Flexible LED strip marking method and flexible LED strip marking device

Abstract

The marking method of a flexible LED light strip adopts the following steps: S1, using a linear feeding method to pull the flexible LED light strip to construct a straightened operating section on the flexible LED light strip; S2, using X-ray projection from one side of the operating section to obtain a perspective image on the other side of the operating section; S3, identifying the prefabricated mark on the FPC from the perspective image to confirm a marking position on the potted soft glue that is aligned with the prefabricated mark on the FPC; S4, marking the potted soft glue at the marking position to obtain a shear mark visible to the naked eye on the potted soft glue. The marking equipment of the flexible LED light strip includes: a feeding mechanism, a discharging mechanism, an X-ray emitting mechanism, an X-ray imaging mechanism, a control mechanism, and a marking mechanism. The present invention non-destructively penetrates the flexible LED light strip through X-rays, thereby confirming a marking position aligned with the prefabricated mark on the FPC, without destroying the potted soft glue, and without using a special process for soft glue potting, with high work efficiency and low material cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of laser marking, specifically to a method and device for marking flexible LED light strips. Background Art

[0002] A flexible LED light strip uses an FPC as an assembly circuit board, with LEDs soldered onto the FPC, and then the FPC is encapsulated in soft glue to achieve waterproof sealing. Given that the FPC and the soft glue used for encapsulation are soft and can be bent, folded, wound arbitrarily, moved and stretched freely in three-dimensional space without breaking, it is suitable for use in irregular places and places with limited space. In particular, the flexible LED light strip can be cut according to the design scheme to obtain the required length, and various patterns can be arbitrarily combined in advertising decoration.

[0003] In order to correctly cut the flexible LED light strip without damaging the power supply circuit on the FPC, the common practice in the industry is to mark the position of the light strip cut mark on the finished light strip by silk screening. And the silk screen marking needs to be based on the prefabricated marks on the FPC. In order to align the marks for silk screening, one method is to open a window on the encapsulating software to check the mark position, and the other method is to use a two-color extrusion process to form a transparent area on the encapsulating soft glue for direct observation of the mark position. The above methods have low work efficiency and high material costs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To make up for the above deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides a method for marking a flexible LED light strip, which uses X-ray fluoroscopy imaging to detect the prefabricated marks on the PC, and marks the cut mark on the encapsulating soft glue according to the detection result by aligning the marks.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solutions.

[0006] The method for marking a flexible LED light strip adopts the following steps:

[0007] S1. Traction of the flexible LED light strip is carried out in a linear feeding manner to construct a straightened operation section on the flexible LED light strip;

[0008] S2. X-ray projection is carried out from one side of the operation section to obtain a fluoroscopic image on the other side of the operation section;

[0009] S3. Identify the prefabricated marks on the FPC from the fluoroscopic image to confirm a marking position on the encapsulating soft glue that is aligned with the prefabricated marks on the FPC;

[0010] S4. Mark the encapsulating soft glue at the marking position to obtain a visible cut mark on the encapsulating soft glue;

[0011] S5. Traction the marked flexible LED light strip along the feeding direction to send out the marked operation section, and construct another straightened operation section on the flexible LED light strip;

[0012] Repeat steps S1 to S5 to sequentially implement the cut mark on the flexible LED light strip.

[0013] The present invention also provides a flexible LED light strip marking device according to the above flexible LED light strip marking method, and its technical solution is as follows.

[0014] The flexible LED light strip marking device includes:

[0015] A feeding mechanism for introducing the flexible LED light strip and sending it out along a straight line;

[0016] A discharging mechanism for traction the flexible LED light strip sent out by the feeding mechanism to construct a straightened operation section on the flexible LED light strip;

[0017] An X-ray emitting mechanism arranged on one side of the operation section to emit X-rays to the operation section;

[0018] An X-ray imaging mechanism arranged on the other side of the operation section relative to the X-ray emitting mechanism to receive the X-rays penetrating the operation section to obtain a fluoroscopic image;

[0019] A control mechanism for controlling the feeding mechanism, the discharging mechanism, the X-ray emitting mechanism, and the X-ray imaging mechanism to work together, and identifying the prefabricated marks on the FPC from the fluoroscopic image to confirm the marking position aligned with the prefabricated marks on the FPC on the potted soft glue;

[0020] A marking mechanism controlled by the control mechanism to mark the potted soft glue at the marking position to obtain a visible cut mark on the potted soft glue.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0022] The flexible LED light strip is penetrated without damage by X-rays, so that the prefabricated marks on the FPC are imaged in the X-ray fluoroscopic image, thereby confirming a marking position aligned with the prefabricated marks on the FPC, and then marking the potted soft glue with reference to the marking position; there is no need to damage the potted soft glue, nor is it necessary to use a special process for soft glue potting, with high work efficiency and low material cost.

