PCB automatic stacking and disassembling assembly line mechanism and feeding and discharging method suitable for planar CT detection

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of PCB automatic stacking and disassembling assembly line mechanism and loading and unloading method suitable for plane CT detection, and relates to PCB stacking technical field, including production line conveying unit, the top of production line conveying unit is equipped with linear module for stacking movement, double-frame stacking rack is installed in the transverse movement movable end of linear module, and reciprocating moves with the movable end;Circulating supporting chain is oppositely arranged in the two side cavities of double-frame stacking rack;Flexible card strip is installed on circulating supporting chain in transverse vertical column, and flexible card strip is oppositely arranged in the cavity of double-frame stacking rack.This application realizes the multilayer stacking of PCB on production line conveying unit by the setting mode of linear module and double-frame stacking rack cooperation, and whole batch is sent into the below of CT fracture detection camera for CT fracture detection, improves overall detection efficiency, avoids the process of repeatedly adsorbing and moving PCB using suction cup in traditional way, and improves stacking efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of PCB material stacking technology, and in particular to an automated PCB material stacking and unloading production line mechanism and method adapted to planar CT inspection. Background Technology

[0002] Planar CT inspection is widely used to detect internal defects and fractures in PCBs. It uses X-rays to perform tomographic scanning of the PCB board, which can effectively identify internal quality problems such as solder joint defects and circuit breaks. Its detection accuracy and efficiency are significantly better than traditional AOI optical inspection.

[0003] Currently, PCBs on the production line are usually transported to planar CT equipment for inspection in a single-layer transfer manner. Each CT equipment requires a dedicated person to be responsible for loading and unloading each PCB individually, resulting in high labor costs. Furthermore, the method of feeding PCBs one at a time causes the CT equipment to frequently be in a waiting state, resulting in low machine utilization and severely restricting the overall production capacity of the production line.

[0004] To address this, the industry has attempted to introduce stacking mechanisms to pre-stack single-layer PCBs continuously conveyed on the production line into multi-layer stacks, which are then centrally fed into the CT inspection station to reduce equipment downtime and increase inspection throughput. However, existing automatic stacking mechanisms are mostly designed for thick or rigid boards, using rigid clamping or suction cup adsorption. They do not fully consider the characteristics of thin PCBs, such as easy bending and warping. Fluctuations in suction cup adsorption force or excessive impact during stacking can easily cause scratches, deformation, or even damage to the inner layer circuitry, leading to distorted inspection results or even product scrap. The moving structures of clamping or suction cup adsorption require frequent operation, wasting resources. Furthermore, after inspection, each PCB must be individually transferred back to the conveyor line, consuming time and reducing the efficiency of assembly line inspection. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automated PCB stacking and unloading production line mechanism and loading / unloading method adapted to planar CT inspection, so as to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an automated PCB stacking and unloading production line mechanism adapted to planar CT inspection, comprising a production line conveyor unit, wherein a linear module for stacking movement is mounted on the top of the production line conveyor unit, and further comprising:

[0007] The double-frame stacker is installed on the lateral movable end of the linear module and reciprocates with the movable end.

[0008] The circulating support chain is arranged in opposite directions on both sides of the inner cavity of the double-frame stacker;

[0009] Flexible clamping strips are installed horizontally and vertically on the circulating support chain. The flexible clamping strips are arranged one-to-one in the inner cavity of the double frame stacker to apply elastic clamping force to the side of the PCB. The clamping force of the flexible clamping strips can be adjusted by the pneumatic control system.

[0010] During loading and unloading, the pneumatic control system sequentially inflates or deflates each flexible clamping bar that arrives at the stacking station along the direction of the circulating support chain, so that it clamps or releases the PCB board one by one, completing the PCB stacking and return.

[0011] Preferably, a fracture detection camera for CT inspection of PCB boards is installed on one side of the production line conveyor unit. The linear module, the drive component of the circulating support chain, and the pneumatic control system are all connected to the main controller. The main controller controls the waiting time of the double-frame stack at the CT inspection station and the feeding or exiting sequence of the stack according to the scanning cycle signal of the fracture detection camera.

