GB2046210A - Support for handling electronic components - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of manipulating means for electronic components during or following their manufacture. The packaging support for electronic components is constituted by a thin strip (11) in which slots (12, 13) constitute means for positioning the components, and means for indexing the strip are provided by perforations (16). Transverse slots (17) may be provided for flexibility with a view to winding the strip as a reel or drum. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Support for handling electronic components The present invention relates to supports for the handling of electronic components and more particularly packaging strips for small components incorporating at least two external connections formed by parallel metal wires located on the same side of the component.

The packaging or conditioning strips according to the present invention are therefore applicable to all small components with radial connections, such as capacitors, transistors and diodes and in which the connections are in the same plane, as well as to resistors, varistors or thermistors with bent connections in order to permit the automatic installation of these components in a circuit by means of machines.

Although the scope of the invention is much broader it is described with particular reference to a packaging strip for disk capacitors.

In general manner, components with axial connections or outputs are those whereof at least two of the connections are in an extension of one another (in accordance with an axis) on either side of the components, whilst components with radial connections are those whereof at least two of the connections are in the same plane and on the same side of the component. The invention applies to components with radial outputs.

Numerous industrial requirements, such as the large number of components to be manufactured or the regularity of their manufacture, or the high technicality of assembling components for the construction of complete electronic systems and devices ensure that only large scale automatic manufacture of components is able to meet quantity and quality requirements. Thus, the automatic handling of components which, as indicated hereinbefore, are of small size, requires handling supports suitable for the means used.

The presently known and used supports are of different types depending on the intended use and depending on whether it is a question of the production of the components or the use thereof by the equipment manufacturer.

At the component manufacturing stage, the supports used are rigid blocks carrying a certain number of components if the means are provided for operating by processing in parallel for each operation or in a step by step manner.

For example, on 9 inch or 22.8cm blocks, about 30 capacitors are simultaneously manipulated and undergo the same operation. If, however, the means are intended for operation in line or procession i.e. with a continuous movement, the supports used are continuous flexible strips having a length such that 1,000 to 20,000 components are supported thereon. Such strips are generally handled in the form of reels or drums.

When the said components are to be automatically installed, it is almost standard practice to use continuous strips, because modern installation machines are designed to be supplied by drums, each carrying one of the components of the circuit to be manufactured.

Thus, as a function of the support type used during manufacture, it may be necessary to transfer the components from a block to a strip or even from one strip to another strip if the components are supplied with axial outputs, which presupposes a final removal of the components with radial outputs, the straightening of their connections so that they are subsequently axial and then the packaging of the components in "axial" strips.

During all the handling operations, no matter whether they take place during the manufacture of the components or during their use, it is always advantageous to prevent fixing of the components by adhesive tape. They are difficult to weld and the length of wire contaminated by the glue of the adhesive tape must be removed. However, the length of tincoated copper connections has a by no means negligible effect on the economic aspects of manufacture.

Finally, it is alway advantageous for a new object to be interchangeable with known objects which it replaces by making improvements to industrial usage. Thus, part of the industrialization which has taken place is due to standardization which harmonises and makes more flexible the use of machines. In the case of the present invention, the packaging supports are subject to dimensional standards, including inter alia the width of the support, the position of the component relative to the support, the spacing between components, the spacing of the connections, etc.

All these conditions are not fulfilled by the known conditioning strips.

However, the packaging strips according to the invention not only have dimensions making them interchangeble with presently used strips, but also have a construction permitting their use either in the form of a block or in the form of continuous strips not requiring the use of an adhesive tape. Moreover, their design provides advantages with regard to the positioning of the components, both due to the ease of changing their position during manufacture and due to the precision of their positioning in automatic insertion machines.

Thus, the present invention applies to a conditioning support for electronic components, wherein it is constituted by a thin strip of a semi-rigid material having on the one hand a first longitudinal zone in which are installed the means for positioning the components realised by concave slots which are associated in pairs in accordance with an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strip, and on the other hand a second longitudinal zone in which are installed means for indexing the strip made by these perforations.

The invention is described in greater detail hereinafter relative to non-limitative embodiments and with reference to the attached drawings, wherein show: Figure 1 a known component support.

Figure 2 another known support.

Figure 3 a third known support.

Figure 4 the support according to the invention before the insertion of components.

Figure 5 a profile view of the strip.

Figure 6 the support according to the invention after inserting the components.

Figure 7the conditioning strip in its final state.

