Auxiliary tool for keycap injection molding

Abstract

The application relates to an auxiliary tool for keycap injection molding, which is applied to the technical field of keycap injection molding and comprises a supporting frame and a supporting disc. A plurality of groups of suction disc assemblies for adsorbing base sheets are arranged on the supporting disc. The suction disc assembly comprises a suction disc seat and a suction disc rod in sliding connection with the suction disc seat, the end of the suction disc rod is fixed with a suction disc sheet, and a connecting rod is hinged to the side of the suction disc sheet close to the suction disc rod. A sliding block is hinged to the end of the connecting rod away from the suction disc sheet. A moving groove matched with the sliding block is arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the suction disc rod. The application has the effect of detecting whether the suction disc adsorbs the base sheet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of keycap injection molding, and in particular to auxiliary tooling for keycap injection molding. Background Technology

[0002] The base plate of a keycap is usually formed by injection molding. The injection-molded base plate is embedded in the plate frame, and the base plate and plate frame need to be separated first.

[0003] After the keycap base plate is injection molded, a robotic arm is used to transport it. The robotic arm grips both the base plate and its frame portion, separating them. Typically, the robotic arm uses suction cups to adhere to the base plate. Once the suction cups have successfully adhered to the base plate, a force is applied to the frame away from the robotic arm, thus separating the frame from the base plate.

[0004] Regarding the aforementioned technologies, the inventors believe that the following defects exist: when the robotic arm contacts the substrate, there may be cases where one or more suction cups fail to contact the substrate. When separating the substrate and the frame, the substrates that are not adsorbed by the suction cups will separate from the substrate along with the frame, resulting in the loss of individual substrates and affecting production efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the issue of not being able to detect whether the suction cup is adhering to the substrate, this application provides an auxiliary tooling for keycap injection molding.

[0006] The auxiliary tooling for keycap injection molding provided in this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] An auxiliary tooling for keycap injection molding includes a support frame and a support plate; the support plate is provided with several sets of suction cup assemblies for adsorbing substrate sheets; each suction cup assembly includes a suction cup base and a suction cup rod slidably connected to the suction cup base, a suction cup piece is fixed to the end of the suction cup rod, and a connecting rod is hinged to the side of the suction cup piece near the suction cup rod; a slider is hinged to the end of the connecting rod away from the suction cup piece; a movable groove that can cooperate with the slider is opened on the outer peripheral surface of the suction cup rod.

[0008] By adopting the above technical solution, when the suction cup and the substrate are in an adsorbed state, the suction cup is stretched towards the side closer to the suction cup rod due to the pressure between the suction cup and the substrate. At this time, the connecting rod pushes the slider to move away from the suction cup. When the suction cup and the substrate are separated, the suction cup retracts away from the suction cup rod. At this time, the connecting rod pushes the slider to move towards the side closer to the suction cup. The state of the suction cup can be determined by the movement of the slider, thereby determining whether the suction cup has separated from the substrate.

[0009] Optionally, a pressure plate is hinged at the top corner of the support frame; a motor for driving the pressure plate to rotate is fixed on the support frame, and the motor is fixedly connected to the hinge shaft of the pressure plate.

[0010] By adopting the above technical solution, the motor is used to drive the pressing sheet to flip, and the pressing sheet is used to provide support for the plate frame of the substrate.

[0011] Optionally, a plurality of telescopic mechanisms for driving the support frame to move are provided between the support plate and the support frame. The telescopic mechanism includes a telescopic shaft and a telescopic tube slidably disposed around the telescopic shaft. The side of the telescopic tube away from the support plate is fixed to the support frame. An electromagnet is fixed to the side of the telescopic shaft away from the support plate, and a magnetic suction piece that can be attracted to the electromagnet is fixed to the bottom wall of the telescopic tube near the support frame.

[0012] By adopting the above technical solution, the telescopic mechanism is used to push the plate frame of the substrate, and the electromagnet drives the plate frame to move closer to the support frame by adsorbing the magnetic absorbing plate.

