Conveying device and reflow soldering furnace comprising same
By designing a conveying device with a rotatable support rod, the problem of sinking and deformation of the circuit board caused by the increase in width during the reflow soldering process is solved, and the soldering yield rate is improved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202410451187.0
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-04-15
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-21
AI Technical Summary
When the width of the circuit board is large, the width of the conveying device carrying the circuit board needs to be increased accordingly, which causes the circuit board to sink and deform locally after being heated, affecting the yield of the reflow soldering process.
A conveying device is designed, including a first track device, which includes a rotatable support rod and a conveyor belt. The support rod can switch between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the support rod forms a large angle with the guide rail, and in the second state, the support rod forms a small angle with the guide rail. The support rod switches states in different areas of the conveyor belt to support or hide the circuit board and reduce deformation.
By switching the rotation state of the support rod, the circuit board is effectively prevented from local sinking and deformation during the heating process, thereby improving the yield rate of reflow soldering.
Smart Images
Figure CN120816083A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present application relates to the field of reflow soldering furnaces, and in particular to a conveying device and a reflow soldering furnace comprising the same. Background Art
[0002] In the production process of printed circuit boards, electronic components are typically mounted on the circuit boards using a process known as "reflow soldering." In a typical reflow soldering process, solder paste (e.g., tin paste) is deposited onto selected areas on the circuit board, and wires of one or more electronic components are inserted into the deposited solder paste. A conveyor then carries the circuit board and conveys it through the hearth of a reflow oven. In the hearth of the reflow oven, the solder paste reflows (i.e., is heated to a melting or reflow temperature) in a heating zone and then cools in a cooling zone to electrically and mechanically connect the wires of the electronic components to the circuit board. The term "circuit board" as used herein includes any type of substrate assembly of electronic components, including, for example, a wafer substrate.
[0003] When the width of the circuit board is large, the width of the conveyor device carrying the circuit board needs to be increased accordingly. After being heated, the circuit board with a large width is prone to local sinking and deformation, which affects the yield of the reflow soldering process. Summary of the Invention
[0004] In a first aspect, the present application provides a conveying device comprising a first track device. The first track device comprises a first guide rail and a first conveyor belt, the first guide rail extending in a length direction, the first conveyor belt supported on the first guide rail, and the first conveyor belt being configured to travel in the length direction. The first conveyor belt comprises a chain and a plurality of support rods, the plurality of support rods being arranged in the length direction, and each of the support rods being rotatably connected to the chain, wherein each of the support rods is capable of rotating to a first state and a second state, wherein the distance from the top of the support rod to the chain in the second state is less than the distance from the top of the support rod to the chain in the first state.
[0005] According to the first aspect, the angle between the support rod and the first guide rail in the first state is greater than the angle between the support rod and the first guide rail in the second state. The support rod is configured to be reciprocatingly switchable between the first state and the second state, wherein the support rod is capable of rotating in a first direction from the first state to the second state, and is capable of rotating in a second direction from the second state to the first state.
[0006] According to the first aspect above, in the first state, the angle between the support rod and the first guide rail is 90-100°, and in the second state, the angle between the support rod and the first guide rail is no greater than 45°.
[0007] According to the first aspect above, in the first state, the support rod is perpendicular to the first guide rail.
[0008] According to the first aspect, the chain of the first conveyor belt is annular and can be driven to circulate. The first track device has an upper support area and a lower return area. The chain travels forward in the upper support area and travels backward in the lower return area, so that the chain travels in a circular motion. The first conveyor belt is configured such that the plurality of support rods in the upper support area are in a first state or a second state, and the plurality of support rods in the lower return area are in a second state.
[0009] According to the first aspect above, each of the support rods includes a rod portion and a rotating shaft, the rotating shaft extends outward from the side of the chain, the rod portion is sleeved on the rotating shaft, and several of the support rods are rotatably connected to the chain through their respective rotating shafts.
[0010] According to the first aspect, the chain includes a plurality of inner links, a plurality of outer links, and a plurality of pins, wherein the plurality of inner links and the plurality of outer links are alternately arranged along the length direction, and the outer links are disposed outside two adjacent inner links, and the plurality of pins pass through the corresponding outer links and the corresponding inner links to articulate them. The plurality of support rods are connected to the corresponding outer links, and the rotation axis of each support rod is disposed between two adjacent pins, and the support rod is configured to rotate between the two adjacent pins.
[0011] According to the first aspect above, the support rod further includes a limiting portion, which is configured to prevent the support rod from continuing to rotate in the first direction after reaching the second state, and to prevent the support rod from continuing to rotate in the second direction after reaching the first state.
[0012] According to the first aspect, the limiting portion includes a notch and a hook. The notch is provided on the rod, wherein the shape and size of the notch are configured such that when the support rod is in the second state, the notch can accommodate the pin, thereby preventing the pin from rotating in the first direction. The hook is connected to one end of the rod, wherein the shape and size of the hook are configured such that when the support rod is in the first state, the hook can hook the pin, thereby preventing the pin from rotating in the second direction.
[0013] According to the first aspect, the first guide rail has a receiving slot extending in a lengthwise direction, the receiving slot including an upper chain receiving slot and a lower chain receiving slot, the upper chain receiving slot being disposed in the upper support region and configured to receive and support the chain in the upper support region, and the lower chain receiving slot being disposed in the lower return region and configured to receive and support the chain in the lower return region, wherein the plurality of support rods are connected to a side of the chain away from the receiving slot, and wherein a bottom edge of the first guide rail has a flange protruding toward the chain, the flange being configured to abut against the support rod to maintain the support rod in the second state.