[0012] Preferably, the cyclic support chain includes:

[0013] Sprockets, which are arranged in pairs facing each other at the corners of the inner wall of the double-frame stacker;

[0014] The carrier chain meshes between two longitudinally arranged sprockets, and the flexible strip is installed laterally between the two synchronously moving carrier chains and follows the carrier chains to operate in a closed loop.

[0015] A movable slot is provided on the outer chain plate of the load-bearing chain;

[0016] An embedding component is fixed to the live slot by a snap-fit ​​and installed on the carrier chain. The embedding component is used to fix the flexible strip.

[0017] Preferably, the embedded component includes:

[0018] A locking block, which is inserted into the inner cavity of a movable locking slot;

[0019] An adhesive substrate is fixed to one end of a card block, and the adhesive substrate is connected to the end of a laterally arranged flexible card strip by an adhesive.

[0020] Two U-shaped cards are slidably inserted into the ends of the card block, and the bottom of the U-shaped cards is inserted and engaged with the inner wall of the card slot.

[0021] A compression spring is fixed between two opposing U-shaped clips and is used for elastic pressing of the two U-shaped clips.

[0022] Preferably, the flexible card strip includes:

[0023] An inflatable strip, which is fixed to the outer wall of the adhesive substrate by an adhesive.

[0024] A fixed air cavity is provided on the side of the inflatable strip close to the adhesive substrate, and the fixed air cavity is used to define the shape of the inflatable strip by filling it with air;

[0025] The flexible expansion cavity is located on the inner side of the inflatable strip away from the substrate. The side cross-section of the flexible expansion cavity is a U-shaped cavity structure. The outer wall of the inflatable strip is used for snap-fit ​​and limiting on the upper and lower sides of the PCB board through the U-shaped cavity.

[0026] Preferably, the flexible card strip further includes:

[0027] A flexible electronic tactile array is equidistantly arranged outside the flexible expansion cavity and embedded in the outer wall of the inflatable strip. The flexible electronic tactile array outputs the position and pressure status of the PCB to the main controller through contact with the PCB board.

[0028] Preferably, an inflation tube is inserted and connected to the bottom of the inner cavity of the inflation strip. The inflation tube is located at the bottom of the flexible expansion cavity and does not extend out of the protruding cavity of the flexible expansion cavity. The inflation tube is used for rapid inflation and rapid retraction and reset of the protruding cavity at the bottom of the flexible expansion cavity.

[0029] Preferably, a drive unit for the circulating support chain to operate along a closed-loop path is installed on one side of the top of the circulating support chain, and a rotating rod is interwoven between the two horizontally arranged sprockets. One end of the two rotating rods at the top of the double-frame stacker is connected to the drive unit.

[0030] Preferably, the driving element includes:

[0031] A fixed frame, which is fixed to the top of the double-frame stacking rack;

[0032] A synchronizing element is connected to two rotating rods via a synchronizing belt and a synchronizing pulley. The synchronizing element is used for the synchronous rotation of the two rotating rods.

[0033] A drive motor is connected to one end of one of the rotating rods connected to the synchronizing element.

[0034] A loading and unloading method for an automated PCB stacking and unloading production line adapted to planar CT inspection, comprising the aforementioned automated PCB stacking and unloading production line adapted to planar CT inspection, specifically including the following steps:

[0035] Step 1: During the material loading process, the pneumatic control system, driven by the circulating support chain, sequentially inflates each flexible clamping strip that arrives at the stacking station along the direction of the circulating support chain, so that it clamps the PCB board fed in by the production line conveyor unit in turn, thus completing the stacking of multi-layer boards.

[0036] When the number of PCB stacked layers in the double-frame stack reaches the preset threshold, the main controller controls the transverse drive module to move the double-frame stack into the CT inspection station and simultaneously sends a scan start signal to the planar CT inspection equipment; when the number of stacked layers does not reach the preset threshold and no new PCB is fed into the production line conveyor unit, the main controller controls the circulating support chain to stop operating and the double-frame stack remains in a waiting state.