[0013] Optionally, a spring is fixed to the side of the telescopic tube near the support plate, and the end of the spring away from the telescopic tube is fixedly connected to the support plate.

[0014] By adopting the above technical solution, spring one provides elastic force to the telescopic tube to the side away from the support frame. When electromagnet one is de-energized, spring one can reset the plate frame to the side away from the support frame, thereby separating the plate frame from the substrate.

[0015] Optionally, a suction cup tube is fixed to the side of the suction cup base near the support frame, and the suction cup tube is slidably connected to the suction cup rod; an electromagnet is fixed to the side of the suction cup rod away from the support frame, and an end face ring is fixed to the end of the suction cup tube near the support frame; a magnetic suction piece that can be attracted to the electromagnet is fixed to the side of the end face ring away from the support frame.

[0016] By adopting the above technical solution, when the electromagnet is energized, it will attract the magnetic chuck, thereby applying a force to the chuck to move away from the support frame. Since the support frame and the chuck are subjected to opposite forces, the base plate is separated from the plate frame.

[0017] Optionally, a movable switch piece is fixed on the side of the slider away from the suction cup piece, and a fixed switch piece that can make electrical contact with the movable switch piece is fixed on the side of the moving groove away from the suction cup piece; the movable switch piece is connected in series with the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet; the fixed switch piece is electrically connected to the power supply.

[0018] By adopting the above technical solution, when the suction cup plate is in the retracted state, the slider moves to the side closer to the suction cup plate, thereby separating the switch moving plate from the switch stationary plate. Electromagnet one and electromagnet two are both in the conducting state, thereby causing the support frame and the suction cup plate to be subjected to opposite forces, separating the base plate and the plate frame.

[0019] Optionally, a connecting piece is fixed around the suction cup rod; a second spring is fixed to the side of the connecting piece away from the support frame, and the end of the second spring away from the support frame is fixedly connected to the end of the suction cup seat near the support frame.

[0020] By adopting the above technical solution, spring two provides elastic force to the suction cup rod to the side away from the support frame, so that when electromagnet two is disconnected from the power supply, spring two drives the suction cup rod to reset to the side away from the support frame.

[0021] Optionally, the suction cup base has an air inlet hole, and a sliding groove is provided on one side of the suction cup base; the suction cup base is slidably connected to a valve cover that can close the air inlet hole through the air inlet hole; a spring is fixed to the side of the valve cover away from the suction cup rod, and the end of the spring away from the valve cover is fixedly connected to the side of the sliding groove away from the suction cup rod; a slope is provided on the side of the suction cup rod away from the suction cup plate, and a slope is provided on the side of the valve cover near the suction cup rod that can abut against the slope.

[0022] By adopting the above technical solution, when the suction cup assembly adsorbs the substrate, the suction cup rod moves towards the side closer to the support frame. The suction cup rod abuts against the valve cover through the inclined surface, thereby moving the valve cover. After the valve cover moves, the air inlet remains unobstructed, which facilitates providing a vacuum environment for the contact surface between the suction cup sheet and the substrate.

[0023] In summary, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects:

[0024] 1. When the suction cup and the substrate are in an adsorbed state, the suction cup is stretched towards the side closer to the suction cup rod due to the pressure between them. At this time, the connecting rod pushes the slider to move away from the suction cup. When the suction cup and the substrate are separated, the suction cup retracts away from the suction cup rod. At this time, the connecting rod pushes the slider to move towards the side closer to the suction cup. The movement of the slider can be used to determine the state of the suction cup, thus determining whether the suction cup has separated from the substrate.

[0025] 2. When the suction cup plate is in the retracted state, the slider moves closer to the suction cup plate, thereby separating the moving switch plate from the stationary switch plate. Electromagnet one and electromagnet two are both in the conducting state, thereby subjecting the support frame and the suction cup plate to opposite forces, separating the base plate and the plate frame.

[0026] 3. When the suction cup assembly adsorbs the substrate, the suction cup rod moves towards the side closer to the support frame. The suction cup rod abuts against the valve cover through the inclined surface, thereby moving the valve cover. After the valve cover moves, the air inlet remains unobstructed, which facilitates the provision of a vacuum environment for the contact surface between the suction cup and the substrate. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the robotic arm in an embodiment of this application.