[0023] Next, the present invention will be further described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the specification and the specific embodiments. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the flexible LED light strip marking device of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of the X-ray emission mechanism in the flexible LED strip marking device of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of the X-ray imaging mechanism in the flexible LED strip marking device of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 4 It is a schematic structural diagram of the support mechanism in the flexible LED strip marking device of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of the feeding mechanism in the flexible LED strip marking device of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 6 It is a schematic structural diagram of the discharging mechanism in the flexible LED strip marking device of the present invention. Specific embodiments

[0030] The flexible LED strip marking method adopts the following steps:

[0031] S1. Traction of the flexible LED strip is carried out in a linear feeding manner to construct a straightened operation section on the flexible LED strip;

[0032] S2. X-ray projection is carried out from one side of the operation section to obtain a perspective image on the other side of the operation section;

[0033] S3. The prefabricated mark on the FPC is identified from the perspective image to confirm a marking position on the potted soft glue that is aligned with the prefabricated mark on the FPC;

[0034] S4. Marking is carried out on the potted soft glue at the marking position to obtain a visible-by-naked-eye cut mark on the potted soft glue;

[0035] S5. The marked flexible LED strip is tractioned along the feeding direction to send out the marked operation section and construct a straightened operation section again on the flexible LED strip;

[0036] Steps S1 to S5 are repeatedly executed to sequentially implement cut marks on the flexible LED strip.

[0037] In the above flexible LED strip marking method, the flexible LED strip is penetrated without damage by X-ray, so that the prefabricated mark on the FPC is imaged in the X-ray fluoroscopy image, thereby confirming a marking position aligned with the prefabricated mark on the FPC, and then marking the potted soft glue with reference to the marking position. Obviously, using the above flexible LED strip marking method to obtain a cut mark on the flexible LED strip does not require windowing to damage the potted soft glue as in the prior art, nor does it require special processes such as two-color extrusion for soft glue potting as in the prior art. Compared with the prior art, the above flexible LED strip marking method has high working efficiency and low material cost, and has outstanding substantive features and significant progress.

[0038] As an improved scheme of the above method, after step S3 confirms the marking position aligned with the prefabricated mark on the FPC on the potted soft glue, the position of the operation section is finely adjusted back and forth along the length direction of the operation section to accurately position the marking position.

[0039] As Figures 1 to 6 shown, a flexible LED strip marking device constructed according to the above flexible LED strip marking method is as follows.

[0040] As Figure 1 shown, the flexible LED strip marking device includes:

[0041] A feeding mechanism 1 for introducing the flexible LED strip 9 and sending it out in a straight line;

[0042] A discharging mechanism 2 for pulling the flexible LED strip 9 sent out by the feeding mechanism 1 to construct a straightened operation section 90 on the flexible LED strip 9;

[0043] An X-ray emitting mechanism 3 arranged on one side of the operation section 90 to emit X-ray to the operation section 90;

[0044] An X-ray imaging mechanism 4 arranged on the other side of the operation section 90 relative to the X-ray emitting mechanism 3 to obtain a fluoroscopy image by receiving the X-ray penetrating the operation section 90;

[0045] A control mechanism (not shown in the figure) for controlling the feeding mechanism 1, the discharging mechanism 2, the X-ray emitting mechanism 3, and the X-ray imaging mechanism 4 to work together, and identifying the prefabricated mark on the FPC from the fluoroscopy image to confirm the marking position aligned with the prefabricated mark on the FPC on the potted soft glue;

[0046] A marking mechanism 5 controlled by the control mechanism to mark the potted soft glue at the marking position to obtain a visible cut mark on the potted soft glue.

