position as is more particularly illustrated in Figure 30(f) so that the entire insert assembly can be retracted in the upw~rd direction until same reaches the initial position, the insert assembly completely clearing the electronic capacitor during its upward stroke. Accordingly, upon completion of the aforedescribed insert sequence, a signal for feeding the next electronic circuit element to the insert position, and a signal for moving the table in the coordinate X and Y directions are produced by the NC program to thereby repeat the next insertion cycle. It is noted that the lead guide 121 and lead holder 122 are not opened during a downward displacement of the movable block 10'~0433 110 sincc the lever 133 is rotatcd with respect to the lever 13Z so that the pin 136 is not displc~ccd by the lever 132 thercby permitting cam 130 to be positioned bencath thc roller 131 to effect the aforedescribed unclamping operatioll during thc next upward stroke thereof.
Reference is particularl~ made to Figure 31~ wherein an insert head for use in the insert assembly, and is particularly suited for use with a capacitor is depicted. The push bar 114 functions to prevent twisting of the capacitor element by being provided with a V-shaped recessed 114', the shape of the recess further effecting an urging of the element through the openings in the printed circuit board 19. Lead guide 121 includes tapered grooves in the tip portion thereof for receiving the parallel leads 153 and guiding same accordingly, and lead holder 122 additionally includes grooves for providing the leads in proper registry with the 6rooves in the lead guide 121. Fhther-more~ the lead guide 121 is biased by a biasing spring 145 to lightly urge the leads within the grooves.
Referring now to Figure 32, an alternate push bar arrangement for lightly clamping the head of the electronic circuit element when same is irre-gular is provided. The head 1~8 of the electronic circuit element is lightly clamped by chuck 123, ~hich chuck is pivotally ~ounted by a pin 147 to the push bar 114 and is maintained in a clamped position by a biasing spring 146.
If necessary, the element can be clamped between the chuck 123 and a auxiliary pad formed of rubber or other like resilient n~atcrials. The lead holder 122 is so adapted to independently align thc leads as samc are inserted into the openings in the circuit board, the relationship between the lead guide 121 and lead holdcr 122 bein6 particularly illustrated in Figurcs 33 and 34.
Accordingly, the inscrt asscmbly is characterized by thc use of lcad guides having grooves extending in thc dircction of insertion of thc leads for guiding thc leads into the opcnings in a circuit board to thcrcby facilitatc the insertion of parallcl lcads into the printcd circuit board with 6uarantced ~0'70433 precision and without the need for any particular special purpose engaging member. Moreover, the number of electronic circuit elements and the different types of electronic circuit elements capable of being inserted by this mechanism is clearly increased by providing appropriate head adaptors for the particular shaped heads of the circuit elements to be inserted.
Reference is now made to Figures 35 through 39 wherein an insert assembly 10 constructed in accordance with an alternate embodiment and wherein the circuit elements can be rotated 90 about the vertical axis at the position at which the leads are to be inserted into the printed circuit board, is illustrated. It is understood that if a 90 rotation is required, the NC program would provide the necessary command signals to effect such an operation.
With particular reference to Figures 35 and 36, a support frame 15~ is secured to a bracket 151, which bracket is secured to a mounting 152, which mounting effects rotatable support of the rotary support holder. In response to a command signal, a cylinder 153 disposed at the top of frame 150 is operated, thereby lowering a movable block 154 along vertical guide rods 155. A push bar 157 is inserted within an opening in the block 154 and is coupled thereto by a spring 156 having a weak spring force so that upon displacement of the movable block in a downward direction, the push bar 157 is also lowered. Additionally, movable block 154 includes an integrally formed cam 158 Cbest illustrated in Figure 37) and a roller 159 adapted to be displaced in a counterclockwise direction in response to the downward displacement of movable block 158. Roller 159 is rotatably carried on a bell-crank 161 which bell-crank is pivotally moun~ed to block 160. Block 160 is integrally formed with the frame 150 and by the rotatable movement of the roller 159, a lower block 163 is slightly elevated by link 162, which link is coupled to the other end of bell-crank 161. A sleeve 164 is mounted on lower block 163 and together with a metal guide 165, a second bell-crank 192, lever 16~ pivotally secured to pin 167 at the lower end of sleeve 164, and a lever 170 pivotally secured by a pin 10'70433 169 to lever 168, arc raised by the elevation of link 162. As a reC Lt thereof, lead guide 121 and lead holder 122, both providcd on the lower cnd of the lever 168 are raised. Accordingly, an electronic circuit elemcnt 17 held by chuck 1 in the position directly beneath the push bar 157 is vertically clamped in the recess in the tip of the push bar 157 between the lcad guide 121 and lead holder 122 thereby corresponding to the position illustrated in Figure 30(c) and accordingly, the chuck 15 is thercafter opened and displaced away from the circuit element.
Thereafter, the block 154 is further lowered to bring the guide element to the position illustrated in Figure 30(d).
As the block 154 is lowered, the roller 159 clears the cam 158, the lowering of block 154 effecting a corresponding lowering of the lower block 163 until the lower block 163 strikes a stopper (not shown) and thereby stops the downward displacement of the lead guide 121 and lead holder 122, while the upper block 154 continues to be lowered. Since the resistance offered when the leads of the electronic circuit element 17 are urged into contact with the printed circuit board is greater than the spring force of the spring 156, the push bar 157 ceases to be displaced downwardly since the spring 156 is com-pressed until the head of pin 171 strikes the head of push bar 157, whereupon the electric circuit element 17 is urged irto the printed circuit substrate since spring 172 provides a sufficiently strong spring force. Once insertion is completed, the cylinder 153 is rct-racted to raise thc blocks 154 and 163.
As the lead gu;ide 121 and lcad holder 122 are raised aftcr completion of the insertion of thc leads, thcy are opened in the manncr sho~m in Figure 30(f) so that they will completely clear the hcad of thc clcctronic circuit element 17, the mechanism for achicYing this effect being describcd hcrcinaftcr.
~ he upper block 15~ includcs a cam 173, which ca~ during thc lowering thereof latcrally displaces a rollcr 131, which rollcr 131 cffccts a countcr-clockwise (Figurc 35) rotation of lcvcr 133 with rcspcct to lcver 332, so that - 23 _ lever 132 is not effcctcd thcrcby. However, ~hcn block 154 is raised, as the hill surfacc of the cam 173 en~agcs the roller 131 in the upward dircction, a shoulder portion 134 of thc lever 133 strikes the levcr 132 thereby effecting rotatiorl of thc lcvcr 132 about pin 135 rcsulting in a push pin 174 contacting a push block 175. As is particularly illustrated in Figure 38, thc push block 175 is provided with a rack 176, which rac~ is coupled through gears 177 and 178 to a rack 180 provided on a further block 179 extending at a right-angle to the bloclc 175. Accordingly, an inward movement of the push block 175 ef-fects a corresponding inward movement of further block 179. The movement of block 179 effects displacement of a roller 181, which roller is disposed on the inner surface of the block 179 disposed on lever 168, so that lever 168 is displaced by the push block 179. Accordingly, the lever 168 is pivoted about pin 167. The pivoting of lever 168 is opposed by a spring 182 for re-turning the lever when the force applied to push blade 179 is removed. At the same time, the outward movement of the pin 169 extending from the lever 168 eauses lever 170 to stroke a projection 184 projecting from the end of the stopper 183 to thereby inwardly displace the lead holder 122 secured to the end of the leYer 170 to the open position illustrated at 122' in Figure 36.
By this arrangement, contact of the head of the electronic circuit element with the lead guidc 121 or with the lead holder 122 is avoided. It is noted that a spring 200 thereby returns the respective gears 178 and 177 to the initial position.
When thc electronic circuit element 17 is to be inscrted into a circuit board at a right angle to the position at which sa~e is gripped by tlle chuck 15~ it is necessary to cffect rotation thereof by 90 about its vertical axis. To effect such rotation, cither cylindcr 185 or cylindcr 186 providcd in the block 164 (cylinder 185 in li~urc 39) is actuatcd by pncumatic prcssurc me~ns in response to a con~land si~nal, whcrcby lcvcr 187 is rotated about pin 188 to bring a cylindcr 189 providcd at a first cnd of the lcvcr 187 to a - 24 ~

