Turning mechanism and turning system

Abstract

A flipping mechanism and a flipping system. The flipping mechanism includes a base body and a guiding element. The base body has a bottom surface and a flipping surface. The guiding element includes a feeding surface. The feeding surface and the bottom surface form a feeding angle. The feeding angle is greater than or equal to 20 degrees and less than or equal to 90 degrees. The feeding surface faces the flipping surface. The opening direction of the flipping surface faces the feeding surface. There is a flipping distance between the guiding element and the flipping surface. The flipping mechanism and the flipping system provided by the present invention can save maintenance costs in the manufacturing process, save equipment costs for the material flipping process, and improve the efficiency of the overall manufacturing process. The flipping system includes a blanking seat and an optical detector, which can avoid the problem of the robotic arm misgrasping and the problem of the flipped materials stacking on the blanking seat.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a flipping mechanism, and more particularly to a flipping mechanism suitable for flipping materials and a flipping system thereof. Background Art

[0002] During the product manufacturing process, some processes are used to flip materials so that the materials are easier to proceed to the next process. Generally, the device for flipping materials is a robotic arm. The robotic arm picks up the material, flips it, and then puts the material back.

[0003] However, the robotic arm may have problems of malfunction after being used for a certain period. For producers, it is necessary to repair or replace the components of the robotic arm irregularly or regularly, thus increasing the manufacturing cost of the producers.

[0004] In addition, after some materials are flipped by the robotic arm, they are not correctly placed back in the original area where they should be placed. The quality of these materials may be affected, which in turn affects the next process or the quality of the overall product.

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a flipping mechanism and a flipping system having the flipping mechanism to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a flipping mechanism and a system having the flipping mechanism.

[0007] According to some embodiments, the flipping mechanism includes a base body and a guiding element. The base body has a bottom surface and a flipping surface. The guiding element includes a feeding surface. The feeding surface and the bottom surface have a feeding angle. The feeding angle is greater than or equal to 20 degrees and less than or equal to 90 degrees. The feeding surface faces the flipping surface. The opening direction of the flipping surface faces the feeding surface. There is a flipping distance between the guiding element and the flipping surface.

[0008] In some embodiments, the base body includes a discharging surface and a blanking seat. The discharging surface is connected to the flipping surface. The blanking seat is connected to the discharging surface and the blanking seat is lower than the discharging surface.

[0009] In some embodiments, the base body includes two guiding walls. The two guiding walls are located on opposite sides of the discharging surface and opposite sides of the blanking seat. The two guiding walls are connected to the flipping surface. The distance between the two guiding walls gradually decreases from the flipping surface to the blanking seat.

[0010] In some embodiments, the distance between the two side walls is greater than the outer diameter of the material. The distance between the two guiding walls on the discharging surface is greater than the outer diameter of the material. The distance between the two guiding walls on the blanking seat is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the material.

[0011] In some embodiments, the guiding element further includes a feeding arc surface. The feeding arc surface is connected to one end of the feeding surface facing the flipping surface. The flipping radius of the flipping surface is 10 millimeters (mm) larger than the feeding radius of the feeding arc surface.

[0012] According to some embodiments, the flipping system includes the aforementioned flipping mechanism and a robotic arm. The robotic arm includes a controller, a gripping head, and a moving structure. The moving structure is connected to the gripping head. The controller is configured to: actuate the moving structure to move the gripping head to a first position and then cause the gripping head to perform a gripping action; actuate the moving structure to move the gripping head above the feeding surface and then cause the gripping head to perform a releasing action; actuate the moving structure to move the gripping head to the blanking seat and then cause the gripping head to perform a gripping action; and actuate the moving structure to move the gripping head to a second position and cause the gripping head to perform a releasing action.

[0013] According to some embodiments, the flipping mechanism flips the material by using the gravity of the material, without the need for other power mechanisms, saving maintenance costs. This flipping mechanism does not require additional mechanisms to be installed, which can save the equipment cost of the material flipping process. According to some embodiments, the flipping mechanism enables the material to be flipped quickly and with a high flipping success rate, improving the efficiency of the overall production line. According to some embodiments, the flipping mechanism includes a blanking seat, and the material moves smoothly to the blanking seat after being flipped, facilitating subsequent processing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 Shows a perspective view of a flipping mechanism according to some embodiments.

[0015] Figure 2 is Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the embodiment at the 2-2 position.

[0016] Figure 3 is Figure 1 A top view of the embodiment.