[0014] According to the first aspect, the first track device has a track entrance, and further includes an entrance blocking pin disposed at the track entrance, wherein the entrance blocking pin is configured to extend toward the support rod to abut against the bottom of the support rod to drive the support rod to rotate in the second direction, thereby switching a plurality of support rods located downstream thereof from the second state to the first state.
[0015] According to the first aspect, the first track device further includes a sensing device and a driving device. The sensing device is configured to detect the state of the support rod. The entrance blocking pin is connected to the driving device. The driving device is configured to drive the entrance blocking pin to extend or retract toward the support rod based on the detected state of the support rod, thereby changing the support rod from the second state to the first state, or maintaining the support rod in the second state.
[0016] According to the first aspect, the first track device has a track exit, and further includes an exit blocking pin disposed at the track exit, wherein the exit blocking pin is configured to extend toward the support rod to abut against the top of the support rod, thereby driving the support rod to rotate in a first direction, thereby switching a plurality of support rods located downstream thereof from a first state to a second state.
[0017] In a second aspect, the present application provides a reflow soldering oven, comprising a first track assembly, a second track assembly, and a third track assembly. The first track assembly is as described in any one of the first aspects above. The second track assembly comprises a second guide rail and a second conveyor belt. The third track assembly comprises a third guide rail and a third conveyor belt. The second and third guide rails extend in a longitudinal direction and are spaced apart in a width direction, with the first guide rail being disposed between the second and third guide rails in the width direction. When the support rods of the first track assembly are in a first state, the tops of the support rods can abut against the lower surface of a processing element, and when the support rods are in a second state, the tops of the support rods do not contact the processing element. The first, second, and third conveyor belts travel synchronously, such that when the support rods are in the first state, the support rods of the first conveyor belt, the second conveyor belt, and the third conveyor belt collectively carry the processing element through the reflow soldering oven.
[0018] By considering the following specific embodiments, drawings and claims, other features, advantages and embodiments of the present application can be set forth or become apparent. In addition, it should be understood that the above-mentioned summary of the invention and the following specific embodiments are exemplary and are intended to provide further explanations without limiting the scope of the claimed application. However, the specific embodiments and specific examples only indicate preferred embodiments of the present application. For those skilled in the art, various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the present application will become apparent through this specific embodiment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a reflow oven in the length direction according to one embodiment of the present application;
[0020] Figure 2A for Figure 1 A partial perspective view of the conveying device in FIG.
[0021] Figure 2B for Figure 2A A side view of the conveying device shown in the width direction;
[0022] Figure 3A for Figure 2A a rear view of the first track device in the longitudinal direction;
[0023] Figure 3B for Figure 3A A perspective view of the first track device in FIG.
[0024] Figure 4A for Figure 3A An exploded view of the first guide rail and the first conveyor belt;
[0025] Figure 4B for Figure 3A A side view of the first guide rail and the first conveyor belt;
[0026] Figure 5A for Figure 4A A three-dimensional diagram of the first conveyor belt when the support rod is in the first state;
[0027] Figure 5B for Figure 4A A perspective view of the first conveyor belt when the support rod is in the second state;
[0028] Figure 5C for Figure 5A a side view of the first conveyor belt shown;
[0029] Figure 5D for Figure 5B a side view of the first conveyor belt shown;
[0030] Figure 6 for Figure 3A Schematic diagram of the state change process of the support rod of the first track device shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] Various specific embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings that form a part of this specification. It should be understood that although directional terms such as "front," "back," "up," "down," "left," "right," "top," "bottom," "inside," and "outside" are used in this application to describe various example structural parts and elements of the present application, these terms are used herein for convenience of description only and are determined based on the example orientations shown in the accompanying drawings. Because the embodiments disclosed in this application can be arranged in different orientations, these directional terms are intended to be illustrative only and should not be considered as limiting.
[0032] Figure 1 This is a simplified schematic diagram of an embodiment of the reflow oven of the present application, showing the structure of the reflow oven in the length direction. In this embodiment, in order to facilitate the introduction of the reflow oven, Figure 1 The outer shell for shielding the furnace 112 is removed.
[0033] like Figure 1As shown, the reflow oven 100 includes a furnace chamber 112 having a length L, a width W, and a height H. The furnace chamber 112 includes a heating zone 101 and a cooling zone 105 along the length L. The heating zone 101 and the cooling zone 105 each have multiple processing units with different temperatures, which are arranged side by side along the length L of the furnace chamber 112. The reflow oven 100 also includes a conveyor 118 that extends through the furnace chamber 112 along the length L. The conveyor 118 is used to carry and transport processing components 102 from the left end of the furnace chamber 112 into the furnace chamber 112. The components 102 are then processed in the heating zone 101 and the cooling zone 105 of the furnace chamber 112 along a conveying direction x, and then are discharged from the right end of the furnace chamber 112 after being processed. In this embodiment, the conveying direction x is arranged along the length L. The furnace 112 includes an upper furnace 114 and a lower furnace 115 that are arranged opposite to each other in the height direction. The outer shells of the upper furnace 114 and the lower furnace 115 are sealed together, and a certain space is separated between the upper furnace 114 and the lower furnace 115 so that the conveying device 118 can be arranged in the space between the upper furnace 114 and the lower furnace 115.