[0047] For the flexible LED strip marking device in the above-mentioned embodiments, its control mechanism can be implemented by an industrial computer or a single-chip microcomputer. Applying an industrial computer or a single-chip microcomputer to automate the control of mechanical and electrical devices belongs to the implementation methods well-known to those skilled in the art, so it will not be elaborated in the embodiments.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment, as Figure 2 shown, the X-ray emitting mechanism 3 is arranged on the lower side of the operation section 90, including an X-ray generator 31. The top surface of the X-ray generator 31 is provided with an emission port 32 facing the lower side of the operation section 90 to emit X-rays upward; the X-ray emitting mechanism 31 further includes a protective cover 33 fixed on the top surface of the X-ray generator 31 to enclose the emission port 32. The top surface of the protective cover 33 has a light passing port 34 deviated from the emission port 32 in the vertical direction, and the light passing port 34 also faces the lower side of the operation section 90; through the cooperation of the emission port 32 and the light passing port 34, the X-rays emitted by the X-ray emitting mechanism 3 to the operation section 90 are in an inclined optical path 30.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment, as Figure 3 shown, the X-ray imaging mechanism 4 is arranged on the upper side of the operation section 90. Its top surface has a lens 41 parallel to and in clearance fit with the upper side of the operation section 90. The optical path 30 of the X-rays emitted by the X-ray emitting mechanism 3 to the operation section 90 just aligns with the midpoint of the lens 41.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, as Figure 3 shown, the marking mechanism 5 is a laser marking machine arranged on the lower side of the operation section 90. The laser optical path 50 of the laser marking machine is coaxially aligned with the lens 41 of the X-ray imaging mechanism 4.

[0051] In the above-mentioned preferred embodiment, the X-rays emitted by the X-ray emitting mechanism 3 to the operation section 90 are in an inclined optical path. Therefore, on the premise that the inclination angle of the optical path is known, combined with the distance between the light passing port 34 and the lower side of the operation section 90, a marking position aligned with the prefabricated mark on the FPC can be confirmed on the potted soft glue according to the trigonometric function relationship.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment, as Figure 4 shown, a support mechanism 6 for horizontally supporting the operation section 90 from the bottom is configured. It includes a support base 61 arranged along the length direction of the operation section 90. The top surface of the support base 61 is provided with a groove 62 just for the operation section 90 to pass through, and the bottom surface of the support base 61 is provided with an avoidance hole 63 leading to the groove 62; the X-ray emitting mechanism 3 emits X-rays to the operation section 90 through the avoidance hole 63, and the marking mechanism 5 also marks the potted soft glue through the avoidance hole 63.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment, as Figure 5As shown, the feeding mechanism 1 includes a first conveyor belt 11 and a second conveyor belt 12 arranged in parallel, and the upper edge of the first conveyor belt 11 and the lower edge of the second conveyor belt 12 are gap-matched to clamp the flexible LED light strip 9; the feeding mechanism 1 also includes a first motor 13, and the control mechanism controls the first motor 13 to drive the first conveyor belt 11 and the second conveyor belt 12 to operate synchronously in reverse to move the flexible LED light strip in a straight line direction.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, Figure 6 As shown, the discharging mechanism 2 includes a third conveyor belt 21 and a fourth conveyor belt 22 arranged in parallel, and the upper edge of the third conveyor belt 21 and the lower edge of the fourth conveyor belt 22 are clearance-matched to clamp the flexible LED light strip 9; the discharging mechanism 2 also includes a second motor 23, and the control mechanism controls the second motor drive 23 to synchronously drive the third conveyor belt 21 and the fourth conveyor belt 22 to run in reverse to move the flexible LED light strip in a straight line direction.

[0055] In the above-mentioned preferred embodiment, the feeding mechanism 1 and the discharging mechanism 2 not only coordinate with the control mechanism to pull the flexible LED light strip in a linear feeding manner to construct a straightened operating section 90 on the flexible LED light strip, but also can refer to the marking position confirmed on the encapsulated soft glue based on the trigonometric function relationship mentioned above, and fine-tune the position of the operating section 90 forward and backward along the length direction of the operating section 90 so that the marking position can be accurately positioned, thereby obtaining a more accurate shear mark through the marking structure.

[0056] For those skilled in the art, the protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the details of the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments. Without departing from the spirit or basic characteristics of the present invention, all implementation methods with equivalent meanings and changes within the protection scope made by those skilled in the art based on the requirements of the present invention should be included in the present invention.