predetcrmincd pOSitiOII dircctly above rollcr 190, said position bcin~ illus-tratcd in Fi6urc 35. Thereaftcr~ thc cylinder 189 is opcrated, thereby forcing rod hcad 191 to strike and lowcr the rollcr 190. Bell-cra~k 192 is thereby pivoted to pcrmit the oppositc forked end 193 to move a pin 194 dis~osed therein in a rightward direction. Pin 194 is mounted on a rack 195, the rack being slidably supported by a guide rail 196, which guide rail is provided with a slot 197 for permitting movement of the pin 194 therethrough. With the movement of pin 194, rack 195 is moved in the horizontal direction. The rack 195 is disposed in meshing engagement with pinion 198~ which pinion is securely fitted on the sleeve 164. The operation of the cylinder 189 therefore effects rotation of sleeve 164 within the metal guide 165 coincident with the movement of push bar 157 and lever 168. The rotational angle of the sleeve 164 is set to 90 by a stopper. The resulting position of the sleeve 164 after a 90 rotation there-of displaces the roller 181 on the direct inner side of the push block 175 so that same is directly operated by the push pin 174 without being under the control of the gears 177 and 178, restoring spring 199 being provided to restore the respective elements to their initial state.
It is noted, that the structure for permitting reorientation of the electronic circuit element 17 to a position 90 with respect to its initial clamp position, renders it possible to design efficient apparatus for securing electronic circuit elemcnts to printcd circuit boards and more importantly permits the sizc of the printed circuit board to be reduced. Furthermore, it is possible to omit the conventional step of resetting the printcd circuit substrate on the t~ble in a position of 90 with respect to the prcvious posi-tion, thereby providing further improvements in the operational cfficiency thereof.
~ efcrence is now made to Fi6ures 3 through 6 whercin the tablr assembly 11 is illustrated~ The tablc asscmbly includcs an X-Y tab]e unit and a lead cutting and bcnding sub-asscmbly, gencrally indicated as 201. Thc X-Y

