A plate unloader

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of PCB manufacturing equipment technology, specifically to a board loading machine. The board loading machine includes a transfer mechanism comprising a first station, a second station, and a moving component. The moving component is movably disposed between the first station and the second station, and components on the first station are moved to the second station by the moving component. A robotic arm is positioned above the second station, and the robotic arm picks up boards and places them on the second station for assembly with components on the second station. A transport mechanism is positioned below the transfer mechanism, and the transport mechanism uses its lifting movement to lift boards to the first station or receive assembled components on the second station. The transfer mechanism, the transport mechanism, and the robotic arm are all connected to a controller. This board loading machine can simultaneously transfer boards and components, allowing the robotic arm to assemble components more efficiently and effectively improving production efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of PCB manufacturing equipment technology, specifically to a PCB unloading machine. Background Technology

[0002] PCBs require high precision, and to prevent damage during transport, they are typically positioned in trays that serve as protective containers. In practice, a transport mechanism moves stacked trays to the workstation, then lifts each tray individually so a robotic arm can place the PCB into it. For example, the robotic arm might first move the stacked trays to the assembly station, then retrieve the PCB and place it onto the tray. However, this process has drawbacks: the robotic arm must simultaneously move the trays and retrieve the PCBs, meaning these actions cannot be performed concurrently, thus impacting assembly efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a board loading machine that can simultaneously transfer boards and accessories, enabling the robot to assemble accessories more efficiently and effectively improving production efficiency.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0005] Provide a board placement machine, including

[0006] A transfer mechanism, comprising a first station, a second station, and a moving component, wherein the moving component is movably disposed between the first station and the second station, and the accessory on the first station is moved to the second station by the moving component;

[0007] A robotic arm is positioned above the second workstation. The robotic arm picks up sheet metal parts and places them on the second workstation for assembly with the parts located thereon.

[0008] A transport mechanism is located below the transfer mechanism. The transport mechanism lifts the plate to the first workstation or receives the assembled parts at the second workstation through its lifting and lowering movement.

[0009] The transfer mechanism, the transport mechanism, and the robotic arm are all connected to the controller.

[0010] In some embodiments, the moving component includes a first slide rail and a second slide rail disposed opposite to each other, the position between the first slide rail and the second slide rail being divided into a first workstation and a second workstation;

[0011] A first cylinder is slidably connected to the first slide rail, and a second cylinder is slidably connected to the second slide rail;

[0012] The extension and retraction ends of the first cylinder and the extension and retraction ends of the second cylinder point to the first workstation or the second workstation and are arranged opposite to each other.

[0013] The extension and retraction ends of the first cylinder and the extension and retraction ends of the second cylinder are either close to each other or far apart.

[0014] In some embodiments, the telescopic end is fixedly connected to a positioning block, and the positioning block has a slot, through which the telescopic end abuts against the side of the accessory;

[0015] The first slide rail and the second slide rail are located at the top of the rectangular frame and are respectively disposed on a pair of opposite sides of the rectangular frame;

[0016] One end of the first cylinder and / or the second cylinder is slidably connected to the corresponding slide rail, and the other end points towards the inside of the rectangular frame;

[0017] The first workstation and the second workstation are arranged along the long side of the rectangular frame within the rectangular frame.

[0018] In some embodiments, the ends of the first slide rail and the second slide rail are respectively provided with limiting rods, the limiting rods on the first slide rail and the limiting rods on the second slide rail are aligned one by one, and the limiting rods are all located between the first slide rail and the second slide rail.

[0019] In some embodiments, the transport mechanism includes a first lifting assembly and a second lifting assembly, wherein the first lifting assembly is located below the first workstation and the second lifting assembly is located below the second workstation;

[0020] The first lifting component is connected to the input line, and the second lifting component is connected to the output line.

[0021] In some embodiments, the first lifting assembly and / or the second lifting assembly includes a lifting frame, the lower end of which is provided with a first arm, and the upper end of which is provided with a second arm, the second arm and the first arm both pointing to the same side of the lifting frame.

[0022] The lifting frame is provided with a first guide rail and a second guide rail, the first guide rail extends vertically and the second guide rail extends horizontally;

[0023] The first arm body is mounted on the first guide rail, and the second arm body is mounted on the second guide rail;

[0024] Both the first arm and the second arm are connected to the controller.

[0025] In some embodiments, the first guide rail is located on the front of the lifting frame, the second guide rail is located on the back of the lifting frame, and both ends of the second guide rail extend out of the lifting frame.