[0017] Figure 4 Shows a cross-sectional view of a flipping mechanism according to some embodiments.

[0018] Figure 5 Shows a cross-sectional view of a flipping mechanism according to some embodiments.

[0019] Figure 6 Shows a cross-sectional view of a flipping mechanism according to some embodiments.

[0020] Figure 7 Shows a perspective view of a flipping mechanism according to some embodiments.

[0021] Figure 8A , 8B , 8C-1, 8C-2, 8D, and 8E respectively show Figure 1 A continuous state diagram of an embodiment for flipping a material.

[0022] Figure 9A , 9B , 9C-1, 9C-2, 9D, and 9E respectively correspond toFigures 8A to 8E In Figure 1 a cross-sectional view taken at the 2-2 position.

[0023] Figure 10 Shows an exploded schematic diagram of a flipping mechanism according to some embodiments.

[0024] Figure 11 Shows a perspective view of a flipping system according to some embodiments.

[0025] Figure 12A , Figure 12B , 12C , 12D, 12E, 12F, and 12G show Figure 11 the operating states of the embodiments.

[0026] Description of main component symbols:

[0027] 100 Flipping system

[0028] 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f Flipping mechanism

[0029] 11 Base

[0030] 111 Bottom surface

[0031] 112 Flipping surface

[0032] 112a Vertical section

[0033] 112b Flipping section

[0034] 113 Discharge surface

[0035] 114 Dumping seat

[0036] 1141 Retaining wall

[0037] 115 Guide wall

[0038] 116 Step

[0039] 12 Guide element

[0040] 121 Inlet surface

[0041] 122 Side wall

[0042] 123 Inlet arc surface

[0043] 13 Fixing element

[0044] 2 Robot arm

[0045] 21 Controller

[0046] 22 Moving structure

[0047] 23 Pick-up head

[0048] 24 Optical detector

[0049] 241 Light spot

[0050] 3 Circuit board

[0051] 31 Battery holder

[0052] 311 Fixed spring piece

[0053] 4 Material

[0054] 4' Battery

[0055] 41 First side

[0056] 42 Second side

[0057] 5 Battery tray

[0058] α Inlet angle

[0059] β Angle

[0060] L1, L2 Virtual lines

[0061] P1 First position

[0062] P2 Second position

[0063] P3 Position

[0064] W1 Flipping spacing

[0065] W2, W3, W4 Spacings

[0066] R1 Flipping radius

[0067] R2 Inlet radius

[0068] r, r' Outer diameters Detailed implementation manners

[0069] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3 , Figure 1 which shows a perspective view of the flipping mechanism 1 according to some embodiments. Figure 2 is Figure 1 a cross-sectional view of the embodiment at the 2-2 position. Figure 3 is Figure 1 a top view of the embodiment.

[0070] According to some embodiments, the flipping mechanism 1 includes a base body 11 and a guiding element 12. The base body 11 has a bottom surface 111 and a flipping surface 112. The guiding element 12 includes an inlet surface 121. The inlet surface 121 and the bottom surface 111 have an inlet angle α, and the inlet angle α is greater than or equal to 20 degrees and less than or equal to 90 degrees. At Figure 1In the illustrated embodiment, the feeding angle α is 20 degrees. The feeding surface 121 faces the turning surface 112, that is, the feeding surface 121 extends in the direction of the turning surface 112. The opening direction of the turning surface 112 faces the feeding surface 121, that is, it means that the turning surface 112 is located on the virtual line L1 where the feeding surface 121 extends towards the bottom surface 111. The opening direction of the turning surface 112 refers to the direction towards the center of the turning section 112b, but it is not necessarily the case that the center of the turning section 112b lies on the feeding surface 121 or on the guiding element 12. There is a turning distance W1 between the guiding element 12 and the turning surface 112.

[0071] In some embodiments, the aforementioned bottom surface 111 is a plane or a plane formed by the supporting elements at the bottom of the base 11. For example, when the base 11 is placed on a base table and the turning mechanism 1 reaches gravity balance, the plane formed by the base 11 is the bottom surface 111. In this embodiment, the bottom surface 111 is the plane formed by the three contact points of the base 11 when it reaches gravity balance on the base table. In some embodiments, the turning mechanism 1 is locked to an external base table, and the bottom surface 111 is the horizontal plane after locking. The feeding angle α is the angle between this plane and the feeding surface 121.