[0037] Step 2: Under the unloading condition, each flexible clamp strip that arrives at the unloading station is deflated and reset in sequence along the running direction of the circulating support chain, so that it releases the PCB board that has been inspected one by one, and completes the splitting of the multilayer board and returns it to the production line.

[0038] When the number of flexible clamping strips in the clamping state on the circulating support chain is zero, the main controller determines that the current stack has been split and sends a permission signal to the planar CT inspection equipment to allow the next stack to enter; otherwise, the circulating support chain continues to step-by-step until all flexible clamping strips have been deflated and reset.

[0039] The technical effects and advantages of this invention are as follows:

[0040] (1) The present invention uses a combination of linear module and double frame stacking rack to move the double frame stacking rack back and forth between the production line conveying unit and the fracture detection camera. Through the circulating support chain and flexible strip in the inner cavity of the double frame stacking rack, the PCBs on the production line conveying unit are stacked in multiple layers and the whole stack is sent to the bottom of the fracture detection camera for CT fracture detection, which improves the overall detection efficiency and avoids the traditional process of repeatedly adsorbing and moving the PCBs with suction cups, thus improving the stacking efficiency.

[0041] (2) The present invention uses a combination of flexible card strip and circulating support chain to stabilize the air strip between two opposite support chains. By setting up a fixed air cavity and a flexible expansion cavity, the flexible expansion cavity can be repeatedly inflated and deflated, so that the PCB can be flexibly limited in the groove formed by the flexible expansion cavity, providing flexible buffer support around the PCB. The bottom of the flexible expansion cavity can quickly retract, which facilitates the rapid loading and unloading of the PCB. At the same time, it reduces scratches and deformation on the board side during stacking and unloading, improves the stability of PCB board inspection, and reduces transport damage.

[0042] (3) The present invention uses a flexible electronic tactile array and a driving component to cooperate. The flexible electronic tactile array can provide real-time feedback of the position information of the PCB board and the flexible bonding extrusion force through the controller, so that the flexible expansion cavity in the air strip can be adjusted and limited according to the PCB board of different micro-sizes. It also realizes the timing linkage between the conveying cycle of the circulating support chain and the fracture detection camera, so as to realize the automated operation of the PCB board from the production line conveying unit for material stacking, CT detection, and then back to the production line conveying unit for material disassembly and return, making the production line operation smoother. Attached Figure Description

[0043] The accompanying drawings are provided to further illustrate the invention and form part of the specification. They are used together with the embodiments of the invention to explain the invention, but do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0044] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the double-frame stacking rack of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the side structure of the load-bearing chain of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 4 This is a partial structural diagram of the load-bearing chain of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 5 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the inflatable strip of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 6 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the card block structure of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 7 This is a top sectional view of the fixed frame structure of the present invention.

[0051] In the attached diagram: 100, production line conveyor unit; 200, linear module; 300, double-frame stacker; 400, circulating support chain; 401, sprocket; 402, load-bearing chain; 403, live slot; 404, card block; 405, adhesive substrate; 406, U-shaped card; 407, compression spring; 500, flexible card strip; 501, inflation strip; 502, fixed air chamber; 503, flexible expansion chamber; 504, flexible electronic tactile array; 505, inflation tube; 600, fracture detection camera; 700, driving component; 701, fixed frame; 702, synchronization component; 703, drive motor. Detailed Implementation

[0052] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0053] This invention provides, for example Figures 1-7 The diagram shows an automated PCB stacking and unpacking production line mechanism adapted for planar CT inspection.