[0026] In some embodiments, a height sensor is provided on the side of the lifting frame, and the height sensor is connected to the controller. When the first arm rises to a height threshold, the height sensor transmits a signal to the controller.

[0027] In some embodiments, the robotic arm includes a mounting rod to which a vacuum suction cup A is fixedly attached. Vacuum suction cups B and C are provided on both sides of vacuum suction cup A. Vacuum suction cups B and C slide along the mounting rod to move closer to or away from vacuum suction cup C.

[0028] In some embodiments, the plate is placed on the platform, which is aligned with the second workstation, and the platform is equipped with conveyor wheels.

[0029] The beneficial effects of the plate-laying machine of the present invention are as follows:

[0030] The plate-laying machine of the present invention has a transfer mechanism that moves the parts from the first station to the second station. The robot only needs to place the plate at the second station for assembly, which can realize the simultaneous transfer of plates and assembly. This allows the robot to assemble plates and parts more efficiently, effectively improving production efficiency and avoiding the time-consuming problem caused by the robot needing to move plates and parts in the prior art. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the plate-laying machine in an embodiment.

[0032] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the transfer mechanism in an embodiment.

[0033] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the transport mechanism in an embodiment.

[0034] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the input or output line in the embodiment.

[0035] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the vacuum suction cup in the embodiment.

[0036] Figure Labels

[0037] 1. Transfer mechanism; 2. First station; 3. Second station; 4. Moving component; 5. Robotic arm; 6. Accessories; 7. Plate; 8. Transport mechanism; 9. First slide rail; 10. Second slide rail; 11. First cylinder; 12. Second cylinder; 13. Positioning block; 14. Slot; 15. Rectangular frame; 16. Limiting rod; 17. First lifting component; 18. Second lifting component; 19. Input line; 20. Output line; 21. Lifting frame; 22. First arm; 23. Second arm; 24. First guide rail; 25. Second guide rail; 26. Trolley; 27. Mounting rod; 28. Vacuum suction cup A; 29. ​​Vacuum suction cup B; 30. Vacuum suction cup C; 31. Platform; 32. Conveyor wheel; 33. Guide plate; 34. Transmission surface. Detailed Implementation

[0038] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the invention can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the invention will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0039] The terminology used in this invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The singular forms “a” and “the” as used in this invention and the appended claims are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as used herein refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0040] It should be understood that although the terms "first," "second," "third," etc., may be used in this invention to describe various information, this information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish information of the same type from one another. For example, without departing from the scope of this invention, first information may also be referred to as second information, and similarly, second information may also be referred to as first information. Thus, features defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0041] Example 1

[0042] The plate feeding machine disclosed in this embodiment, Figure 1As shown, it includes a transfer mechanism 1, which includes a first station 2, a second station 3 and a moving component 4. The moving component 4 is movably disposed between the first station 2 and the second station 3. The accessory 6 on the first station 2 is moved to the second station 3 by the moving component 4. In this embodiment, the accessory 6 is exemplarily a material tray.

[0043] The robotic arm 5 is positioned above the second workstation 3. The robotic arm 5 picks up a board 7, such as a PCB board, and places it onto the second workstation 3 for assembly with the board 7 on the second workstation 3. The transport mechanism 8 is positioned below the transfer mechanism 1. The transport mechanism 8 uses its lifting movement to lift the accessory 6 to the first workstation 2 or to receive the assembled accessory 6 on the second workstation 3. The transfer mechanism 1, the transport mechanism 8, and the robotic arm 5 are all connected to the controller.

[0044] The working principle of the above-mentioned board placement machine is as follows: The conveying mechanism 8 lifts the stacked parts 6 (not shown in the figure, but actually there are stacked parts 6 below the first station 2) to the first station 2 of the transfer mechanism 1. The moving component 4 of the transfer mechanism 1 moves the parts 6 from the first station 2 to the second station 3. The robot arm 5 picks up the board 7 and then places the board 7 on the second station 3. The board 7 is assembled with the parts 6. The conveying mechanism 8 also receives and outputs the assembled parts 6 on the second station 3. The controller controls the operation of the transfer mechanism 1, the conveying mechanism 8 and the robot arm 5 according to the programming.

[0045] The function and effect of the above-mentioned plate-laying machine: The transfer mechanism 1 moves the part 6 from the first station 2 to the second station 3. The robot arm 5 only needs to place the plate 7 on the second station 3 for assembly. It can realize the simultaneous transfer of plate 7 and assembly, so that the robot arm 5 can assemble plate 7 and part 6 more efficiently, effectively improving production efficiency and avoiding the time-consuming problem caused by the robot arm 5 needing to move plate 7 and part 6 in the existing technology.