Figure 8 two component indexing perforation types.

Fig. 1 shows a prior art packaging support as described in French Patent Application 7,522,897. This support is constituted by a portion 1 on which the connecting wires of the components are regularly spaced by means of adhesive tape which leads to the spacing of the components. Perforation 6 permits the indexing of the components, i.e. a precise marking of their longitudinal position, either for a manufacturing operation, or for their automatic insertion by machine.

Fig. 1 shows a component at three stages of its manufacture, whereby at 2 there is only a pin of the connecting wires, which then receive a metal-coated disk 4 for obtaining a coated, finished capacitor 5 with cut connections.

This type of support which is generally made from cardboard has advantages. It can be of such a length that it constitutes either a handling block during manufacture, or a packaging strip for the supply of the components in drum or reel form. It is simple and economic, but also has a number of disadvantages. The components are fixed by an adhesive tape and their connections can no longer be welded over a length equal to the width of the tap. As fixing is of a definitive nature, there is no possibility of change in the position of the components either for realigning them if certain of them are badly positioned or for changing their support.As the indexing perforations are made when forming into a strip the indexing device for the installation or insertion machines is virtually enforced, because the rigidity and tensile strength of the strip could be reduced by making other perforations.

Figs. 2 and 3 show other packaging supports described in the above-mentioned patent application.

Fig. 2 shows a support constituted by a material 7, whose thickness and mechanical characteristics make it possible to make a series of trapezoidal grooves 8 in which the pins of connections 2 are held in place by spring action.

This type of support no longer uses an adhesive tape and facilitates the position change of the components. However, its construction leads to limitations with regard to its use. The machining of the trapezoidal grooves eliminates thin and inexpensive materials such as cardboard and makes it necessary to make the support either from metal or from a plastics material for example. The thickness of the support is prejudicial to giving the necessary flexibility for forming a reel of the components. Thus, this type of support can really only be used as a manufacturing block and the components must then be transferred to a reel-type supply strip. Moreover, the indexing perforations are made at the time of manufacture of the supports.

The support of Fig. 3 is similar to that of Fig. 2 and belongs to the same inventor.

The difference is that the grooves 8 are replaced by two perforations 10 made in the thickness of the support material 9 in accordance with two parallel axes spaced by a distance equal to the centre-to-centre distance of the connecting wires 2. The support of Fig.

3 has the same advantages and disadvantages as that of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 shows the packaging support for components in accordance with the present invention. It is formed by a thin strip 11 of a semi-rigid material, such as Bristol cardboard, whose mechanical characteristics give it sufficient rigidity for it to be used in approximately 30cm long manufacturing blocks but also the flexibility permitting the construction of reels or drums. The above-mentioned cardboard is only referred to as a non-limitative example, because other materials such as strips of aluminium or plastic can also be used. However, cardboard is the least expensive material from the industrial standpoint and that which lends itself most easily to perforation and cutting.

The packaging support according to the invention is therefore mixed. As a function of its length, it either constitutes a block or a strip. If the support is used in the form of a strip the strip used for the manufacture of components also constitutes the supply strip for said components in reel form, as will be described hereinafter.

The conditioning support used in either block or strip form has means for positioning the components and also indexing means.

In a first longitudinal zone of the support the positioning means comprise concave slots 12, 13 in such a way that a tongue 14 is left in each slot. The slots 12, 13 are associated and positioned in such a way that when the connecting wires of one component are passed through a pair of slots, the principle axis of the components is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the supporting strip. The slots shown in Fig. 4 are rectangular, but other concave shapes, such as a semicircle still fall within the scope of the invention.

The components are held on the strip by two cooperating actions.

The connecting wires of the components pass through the support twice, namely through the two concave slots 12, 13. This fixing means can only be used if the support and the connecting wires have an adequate rigidity to enable the inward curving of the support, as will be shown hereinafter with reference to Fig. 5 and if the connecting wires exert a reaction force on the support and this force acts on the tongue 14 left in each slot.

The action and reaction forces balance one another and the components are positioned and immobilised in accordance with an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support strip. As each slot has a clearly defined width equal to the spacing of the connecting wires of the components, the latter exert a pressure on the edges of each slot held at the start of manufacture by the shape of the pin, as shown at 15 and then when manufacture is at an end by the actual components which maintains the said pressure.

Thus, the components are positioned and immobilised in accordance with the longitudinal axis of the support strip.

