Product indexing mechanism and product inspection system

Abstract

A product indexing mechanism and a product inspection system including the product indexing mechanism are provided. The product inspection system includes an inspection device (140) for inspecting a plurality of products (2) on a strip (1) and a trigger (130) for sending a trigger signal to the inspection device to trigger the inspection device to inspect the products on the strip. The product indexing mechanism includes: a strip driving wheel (110) configured to engage with the strip and be driven to rotate to drive the strip to move; and an indexing structure driving wheel (120) arranged to rotate synchronously with the strip driving wheel. The indexing structure driving wheel is provided with a plurality of product indexing structures (121). The indexing structure driving wheel is configured to rotate each product indexing structure to a corresponding trigger position (P) with respect to the trigger (130) while the strip driving wheel drives a product on the strip to reach the inspection position of the inspection device, so as to trigger the trigger to send a trigger signal to the inspection device through the product indexing structure in the trigger position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of product inspection, and more specifically, to a product indexing mechanism and a product inspection system including the product indexing mechanism, which are suitable for inspecting tape products having different specifications (such as product pitch, tape positioning hole pitch, etc.). Background Art

[0002] In industrial production, it is usually necessary to inspect various products to determine whether they are qualified. Examples of products can include, for example, tape terminals formed by stamping, such as conductive terminals for electrical connectors.

[0003] Generally, products have different specifications. As an example, as Figure 1 shown, the product tape is, for example, formed by stamping, including tape 1 and products 2 carried thereon. The tape 1 is provided with positioning holes 11, and the tape 1 and the products 2 carried thereon are driven to move through an inspection device by a conveying mechanism engaging the positioning holes 11 for inspection. Figure 1 Various types or different specifications of tapes are shown. For example, a tape in which the positioning holes 11 correspond one-to-one to the products 2 (see the tape shown in (a) in Figure 1 ), a tape in which the positioning holes 11 do not correspond one-to-one to the products 2, such as a tape in which the positioning holes 11 only correspond or align with a part of the products 2 (see the tape shown in (b) in Figure 1 ), a tape in which the positioning holes 11 are not aligned or offset from the products 2 (see the tapes shown in (c) and (d) in Figure 1 ), a tape in which the pitch between the positioning holes 11 and / or the products 2 is irregular (see the tape shown in (d) in Figure 1 ), etc.

[0004] Conventional product inspection systems can only detect or are only adapted to products of a single specification, with poor detection flexibility, and a large amount of time is required for product positioning to ensure that the inspection device can detect the corresponding products, reducing the inspection speed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to overcome at least one of the above and other problems and defects existing in the prior art, the present disclosure is proposed.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a product indexing mechanism for a product inspection system, the product inspection system including an inspection device for inspecting a plurality of products on a strip and a trigger configured to send a trigger signal to the inspection device to trigger the inspection device to inspect the products on the strip, the product indexing mechanism including: a strip driving wheel configured to engage with the strip and be driven to rotate to drive the strip to move; and an indexing structure driving wheel arranged to rotate synchronously with the strip driving wheel, the indexing structure driving wheel being provided with a plurality of product indexing structures, the indexing structure driving wheel being configured to rotate each product indexing structure to a trigger position (P) corresponding to the trigger (130) while the strip driving wheel drives a product on the strip to reach the inspection position of the inspection device, so as to trigger the trigger to send the trigger signal to the inspection device through the product indexing structure in the trigger position.

[0007] In some embodiments, the plurality of product indexing structures are spaced apart and provided on the outer circumferential surface of the indexing structure driving wheel.

[0008] In some embodiments, the angular pitch between two adjacent product indexing structures corresponds to the first pitch between two adjacent products to be inspected on the strip, such that when each product indexing structure rotates by an angle corresponding to the angular pitch, the corresponding product on the strip driven by the strip driving wheel moves a distance equal to the first pitch.

[0009] In some embodiments, the plurality of product indexing structures include at least one of a protrusion, a rib, a recess, a stripe pattern, and a marking symbol provided on the outer circumferential surface of the indexing structure driving wheel and capable of being sensed by the trigger.

[0010] In some embodiments, the indexing structure driving wheel and the strip driving wheel are arranged side by side coaxially.

[0011] In some embodiments, the diameter of the indexing structure driving wheel is smaller than the diameter of the strip driving wheel.

[0012] In some embodiments, the indexing structure driving wheel and the strip driving wheel are integrally formed, or the indexing structure driving wheel is detachably mounted to the strip driving wheel.

[0013] In some embodiments, the strip has positioning holes, and the strip driving wheel is provided with a engaging structure for engaging the positioning holes to drive the strip to move.