[0054] Example 1: Includes a production line conveyor unit 100, with a linear module 200 for material stacking and movement mounted on the top of the production line conveyor unit 100. It also includes a double-frame stacker 300, a circulating support chain 400, and flexible clamping strips 500. The double-frame stacker 300 is mounted on the transverse movable end of the linear module 200 and moves reciprocally with this movable end. The circulating support chain 400 is arranged opposite to each other in the inner cavities on both sides of the double-frame stacker 300. The flexible clamping strips 500 are arranged in a horizontal and vertical row on the circulating support chain 400. The flexible clamping strips 500 are arranged one-to-one opposite each other in the inner cavity of the double-frame stacker 300 to apply elastic clamping force to the sides of the PCB. The clamping force of the flexible clamping strips 500 is adjusted through a pneumatic control system, which includes an air pump, pipes, and control valves, for inflating and deflating the flexible clamping strips 500.

[0055] During loading and unloading, the pneumatic control system sequentially inflates or deflates each flexible clamping strip 500 that arrives at the stacking station along the rotation direction of the circulating support chain 400, so that it clamps or releases the PCB board one by one, completing the PCB stacking and return.

[0056] Among them, the production line conveyor unit 100 is an existing single-layer conveyor belt equipment. The production line conveyor unit 100 can transport the produced PCB boards. The linear module 200 is an existing drag chain linear drive module, which can drive the double frame stacker 300 to move back and forth in the horizontal direction. The double frame stacker 300 is composed of two facing rectangular frame structures, and the top of the two rectangular frames is fixed by an integrally formed connecting rod, which facilitates the two sets of flexible clips 500 that are set opposite to each other to be set in the inner cavity on both sides of the double frame stacker 300 in a face-to-face structure.

[0057] It should be noted that the circulating support chain 400 includes sprockets 401, a support chain 402, a movable slot 403, and an embedding assembly. The sprockets 401 are arranged in pairs facing each other at the corners of the inner wall of the double-frame stacker 300, so that each side of the inner wall of the double-frame stacker 300 is provided with four sprockets 401. A rotating rod is interlocked between two horizontally arranged sprockets 401, and the end of the rotating rod is rotatably interlocked with the side of the double-frame stacker 300 through a bearing, which facilitates the stable installation of the sprockets 401 on the side of the inner cavity of the double-frame stacker 300. The support chain 402 meshes between two longitudinally arranged sprockets 401. The support chain 402 is a drive chain. The rotation of one sprocket 401 enables the support chain 402 to rotate and drive the other meshing sprocket 401 to rotate. The flexible clamp strip 500 is horizontally installed between two synchronously moving carrier chains 402 and follows the carrier chains 402 in a closed-loop path, enabling the flexible clamp strip 500 to stack and transport the clamped PCB boards. The spacing of the flexible clamp strip 500 prevents pressure damage between the stacked PCB boards. The live clamp slot 403 is opened on the outer chain plate of the carrier chain 402. The embedded component is fixed to the live clamp slot 403 by a snap-fit ​​and is installed on the carrier chain 402. The embedded component is used to fix the flexible clamp strip 500. Through the snap-fit ​​setting of the embedded component and the live clamp slot 403, the flexible clamp strip 500 can be stably assembled onto the outer chain plate of each carrier chain 402, so that the flexible clamp strip 500 can move up and down with the outer chain plate, which facilitates the stacking detection of PCBs.

[0058] Specifically, the embedding assembly includes a locking block 404, an adhesive substrate 405, U-shaped clips 406, and a compression spring 407. The locking block 404 is inserted into the inner cavity of the movable clip slot 403. The adhesive substrate 405 is fixed to one end of the locking block 404. The adhesive substrate 405 has a groove for embedding the pneumatic control system pipeline, allowing the flexible clip 500 to connect with the pneumatic control system pipeline. The adhesive substrate 405 is connected to the end of the transversely arranged flexible clip 500 by adhesive. Two U-shaped clips 406 are slidably inserted into the ends of the locking block 404, with the bottom of the U-shaped clips 406 engaging with the inner wall of the movable clip slot 403. The compression spring 407 is fixed between the two U-shaped clips 406 and is used for elastic pressing of the two U-shaped clips 406. The compression spring 407 is located on the top of the locking block 404. Within the inner cavity, due to the short-path structure of the U-shaped card 406, the pressing activities at both ends of the U-shaped card 406 are synchronized. Furthermore, the two ends of the U-shaped card 406 are inserted into the top of the card block 404 through two cavities, which facilitates the positional limitation of the U-shaped card 406, allowing it to only perform horizontal pressing activities. By manually pressing the tops of the two U-shaped cards 406, the bottom of the U-shaped card 406 can slide out of the inner wall of the card slot 403, releasing the restriction between the U-shaped card 406 and the outer chain plate on the support chain 402. Releasing the pressure on the top of the U-shaped card 406, under the elastic support of the compression spring 407, the U-shaped card 406 can be inserted and engaged with the slot in the inner wall of the card slot 403, allowing the card block 404 and the adhesive base plate 405 to be stably placed on the support chain 402.