[0028] Figure 2 yes Figure 2 Enlarged diagram of point A in the middle.

[0029] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the telescopic tube according to an embodiment of this application.

[0030] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the suction cup holder according to an embodiment of this application.

[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the suction cup rod in an embodiment of this application.

[0032] Reference numerals: 1. Robotic arm; 11. Support frame; 12. Support plate; 13. Pressing plate; 14. Motor; 2. Telescopic mechanism; 21. Telescopic tube; 23. Electromagnet I; 24. Magnetic suction plate I; 25. Telescopic shaft; 3. Suction cup assembly; 31, 32. Suction cup rod; 33. Suction cup tube; 34. Electromagnet II; 35. Slide I; 4. Connecting plate; 41. Suction cup plate; 42. Spring II; 43. Connecting rod; 44. Slider; 45. Moving groove; 5. Valve cover; 51. Air inlet; 52. Spring III; 53. Inclined surface I; 54. Inclined surface II. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1-5 This application will be described in further detail.

[0034] This application discloses auxiliary tooling for keycap injection molding. (Refer to...) Figure 1 and Figure 2 The auxiliary tooling for keycap injection molding is a robot arm 1 used to transport the injection-molded keycap base sheet. The robot arm 1 includes a support frame 11 and a support plate 12. The support frame 11 has a square cross-section, and a pressure plate 13 is hinged to the top corner of the support frame 11; a motor 14 for driving the pressure plate 13 to rotate is fixed on the support frame 11, and the motor 14 is coaxially fixed to the hinge shaft of the pressure plate 13.

[0035] After the keycap base sheet is injection molded, an injection molded plate is formed. The injection molded plate includes a frame and several base sheets embedded in the frame. When the robot arm 1 performs adsorption, the frame and base sheets are adsorbed separately, and opposing forces are applied to the frame and base sheets, thereby separating the frame and base sheets. The support frame 11 is used to grip the frame. After the pressure plate 13 flips towards the side closer to the support frame 11, the support frame 11 clamps the frame.

[0036] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 3 Several sets of telescopic mechanisms 2 for driving the support frame 11 to move are provided between the support plate 12 and the support frame 11. The telescopic mechanism 2 includes a telescopic shaft 25 and a telescopic tube 21 slidably disposed around the telescopic shaft 25. The side of the telescopic tube 21 away from the support plate 12 is fixedly connected to the support frame 11; a spring is fixedly fixed to the side of the telescopic tube 21 near the support plate 12, and the end of the spring away from the telescopic tube 21 is fixedly connected to the support plate 12; a spring is also disposed around the telescopic shaft 25. An electromagnet 23 is fixedly fixed to the side of the telescopic shaft 25 away from the support plate 12, and a magnetic suction piece 24 that can be attracted to the electromagnet 23 is fixed to the bottom wall of the telescopic tube 21 near the support frame 11.

[0037] The telescopic mechanism 2 is used to drive the plate frame to move axially along the telescopic shaft 25. The electromagnet 23 inside the telescopic shaft 25 can move the support frame 11 closer to the support plate 12 by attracting the magnetic chuck 24. The spring is used to drive the support frame 11 to move away from the support plate 12.

[0038] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 The support plate 12 is provided with several sets of suction cup assemblies 3 for adsorbing the substrate. The suction cup assembly 3 includes a suction cup base 31 and a suction cup rod 32 slidably connected to the suction cup base 31. A suction cup tube 33 is fixed to the side of the suction cup base 31 near the support frame 11, and the suction cup tube 33 is slidably connected to the suction cup rod 32. An electromagnet 34 is fixed to the side of the suction cup rod 32 away from the support frame 11, and an end face ring is fixed to the end of the suction cup tube 33 near the support frame 11; a magnetic suction piece 2 that can be attracted to the electromagnet 34 is fixed to the side of the end face ring away from the support frame 11.