[0046] Figure 3 As shown, the moving component 4 includes a first slide rail 9 and a second slide rail 10 arranged opposite to each other. The position between the first slide rail 9 and the second slide rail 10 is divided into a first work station 2 and a second work station 3. A first cylinder 11 is slidably connected to the first slide rail 9, and a second cylinder 12 is slidably connected to the second slide rail 10. The extension and retraction ends of the first cylinder 11 and the second cylinder 12 point towards the first work station 2 or the second work station 3 and are arranged opposite to each other. The extension and retraction ends of the first cylinder 11 and the second cylinder 12 are close to each other or away from each other.

[0047] Since the first cylinder 11 and the second cylinder 12 are both mounted on the corresponding first slide rail 9 and the second slide rail 10, and the extension ends of the first cylinder 11 and the second cylinder 12 are close to each other to clamp the part 6, and are far apart to release the part 6, the part 6 can be quickly moved from the first station 2 to the second station 3 through the cooperation of the cylinder and the slide rail. At this time, there is no need for the robot arm 5 to transfer the part 6. The robot arm 5 only needs to pick up other parts 6, so that multiple different parts 6 can be moved simultaneously, thereby improving production efficiency.

[0048] Figure 3 As shown, the telescopic end is fixedly connected to a positioning block 13, and a slot 14 is provided on the positioning block 13. The telescopic end abuts against the side of the accessory 6 through the slot 14.

[0049] The slot 14 can effectively hold the side of the accessory 6, preventing the accessory 6 from slipping and improving the stability of the clamping.

[0050] Figure 3 As shown, the first slide rail 9 and the second slide rail 10 are located at the top of the rectangular frame 15 and are respectively located on a pair of opposite sides of the rectangular frame 15; one end of the first cylinder 11 and / or the second cylinder 12 is slidably connected to the corresponding slide rail, and the other end points to the interior of the rectangular frame 15; the first station 2 and the second station 3 are arranged along the long side of the rectangular frame 15 inside the rectangular frame 15.

[0051] The rectangular frame 15 provides mounting positions for the first slide rail 9 and the second slide rail 10, and in actual operation, the stacked accessories 6 can be directly lifted into the position in the rectangular frame 15, thereby confining them to the first station 2 in the rectangular frame 15.

[0052] Figure 3 As shown, the ends of the first slide rail 9 and the second slide rail 10 are respectively provided with limiting rods 16. The limiting rods 16 on the first slide rail 9 and the limiting rods 16 on the second slide rail 10 are aligned one by one, and the limiting rods 16 are all located between the first slide rail 9 and the second slide rail 10.

[0053] The limit rod 16 can prevent the first cylinder 11 and the second cylinder 12 from moving excessively and prevent errors.

[0054] Example 2

[0055] This embodiment discloses a transport mechanism 8, such as Figure 2As shown, the transport mechanism 8 includes a first lifting component 17 and a second lifting component 18. The first lifting component 17 is located below the first workstation 2, and the second lifting component 18 is located below the second workstation 3. The first lifting component 17 is connected to the input line 19, and the second lifting component 18 is connected to the output line 20.

[0056] Lifting components are respectively provided at the first station 2 and the second station 3. The first lifting component 17 is connected to the input line 19. The first lifting component 17 lifts the accessory 6 on the input line 19 to the first station 2. That is, the input line 19 first inputs the accessory 6 to the first lifting component 17, and the first lifting component 17 rises to lift the accessory 6 to the first station 2.

[0057] The second lifting assembly 18 is connected to the output line 20. The second lifting assembly 18 receives the assembled parts 6 of the plate 7 and accessories 6 on the second station 3 and transfers them to the output line 20. The output line 20 outputs the assembled parts 7 and accessories 6.

[0058] Figure 4 As shown, the structure of the output line 20 or the input line 19 is as follows: a transmission surface, a guide plate is provided on the side of the transmission surface, the transmission surface is connected to the trolley 26, the trolley 26 transmits the stacked accessories 6 to the transmission surface of the input line 19, and another trolley 26 transfers the accessories 6 on the transmission surface of the output line 20 to another trolley 26.

[0059] Figure 2 As shown, the first lifting assembly 17 and / or the second lifting assembly 18 include a lifting frame 21. The lower end of the lifting frame 21 is provided with a first arm 22, and the upper end of the lifting frame 21 is provided with a second arm 23. The second arm 23 and the first arm 22 both point to the same side of the lifting frame 21. The lifting frame 21 is provided with a first guide rail 24 and a second guide rail 25. The first guide rail 24 extends vertically, and the second guide rail 25 extends horizontally. The first arm 22 is disposed on the first guide rail 24, and the second arm 23 is disposed on the second guide rail 25. The first arm 22 and the second arm 23 are both connected to the controller.