[0034] Specifically, in this embodiment, the processing element 102 is a circuit board. After processing in a reflow oven, the electronic components on the circuit board are soldered to the solder joints on the circuit board. The heating zone 101 includes twelve heating units 104, each equipped with a heating device to independently heat the gas within each heating unit 104. These twelve heating units 104 are heating units Z01-Z12. Heating units Z01-Z12 are connected in series, and the gas temperature within them gradually increases. "Connected in series" means that the heating units are arranged in numerical order. For example, heating units Z10 and Z12 are located on either side of heating unit Z11, and heating unit Z10 is located between heating units Z09 and Z11. The gas temperature in heating unit Z10 is higher than that in heating unit Z09, but lower than that in heating unit Z11. In heating units Z01-Z09, the circuit board is heated, and a portion of the flux in the solder paste dispensed on the circuit board vaporizes. The gas temperature in heating units Z10-Z12 is higher than that in heating units Z01-Z09, and the solder paste is completely melted in heating units Z10-Z12. Heating units Z10-Z12 are also the area where higher-temperature VOCs (such as rosin and resin in flux) will vaporize.
[0035] The cooling zone 105 includes four cooling units 103, each of which is provided with a cooling device to cool the gas in each cooling unit 103 independently. The four cooling units 103 are cooling units C01-C04 respectively. These cooling units C01-C04 are also arranged in sequence according to the serial number, and the temperature of the gas inside is gradually reduced. After the circuit board is transported from the heating unit Z12 into the cooling zone 105, the solder paste is cooled on the welding area of the circuit board and solidified into welding points, thereby connecting the electronic components to the circuit board. It is worth noting that the number of processing units in the heating zone 101 and the cooling zone 105 of the reflow oven can be changed according to the products to be welded and different welding processes, and is not limited to Figure 1 The embodiment shown.
[0036] The connection area between heating unit Z12 and cooling unit C01 is provided with a barrier exhaust zone 109. This zone extracts or exhausts gases from furnace 112. The gases extracted from barrier exhaust zone 109 are cooled and filtered before being transported back to the cooler processing units in furnace 112. This prevents or reduces the flow of gases containing volatile pollutants from heating zone 101 into cooling zone 105. Furthermore, by extracting or exhausting gases from furnace 112, barrier exhaust zone 109 also serves as a temperature-isolating zone, separating the high-temperature heating unit Z12 in heating zone 101 from the low-temperature cooling zone 105.
[0037] The reflow oven also includes a pair of barrier boxes 108, which are respectively located at the left and right ends of the furnace chamber 112, that is, outside the heating zone 101 and the cooling zone 105. When the reflow oven uses an inert gas (such as nitrogen) as the working gas, the barrier boxes 108 are used to prevent the heating zone 101 and the cooling zone 105 in the furnace chamber 112 from communicating with the external environment, thereby preventing the air in the external environment from affecting the welding quality.
[0038] Figure 2A and Figure 2B The specific structure of the conveying device 118 is shown to illustrate the positional relationship between the first track device, the second track device and the third track device. Figure 2A shows a perspective view of the conveying device 118 from the front side, Figure 2B Show Figure 2A Left view of . Figure 2A and Figure 2BAs shown, the conveying device 118 includes a first rail assembly 221, a second rail assembly 222, and a third rail assembly 223. In the width direction W, the first rail assembly 221 is disposed between the second rail assembly 222 and the third rail assembly 223. Thus, when the widthwise edges of the processing element 102 are supported on the second rail assembly 222 and the third rail assembly 223, the first rail assembly 221 can support the processing element 102 from the center, thereby preventing the center from sinking and deforming when the width of the processing element 102 is too large.
[0039] Specifically, the first track assembly 221 includes a first guide rail 231 and a first conveyor belt 232, with the first conveyor belt 232 supported on the first guide rail 231. The second track assembly 222 includes a second guide rail 211 and a second conveyor belt 213, with the second conveyor belt 213 supported on the second guide rail 211. The third track assembly 223 includes a third guide rail 216 and a third conveyor belt 217, with the third conveyor belt 217 supported on the third guide rail 216. The first guide rail 231, the second guide rail 211, and the third guide rail 216 all extend along the length direction L. The first guide rail 231 is disposed between the second guide rail 211 and the third guide rail 216. The edges of the processing element 102 in the width direction W are supported on the second conveyor belt 213 and the third conveyor belt 217, respectively. The middle portion of the processing element 102 in the width direction W is supported on the first conveyor belt 232.
[0040] The conveyor device 118 also includes a drive mechanism. The first conveyor belt 232, the second conveyor belt 213, and the third conveyor belt 217 are connected by the drive mechanism so that the first conveyor belt 232, the second conveyor belt 213, and the third conveyor belt 217 travel synchronously along the conveying direction x, thereby collectively carrying the processing components 102 through the reflow oven 100. In this embodiment, the drive mechanism is located at the entrance of the reflow oven 100 and includes a drive shaft 224 and a plurality of transmission gears 226. The first conveyor belt 232, the second conveyor belt 213, and the third conveyor belt 217 comprise chain-type transmission belts. More specifically, the drive shaft 224 extends along the width direction W and connects the first track assembly 221, the second track assembly 222, and the third track assembly 223 in parallel. The drive shaft 224 is driven to rotate by a drive device, such as a motor. A plurality of transmission gears 226 are connected to the drive shaft 224 to rotate with the rotation of the drive shaft 224. The plurality of transmission gears 226 are meshed and connected to the first conveyor belt 232, the second conveyor belt 213, and the third conveyor belt 217, so that the rotation of the plurality of transmission gears 226 can drive the first conveyor belt 232, the second conveyor belt 213, and the third conveyor belt 217 to move synchronously. The conveyor device 118 also includes a plurality of tensioning pulleys 227 and a plurality of support shafts 225. The plurality of tensioning pulleys 227 are connected to the first conveyor belt 232, the second conveyor belt 213, and the third conveyor belt 217 to adjust the tension of each conveyor belt. The plurality of support shafts 225 are arranged parallel to the drive shaft 224 and are connected to the first rail assembly 221, the second rail assembly 222, and the third rail assembly 223. In this embodiment, the second guide rail 211 is a fixed guide rail, and the third guide rail 216 is a movable guide rail. The third guide rail 216 can move along the drive shaft 224 and the plurality of support shafts 225 to move closer to or farther from the second guide rail 211, and the third conveyor belt 217 can then move closer to or farther from the second conveyor belt 213 along with the third guide rail 216. Thus, the conveying device 118 can adjust the distance between the second guide rail 211 and the third guide rail 216 according to the size of the processing element 102, so that the edges of the processing element 102 remain supported on the second conveyor belt 213 and the third conveyor belt 217.