[0072] In some embodiments, the turning surface 112 includes at least one section, and this section can be a planar section or an arc section. In some embodiments, the turning surface 112 includes a plurality of arc sections connected in sequence. In some embodiments, the turning surface 112 includes a plurality of planar sections connected in sequence. In some embodiments, the turning surface 112 includes planar sections and arc sections connected in any sorting manner. Also in some embodiments, the turning surface 112 is a single plane. In Figures 1 to 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the turning surface 112 includes a vertical section 112a and a turning section 112b. The vertical section 112a is a planar section, and the turning section 112b is an arc section, as Figure 2 shown.

[0073] Please refer to Figure 2 , the turning surface 112 is the surface that a material will hit and turn over after sliding along the feeding surface 121 (visible in Figure 8B and 8C-1 ). The guiding element 12 is a static plane or curved surface. The feeding angle α is the angle between the virtual line L1 where the feeding surface 121 extends towards the bottom surface 111 and the virtual line L2 where the bottom surface 111 extends. In some embodiments, the included angle of the feeding angle α is equal to the angle between the feeding surface 121 and the plane at the top of the guiding element 12. The aforementioned material can be, but is not limited to, flat-shaped. In some embodiments, the material is square-shaped. In some embodiments, the material is strip-shaped.

[0074] Please refer to in sequence Figures 8A to 8E and Figures 9A to 9E , these drawings respectively show Figure 1The embodiment is a schematic diagram of a continuous state of turning over a material. Figures 9A to 9E Corresponding to Figures 8A to 8E exist Figure 1 The cross-sectional view at position 2-2. In order to show the flipped state of the material 4, the material 4 is respectively marked with a first surface 41 and a second surface 42 opposite to each other in the figure. Figure 8A and 9A The material 4 is shown to be located above the guide element 12. The material 4 can be moved to the top of the guide element 12 by a robot arm (see the following description for details) and then released, and fall to the feeding surface 121 of the guide element 12 by its own gravity, or the material 4 can be directly placed on the feeding surface 121 by the robot arm (such as Figure 8B and Figure 9B shown).

[0075] When the material 4 is located on the feeding surface 121, since the bottom surface 111 of the turning mechanism 1 is located on a horizontal platform and the feeding angle α between the feeding surface 121 and the bottom surface 111 is greater than or equal to 20 degrees and less than or equal to 60 degrees, the material 4 will slide toward the turning surface 112 due to its own gravity, and its sliding speed is related to the weight of the material 4, the friction coefficient between the material 4 and the feeding surface 121, and the size of the feeding angle α (to be described in detail later).

[0076] Next, the material 4 will slide to the end of the feeding surface 121 (i.e., the end close to the flipping surface 112) and slide out of the feeding surface 121. When the material 4 slides out of the feeding surface 121, the material 4 will contact the flipping surface 112, and by the appropriate design of the flipping surface 112, the material 4 will flip, so that the first surface 41 of the material 4 contacts the flipping surface (e.g., Figure 8C-1 and Figure 9C-1 Please also compare Figure 9C-1 The turning mechanism 1 and Figure 9C-2 The flip mechanism 1e shown, Figure 9C-1 and Figure 9C-2 The different sliding speeds of the material 4 when sliding on the feeding surface 121 are shown. Figure 9C-1 The sliding speed of material 4 is higher than Figure 9C-2 The sliding speed of the material 4. As mentioned above, the sliding speed of the material 4 is related to the weight of the material 4, the friction coefficient between the material 4 and the feeding surface 121, and the size of the feeding angle α. When the weight of the material 4 is lighter, the friction coefficient is smaller, or the feeding angle α is larger, the sliding speed of the material 4 is faster. When the sliding speed of the material 4 is faster, the position where the material 4 contacts the flip surface 112 is higher (such as Figure 9C-1 As shown), the arc angle of the flipping surface 112 needs to be adjusted accordingly, so that the material 4 can flip along with the moment of inertia generated by its sliding speed (as shown in FIG. Figure 8C-2 In this way, the turning mechanism 1 can use the gravity of the material 4 to turn it over, without the need for other power mechanisms, thus saving maintenance costs.