table assembly, particularly illustrated in Pigures 3 through 6 includes aY-table 203 adapted to be mo~ed along guide rails on a lower base 202 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper upon which Figure 3 is illustrated by an appropriate cyiinder drive or pulse motor, and an X-table 204, which table can be moved along guide rails on the Y-table 203 within a horizontal plane in directions perpendicular to the directions of mo~ement of the Y-table 203 also by appropriate cylinder drive or pulse motor mechan-isms. Thus, the table assembly 11 permits the printed circuit board mounted on the X-table 204 to be brought to a desired position by coordinate movement of the X and Y tables 204 and 203 at right-angles with respect to each other.
The cutting and bending sub-assembly 201 is disposed directly beneath the insert assembly 10 and serves to cut any extra portions of the leads extending from the rear surface of the printed circuit board and further effects bending of the remaining lead portions. Referring specifically to Figures 40 and 41, the parallel leads 53 of the disc-shaped capacitor circuit element 115 are inserted through the openings in the circuit substrate 19, whereafter a cylinder 206 secured to frame 205 is displaced toward the posi-tion of the circuit element in response to a lead cut-off com~and signal received thereby. The displacement of the cylinder 2Q6 causes block 208 secured to a cam 207 to be moved by a rod 209. The cam face of cam 207 is oriented so that arm 210 is rotated about a pin 211 in the counterclockwise direction until the arm 210 becomes detached from the cam 207. The movement of the arm 210 is articulated by pin 212 to a non-rotational mold 213 and a rotational mold 214 thereby causing upward movement of a pinion to an upper set position determined by stopper 216. Additionally, a boss 217 contacts an end wall 219 of a slot formed in the rack and effects advancement of the rack 218. The pinion 215 and rotation mold 214 are rotated in response to the rack 21~ being advanced, thereby severing the portions of the lead 53 by the blades 220 of the rotational mold 214 and blades 221 of the non-rotational ld 213. Thereafter, the rack 218 continues to be advanced causing a continucd clockwisc rotation of thc pinion 215 and rotational mol~
214. Thc remaining lcad portions 53 arc therefore guidcd by the walls of the chamfered portions 222 illustratcd in Figures 42 and 43 and hence are bent by the subtly curved surfaces 223 of thc chamfers 222, more specifically depicted in Figure 43. Once bending of the leads 53 is effected, thc cylinder 206 is displaced away from the circuit element thereby carrying block 208 therewith until the boss 217 strikes the end 208 of the slot in the rack 218 to return ~he rack and thereby rotate the pinion 215 in the counterclockwise direction.
Simultaneous therewith, cam 207 effects rotation of the arm 210 about pin 11 in a clockwise direction under the biasing force of a spring 225 to thereby lower the non-rotational mold 213, rotational mold 214 and pinion 215 so that the cylinder is returned to the initial position to thereby complete an entire machine cycle of the instant invention.
Referring specifically to Figures 44(a) through 44(e), the sequence through which the parallel leads 53 are inserted into the openings in the printed circuit board 19 to effect cutting and bending thereof is depicted.
Initially, as depicted in Figure 44(a) the leads 53 are inserted between the respective blade of the non-rotational and rotational molds 213 and 214. There-after, Figure 44(b) illustrates a state where the extra portions of the leads 53 are cut off by rotation of the rotational mold 214, whereafter the remaining leads 53 are bent in mutually opposite directions by the chamfered portions 22 of the rotational mold 214, as is illustratcd in Figure 44(c). Once the bending of the leads 53 is completcd, as depicted in Figure 44(d) the rotational mold 214 and non-rotational mold 213 arc displaced away from the circuit board and element affixed thereto to thereby lcavc the element secured to the circuit board at thc rear surface thcrcof in thc manner illustratcd in Figure 4~.
It is notcd that although thc cutting and bcndillg sub-asscmbly can obtain thc functions discloscd by providing two bladc receiving opcnings so that the rcspective leads can bc insertcd into the rcspcctivc bladc rccciving openings, in order to fa~ilitlte corrc~p~ndcnce of the blade openings to the leads when the ~et state of the prirlte1 circuit substrate is changed by 90 , it is particul.arly effective to provi.de each mold with four blade openings as particularly illustrated ~ ~igure 42 or to utilize a combination of molds having blade openings wherl the circuit element has more than two parallel leads.
It is noted that the machine assembly detailed above renders it possible to obtain highly efficient and precise processing and securing of electronic circuit elements to a circuit substrate, such as a printed circuit board, without requiring subsequent changing of the position of the elements, thereby further insuring that soldering in the next step of formation will be effective~ Moreover, the extra lead portions eut off can be easily collected to prevent any eontamination of the machine process thereby, and additionally permit reuse thereof.
It is further noted that whereas the prior art was eharacterized by an exelusive insert machine being required for each type of eleetronie eireuit element to be secured to a printed circuit board, the instant invention permits a single maehine to effect automatie insertion of the electronie eireuit ele-ments into a printed circuit board in a sequential manner by merely supplying the NC programmer with an appropriate program.