Claims

1. Flexible LED strip marking device, characterized in that, Including: A feeding mechanism for introducing a flexible LED light strip and sending it out in a straight line; A discharging mechanism for pulling the flexible LED light strip sent out by the feeding mechanism to construct a straightened operation section on the flexible LED light strip; An X-ray emitting mechanism arranged on the lower side of the operation section to emit X-rays towards the operation section; the X-ray emitting mechanism includes an X-ray generator, and the top surface of the X-ray generator is provided with an emission port facing the lower side of the operation section to emit X-rays upward; the X-ray emitting mechanism further includes a protective cover fixed on the top surface of the X-ray generator to enclose the emission port, and the top surface of the protective cover has a light passing port deviating from the emission port in the vertical direction, and the light passing port also faces the lower side of the operation section; through the cooperation of the emission port and the light passing port, the X-rays emitted by the X-ray emitting mechanism towards the operation section are in an inclined optical path; An X-ray imaging mechanism arranged on the upper side of the operation section relative to the X-ray emitting mechanism to receive the X-rays penetrating the operation section to obtain a fluoroscopic image; the top surface of the X-ray imaging mechanism has a lens parallel to and in clearance fit with the upper side of the operation section, and the optical path of the X-rays emitted by the X-ray emitting mechanism towards the operation section is exactly aligned with the midpoint of the lens; A control mechanism for controlling the feeding mechanism, the discharging mechanism, the X-ray emitting mechanism, and the X-ray imaging mechanism to work together, and identifying the prefabricated marks on the FPC from the fluoroscopic image to confirm a marking position on the potted soft glue aligned with the prefabricated marks on the FPC; A marking mechanism controlled by the control mechanism to mark the potted soft glue at the marking position to obtain a visible cutting mark on the potted soft glue; the marking mechanism is a laser marking machine arranged on the lower side of the operation section, and the laser optical path of the laser marking machine is coaxially aligned with the lens of the X-ray imaging mechanism.

2. The flexible LED strip marking device according to claim 1, wherein A support mechanism is configured to horizontally support the operation section from the bottom surface, which includes a support seat arranged along the length direction of the operation section. The top surface of the support seat is provided with a groove just for the operation section to pass through, and the bottom surface of the support seat is provided with an avoidance hole leading to the groove; the X-ray emitting mechanism emits X-rays towards the operation section through the avoidance hole, and the marking mechanism also marks the potted soft glue through the avoidance hole.

3. The flexible LED strip marking device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The feeding mechanism includes a first conveyor belt and a second conveyor belt arranged in parallel. The upper edge of the first conveyor belt and the lower edge of the second conveyor belt are in clearance fit to clamp the flexible LED light strip; the feeding mechanism further includes a first motor, and the control mechanism controls the first motor to drive the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt to rotate synchronously and reversely to move the flexible LED light strip in a straight line direction.

4. The flexible LED strip marking device according to claim 3, wherein, The discharging mechanism includes a third conveyor belt and a fourth conveyor belt arranged in parallel. The upper edge of the third conveyor belt and the lower edge of the fourth conveyor belt are in clearance fit to clamp the flexible LED light strip; the discharging mechanism further includes a second motor, and the control mechanism controls the second motor to drive the third conveyor belt and the fourth conveyor belt to rotate synchronously and reversely to move the flexible LED light strip in a straight line direction.

5. A method for marking a flexible LED light strip, using the flexible LED light strip marking device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, Adopt the following steps: S1. Adopt a linear feeding method to pull the flexible LED light strip to construct a straightened operation section on the flexible LED light strip; S2. Project X-rays from one side of the operation section to obtain a fluoroscopic image on the other side of the operation section; S3. Identify the prefabricated marks on the FPC from the fluoroscopic image to confirm a marking position on the potted soft glue aligned with the prefabricated marks on the FPC; S4. Mark the potted soft glue at the marking position to obtain a visible cut mark on the potted soft glue with the naked eye; S5. Traction the marked flexible LED light strip along the feeding direction to send out the marked operation section, and build another straightened operation section on the flexible LED light strip; Repeat steps S1 to S5 to sequentially implement cut marks on the flexible LED light strip.

6. The flexible LED strip marking method according to claim 5, characterized in that, After step S3 also confirms the marking position aligned with the prefabricated mark on the FPC on the potted soft glue, the position of the operation section is finely adjusted back and forth along the length direction of the operation section to accurately position the marking position.

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