[0077] Please refer to again Figure 2 In some embodiments, the guiding element 12 includes a feeding arc surface 123. The feeding arc surface 123 is connected to one end of the feeding surface 121 facing the turning surface 112. The feeding arc surface 123 is adapted to make the material 4 turn better, or ensure that the material 4 can be correctly turned. For example, when the sliding speed of the material 4 is slow (as shown in Figure 9C-2 ), when the center of gravity of the material 4 moves out of the feeding surface 121, the material 4 will rotate along the curved surface of the feeding arc surface 123. When the center of gravity of the material 4 exceeds the vertical cutting plane of the curved surface of the feeding arc surface 123 (i.e., the rightmost point of the feeding arc surface 123 in the Figure 9C-2 view), the material 4 will fall due to its gravity and contact the turning surface 112. In addition, please compare Figure 9C-1 with Figure 9C-2 , when the sliding speed of the material 4 is fast (as shown in Figure 9C-1 ), when the center of gravity of the material 4 exceeds the vertical cutting plane of the curved surface of the feeding arc surface 123, the material 4 will fall and contact the turning surface 112 due to its speed and gravity. At this time, the position where the material 4 contacts the turning surface 112 is higher than the contact position shown in Figure 9C-2 . In some embodiments, the turning radius R1 of the turning surface 112 is larger than the feeding radius R2 of the feeding arc surface 123. In some embodiments, the center position of the feeding radius R2 is different from the center position of the turning radius R1. In some embodiments, the turning radius R1 of the turning surface 112 is 10 millimeters (mm) larger than the feeding radius R2 of the feeding arc surface 123. In some embodiments, the turning radius R1 is 20 millimeters (mm) and the feeding radius R2 is 6 millimeters (mm).

[0078] Please refer to Figures 4 to 6 , which are cross-sectional views of the turning mechanism according to some embodiments respectively. Figures 4 to 6 The turning mechanisms with different feeding angles α are shown. Figure 4 The feeding angle α of the turning mechanism 1a shown in Figure 5 is 30 degrees. Figure 6 The feeding angle α of the turning mechanism 1b shown in

[0079] is 50 degrees. Figures 1 to 3 The feeding angle α of the turning mechanism 1c shown in Figure 7 is 60 degrees. As described above, the size of the feeding angle α affects the sliding speed of the material 4 along the feeding surface 121, the position where the material 4 collides with the turning surface 112, and the turning trajectory of the material 4. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the user can choose to adopt the turning mechanism 1 with different feeding angles α.

[0079] Please refer to again Figures 1 to 3 , and please refer to Figure 7 , Figure 7Shows a perspective view of the flipping mechanism 1d according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the base 11 further includes a discharging surface 113 and a blanking seat 114. In some embodiments, the discharging surface 113 and the blanking seat 114 are integrated, as Figure 1 shown. The discharging surface 113 is connected to the flipping surface 112. Please also refer to Figure 8D and Figure 9D . After the flipped material 4 is removed from the flipping surface 112, it slides along the discharging surface 113. In some embodiments, the blanking seat 114 is connected to the discharging surface 113. When the flipped material 4 is removed from the discharging surface 113, it will enter the blanking seat 114. In some embodiments, the blanking seat 114 has a retaining wall 1141. When the material 4 moves to the blanking seat 114, the retaining wall 1141 is adapted to stop the sliding material 4. In some embodiments, there is no height difference between the discharging surface 113 and the blanking seat 114, that is, the wall surface of the blanking seat 114 for placing the flipped material 4 is smoothly connected to the discharging surface 113, as Figure 7 shown. In some embodiments, the blanking seat 114 is lower than the discharging surface 113, and there is a step difference 116 between the blanking seat 114 and the discharging surface 113, as Figure 1 shown. Thereby, when the material 4 moves to the blanking seat 114 and is stopped by the retaining wall 1141 and rebounds, the material 4 will also be maintained in the blanking seat 114 due to the step difference 116. With the above features, the flipped material 4 can be positioned at a predetermined position to facilitate subsequent process use (detailed later). In some embodiments, the discharging surface 113 and the blanking seat 114 are two separable components, and there is a docking structure between the discharging surface 113 and the blanking seat 114. This docking structure can be a corresponding shape. The docking structure of the corresponding shape may include an adhesive for fixing the position between the discharging surface 113 and the blanking seat 114, so that the flipped material 4 can smoothly slide to the blanking seat 114. In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 7 . The flipping mechanism 1d includes a discharging surface 113 and a retaining wall 1141. After the material 4 slides out from the discharging surface 113, the retaining wall 1141 stops the material. In some embodiments, as Figure 2 shown, the discharging surface 113 and the bottom surface 111 have an included angle β. The size of the included angle β affects the sliding speed of the flipped material 4 along the discharging surface 113. The smaller the included angle β, the slower the sliding speed of the flipped material 4 on the discharging surface 113. In some embodiments, the included angle β is about 22 degrees. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0080] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3, in some embodiments, the guiding element 12 includes two side walls 122 which are located on opposite sides of the feeding surface 121. The two side walls 122 can limit the moving range of the non-flipped material 4 along the feeding surface 121 to prevent the material 4 from falling out of the guiding element 12. In some embodiments, the base 11 includes two guiding walls 115 which are connected to the flipping surface 112 and are located on opposite sides of the discharging surface 113 and opposite sides of the blanking seat 114. The two guiding walls 115 can limit the moving range of the flipped material 4 along the discharging surface 113 after the flipped material 4 moves out of the flipping surface 112, so that the flipped material 4 can smoothly slide onto the blanking seat 114. In some embodiments, the distance W4 between the two guiding walls 115 located on the blanking seat 114 is equal to the distance W3 between the two guiding walls 115 located on the discharging surface 113. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the distance W3 between the two guiding walls 115 tapers from the flipping surface 112 to the blanking seat 114. The "taper" can be partial or complete taper, such as Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the distance W3 between the guiding walls 115 is partially tapered. The gradual reduction of the distance W3 between the two guiding walls 115 from the flipping surface 112 to the blanking seat 114 can gradually narrow the sliding range of the flipped material 4, and smoothly guide the flipped material 4 to move to the blanking seat 114. The taper of the distance between the guiding walls 115 has the functions of buffering the sliding speed of the flipped material 4 and positioning the flipped material 4. In Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the distance W4 between the two guiding walls 115 located on the blanking seat 114 is smaller than the distance W3 between the two guiding walls 115 located on the discharging surface 113.