[0059] Additionally, the flexible card strip 500 includes an inflatable strip 501, a fixed air cavity 502, a flexible expansion cavity 503, and a flexible electronic tactile array 504. The inflatable strip 501 is fixed to the outer wall of the adhesive substrate 405 with adhesive, allowing the inflatable strip 501 to be laterally and equidistantly fixed between the two sets of support chains 402. The fixed air cavity 502 is located on the side of the inflatable strip 501 closest to the adhesive substrate 405. The fixed air cavity 502 is filled with air to define the shape of the inflatable strip 501 and provides basic support for the shape of the inflatable strip 501, keeping it in a lateral state. Furthermore, the inflation of the fixed air cavity 502 allows the inflatable strip 501 to have overall elasticity. The flexible expansion cavity 503 is located on the inner side of the air strip 501 away from the adhesive substrate 405, and its side cross-section is U-shaped. By injecting different amounts of air into the flexible expansion cavity 503, it can flexibly limit PCBs with different small size differences. The size of the limited PCB is smaller than the bottom size of the flexible expansion cavity 503 after shrinkage, so as not to affect the loading and unloading of PCBs. The outer wall of the air strip 501 is used for locking and limiting the upper and lower sides of the PCB through the U-shaped cavity, so that the side of the PCB can be locked into the middle recess of the flexible expansion cavity 503, allowing the PCB to... The sides are flexibly wrapped, suitable for stacking PCBs of different thicknesses, avoiding collision and compression damage during stacking; it avoids the traditional process of repeatedly adsorbing and moving PCBs using suction cups or robotic arms. Combined with the operation of the circulating support chain 400, it enables rapid stacking of PCBs, improving stacking efficiency. The flexible electronic tactile array 504 is equidistantly arranged outside the flexible expansion cavity 503 and embedded in the outer wall of the inflation strip 501. The flexible electronic tactile array 504 outputs the position and pressure status of the PCB to the central controller through contact with the PCB. The flexible electronic tactile array 504 consists of a large number of distributed pressure sensing units and position sensors. The sensing unit is capable of detecting pressure and position information in real time and converting these signals into electrical signals for system processing. When the PCB is inserted into the central recess of the flexible expansion cavity 503, the side of the PCB contacts the flexible electronic tactile array 504. A trigger signal is used to activate the control terminal of the flexible electronic tactile array 504. The flexible electronic tactile array 504 transmits the position and pressure information of the PCB to the main controller. The position information includes which layer of the stacked double frame rack 300 and whether it is located above the production line conveyor unit 100. The flexible electronic tactile array 504 facilitates the rapid extraction of PCBs with abnormalities during subsequent CT inspection.