[0041] More specifically, the first conveyor belt 232 includes a chain 234 and a plurality of support rods 233. The plurality of support rods 233 are arranged along a length direction L. Each support rod 233 is rotatably connected to the chain 234 so as to move along with the movement of the chain 234. Each support rod 233 has a first state or a second state, and the support rods 233 can switch back and forth between the first and second states. The distance from the top of the support rod 233 to the chain 234 in the second state is less than the distance from the top of the support rod 233 to the chain 234 in the first state. Thus, when the support rods 233 are in the first state, the top of the support rods 233 can abut the lower surface of the processing element 102. When the support rods 233 are in the second state, the height of the top of the support rods 233 is lowered, thereby preventing the top of the support rods 233 from contacting the lower surface of the processing element 102 and reducing the space occupied by the support rods in the height direction. In some embodiments, the angle between the support rod 233 and the first guide rail 231 in the first state is greater than the angle between the support rod 233 and the first guide rail 231 in the second state. In some embodiments, the angle α1 between the support rod 233 and the first guide rail 231 in the first state is 90-100 degrees, and the angle α2 between the support rod 233 and the first guide rail 231 in the second state is not greater than 45 degrees (see Figure 5C and Figure 5D (as shown). The angle between the support rod and the first guide rail here refers to the angle between the support rod 233 and the first guide rail 231 to its right, that is, the side closest to the support rod 233 in the second state. Within this angle range, the top of the support rod 233 in the first state can more stably support the processing element 102, and the support rod 233 in the second state can avoid contact with the processing element 102, thereby reducing the space occupied. In this embodiment, the support rod 233 in the first state is approximately perpendicular to the first guide rail 231 (i.e., at approximately 90°). When the processing element 102 is wide, the support rod 233 can be in the first state to support the middle portion of the processing element 102 and prevent it from sinking and deforming. When the support rod 233 is no longer needed to support the processing element 102, such as when the processing element 102 is narrow or the support rod 233 is away from the processing element 102, the support rod 233 can be in the second state to hide the support rod 233 and reduce the space occupied by the support rod 233. The more specific structure of the first rail device 221 will be described in detail later.
[0042] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the drive mechanism may be configured as other structures, as long as it can enable the first conveyor belt 232, the second conveyor belt 213, and the third conveyor belt 217 to move synchronously. Furthermore, the second track device 222 and the third track device 223 may be configured as any known structure in the art.
[0043] Figure 3A and Figure 3B FIG. 2 shows a more specific structure of the first track device 221. Figure 3A 2 shows a rear view of the first rail device 221 in the length direction L, Figure 3B FIG. 2 shows a partially enlarged perspective view of the first track device 221. Figure 3A In order to more clearly illustrate the travel path of the first conveyor belt 232, the specific structure of the first conveyor belt 232 is not shown, but the first conveyor belt 232 is represented by a hollow bar.
[0044] like Figure 3A and Figure 3B As shown, the chain 234 of the first conveyor belt 232 is annular so that the first conveyor belt 232 can travel in a loop. The first track device 221 has an upper support area 335 and a lower return area 336, as well as a track entrance 337 and a track exit 338. The chain 234 travels in the upper support area 335 from the track entrance 337 to the track exit 338 in a positive direction (i.e., in the direction of the track exit 338). Figure 3A and travels in the reverse direction from the track exit 338 to the track entrance 337 in the lower return area 336 (i.e., in Figure 3A The first track device 221 further includes a vertical region 339, which is provided at the track entrance 337 and connected between the upper support region 335 and the lower return region 336. This allows the chain 234 to pass through the vertical region 339 and then return to the upper support region 335 after passing through the lower return region 336 and returning to the track entrance 337. The vertical region 339 is used to set the transmission gear 226 and the tensioning wheel 227. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, depending on the actual situation, the vertical region 339 may not be provided, and the upper support region 335 and the lower return region 336 may be directly connected, and the transmission gear and the tensioning wheel may be set in other positions accordingly.
[0045] When the first conveyor belt 232 is in the upper support area 335, the support rods 233 can be in a first position, supporting the processing element 102, or in a second position, clear of the processing element 102 and concealing the support rods 233. When the first conveyor belt 232 is in the lower return area 336, the support rods 233 are in the second position, concealing the support rods 233. In this application, the first conveyor belt 232 only needs to support the processing element 102 in the upper support area 335 and does not come into contact with the processing element 102 in the lower return area 336. Therefore, when the first conveyor belt 232 is in the lower return area 336, the support rods 233 are in the second position, which saves space required by the first conveyor belt 232. Furthermore, the first conveyor belt 232 can be placed in either the first or second position in the upper support area 335 based on specific needs, such as the size of the processing element 102.