[0081] According to some embodiments, the user designs different sizes for the flipping distance W1, the distance W2 between the two side walls 122, and the distance W3 between the two guiding walls 115 according to the shape and size of the flipped material (such as the outer diameter and thickness of the material), so that the material can smoothly move along the feeding surface 121, smoothly flip within the flipping distance W1, and move out along the discharging surface 113 and fall on the blanking seat 114. In some embodiments, the user designs the sizes of the flipping distance W1, the distance W2 between the two side walls 122, and the distance W3 between the two guiding walls 115 according to the outer diameter of the material. In some embodiments, the user designs the sizes of the flipping distance W1, the distance W2 between the two side walls 122, and the distance W3 between the two guiding walls 115 according to the thickness of the material. The present invention is not limited. In some embodiments, the distance W2 between the two side walls 122 is greater than the flipping distance W1. In some embodiments, the distance W2 between the two side walls 122 is equal to the flipping distance W1. In some embodiments, the flipping distance W1 is substantially consistent with the distance W2 between the two side walls 122 and the distance W3 between the two guiding walls 115.

[0082] Such as Figures 1 to 3As shown, in these embodiments, the distance W2 between the two side walls 122 is designed to be greater than the outer diameter r of the material 4 (see Figure 8A ), the distance W3 between the two guiding walls 115 on the discharging surface 113 is designed to be greater than the outer diameter r of the material 4, and the distance W4 between the two guiding walls 115 on the blanking seat 114 is substantially equal to the outer diameter r of the material 4. Here, the material 4 can smoothly move along the feeding surface 121 and move out along the discharging surface 113 after being flipped. Under the action of the distance W3 and the distance W4 between the two guiding walls 115, the moving speed of the material 4 gradually slows down and is positioned on the blanking seat 114. In some embodiments, the distance W2 between the side walls 122 is 30 millimeters (mm), and the distance W4 between the two guiding walls 115 on the blanking seat 114 is 20.5 millimeters (mm). The material 4 is a battery, its weight is 3.2 g, and the outer diameter r' is 20 millimeters (mm) (see Figure 11 ).

[0083] Please refer to Figure 10 , which shows an exploded view of the flipping mechanism 1f according to some embodiments. In Figure 1 the shown embodiment, the seat body 11 and the guiding element 12 are of an integrally formed structure, while Figure 10 in the shown embodiment, the seat body 11 and the guiding element 12 are in two parts, and there is a docking structure between the seat body 11 and the guiding element 12. This docking structure can be corresponding shapes (such as Figure 10 shown), or can be a docking structure with a snap function. In addition, the corresponding shape docking structure can also include an adhesive to fix the relative position between the seat body 11 and the guiding element 12, so as to ensure that the flipping mechanism 1 can smoothly flip the material 4. In addition, in some embodiments, the flipping mechanism 1 further includes two fixing elements 13, which are respectively located on both sides of the seat body 11, and the fixing elements 13 facilitate the fixing of the flipping mechanism 1 to the production machine or a bottom surface.