The positioning means on the support according are grouped in two series, correspond- ing to the two slots 12, 13. A first series of slots 12 is arranged in a straight line in the vicinity of one edge of the support strip and parallel to the latter. A second series of slots 13 is also positioned in a straight line, parallel to the first series, but substantially in the centre of the strip in the widthwise direction.

In a second longitudinal zone of the support the means for indexing the support according to the invention comprise a series of perforations 16 located in a straight line parallel to one edge of the strip. Thus, then viewed in the longitudinal direction, the strip has a slot 12 on one edge, a slot 13 substantially in the centre and a perforation 16 on the other edge. The perforation 16 shown in Fig. 4 are rectangular, but other shapes such as a square or a circle are also suitable without being in any way limitative.

For ease of manufacture, it is advantageous for indexing perforations 16 to be equidistant with respect to the positioning slots 13, rather than in the axis common to the two slots 12, 13, because the connecting wires could be prejudicial to indexing. The components support according to this embodiment of the invention has at least one indexing perforation 16 per component, i.e. per pair of slots 12, 1 3.

The support as presently described can be used in clearly defined lengths as manipulating blocks in the discontinuous manufacture of the components. In this case, it is advantageous at the end of manufacture to transfer the components from each block to a conditioning or packaging strip or to a strip for forming a supply drum or reel for the insertion machines.

However, this same support can also be used in the form of long strips for the continuous manufacture of components in straight line form. Such manufacturing operations are based on issuing reels and the packaging strip supporting the components, all at the same point of their manufacture, follow an itinerary which can be complex before again being wound onto receiving drums or reels awaiting the next manufacturing operation. Unlike short blocks which can be relatively rigid the long strips must be relatively flexible to undergo these manipulations. However, as has been stated hereinbefore and as is shown in Fig. 5, because the connecting wires of the components pass through the support twice, said support is curved in the widthwise direction.This curvature does not facilitate the flexibility of the strip and tends to give it a spiral shape, whilst also being prejudicial to the formation of regular coils or reels.

Thus, according to the invention, when the support is used in the form of strips to be coiled a partial slot in the form of a rectilinear slit 17 is made perpendicular which each indexing perforation 16. The length of this slot is equal to the distance separating the two slots 12 and 13 of the same pair.

The presence of flexibility slots 17 makes it possible to form large reels of components, regularly wound in accordance with polygons, whose sides are equal to the spacing between components.

Fig. 5 provides a better understanding of the function of the flexibility slots 17. It shows a profile view of the strip 11 with a capacitor-type component 18 mixed therein.

When viewed in this direction, the packaging strip appears to be curved, because the connections 15 pass from one side of the support to the other through a first slot 12 and then return to the first side through a second slot 13. The action is balanced by the reaction, so that the support is curved and the connections are also curved but to a lesser extent. It is by no means easy to wind up a curved strip and it is for this reason that the flexibility slots 17 have an important function because they break down the strip into a plurality of small facets.

Fig. 6 shows the packaging strip according to the invention after the insertion of components. Capacitors during manufacture are shown.

Connections 15, still in the form of pins, of components 18 traverse the support twice passing through the series of slots 12 and 1 3.

The indexing perforation 16 remain only during the manufacture of the components and have a double function. Firstly, they constitute a mean for stopping the support via toothed wheels or studs which pass through the per forations and move it either from one manufacturing station to another or with the move ment necessary for an operation, such as for example immersion in a welding bath or puddle. Secondly, the perforations 16 constitute an indexing means. They do not have to be rectangular as shown in Fig. 6. The important point is the accuracy of the edges of the perforations in accordance with at least two orthogonal directions in the plane of the support in order to be able to accurately position the components in both longitudinal and lateral translafion.

An advantage of the support according to the invention is that, if necessary, the components can be moved during manufacture. The support has no fixing means, such asadhe sive tape, which must be destroyed and torn away when the fixing action is no longer required. In this case, fixing is due to the reciprocal deformation of the support and connecting wires. Thus, with this support, it is possible to move the component in an axis parallel to their connections, for example for realigning them if one or more thereof have been incorrectly positioned at the outset, or if a particular operation is facilitated by moving all the components nearer or further away with respect to the strip.

The support 11 of Fig. 6 is shown with flexibility slot 17 and it is therefore a long and flexible strip used in manufacture. However, Fig. 6 need not have the flexibility slot 1 7 and would then be shorter and relatively rigid manufacturing block.