[0046] In this embodiment, the first track device 221 further includes an entrance blocking pin 347 and an exit blocking pin 348. The entrance blocking pin 347 and the exit blocking pin 348 are used to drive the support rod 233 to rotate so as to change the state of the support rod 233 located downstream of them in the direction of travel of the first conveyor belt 232. Specifically, the first track device 221 further includes an entrance support plate 328 and an exit support plate 329. The entrance support plate 328 is provided at the track entrance 337 and is located on one side of the first guide rail 231 in the width direction W (for example, Figure 3B The entrance blocking pin 347 is connected to the entrance support plate 328 and extends from the entrance support plate 328 toward the support rod 233. The exit support plate 329 is provided at the track exit 338 and is located on one side of the first guide rail 231 in the width direction W (e.g. Figure 3B ). And the outlet blocking pin 348 is connected to the outlet support plate 329 and extends from the outlet support plate 329 toward the direction of the support rod 233. During the travel of the first conveyor belt 232, when the support rod 233 abuts the inlet blocking pin 347 and the outlet blocking pin 348, the inlet blocking pin 347 and the outlet blocking pin 348 are able to drive the support rod 233 to rotate, thereby changing the state of the support rod 233. In this embodiment, the outlet blocking pin 348 is used to rotate the support rod 233 in the first state to the second state, thereby ensuring that the support rod 233 in the lower return area 336 is in the second state. The inlet blocking pin 347 is used to rotate the support rod 233 in the second state to the first state. A more specific state change process of the support rod 233 will be combined with Figure 6 Provide a detailed description.
[0047] In this embodiment, the first track assembly 221 further includes a sensing device 307 and a driving device 306. The sensing device 307 and the driving device 306 are also disposed at the track entrance 337 and connected to the entrance support plate 328. The sensing device 307 is used to detect the state of the support rod 233, for example, whether the support rod 233 is in the first state or the second state. In some embodiments, the sensing device 307 is a position sensor. The driving device 306 is connected to an entrance blocking pin 347 to drive the entrance blocking pin 347 to extend or retract toward the support rod 233, for example, along the width direction W, based on the detection result of the sensing device 307. When the entrance blocking pin 347 extends toward the support rod 233, the entrance blocking pin 347 can rotate the support rod 233 from the second state to the first state. When the entrance blocking pin 347 retracts, the entrance blocking pin 347 no longer contacts the support rod 233, thereby maintaining the support rod 233 in the second state without changing the state. In some embodiments, the driving device 306 is a cylinder. The sensing device 307 includes a sensor 307a and a sensor 307b arranged along the length direction L. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the sensing device is not necessary and may not be provided in some embodiments.
[0048] Figure 4A and Figure 4B It is used to illustrate the matching structure of the first guide rail 231 and the first conveyor belt 232. Figure 4A is an exploded view of the first guide rail 231 and the first conveyor belt 232. Figure 4B This is a side view of the first guide rail 231 and the first conveyor belt 232 in the width direction W. To more clearly illustrate the partial structure of the first conveyor belt 232, only a portion of the support rod 233 and a portion of the chain are shown. Hereinafter, support rod 233a represents the support rod in the first state, and support rod 233b represents the support rod in the second state. Chain 234a represents the chain in the upper support area 335, and chain 234b represents the chain in the lower return area 336.
[0049] like Figure 4A and Figure 4BAs shown, the first guide rail 231 has a receiving groove 451 that extends along the length direction L and is recessed rightward from the left side of the first guide rail 231 along the width direction W. The receiving groove 451 is used to accommodate the chain 234 of the first conveyor belt 232, supporting the chain 234 to travel along the extension direction of the receiving groove 451, that is, the length direction L. Specifically, the receiving groove 451 includes an upper chain receiving groove 452 and a lower chain receiving groove 453. The upper chain receiving groove 452 is provided in the upper support area 335 to accommodate and support the chain 234a in the upper support area 335. The lower chain receiving groove 453 is provided in the lower return area 336 to accommodate and support the chain 234b in the lower return area 336. The upper chain receiving groove 452 and the lower chain receiving groove 453 have substantially the same shape and structure, and are both configured with opposite protrusions 446 at the top and bottom to match the shape of the chain 234, so as to accommodate the chain 234 and restrict the chain 234 from moving along the width direction W. The bottom edge of the first guide rail 231 also has a flange 454, which also extends along the length direction L and extends from the first guide rail.
[0050] The bottom edge of the support rod 231 is formed to protrude outward along the width direction W. The flange 454 is used to abut against the support rod 233 in the lower return area 336 in the second state to maintain the support rod 233 in the lower return area 336 in the second state.
[0051] The support rod 233 is connected to the left side of the chain 234, that is, the side away from the receiving groove 451, so that when the receiving groove 451 receives the chain 234, the support rod 233 is located outside the receiving groove 451. Each support rod 233 is roughly in the shape of a right angle corner, including a rod portion 441, a rotating shaft 442, and a hook portion 443. Each support rod 233 is rotatably connected to the chain 234 via the rotating shaft 442. As an example, the rotating shaft 442 extends outward from the left side of the chain 234, and the rod portion 441 is sleeved on the rotating shaft 442 so that the rod portion 441 can rotate around the rotating shaft 442. The rotating shaft 442 is set at the bottom of the rod portion 441 so that during the rotation of the support rod 233, the range of rotation covered by the hook portion 443 is smaller than the range of rotation covered by the rod portion 441. By reducing the range of rotation covered by the hook 443 during the rotation of the support rod 233, there is no need to avoid interfering with the rotation of the support rod 233 by setting the distance between the chain 234a and the chain 234b to be too large. Therefore, the support rod 233 with such a structure can save the size of the first rail device 221 in the height direction.