[0084] In addition, in some embodiments, the material of the flipping mechanism 1 can be but is not limited to acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS resin), phenolic resin (bakelite), plexiglass, wood, or cast iron.

[0085] Please refer to Figure 11, a perspective view of the flipping system 100 according to some embodiments is shown. The flipping system 100 includes a flipping mechanism 1 and a robotic arm 2. The robotic arm 2 includes a controller 21, a moving structure 22, and a gripping head 23. The moving structure 22 is connected to the gripping head 23. The controller 21 is configured to: actuate the moving structure 22 to move the gripping head 23 to the first position P1 and then cause the gripping head 23 to perform a gripping action; actuate the moving structure 22 to move the gripping head 23 above the feeding surface 121 and then cause the gripping head 23 to perform a releasing action; actuate the moving structure 22 to move the gripping head 23 to the blanking seat 114 and then cause the gripping head 23 to perform a gripping action; and actuate the moving structure 22 to move the gripping head 23 to the second position P2 and cause the gripping head 23 to perform a releasing action.

[0086] Please refer to Figures 12A to 12F , which shows Figure 11 the operating state of the embodiment. After the controller 21 actuates the moving structure 22 to move the gripping head 23 to the first position P1, the gripping head 23 performs a gripping action. The moving structure 22 has movable joints or a moving platform to move the gripping head 23 to the target position, i.e., the first position P1. Then, the gripping head 23 performs a gripping action to grip the material 4. In some embodiments, the gripping head 23 is a vacuum suction head. When the gripping head 23 is actuated by the controller 21, the gripping head 23 grips the material 4 by vacuum adsorption, as Figure 12A shown. In some embodiments, the gripping head 23 is a gripper. When the gripper is actuated by the controller 21, the gripper grips the material 4. In Figure 11 the embodiment, the material 4 is a battery 4'. The battery 4' has a first surface 41 and a second surface 42. The first position P1 is above a battery 4' in the battery tray 5 or a place where the controller 21 finely adjusts the gripping head 23 for easy gripping of the battery 4'. After the gripping head 23 moves to the first position P1, it performs a gripping action to grip the battery 4'.

[0087] Next, the controller 21 actuates the moving structure 22 to move the gripping head 23 above the feeding surface 121 of the flipping mechanism 1 (i.e., position P3) and then causes the gripping head 23 to perform a releasing action to release the battery 4', as Figure 12B shown.

[0088] When the battery 4' is on the feeding surface 121, due to the inclined state of the feeding surface 121 and the gravitational action of the battery 4', the battery 4' slides along the feeding surface 121, touches the flipping surface 112 and then flips 180 degrees, as Figure 12C shown. Subsequently, the battery 4' moves out of the flipping surface 112 and slides along the discharging surface 113 to the blanking seat 114. The battery 4' completes a 180-degree flip, and the upper surface is flipped from the first surface 41 to the second surface 42, as Figure 12D shown.

[0089] Next, the controller 21 actuates the moving structure 22 to move the pick-up head 23 to the blanking seat 114, causing the pick-up head 23 to perform a pick-up action, and vacuum adsorbing to adsorb the flipped battery 4', as Figure 12E shown.

[0090] The controller 21 actuates the moving structure 22 to move the pick-up head 23 to the second position P2, causing the pick-up head 23 to perform a release action. In some embodiments, the second position P2 is the material area. In some embodiments, it is a location on the circuit board 3. In these embodiments, the second position P2 is the battery seat 31 on the circuit board 3. The pick-up head 23 releases the vacuum adsorption and releases the battery 4', causing the battery 4' to be located on the battery seat 31, as Figure 12F and Figure 12G shown.

[0091] Please refer to Figure 11 and Figure 12C again. In some embodiments, the flipping system 100 further includes an optical detector 24, and the optical detector 24 is electrically connected to the controller 21. In some embodiments, the optical detector 24 is located on the robotic arm 2. The optical detector 24 projects a light spot 241 onto the blanking seat 114 to detect whether there is a flipped material 4 on the blanking seat 114. When a material 4 covers the light spot 241, that is, when the optical detector 24 detects the presence of the material 4 on the blanking seat 114, the optical detector 24 transmits a corresponding signal to the controller 21. The controller 21 actuates the moving structure 22 and the pick-up head 23 to pick up the material 4 on the blanking seat 114 according to the corresponding signal. In this way, problems such as the robotic arm 2 mis-grabbing and preventing the flipped materials 4 from stacking on the blanking seat 114 can be avoided. In some embodiments, the optical detector 24 is fixed at a position on the production line. The optical detector 24 projects the light spot 241 onto the blanking seat 114. When a material 4 covers the light spot 241, the pick-up head 23 picks up the flipped material 4 on the blanking seat 114, preventing the flipped materials 4 from stacking on the blanking seat 114. In some embodiments, the pick-up head 23 for picking up the battery 4' from the battery tray 5 and the pick-up head 23 for picking up the flipped battery 4' from the blanking seat 114 of the flipping mechanism 1 can be the same or different pick-up heads 23. In other words, the robotic arm 2 or the pick-up head 23 can be one or more, and the present invention has no limitation.