Two cases are possible at the end of the manufacture of the components. If the components were made by parallel processing on blocks, they are transferred to a packaging strip for delivery to users. If the component were manufactured by passage in line on strips, the latter constitute the strips for supplying them to the users by cutting the portion of the strip having the indexing perfora tions 16 in accordance with broken line 19 in Fig. 6.

The pin-like end of connections 15 is also sheared level with line 19 and the de-shortcircuited components can be electrically tested. As a result of their fixing, those components found to be defective during tests are removed from the strip and replaced by perfect components. The thus packaged components are wound into reels for use.

Fig. 7 shows a packaging strip according to the invention in the finished state and supporting capacitor-type components.

This strip has new indexing perforations 20 made in the axis of the flexibility slot 1 7. It is an advantageous of the invention of having initially indexing perforations 16 suitable for the machines used in the manufacture of the components and then other indexing perforations 20 suitable for the user's machines. The new perforations 20 are advantageously made by using as markings the original perforations 1 6 before cutting the strip in accordance with line 19. The indexing perforations 20 are shown in Fig. 7 in the form of circular holes and in exemplified manner.

Other shapes are possible, as is shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 8a shows a packaging strip with rectangular indexing perforations 21 arranged in the centre-to-centre spacing of the connections of the components, alternately in the vicinity of one edge of the strip and then in the vicinity of the other edge thereof. Fig. 8b shows another type of indexing perforation 22, made in the form of V-shaped grooves in the centreto-centre spacing of the components.

The indexing perforations 20, 21, 22 as shown in Figs. 7 and 8 are known per se and are not claimed in the present invention. Reference has been made to these indexing perforations in order to illustrate the flexibility of adaptation of the packaging strip according to the invention to existing processes and machines. The packaging strip can in fact be autonomous and do without the indexing perforations. The latter can advantageously be replaced by flexibility slots 17, which are accurately positioned both longitudinally and laterally with respect to the strip. For this purpose, it is sufficient if the flexibility slot 1 7 is no longer in the form of a narrow slit, but instead has a width such that an indexing means can touch the edges of the thus formed rectangle for guiding the strip.

The fact that no adhesive tape has been used during the manufacture makes it possible to transfer the radial connection components from a manufacturing block or strip to another delivery or supply strip after transformation into axial connections. The connecting wires, which are not contaminated by the polymer of the adhesive tape are integrally usable without any loss of material.

Thus, the packaging support according to the invention has numerous advantages because: ~it can be used in the form of blocks or strips; -it can be used during manufacture or for delivery to users; ~the same strip can be used during manufacture and for delivery purposes; ~the components are accurately, but nevertheless removably positioned; ~the indexing system is not imposed and instead permits adaptation to the means available to the manufacturer and to the user.

Claims (12)

1. A conditioning support for electronic components, wherein it is constituted by a thin strip of a semi-rigid material having on the one hand a first longitudinal zone in which are installed the means for positioning the components realised by concave slots which are associated in pairs in accordance with an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strip, and on the other hand a second longitudinal zone in which are installed means for indexing the strip comprising perforations.

2. A packaging support according to claim 1, wherein the slots of the positioning means have a rectangular concave shape.

3. A packaging support according to claim 1, wherein the slots of the positioning means have a semi-circular concave shape.

4. A packaging support according to claim 1, wherein the tongues left in the positioning slots constitute a means for fixing the components, by reciprocal bearing against the connecting wires thereof.

5. A packaging support according to claim 1, wherein the perforations of the indexing means alternate with the positioning slots.

6. A packaging support according to claim 1, wherein it incorporates flexibility means constituted by partial slots in the form of slits perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strip located between each pair of positioning slots.

7. A packaging support according to claim 6, wherein the flexibility slots constitute said indexing perforations on automatic installation or insertion machines.

8. A packaging support according to claim 1, wherein it constitutes, in the form of a block having a small number of components, a means for the semi-continuous manufacture of components (block)

9. A packaging support according to claim 1, wherein it constitutes, in the form of a strip having a large number of components, a means for the continuous manufacture of components (windable strip).

10. A packaging support according to claim 1, wherein the manufacturing strip constitutes the use strip for the components after indexing cutting.

11. A method for the manufacturing of electronic components, wherein it comprises at least one type of packaging support accord- ing to any one of the claims 1 to 10.

12. A packaging support for electronic components substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figs. 4 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.