[0014] In some embodiments, the strip driving wheel and / or the indexing structure driving wheel includes a ratchet wheel.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a product inspection system for inspecting a plurality of products on a tape. The product inspection system includes: a product indexing mechanism described in any of the embodiments herein; a trigger; and an inspection device. The trigger is configured to trigger the inspection device to inspect the corresponding product on the tape when a product indexing structure rotates to the trigger position.

[0016] In some embodiments, the product inspection system is adapted to inspect a plurality of types of tapes having various product pitches and includes a plurality of replaceable indexing structure drive wheels, each indexing structure drive wheel corresponding to a type of tape having a different product pitch, such that when each product indexing structure of the indexing structure drive wheel rotates to the trigger position, a product on the corresponding type of tape is in the inspection position of the inspection device.

[0017] In some embodiments, the plurality of types of tapes have different positioning hole pitches, and the product inspection system further includes a plurality of replaceable tape drive wheels, each tape drive wheel being adapted to engage a type of tape having a different positioning hole pitch.

[0018] In some embodiments, the trigger includes a sensor configured to detect whether there is a product indexing structure at the trigger position and to send a trigger signal to the inspection device to trigger the inspection device to inspect a corresponding product on the tape when it detects that there is a product indexing structure at the trigger position.

[0019] In some embodiments, the trigger is positioned opposite to the trigger position.

[0020] In some embodiments, the product inspection system further includes a drive mechanism for driving the tape drive wheel and the indexing structure drive wheel to rotate synchronously. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of various embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing various types of product tapes;

[0023] Figure 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of a product indexing mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 3 is a side view schematically showing the product indexing mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0025] Figure 4It is a side view schematically showing the configuration of a product inspection system including a product indexing mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0026] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification, the same or similar components are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. The following description of the embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings is intended to explain the general concept of the present disclosure and should not be construed as a limitation of the present disclosure.

[0027] In addition, in the following detailed description, for the sake of clarity, many specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it is obvious that one or more embodiments can be implemented without these specific details. In other cases, well-known structures and devices are shown in a schematic manner to simplify the drawings.

[0028] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a product indexing mechanism is provided, which is applicable to position or address a plurality of products 2 on a strip 1 so that an inspection device 140 of a product inspection system can accurately inspect the products, avoiding missed inspections or misinspections. As an example, the strip can be a stamping strip, and the product can be a terminal stamped on the strip, such as a conductive terminal. The inspection device 140 can include a visual inspection device, such as a camera.

[0029] In an exemplary embodiment, as Figures 2 - 4 shown, the product indexing mechanism includes a strip driving wheel 110 and an indexing structure driving wheel 120. The strip driving wheel 110 is used to engage with the strip 1 and can rotate to drive the strip 1 to move, while the indexing structure driving wheel 120 is arranged to rotate synchronously with the strip driving wheel 110. The indexing structure driving wheel 120 is provided with a plurality of product indexing structures 121. After the initial configuration, that is, after the strip driving wheel and the indexing structure driving wheel are installed in place, the product indexing structures 121 correspond to a plurality of products 2 on the strip 1 to be inspected, and are used to position or address the products 2, that is, the position of the products 2 relative to the inspection device 140 can be determined through the product indexing structures 121 to ensure that the inspection device 140 accurately inspects the products. The product inspection system further includes a trigger 130, which is used to send a trigger signal to the inspection device 140 to trigger the inspection device 140 to inspect the products on the strip.

[0030] A trigger position P corresponding to the trigger 130 of the product inspection system is set or selected for the indexing structure drive wheel 120, such as the position on the indexing structure drive wheel 120 that aligns with the trigger 130. For example, as shown in the figure, when the product indexing structure 121 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the indexing structure drive wheel 120, the selected trigger position P is located on the outer circumferential surface of the indexing structure drive wheel 120 and is opposite to the trigger 130. It will be understood that although the specific part on the indexing structure drive wheel that serves as the trigger position changes during the rotation of the indexing structure drive wheel, the positioning of this trigger position relative to the trigger 130 is fixed. In other embodiments, the product indexing structure may be provided on one of the two opposite wheel surfaces of the indexing structure drive wheel.

[0031] As an example, the trigger 130 of the product inspection system may include a sensor for detecting whether there is a product indexing structure 121 at the trigger position P, and sending a trigger signal to the inspection device 140 when a product indexing structure 121 is detected at the trigger position P to trigger the inspection device 140 to start inspecting a corresponding product 2 on the strip 1.

[0032] Each product indexing structure 121 can be rotated to the trigger position P, that is, by the rotation of the indexing structure drive wheel 120, each product indexing structure 121 can be rotated to the trigger position P. The presence of the product indexing structure at the trigger position causes the trigger 130 to trigger the inspection device 140 to inspect the product 2 on the strip 1.