[0052] The top end 461 of the rod 441 is generally flat and is configured to abut against the processing element 102. The hook 443 is connected to the bottom end of the rod 441 and is disposed generally perpendicular to the rod 441. When the support rod 233 is in the first state, the rod 441 is vertical, the hook 443 is horizontal, and the lower surface of the hook 443 is generally flush with the lower surface of the chain 234.
[0053] As a result, the chain 234a of the first conveyor belt 232 located in the upper support area 335 is accommodated and supported in the upper chain accommodating groove 452 of the first guide rail 231, and travels from rear to front along the length direction L. The support rod 233a of the first conveyor belt 232 located in the upper support area 335 is in a first state, with the rod portion 441a vertically extending upward above the chain 234a so that the top end 461 of the rod portion 441a can abut against the lower surface of the processing element 102. The hook portion 443 is in a horizontal state, and does not exceed the lower surface of the chain 234a in the height direction.
[0054] The chain 234b of the first conveyor belt 232 located in the lower return area 336 is received and supported in the lower chain receiving groove 453 of the first guide rail 231 and travels from front to rear along the length direction L. The support rod 233b of the first conveyor belt 232 located in the lower return area 336 is in the second state, with the rod portion 441b extending downwardly and obliquely below the chain 234b. At this time, the top end 461 of the rod portion 441b is at the lowest point of the first conveyor belt 232 and abuts the flange 454. The hook portion 443 is tilted upward to be higher than the upper surface of the chain 234b.
[0055] The distance H1 between the support rod 233a and the chain 234a in the first state is greater than the distance H2 between the support rod 233b and the chain 234b in the second state. Therefore, setting the support rod 233b that does not need to carry the processing element 102 to the second state can reduce the total height occupied space of the first track device 221.
[0056] Figures 5A-5D FIG. 2 shows a more specific structure of the first conveyor belt 232. Figure 5A and Figure 5C Show Figure 4A When the support rod 233a is in the first state, the structure of the first conveyor belt 232. Figure 5B and Figure 5D Show Figure 4A When the support rod 233b is in the second state, the structure of the first conveyor belt 232. Figures 5A-5D Only a partial circulation unit of the first conveyor belt 232 is shown.
[0057] like Figures 5A-5DAs shown, chains 234a and 234b have the same structure to enable the first conveyor belt 232 to travel in a circular motion. Chains 234a and 234b include a plurality of inner links 555, a plurality of outer links 554, and a plurality of pins 556. These inner links 555 and outer links 554 are alternately arranged along the length direction L. Each outer link 554 is disposed outside two adjacent inner links 555 and is hingedly connected to the two adjacent inner links 555. In this embodiment, a plurality of pins 556 pass through corresponding outer links 554 and inner links 555 to hinge them together.
[0058] In this embodiment, a plurality of support rods 233 are provided corresponding to a plurality of outer links 554, and each support rod 233 is connected to the outer side of a corresponding outer link 554 via a rotation axis 442. Each rotation axis 442 is provided between two adjacent pins 556 to limit the rotation range of the support rod 233 to approximately between the two adjacent pins 556. As an example, the rotation axis 442 is provided approximately at the center of the outer link 554.
[0059] In order to further limit the rotation range of the support rod 233, the support rod 233 and the chain 234 are provided with a matching limiting structure to limit the support rod 233 to reciprocating rotation between the first state and the second state. In this embodiment, the support rod 233 is also provided with a limiting portion, which cooperates with the pin 556 of the chain 234 to limit the rotation direction and rotation angle of the support rod 233. For example, the support rod 233a in the first state can only rotate in the first direction (i.e. Figure 5C and Figure 5D In the second state, the support rod 233b can only be moved in the second direction (ie, the clockwise direction in the middle) to the second state. Figure 5C and Figure 5D) rotates to the first state. As a specific example, the limiting portion includes a notch 544 provided on the rod portion 441 and a hook portion 443 connected to the bottom of the rod portion 441. The notch 544 is provided on the right side of the rod portion 441 and close to the bottom, and its shape and size are set to match the pin 556, so that the notch 544 on the rod portion 441b of the support rod 233b in the second state can accommodate the pin 556 and block the support rod 233b from rotating in the first direction, but does not block the support rod 233b from rotating in the second direction. The hook portion 443 is provided at the bottom end of the rod portion 441 and extends to the right, and its shape and size are set to match the pin 556, so that the hook portion 443 of the support rod 233a in the first state can hook the pin 556 and block the support rod 233a from rotating in the second direction, but does not block the support rod 233a from rotating in the first direction. In this embodiment, the support rod 233 further includes an inclined surface 545, which is arranged on the bottom side of the rod portion 441 opposite to the hook portion 443 to avoid the left pin shaft 556 when the support rod 233 rotates from the first state along the first direction.
[0060] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the rotation direction of the support rod 233 is related to the travel direction of the chain 234. The positions of the notch 544 and the hook 443 can be adjusted accordingly based on the desired rotation direction of the support rod 233. Furthermore, the position limiting structure can also be configured in other configurations as needed.