[0092] In addition, please refer to Figures 12D to 12G, in some embodiments, the battery holder 31 has a fixed elastic piece 311 with an inclination angle with the bottom surface of the battery holder 31. In some embodiments, the inclination angle is about 22 degrees, which is substantially the same as the angle β between the discharging surface 113 and the bottom surface 111 of the turning mechanism 1. Therefore, when the pickup head 23 vacuum-adsorbs the turned battery 4', the battery 4' is in an inclined state and is adapted to be assembled in the battery holder 31. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the state of the battery 4' being picked up by the pickup head 23 may also be in a "flat" state.

[0093] According to some embodiments, the turning mechanism uses the gravity of the material to turn it without other power mechanisms, saving maintenance costs. This turning mechanism does not need to be equipped with additional mechanisms, which can save the equipment cost of the material turning process. According to some embodiments, the turning mechanism enables the material to be turned quickly and with a high turning success rate, improving the efficiency of the overall manufacturing process. According to some embodiments, the turning mechanism includes a blanking seat, and the material moves smoothly to the blanking seat after being turned, facilitating the use in subsequent manufacturing processes. In some embodiments, the distance between the guiding walls of the turning mechanism gradually decreases, so that the turned material is gradually positioned during the sliding process along the discharging surface, which is conducive to quickly entering the subsequent manufacturing process. In some embodiments, the turning mechanism is integrated, which is convenient for users to process and assemble on the production line.

[0094] The turning system includes a turning mechanism. According to some embodiments, the turning system can save maintenance costs in the manufacturing process. In some embodiments, the turning system can save the equipment cost of the material turning process. In some embodiments, the turning system can improve the efficiency of the overall manufacturing process. In some embodiments, the turning mechanism includes a blanking seat, and the turning system includes an optical detector, so that the problem of the robotic arm mis-grasping and the stacked turned materials on the blanking seat can be avoided.

Claims

1. A flipping mechanism, which includes: A base body, which has a bottom surface and a flipping surface; And A guiding element, which includes a feeding surface. The feeding surface and the bottom surface have a feeding angle. The feeding angle is greater than or equal to 20 degrees and less than or equal to 90 degrees. The feeding surface faces the flipping surface. An opening direction of the flipping surface faces the feeding surface. There is a flipping distance between the guiding element and the flipping surface; Wherein, the guiding element further includes a feeding arc surface. The feeding arc surface is connected to one end of the feeding surface facing the flipping surface. A flipping radius of the flipping surface is 10 millimeters larger than a feeding radius of the feeding arc surface.

2. The flipping mechanism according to claim 1, wherein, The base body includes a discharging surface and a blanking seat. The discharging surface is connected to the flipping surface. The blanking seat is connected to the discharging surface and the blanking seat is lower than the discharging surface.

3. The flipping mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the guiding element includes two side walls, and the two side walls are located on opposite sides of the feeding surface.

4. The turnover mechanism according to claim 3, wherein, The base body includes two guiding walls, and the two guiding walls are located on opposite sides of the discharging surface and opposite sides of the blanking seat. The two guiding walls are connected to the flipping surface.

5. The turnover mechanism according to claim 4, wherein, A distance between the two guiding walls gradually decreases from the flipping surface to the blanking seat.

6. The flipping mechanism according to claim 4, wherein, A distance between the two guiding walls at the blanking seat is less than or equal to a distance between the two guiding walls at the discharging surface.

7. The turnover mechanism according to claim 4, wherein, A distance between the two side walls is greater than an outer diameter of a material. A distance between the two guiding walls at the discharging surface is greater than the outer diameter of the material. A distance between the two guiding walls at the blanking seat is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the material.

8. The turnover mechanism according to claim 3, wherein, The distance between the two side walls is greater than or equal to the flipping distance.