[0033] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, while the strip drive wheel 110 drives a product 2 on the strip 1 to reach the inspection position of the inspection device 140, the indexing structure drive wheel 120 rotates a corresponding product indexing structure 121 to the trigger position P corresponding to the trigger 130, so as to trigger the trigger 130 to send a trigger signal to the inspection device 140 through the product indexing structure 121 at the trigger position, causing the inspection device to start inspecting the product that has reached the inspection position of the inspection device 140. For example, a plurality of product indexing structures 121 on the indexing structure drive wheel 120 are arranged such that when each product indexing structure 121 rotates to the trigger position P, a product 2 on the strip 1 driven by the strip drive wheel 110 that rotates synchronously with the indexing structure drive wheel 120 is in the inspection position of the inspection device 140 (such as within the field of view of the inspection device, for example, at the focal position of the camera) and is inspected by the inspection device 140.

[0034] Exemplarily, a plurality of product index structures 121 may be formed at intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the index structure driving wheel 120. As an example, the product index structure 121 may include protrusions, ribs, tooth-like portions, recesses, stripe patterns, marking symbols, etc. that can be sensed by a trigger 130 (such as a sensor). Therefore, the trigger position can also be understood as the position where the trigger (such as a sensor) senses the product index structure.

[0035] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the circumferential pitch or angular pitch θ between adjacent product index structures 121 corresponds to the first pitch p between adjacent products on the tape, such that when each product index structure 121 rotates by an angle corresponding to the circumferential pitch or angular pitch, the corresponding product 2 on the tape 1 driven by the tape driving wheel 110 moves a distance equal to the first pitch p and thus is located at the inspection position of the inspection device 140.

[0036] For example, for the first product index structure 121 located upstream of the trigger position P in the rotation direction and the first product 2 located upstream of the inspection position of the inspection device 140 in the tape movement direction, when this product index structure 121 is at the trigger position P (such as a position facing or aligned with the trigger 130) due to the rotation angle θ of the index structure driving wheel 120, the product 2 just moves a distance equal to the first pitch p to the inspection position of the inspection device 140 under the drive of the tape driving wheel 110, so as to be inspected by the inspection device 140. It can be understood that the circumferential pitch or angular pitch between each product index structure will vary according to the different product pitches on the tape. The inspection device can be arranged at any suitable position, such as before or after the product index mechanism.

[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, as Figure 1 and 2 shown, the index structure driving wheel 120 and the tape driving wheel 110 are arranged side by side coaxially, and the index structure driving wheel 120 can be arranged on the side of the tape driving wheel 110 close to the product 2 on the tape 1. In other embodiments, depending on the position of the trigger, the index structure driving wheel can be arranged at other positions, such as on the side of the tape driving wheel away from the product on the tape. The diameter of the index structure driving wheel 120 can be smaller than the diameter of the tape driving wheel 110, such that when the tape driving wheel 110 engages the tape 1, the index structure driving wheel 120 is spaced apart from the product 2 on the tape 1. The tape driving wheel 110 is provided with an engaging structure 111 for engaging the positioning holes 11 on the tape 1 to drive the tape 1 to move, such as a protrusion. The engaging structure 111 can be arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the tape driving wheel 110, and the circumferential pitch or angular pitch between the engaging structures 111 corresponds to the pitch between the positioning holes 11 on the tape 1. As an example, the tape driving wheel and / or the index structure driving wheel may include a ratchet wheel.

[0038] In an example, the indexing structure driving wheel may be integrally formed with the tape driving wheel, or the indexing structure driving wheel may be detachably mounted to the tape driving wheel, or the indexing structure driving wheel may be arranged spaced apart from the tape driving wheel.

[0039] The product inspection system may be provided with a driving mechanism for driving the tape driving wheel 110 and the indexing structure driving wheel 120 to rotate synchronously. It can be understood that the tape driving wheel and the indexing structure driving wheel may be driven to rotate by the same driving mechanism, or may be synchronously driven by different driving mechanisms. For example, in Figure 4 the illustrated embodiment, the driving mechanism includes a motor 20, which drives the tape driving wheel 110 and the indexing structure driving wheel 120 to rotate synchronously through a rotating shaft 21 inserted through the tape driving wheel 110 and the indexing structure driving wheel 120.

[0040] The product inspection system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is provided with the above product indexing mechanism, which corresponds to a specific type of tape to be inspected, and helps to determine the position of the product on the tape so that the inspection device can accurately inspect the product.

[0041] Therefore, the product inspection system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is adapted to inspect various types of tapes having various product pitches, and includes or is equipped with a plurality of replaceable indexing structure driving wheels, each indexing structure driving wheel corresponding to a type of tape having a different product pitch, such that when each product indexing structure of the indexing structure driving wheel rotates to a trigger position corresponding to the trigger, a product on the corresponding type of tape is in the inspection position of the inspection device. When inspecting a specific type of tape, for the arrangement of the products on the tape, for example, for the product pitch on the tape, a suitable indexing structure driving wheel is selected and arranged so that the arrangement of its product indexing structure corresponds to the products on the tape. At the initial installation and configuration, at least the indexing structure driving wheel is arranged such that one product indexing mechanism is in the trigger position corresponding to the trigger, while a product on the tape is in the inspection position of the inspection device.