[0060] Meanwhile, an inflation tube 505 is inserted and connected to the bottom of the inner cavity of the inflation strip 501. The inflation tube 505 is located at the bottom of the flexible expansion cavity 503. The inflation strip 501 is connected to the inner cavity of the pneumatic control system, and through the control of the valve body, it can control the air inlet and outlet of the individual inflation strip 501, so that the flexible expansion cavity 503 can be individually deflated and inflated. The inflation strip 501 does not protrude from the protruding cavity of the flexible expansion cavity 503 to prevent the inflation strip 501 from affecting the loading and unloading of the PCB board from the bottom of the flexible expansion cavity 503. The inflation tube 505 is used for rapid inflation and rapid retraction and reset of the protruding cavity at the bottom of the flexible expansion cavity 503. During retraction and reset, the flexible expansion cavity 503 is in a negative pressure adsorption state, and the flexible expansion cavity 503 can be contracted and fixed to one side of the air chamber 502. The air strip 501 is tightly fitted and its smooth rubber outer wall facilitates rapid loading and unloading of PCBs. It also reduces scratches and deformation on the sides of the boards during stacking and loading, improves the stability of PCB inspection, and reduces transport damage. The air tube 505 is set at the bottom of the flexible expansion cavity 503, so that the bottom of the flexible expansion cavity 503 can be inflated and deflated immediately. When the double frame stack 300 is directly above the production line conveyor unit 100, the air strip 501 at the bottom of the circulating support chain 400 can be opposite to the side of the PCB. Through the movement of the circulating support chain 400, the side of the PCB that is not in contact with the air strip 501 can come into contact with or separate from the production line conveyor unit 100, which facilitates rapid loading and unloading of PCBs.

[0061] Additionally, a fracture detection camera 600 for CT inspection of PCB boards is installed on one side of the production line conveyor unit 100. The linear module 200, the drive unit 700 of the circulating support chain 400, and the pneumatic control system are all connected to the main controller. The main controller controls the waiting time of the double-frame stack 300 at the CT inspection station and the timing of board stack feeding or removal based on the scanning cycle signal of the fracture detection camera 600. Specifically, the main controller can control the linear module 200 to move the double-frame stack 300 from directly above the production line conveyor unit 100 to directly below the fracture detection camera 600. Through the open top of the double-frame stack 300, the fracture detection camera 600 can simultaneously perform CT inspection on the stacked PCBs. If a defective PCB is detected, it is removed individually from the position indicated. If it passes the inspection, it is moved back to directly above the production line conveyor unit 100 by the linear module 200 for unloading. Through overall stack inspection, the overall inspection efficiency is improved.

[0062] It should be further explained that a drive unit 700 for the circulating support chain 400 to operate along a closed-loop path is installed on one side of the top. One end of each of the two rotating rods at the top of the double-frame stacker 300 is connected to the drive unit 700. The drive unit 700 includes a fixed frame 701, a synchronizing element 702, and a drive motor 703. The fixed frame 701 is fixed to the top of the double-frame stacker 300. The synchronizing element 702 is connected to the two rotating rods via a timing belt and a timing pulley. The synchronizing element 702 is used for the synchronous rotation of the two rotating rods. The drive motor 703 is connected to one end of one of the rotating rods connected to the synchronizing element 702 for transmission. Component 702 includes two synchronous pulleys and a synchronous belt. The synchronous belt meshes between the two synchronous pulleys, and the two synchronous pulleys are respectively fixedly inserted and connected to one end of two rotating rods at the top of the double-frame stacker 300, so that the rotating rods at the top of the double-frame stacker 300 can rotate synchronously. The drive motor 703 is electrically connected to an external power supply through an external controller, so that one of the rotating rods can be driven to rotate, so that the circulating support chain 400 can run stably. This realizes the automated operation of PCB stacking and CT inspection on the production line conveyor unit 100, and then returning to the production line conveyor unit 100 for unpacking and return, making the production line operation smoother.

[0063] Example 2: Based on Example 1, a loading and unloading method for an automated PCB stacking and unloading production line adapted for planar CT inspection specifically includes the following steps:

[0064] Step 1: During the material loading process, the pneumatic control system drives the circulating support chain 400 to sequentially inflate each flexible clamp strip 500 that arrives at the stacking station along the rotation direction of the circulating support chain 400, so that it clamps the PCB board fed in by the production line conveyor unit 100 in turn, thus completing the stacking of multi-layer boards.