[0039] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 4 A connecting piece 4 is fixed around the suction cup rod 32, and a suction cup piece 41 is fixed at the end of the suction cup rod 32. A spring 42 is fixed on the side of the connecting piece 4 away from the support frame 11, and the end of the spring 42 away from the support frame 11 is fixedly connected to the end of the suction cup seat 31 near the support frame 11.

[0040] The suction cup assembly 3 is used to adsorb the substrate. When separating the substrate and the frame, the suction cup assembly 3 applies a force to the substrate toward the side closer to the support plate 12, and the support frame 11 applies a force to the frame toward the side farther from the support plate 12. The electromagnet 34 moves the suction cup piece 41 toward the side closer to the support plate 12 by adsorbing the magnetic suction piece 2, and the spring 42 drives the suction cup piece 41 to move away from the support plate 12.

[0041] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 5 Two connecting rods 43 are hinged to the suction cup plate 41 near the suction cup rod 32, and the two connecting rods 43 are symmetrically arranged. A slider 44 is hinged to the end of the connecting rod 43 away from the suction cup plate 41. Two movable grooves 45 are symmetrically formed on the outer circumference of the suction cup rod 32, which can cooperate with the sliders 44. A switch moving piece is fixed to the slider 44 near the suction cup plate 41, and a switch fixed piece that can make electrical contact with the switch moving piece is fixed to the movable groove 45 near the suction cup plate 41. The switch moving piece is connected in series with electromagnet 23 and electromagnet 34; the switch fixed piece is electrically connected to the power supply.

[0042] When the suction cup adheres to the substrate, a single suction cup may separate from the substrate, causing the substrate to remain on the frame even after separation. When the suction cup 41 is separated from the substrate, it retracts away from the support plate 12, causing the connecting rod 43 to retract towards the suction cup rod 32. The end of the connecting rod 43 away from the suction cup 41 moves towards the suction cup 41, thus making electrical contact between the fixed and moving switch plates. Conversely, when the suction cup 41 adheres to the substrate, it is in an extended state, and the end of the connecting rod 43 away from the suction cup 41 moves away from it, thus separating the moving and fixed switch plates.

[0043] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 An air inlet 51 is provided inside the suction cup base 31, and sliding grooves 35 are respectively provided on both sides of the air inlet 51. A valve cover 5 that can close the air inlet 51 is slidably connected to the suction cup base 31 through the air inlet 51. A spring 3 52 is fixed to the side of the valve cover 5 away from the suction cup rod 32, and the end of the spring 3 52 away from the valve cover 5 is fixedly connected to the side of the sliding groove 35 away from the suction cup rod 32. Two inclined surfaces 53 are symmetrically provided on the side of the suction cup rod 32 away from the suction cup plate 41, and inclined surfaces 54 that can abut against the inclined surfaces 53 are provided on the inner side of the two valve covers 5 opposite to each other on the side near the suction cup rod 32.

[0044] When the suction cup assembly 3 adsorbs the substrate, the suction cup rod 32 moves towards the side closer to the support frame 11. The suction cup rod 32 abuts against the valve cover 5 via the inclined surface 53 and pushes the two valve covers 5 to move to both sides, thereby keeping the air inlet 51 unobstructed. The vacuum pump keeps the suction cup assembly 3 in a vacuum state by drawing air.

[0045] The implementation principle of the auxiliary tooling for keycap injection molding in this application embodiment is as follows:

[0046] When the suction cup adsorbs the substrate, the suction cup plate 41 contacts the substrate and is in an extended state. The end of the connecting rod 43 away from the suction cup plate 41 moves away from the suction cup plate 41. This causes the moving switch plate to separate from the fixed switch plate, the electromagnet 34 to lose its magnetism, and the spring 42 pulls the suction cup plate 41 to move closer to the support frame 11. At the same time, the suction cup rod 32 presses against the valve cover 5 to move, thereby opening the air inlet 51.