9. The turnover mechanism according to claim 1, wherein, The base body includes: A discharging surface, which is connected to the flipping surface; A blanking seat, which is connected to the discharging surface and is lower than the discharging surface; and Two guiding walls, which are located on opposite sides of the discharging surface and opposite sides of the blanking seat. The two guiding walls are connected to the flipping surface; Wherein, the guiding element further includes two side walls, and the two side walls are located on opposite sides of the feeding surface; Wherein, the distance between the two guiding walls gradually decreases from the flipping surface to the blanking seat, and the distance between the two guiding walls at the blanking seat is less than or equal to the distance between the two guiding walls at the discharging surface; Wherein, the distance between the two side walls is greater than the outer diameter of a material. The distance between the two guiding walls at the discharging surface is greater than the outer diameter of the material. The distance between the two guiding walls at the blanking seat is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the material; Wherein, the distance between the two side walls is greater than or equal to the flipping distance; and Wherein, the flipping radius is 20 millimeters and the feeding radius is 6 millimeters.

10. A flipping system, which includes: A flipping mechanism, which includes: A base body, which has a bottom surface and a flipping surface; and A guiding element, which includes a feeding surface. The feeding surface and the bottom surface form a feeding angle, and the feeding angle is greater than or equal to 20 degrees and less than or equal to 90 degrees. The feeding surface faces the turning surface, and an opening direction of the turning surface faces the feeding surface. There is a turning distance between the guiding element and the turning surface. Wherein, the guiding element further includes a feeding arc surface, and the feeding arc surface is connected to one end of the feeding surface facing the turning surface. A turning radius of the turning surface is 10 millimeters larger than a feeding radius of the feeding arc surface; and A robotic arm, which includes a controller, a gripping head, and a moving structure. The moving structure is connected to the gripping head, and the controller is configured to: Actuate the moving structure to move the gripping head to a first position, and then make the gripping head perform a gripping action; Actuate the moving structure to move the gripping head above the feeding surface, and then make the gripping head perform a releasing action; Actuate the moving structure to move the gripping head to a blanking seat, and then make the gripping head perform the gripping action; and actuate the moving structure to move the gripping head to a second position, and make the gripping head perform the releasing action.

11. The flipping system according to claim 10, wherein, The seat body includes a discharging surface and the blanking seat. The discharging surface is connected to the turning surface, and the blanking seat is connected to the discharging surface and is lower than the discharging surface.

12. The turning system according to claim 11, wherein the guiding element includes two side walls, and the two side walls are located on opposite sides of the feeding surface.

13. The flipping system according to claim 12, wherein, The seat body includes two guiding walls, and the two guiding walls are located on opposite sides of the discharging surface and opposite sides of the blanking seat, and the two guiding walls are connected to the turning surface.

14. The flipping system according to claim 13, wherein, A spacing between the two guiding walls gradually decreases from the turning surface to the blanking seat.

15. The flipping system according to claim 13, wherein, A spacing between the two guiding walls at the blanking seat is less than or equal to a spacing between the two guiding walls at the discharging surface.

16. The flipping system according to claim 13, wherein, A spacing between the two side walls is greater than an outer diameter of a material. A spacing between the two guiding walls at the discharging surface is greater than the outer diameter of the material. A spacing between the two guiding walls at the blanking seat is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the material.

17. The flipping system according to claim 12, wherein, A spacing between the two side walls is greater than or equal to the turning distance.

18. The flipping system according to claim 10, wherein, The seat body includes: A discharging surface, and the discharging surface is connected to the turning surface; A blanking seat, and the blanking seat is connected to the discharging surface and is lower than the discharging surface; and Two guiding walls, and the two guiding walls are located on opposite sides of the discharging surface and opposite sides of the blanking seat, and the two guiding walls are connected to the turning surface; Wherein, the guiding element further includes two side walls, and the two side walls are located on opposite sides of the feeding surface; Wherein, a spacing between the two guiding walls gradually decreases from the turning surface to the blanking seat, and a spacing between the two guiding walls at the blanking seat is less than or equal to a spacing between the two guiding walls at the discharging surface; Wherein, a spacing between the two side walls is greater than an outer diameter of a material. A spacing between the two guiding walls at the discharging surface is greater than the outer diameter of the material. A spacing between the two guiding walls at the blanking seat is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the material; Wherein, a spacing between the two side walls is greater than or equal to the turning distance; and Wherein, the turning radius is 20 millimeters and the feeding radius is 6 millimeters.

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