2(~ -

Claims (6)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. In a machine for automatically inserting parallel lead type circuit elements into openings in a printed circuit board, the improvement comprising;
supply means for selectively supplying to appropriate circuit element selec-tion means a group of electronic circuit elements from a plurality of groups of electronic circuit elements; and circuit element selection means for select-ing one of said circuit elements from said selected group of circuit elements supplied thereto by said supply means.

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supply means includes distribution means for selectively distributing each of said groups of paral-lel lead circuit elements, index means for indexing said distribution means to select one of said groups of said parallel lead circuit elements and applying same to said circuit element selecting means.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of said groups of parallel lead circuit elements includes transport means for transporting said circuit elements in sequence, said distribution means being adapted to receive each of said transport means and sequentially advance said one transport means selected in response to each supplying of a circuit element by said selecting means.

4. A machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein said transport means in-cludes a plurality of elongated carriers having said circuit elements secured thereto, said distribution means including a plurality of stacked transport shelves, one for each said elongated carrier.

5. A machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein said index means includes lateral displacement means laterally displacing one of said shelf means when said one shelf means is elevated to a laterally displaceable position, and column means for selectively raising and lowering said stacked transport shelves to thereby bring one of said stacked transport shelves to said later-ally displaceable position, said lateral displacement means being adapted to displace said stacked shelf position thereat to a carrier feeding position to effect feeding of the selected elongated carrier to said selecting means.

6. A machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein said selecting means in-cludes tape feeding means for incrementally advancing said carrier, and car-rier cutting means for cutting said carrier and element carried thereby after each incremental feeding thereof.