[0047] When a single suction cup 41 is not adsorbing the substrate, the suction cup 41 is in a retracted state, causing the connecting rod 43 to retract towards the side closer to the suction cup rod 32. The end of the connecting rod 43 away from the suction cup 41 moves towards the side closer to the suction cup 41, thus making electrical contact between the fixed and moving switch plates. Both electromagnets 24 and 23 are energized. Electromagnet 23 drives the support frame 11 towards the side closer to the support plate 12, and electromagnet 34 drives the suction cup 41 towards the side closer to the support frame 11, thus re-engaging the suction cup 41 with the substrate. The suction cup 41 then adsorbs the substrate.

[0048] The above are all preferred embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape and principle of this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. An auxiliary tooling for keycap injection molding, comprising a support frame (11) and a support plate (12); the support plate (12) is provided with a plurality of suction cup assemblies (3) for adsorbing substrate sheets; the suction cup assembly (3) comprises a suction cup base (31) and a suction cup rod (32) slidably connected to the suction cup base (31), characterized in that: The suction cup rod (32) has a suction cup plate (41) fixed at its end. A connecting rod (43) is hinged to the side of the suction cup plate (41) near the suction cup rod (32). A slider (44) is hinged to the end of the connecting rod (43) away from the suction cup plate (41). A moving groove (45) that can cooperate with the slider (44) is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the suction cup rod (32). Several sets of telescopic mechanisms (2) for driving the support frame (11) to move are provided between the support plate (12) and the support frame (11). The telescopic mechanism (2) includes a telescopic shaft (25) and a telescopic tube (21) slidably disposed around the telescopic shaft (25). The side of the telescopic tube (21) away from the support plate (12) is fixed to the support frame (11). An electromagnet (23) is fixed on the side of the telescopic shaft (25) away from the support plate (12). A magnetic suction piece (24) that can be attracted to the electromagnet (23) is fixed on the bottom wall of the telescopic tube (21) near the support frame (11). A spring is fixed to the side of the telescopic tube (21) near the support plate (12), and the end of the spring away from the telescopic tube (21) is fixed to the support plate (12). The suction cup base (31) is fixed with a suction cup tube (33) on the side near the support frame (11), and the suction cup tube (33) is slidably connected to the suction cup rod (32); an electromagnet (34) is fixed on the side of the suction cup rod (32) away from the support frame (11), and an end face ring is fixed on the end of the suction cup tube (33) near the support frame (11); a magnetic suction piece (2) that can be attracted to the electromagnet (34) is fixed on the side of the end face ring away from the support frame (11); A movable switch piece is fixed on the side of the slider (44) near the suction cup (41), and a fixed switch piece that can make electrical contact with the movable switch piece is fixed on the side of the moving groove (45) near the suction cup (41); the movable switch piece is connected in series with the first electromagnet (23) and the second electromagnet (34); the fixed switch piece is electrically connected to the power supply.

2. The auxiliary tooling for keycap injection molding according to claim 1, characterized in that: A pressure plate (13) is hinged at the top corner of the support frame (11); a motor (14) for driving the pressure plate (13) to rotate is fixed on the support frame (11), and the motor (14) is fixedly connected to the hinge shaft of the pressure plate (13).

3. The auxiliary tooling for keycap injection molding according to claim 1, characterized in that: A connecting piece (4) is fixed around the suction cup rod (32); a second spring (42) is fixed on the side of the connecting piece (4) away from the support frame (11), and the end of the second spring (42) away from the support frame (11) is fixedly connected to the end of the suction cup seat (31) close to the support frame (11).

4. The auxiliary tooling for keycap injection molding according to claim 1, characterized in that: An air inlet (51) is provided inside the suction cup base (31), and a sliding groove (35) is provided on one side of the suction cup base (31); a valve cover (5) that can close the air inlet (51) is slidably connected to the suction cup base (31) through the air inlet (51); a spring (52) is fixed on the side of the valve cover (5) away from the suction cup rod (32), and the end of the spring (52) away from the valve cover (5) is fixedly connected to the side of the sliding groove (35) away from the suction cup rod (32); a slope (53) is provided on the side of the suction cup rod (32) away from the suction cup plate (41), and a slope (54) that can abut against the slope (53) is provided on the side of the valve cover (5) close to the suction cup rod (32).

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