[0061] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the state change process of the support rod of the first track device, used to illustrate the process of the inlet blocking pin 347 and the outlet blocking pin 348 driving the support rod 233 to rotate. Figure 6As shown, at the track entrance 337, an entrance blocking pin 347 is positioned below and adjacent to the chain 234a at the track entrance 337. When the drive device 306 controls the entrance blocking pin 347 to extend, the hook portion 443 of the support rod 233b is positioned below the lower surface of the chain 234. The entrance blocking pin 347 can contact the hook portion 443 of the support rod 233b and block the hook portion 443 of the support rod 233b in the direction of travel of the support rod 233b, thereby driving the support rod 233b to rotate in the second direction (i.e., counterclockwise) until the hook portion 443 is flush with the lower surface of the chain 234a, and the support rod 233b rotates to the first state. As the support rod 233b in the second state travels from right to left along the conveying direction x, the entrance blocking pin 347 sequentially blocks each support rod 233b and drives each support rod 233b that passes through the entrance blocking pin 347 to rotate to the first state. If the driving device 306 drives the entrance blocking pin 347 to retract, the entrance blocking pin 347 will not block the hook portion 443 of the support rod 233b, so that each support rod 233b passing through the entrance blocking pin 347 remains in the second state.
[0062] At the track exit 337, an exit blocking pin 348 is disposed at the track exit 337, approximately on the leftmost side of the chain 234a, near the junction of the chains 234a and 234b. The exit blocking pin 348 is configured to contact the rod portion 441 of the support rod 233a and block the rod portion 441 of the support rod 233a in the direction of travel of the support rod 233a, thereby driving the support rod 233a to rotate in the first direction (i.e., clockwise) until the notch 544 of the rod portion 441 abuts the pin 556, causing the support rod 233a to rotate to the second state. As the support rod 233a in the first state travels from the upper support area 335 to the lower return area 336, the exit blocking pin 348 sequentially blocks each support rod 233a, driving each support rod 233a that passes through the exit blocking pin 348 to rotate to the second state. In this embodiment, the outlet blocking pin 348 is set at the connection between the chain 234a and the chain 234b, and is located on the left side of the chain 234a. On the one hand, it will not affect the support rod 233a supporting the processing element 102 in the first state. On the other hand, the support rod 233 that does not need to support the processing element 102 can be retracted to the second state as soon as possible to save the space occupied by the support rod 233 and avoid interference between the support rod 233 and other gears.
[0063] Those skilled in the art may dispose the entrance blocking pin and the exit blocking pin at other positions at the track entrance and the track exit according to specific needs, as long as the support rod can be driven to rotate in the corresponding direction.
[0064] The conveying device of the reflow oven of the present application includes three track devices arranged side by side in the width direction, which can better support the processing components even when processing processing components with a larger width, and prevent the processing components from sinking and deforming in the middle due to heat.
[0065] The first track assembly of the present application includes a chain and a support rod rotatably connected to the chain. The support rod can be rotated to a first state or a second state according to specific needs. In the first state, the support rod can support the processing element, and in the second state, it can not support the processing element and reduce the occupied space. By providing a rotatable support rod, the first conveyor belt of the first track assembly can always travel along the length direction, realizing the lifting function of the support rod without moving the position of the first conveyor belt.
[0066] When the chain of the first track assembly of the present application reaches the lower return area, the support rod can rotate to the second position, thereby reducing the height space occupied by the first track assembly. Furthermore, the first track assembly of the present application has a flange provided on the bottom edge of the first guide rail to ensure that the support rod in the lower return area is in the second position, thereby improving the reliability of the support rod's lifting function.
[0067] The first track device of the present application drives the support rod to switch between the first state and the second state by providing an entrance blocking pin and an exit blocking pin. The first track device also includes a drive device to control the extension or retraction of the entrance blocking pin, so that the support rod passing the entrance blocking pin can be in the first state or the second state, and the support rod passing the exit blocking pin is in the second state.
[0068] In addition, by setting the support rod to switch between the first state and the second state, the present application can make the reverse bending radius of the first conveyor belt of the first track device smaller than that of the conveyor belt in which the support rod is maintained in the first state, thereby reducing the size of the transmission gear and the tensioning wheel, and further reducing the occupied space of the first track device.
[0069] Although the present disclosure has been described in conjunction with the examples of the embodiments outlined above, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and / or substantially equivalents, whether known or currently or soon to be foreseen, may be readily apparent. In addition, the technical effects and / or technical problems described in this specification are exemplary and not restrictive. Therefore, the disclosure in this specification may be used to solve other technical problems and have other technical effects. Therefore, the examples of the embodiments of the present disclosure set out above are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is intended to include all known or earlier developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and / or substantially equivalents.
Claims
1. A conveying device, characterized in that include: a first track device (221), the first track device (221) comprising a first guide rail (231) and a first conveyor belt (232), the first guide rail (231) extending along a length direction (L), the first conveyor belt (232) supported on the first guide rail (231), and the first conveyor belt (232) being configured to travel along the length direction (L); The first conveyor belt (232) includes a chain (234) and several support rods (233), wherein the several support rods (233) are arranged along the length direction (L), and each of the support rods (233) is rotatably connected to the chain (234), wherein each of the support rods (233) is capable of rotating to a first state and a second state, wherein the distance from the top of the support rod (233) to the chain (234) in the second state is smaller than the distance from the top of the support rod (233) to the chain (234) in the first state.
2. The conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The included angle between the support rod (233) and the first guide rail (231) in the first state is greater than the included angle between the support rod (233) and the first guide rail (231) in the second state; The support rod (233) is configured to be switchable between a first state and a second state, wherein the support rod (233) is capable of rotating from the first state along a first direction to the second state, and is capable of rotating from the second state along a second direction to the first state.
3. The conveying device according to claim 2, characterized in that: In the first state, the angle between the support rod (233) and the first guide rail (231) is 90-100°; and In the second state, the angle between the support rod (233) and the first guide rail (231) is no greater than 45°.
