Spool gripper, spool handling unit with spool gripper, and method of handling spool using same

Abstract

A spool gripper is coupled to any one of the flanges provided at both sides of a spool wound with a semiconductor device bonding wire thereon. The spool gripper has an inner diameter portion for receiving a spool holder when the spool is fitted to the spool holder, a coupling portion coupled to the circumference of the flange while bearing a diameter larger than the inner diameter portion, and an outer diameter portion with a diameter larger than the coupling portion. The worker grips the outer diameter portion to handle the spool. The handling of the spool can be made without directly touching the spool. The wire bonding operation is made while the gripper is coupled to the flange. Therefore, it is not necessary to decouple the gripper from the flange to make the wire bonding operation. Accordingly, the durability of the gripper and the reliability in the spool holding can be maintained without deterioration while preventing separation of the spool from the gripper. Irrespective of the length of the spool holder or the presence of the spool fixation member, the spool handling unit can be used with any type spool holder.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A spool gripper for coupling to flanges provided at both sides of a spool wound with a semiconductor device bonding wire thereon, the spool gripper comprising: 
 an inner diameter portion configured to receive a spool holder when the spool is fitted to the spool holder;    a coupling portion configured to be couplable to a circumference of the flange and having a diameter larger than the inner diameter portion; and    an outer diameter portion with a diameter larger than the coupling portion, the outer diameter portion being grippable for handling the spool.    
     
     
         2 . The spool gripper of  claim 1 , wherein at least two coupling protrusions are formed at the coupling portion so as to protrude inwardly in a radial manner.  
     
     
         3 . The spool gripper of  claim 2 , wherein the coupling protrusions are positioned at a periphery of the coupling portion.  
     
     
         4 . The spool gripper of  claim 2 , wherein the coupling protrusions are positioned at a center of the coupling portion.  
     
     
         5 . The spool gripper of  claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of prominent portions arranged to form a space for receiving an end portion of the conductive wire fitted to the flange.  
     
     
         6 . The spool gripper of  claim 1 , wherein a pair of knobs are formed at the outer diameter portion so as to face each other.  
     
     
         7 . The spool gripper of  claim 1 , further comprising a cutting plane through the inner diameter portion, the coupling portion and the outer diameeter portion so that the gripper is compressable to deform the inner diameter.  
     
     
         8 . The spool gripper of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of prominent portions arranged to form a space for receiving an end portion of the conductive wire fitted to the flange.  
     
     
         9 . A spool handling unit, comprising: 
 a spool gripper having an inner diameter portion configured to receive a spool holder when the spool is fitted to the spool holder, a coupling portion configured to be couplable to a circumference of the flange and having a diameter larger than the inner diameter portion, and an outer diameter portion with a diameter larger than the coupling portion, the outer diameter portion being grippable for handling the spool; and    a spool case for storing the spool, the spool case having a base for mounting the spool, and a cover coupled to the base to prevent foreign materials from being introduced into the case.    
     
     
         10 . The spool handling unit of  claim 9 , wherein the base has a bottom portion, a sidewall protruded from the bottom portion, and a protrusion formed at the bottom portion internal to the sidewall so as to be insertable into an inner diameter portion of the spool, the cover having a protrusion insertable into the inner diameter portion of the spool fitted to the base to maintain a central axis of the spool in a horizontal direction, and a stopper configured so as to hold the central axis of the spool in the horizontal direction.  
     
     
         11 . A method of handling a spool with a spool handling unit having a spool gripper with an inner diameter portion configured to receive a spool holder when the spool is fitted to the spool holder, a coupling portion configured to be couplable to a circumference of the flange and having a diameter larger than the inner diameter portion, and an outer diameter portion with a diameter larger than the coupling portion, the outer diameter portion being grippable for handling the spool, and a spool case for storing the spool, the spool case having a base for mounting the spool and a cover coupled to the base to prevent foreign materials from being introduced into the case, wherein the base has a bottom portion, a sidewall protruded from the bottom portion, and a protrusion formed at the bottom portion internal to the sidewall so as to be insertable into an inner diameter portion of the spool, the cover having a protrusion insertable into the inner diameter portion of the spool fitted to the base to maintain a central axis of the spool in a horizontal direction, and a stopper configured so as to hold the central axis of the spool in the horizontal direction, the method comprising the steps of: 
 coupling the spool gripper to the flange of the spool;    mounting the spool to the spool case;    storing and carrying the spool so that the central axis of the spool is maintained to be in the horizontal direction;    gripping the spool gripper coupled to the spool;    fitting the spool to the spool holder; and    performing a wiring bonding operation while the gripper is coupled to the spool.