[0042] Various types of tapes may have different positioning hole pitches, so the product inspection system may also include or be equipped with a plurality of replaceable tape driving wheels, each tape driving wheel being adapted to engage a type of tape having a different positioning hole pitch.

[0043] Thus, the product inspection system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can quickly replace the product indexing mechanism, or replace the corresponding tape driving wheel and / or indexing structure driving wheel when inspecting different types of tapes, with accurate product positioning and increased inspection speed.

[0044] Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes may be made therein without departing from the principles and spirit of the present disclosure, and the scope of protection of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. In addition, it should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the terms "comprising", "including", "having" used herein do not exclude other elements or steps. Further, any element numbers in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A product indexing mechanism for a product inspection system, the product inspection system including an inspection device (140) for inspecting a plurality of products (2) on a strip (1) and a trigger (130) configured to send a trigger signal to the inspection device to trigger the inspection device to inspect the products on the strip, the product indexing mechanism comprising: A strip driving wheel (110) configured to engage with the strip and be driven to rotate to drive the strip to move; And An indexing structure driving wheel (120) arranged to rotate synchronously with the strip driving wheel, the indexing structure driving wheel being provided with a plurality of product indexing structures (121), the indexing structure driving wheel being configured to, while the strip driving wheel drives a product on the strip to reach an inspection position of the inspection device, rotate a corresponding product indexing structure to a trigger position (P) corresponding to the trigger (130), so as to trigger the trigger to send the trigger signal to the inspection device through the product indexing structure in the trigger position.

2. The product indexing mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of product indexing structures are spaced apart on the outer circumferential surface of the indexing structure driving wheel.

3. The product indexing mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the angular pitch between two adjacent product indexing structures corresponds to a first pitch between two adjacent products to be inspected on the strip, such that when each product indexing structure rotates an angle corresponding to the angular pitch, the corresponding product on the strip driven by the strip driving wheel moves a distance equal to the first pitch.

4. The product indexing mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of product indexing structures include at least one of protrusions, recesses, stripe patterns, and marking symbols provided on the outer circumferential surface of the indexing structure driving wheel and capable of being sensed by the trigger.

5. The product indexing mechanism according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the indexing structure driving wheel and the strip driving wheel are arranged side by side coaxially.

6. The product indexing mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the diameter of the indexing structure driving wheel is smaller than the diameter of the strip driving wheel.

7. The product indexing mechanism according to any one of claims 1-4 and 6, wherein the indexing structure driving wheel is integrally formed with the strip driving wheel, or the indexing structure driving wheel is detachably mounted to the strip driving wheel.

8. The product indexing mechanism according to any one of claims 1-4 and 6, wherein the strip has positioning holes (11), and the strip driving wheel is provided with a engaging structure (111) for engaging the positioning holes to drive the strip to move.

9. The product indexing mechanism according to any one of claims 1-4 and 6, wherein the strip driving wheel and / or the indexing structure driving wheel includes a ratchet wheel.

10. A product inspection system for inspecting a plurality of products (2) on a strip (1), the product inspection system comprising: The product indexing mechanism according to any one of claims 1-9; The trigger (130); And The inspection device (140), Wherein, the trigger is configured to trigger the inspection device to inspect the corresponding product on the tape when a product indexing structure rotates to the trigger position.

11. The product inspection system according to claim 10, wherein, The product inspection system is adapted to inspect various types of tapes having multiple product pitches and includes a plurality of replaceable indexing structure drive wheels, each indexing structure drive wheel corresponding to a type of tape having a different product pitch, such that when each product indexing structure of the indexing structure drive wheel rotates to the trigger position, a product on the corresponding type of tape is in the inspection position of the inspection device.

12. The product inspection system according to claim 11, wherein, The various types of tapes have different positioning hole pitches, and the product inspection system further includes a plurality of replaceable tape drive wheels, each tape drive wheel being adapted to engage a type of tape having a different positioning hole pitch.

13. The product inspection system according to claim 10, wherein, The trigger includes a sensor configured to detect whether a product indexing structure is present at the trigger position and, when detecting the presence of a product indexing structure at the trigger position, send a trigger signal to the inspection device to trigger the inspection device to inspect a corresponding product on the tape.

14. The product inspection system according to claim 10, wherein, The trigger is positioned opposite to the trigger position.

15. The product inspection system according to any one of claims 10-14, further comprising a drive mechanism for driving the tape drive wheel and the indexing structure drive wheel to rotate synchronously.

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