[0065] When the number of PCB stacked layers in the double-frame stack 300 reaches the preset threshold, the main controller controls the transverse drive module to move the double-frame stack 300 into the CT inspection station, and at the same time sends a scan start signal to the planar CT inspection equipment; when the number of stacked layers does not reach the preset threshold and no new PCB is fed into the production line conveyor unit 100, the main controller controls the circulating support chain 400 to stop operating, and the double-frame stack 300 remains in a waiting state.

[0066] Step 2: Under the unloading condition, each flexible clamp 500 that arrives at the unloading station is de-aired and reset in sequence along the running direction of the circulating support chain 400, so that it releases the PCB board that has been inspected one by one, and completes the splitting of the multilayer board and returns it to the production line.

[0067] When the number of flexible clamping strips 500 in the clamping state on the circulating support chain 400 is zero, the main controller determines that the current plate stack has been split and sends an allow signal to the planar CT detection equipment to allow the next plate stack to enter; otherwise, the circulating support chain 400 continues to step-by-step until all flexible clamping strips 500 have completed de-airing and reset.

[0068] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A PCB automatic stacking and unloading production line mechanism adapted to planar CT inspection, comprising a production line conveying unit (100), wherein a linear module (200) for stacking movement is mounted on the top of the production line conveying unit (100), characterized in that, Also includes: The double-frame stacker (300) is installed on the lateral movable end of the linear module (200) and reciprocates with the movable end; The circulating support chain (400) is arranged oppositely on both sides of the inner cavity of the double frame stacker (300); Flexible clamping strips (500) are installed horizontally and vertically on the circulating support chain (400). The flexible clamping strips (500) are arranged one-to-one in the inner cavity of the double frame stack (300) to apply elastic clamping force to the side of the PCB. The clamping force of the flexible clamping strips (500) can be adjusted by the pneumatic control system. During loading and unloading, the pneumatic control system sequentially inflates or deflates each flexible clamp (500) that arrives at the stacking station along the running direction of the circulating support chain (400), so that it clamps or releases the PCB board one by one, completing the PCB stacking and return.

2. The PCB automatic stacking and unpacking assembly line mechanism adapted for planar CT inspection as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A fracture detection camera (600) for CT inspection of PCB boards is installed on one side of the production line conveying unit (100). The driving components (700) of the linear module (200), the circulating support chain (400), and the pneumatic control system are all connected to the main controller. The main controller controls the waiting time of the double frame stack (300) at the CT inspection station and the timing of the board stack being fed in or out, according to the scanning cycle signal of the fracture detection camera (600).

3. The PCB automatic stacking and unpacking assembly line mechanism adapted for planar CT inspection as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The recirculating support chain (400) includes: Sprockets (401) are arranged in pairs opposite each other at the corners of the inner wall of the double-frame stacker (300); The carrier chain (402) meshes between two longitudinally arranged sprockets (401), and the flexible strip (500) is installed laterally between the two synchronously moving carrier chains (402) and follows the carrier chain (402) to operate in a closed loop. A live card slot (403) is provided on the outer chain plate of the carrying chain (402); An embedded component is fixed to the live slot (403) by a snap-fit ​​and installed on the carrier chain (402). The embedded component is used to fix the flexible strip (500).

4. The PCB automatic stacking and unpacking assembly line mechanism adapted for planar CT inspection as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The embedded component includes: A locking block (404) is inserted into the inner cavity of a movable locking slot (403); An adhesive substrate (405) is fixed to one end of a card block (404), and the adhesive substrate (405) is connected to the end of a transversely arranged flexible card strip (500) by an adhesive. U-shaped cards (406), two U-shaped cards (406) are slidably inserted into the ends of the card block (404), and the bottom of the U-shaped cards (406) is inserted and engaged with the inner wall of the live card slot (403); A compression spring (407) is fixed between two opposing U-shaped clips (406) for elastic pressing of the two U-shaped clips (406).