4. The conveying device according to claim 3, characterized in that: In the first state, the support rod (233) is perpendicular to the first guide rail (231).
5. The conveying device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The chain (234) of the first conveyor belt (232) is annular and can be driven to travel in a circular motion; The first track device (221) has an upper support area (335) and a lower return area (336), the chain (234) travels forward in the upper support area (335) and travels reversely in the lower return area (336), so that the chain (234) travels in a circular motion; The first conveyor belt (232) is configured so that the plurality of support rods (233) in the upper support area (335) are in the first state or the second state; and the plurality of support rods (233) in the lower return area (336) are in the second state.
6. The conveying device according to claim 5, characterized in that: Each of the support rods (233) includes a rod portion (441) and a rotating shaft (442). The rotating shaft (442) extends outward from the side of the chain (234). The rod portion (441) is sleeved on the rotating shaft (442). On the upper side, the plurality of support rods (233) are rotatably connected to the chain (234) via their respective rotation shafts (442).
7. The conveying device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The chain (234) includes a plurality of inner links (555), a plurality of outer links (554) and a plurality of pins (556), wherein the plurality of inner links (555) and the plurality of outer links (554) are alternately arranged along the length direction (L), and the outer links (554) are arranged on the outside of two adjacent inner links (555), and the plurality of pins (556) pass through the corresponding outer links (554) and the inner links (555) to articulate them; The plurality of support rods (233) are connected to corresponding outer chain links (554), and the rotation axis (442) of each support rod (233) is arranged between two adjacent pin shafts (556), and the support rod (233) is arranged to rotate between the two adjacent pin shafts (556).
8. The conveying device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The support rod (233) further includes a limiting portion, which is configured to prevent the support rod (233) from continuing to rotate in the first direction after reaching the second state, and to prevent the support rod (233) from continuing to rotate in the second direction after reaching the first state.
9. The conveying device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The limiting portion includes: a notch (544), the notch (544) being provided on the rod portion (441), wherein the shape and size of the notch (544) are configured such that when the support rod (233) is in the second state, the notch (544) can accommodate the pin (556), and the pin (556) blocks the support rod (233) from rotating in the first direction; and A hook portion (443) is connected to one end of the rod portion (441), wherein the shape and size of the hook portion (443) are set so that when the support rod (233) is in the first state, the hook portion (443) can hook the pin shaft (556) and enable the pin shaft (556) to prevent the support rod (233) from rotating in the second direction.
10. The conveying device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first guide rail (231) has a receiving groove (451) extending along the length direction (L), the receiving groove (451) includes an upper chain receiving groove (452) and a lower chain receiving groove (453), the upper chain receiving groove (452) is arranged in the upper support area (335) and is arranged to receive and support the chain (234) in the upper support area (335), and the lower chain receiving groove (453) is arranged in the lower return area (336) and is arranged to receive and support the chain (234) in the lower return area (336), wherein the plurality of support rods (233) are connected to a side of the chain (234) away from the receiving groove (451); The bottom edge of the first guide rail (231) has a flange (454) protruding toward the chain (234), and the flange (454) is configured to abut against the support rod (233) to keep the support rod (233) in the second state.
11. The conveying device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first track device (221) has a track entrance (337); The first track device (221) further includes an entrance blocking pin (347), which is arranged at the track entrance (337), wherein the entrance blocking pin (347) is arranged to be able to extend toward the support rod (233) to abut against the bottom of the support rod (233) to drive the support rod (233) to rotate in the second direction, thereby switching several support rods (233) located downstream thereof from the second state to the first state.
12. The conveying device according to claim 11, characterized in that: The first track device (221) further comprises: a sensing device (307), the sensing device (307) being configured to detect a state of the support rod (233); and a driving device (306), wherein the inlet blocking pin (347) is connected to the driving device (306); The driving device (306) is configured to drive the entrance blocking pin (347) to extend or retract toward the support rod (233) based on the detected state of the support rod (233), thereby changing the support rod (233) from the second state to the first state, or maintaining it in the second state.
13. The conveying device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first track device (221) has a track exit (338); The first track device (221) further includes an outlet blocking pin (348), which is arranged at the track outlet (338), wherein the outlet blocking pin (348) is arranged to be able to extend toward the support rod (233) to abut against the top of the support rod (233) to drive the support rod (233) to rotate in a first direction, thereby switching several support rods (233) located downstream thereof from the first state to the second state.
14. A reflow oven, characterized in that include: A first track device (221), wherein the first track device (221) is as described in any one of claims 1 to 13; a second track arrangement (222), the second track arrangement (222) comprising a second guide rail (211) and a second conveyor belt (213); and A third track device (223), wherein the third track device (223) includes a third guide rail (216) and a third conveyor belt (217); The second guide rail (211) and the third guide rail (216) extend in a length direction (L) and are spaced apart in a width direction (W); the first guide rail (231) is disposed between the second guide rail (211) and the third guide rail (216) in the width direction (W); wherein when the support rod (233) of the first track device (221) is in the first state, the top of the support rod (233) is able to abut against the lower surface of the processing element (102), and when the support rod (233) is in the second state, the top of the support rod (233) does not contact the processing element (102); And wherein the first conveyor belt (232), the second conveyor belt (213) and the third conveyor belt (217) move synchronously so that when the support rod (233) is in the first state, the support rod (233) of the first conveyor belt (232), the second conveyor belt (213) and the third conveyor belt (217) jointly carry the processing element (102) through the reflow oven.