5. The PCB automatic stacking and unpacking assembly line mechanism adapted for planar CT inspection according to claim 4, characterized in that, The flexible card strip (500) includes: An inflatable strip (501) is fixed to the outer wall of the adhesive substrate (405) by an adhesive. A fixed air cavity (502) is provided on the side of the inflatable strip (501) near the adhesive substrate (405), and the fixed air cavity (502) is defined by filling it with air to define the shape of the inflatable strip (501). A flexible expansion cavity (503) is provided on the inner side of the inflatable strip (501) away from the adhesive substrate (405). The side cross-section of the flexible expansion cavity (503) is a U-shaped cavity structure. The outer wall of the inflatable strip (501) is used for snap-fit ​​and limiting on the upper and lower sides of the PCB board through the U-shaped cavity.

6. The PCB automatic stacking and unpacking assembly line mechanism adapted for planar CT inspection according to claim 5, characterized in that, The flexible card strip (500) also includes: A flexible electronic tactile array (504) is equidistantly arranged outside the flexible expansion cavity (503) and embedded in the outer wall of the inflation strip (501). The flexible electronic tactile array (504) outputs the position and pressure status of the PCB to the main controller through contact with the PCB board.

7. The PCB automatic stacking and unpacking assembly line mechanism adapted for planar CT inspection as described in claim 5, characterized in that, An inflation tube (505) is inserted and connected to the bottom of the inner cavity of the inflation strip (501). The inflation tube (505) is located at the bottom of the flexible expansion cavity (503) and does not extend out of the protruding cavity of the flexible expansion cavity (503). The inflation tube (505) is used for rapid inflation and rapid retraction and reset of the protruding cavity at the bottom of the flexible expansion cavity (503).

8. The PCB automatic stacking and unloading assembly line mechanism adapted for planar CT inspection according to claim 3, characterized in that, The top side of the circulating support chain (400) is equipped with a drive unit (700) for the circulating support chain (400) to run along a closed loop path. The two sprockets (401) arranged laterally are connected by a rotating rod. One end of the two rotating rods at the top of the double frame stacker (300) is connected to the drive unit (700).

9. The PCB automatic stacking and unloading assembly line mechanism adapted for planar CT inspection according to claim 8, characterized in that, The drive unit (700) includes: A fixing frame (701) is fixed to the top of the double-frame stacker (300); Synchronizing element (702), which is connected to two rotating rods via a timing belt and a timing pulley, is used for the synchronous rotation of the two rotating rods; A drive motor (703) is connected to one end of one of the rotating rods of a synchronizing element (702).

10. A loading and unloading method for an automated PCB stacking and unloading production line mechanism adapted to planar CT inspection, characterized in that, The loading and unloading method of the PCB automatic stacking and unloading production line mechanism adapted to planar CT inspection includes the PCB automatic stacking and unloading production line mechanism adapted to planar CT inspection as described in any one of claims 1-9, specifically including the following steps: Step 1: Under the loading condition, the pneumatic control system drives each flexible clamp (500) that arrives at the stacking station in sequence along the running direction of the circulating support chain (400) to inflate and drive it, so that it clamps the PCB board fed in by the production line conveyor unit (100) in turn, and completes the stacking of multi-layer boards. When the number of PCB stacked layers in the double-frame stack (300) reaches the preset threshold, the main controller controls the transverse drive module to move the double-frame stack (300) into the CT inspection station, and at the same time sends a scan start signal to the planar CT inspection equipment; when the number of stacked layers does not reach the preset threshold and no new PCB is delivered to the production line conveyor unit (100), the main controller controls the circulating support chain (400) to stop operating, and the double-frame stack (300) remains in a waiting state; Step 2: Under the unloading condition, each flexible card strip (500) that arrives at the unloading station is de-aired and reset in sequence along the running direction of the circulating support chain (400), so that it releases the PCB board that has been inspected one by one, and completes the splitting of the multilayer board and returns it to the production line. When the number of flexible clips (500) in the clamping state on the circulating support chain (400) is zero, the main controller determines that the current plate stack has been split and sends an allow signal to the planar CT detection equipment to allow the next plate stack to enter; otherwise, the circulating support chain (400) continues to step up until all flexible clips (500) have completed degassing and reset.

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