[0060] Working principle of the lifting assembly of the transport mechanism 8:

[0061] For the process of inputting component 6: the first arm 22 can move up and down along the first guide rail 24, and the second arm 23 can move horizontally along the second arm 23. The first arm 22 lifts the component 6 and gradually supports it for assembly. When the storage of component 6 on the first arm 22 is insufficient, the first arm 22 further lifts all the components 6, and the second arm 23 moves closer to move under the component 6. At this time, the component 6 is placed on the second arm 23, and the second arm 23 temporarily stores the component 6. At the same time, the first arm 22 descends to transport the component 6. When the first arm 22 returns to its original position, the second arm 23 leaves, and the first arm 22 is returned to support the component 6. The operation is repeated.

[0062] Conversely, for the process of outputting assembly 6: after assembly, the first arm 22 receives the assembly 6. When the assembly 6 is stacked to a certain extent, the first arm 22 descends to output the assembly 6 on the first arm 22. At this time, the second arm 23 moves in the horizontal direction to temporarily hold the assembly 6. After the first arm 22 finishes outputting the assembly 6, it resets to receive the assembly 6. The second arm 23 places the temporarily stored assembly 6 on the first arm 22. At this time, the assembly is returned to the first arm 22 to receive the assembly machine, and the operation is repeated.

[0063] The function and benefits of the lifting assembly in this embodiment are as follows: its lifting frame 21 is provided with a first arm 22 that can be lifted up and down and a second arm 23 that can move horizontally. Through the alternating operation of the first arm 22 and the second arm 23, it can simultaneously support the parts 6 (assembly machine) and transport the parts 6 (assembly parts 6), so that the workstation can keep the parts 6 sufficient or continuously receive the assembly parts 6 without waiting, which effectively improves the assembly efficiency.

[0064] Figure 2 As shown, the first guide rail 24 is located on the front of the lifting frame 21, and the second guide rail 25 is located on the back of the lifting frame 21, with both ends of the second guide rail 25 extending out of the lifting frame 21.

[0065] Since the first guide rail 24 is located on the front of the lifting frame 21 and the second guide rail 25 is located on the back of the lifting frame 21, the first guide rail 24 and the second guide rail 25 can avoid each other.

[0066] Figure 2 As shown, a height sensor is provided on the side of the lifting frame 21. The height sensor is connected to the controller. When the first arm 22 rises to the height threshold, the height sensor transmits a signal to the controller.

[0067] The height sensor detects the position of the first arm 22 to determine the material status on the first arm 22, and then transmits the signal to the controller to control the first arm 22 and the second arm 23 to work alternately. At this time, the transportation steps can be precisely controlled to achieve continuous assembly.

[0068] The working principle of other components is the same as that of Embodiment 1, and will not be described in detail here.

[0069] Example 3

[0070] This embodiment discloses the mounting rod 27 of the robotic arm 5, such as Figure 5 As shown, the robotic arm 5 is mounted on a rod 27, and a vacuum suction cup A28 is fixedly connected to the rod 27. Vacuum suction cups B29 and C are provided on both sides of the vacuum suction cup A28. The vacuum suction cups B29 and C slide along the rod 27 to move closer to or away from the vacuum suction cup C.

[0071] Vacuum suction cups B29 and C can move closer to or further away from vacuum suction cup A28. Therefore, by adjusting the distance between vacuum suction cups B29 and C, the adsorption position of the plate can be adjusted to ensure the adsorption effect. The distance between vacuum suction cups B29 and C is adjusted by a cylinder.

[0072] Figure 1 As shown, the plate 7 is placed on the platform 31, which is aligned with the second workstation 3. The platform 31 is equipped with a conveyor wheel 32, which can directly transmit the plate to the bottom of the robot arm 5, thereby facilitating the robot arm 5 to grasp the plate 7.

[0073] The working principle of other components is the same as that of Embodiment 1, and will not be described in detail here.

[0074] Unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement, numerical expressions, and values ​​of the components and steps described in these embodiments do not limit the scope of this application. It should also be understood that, for ease of description, the diameters of the various parts shown in the figures are not drawn to actual scale. Techniques, methods, and devices known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and devices should be considered part of the specification. In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values. It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters in the following figures denote similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it need not be further discussed in subsequent figures.

[0075] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by directional terms such as "front, back, up, down, left, right", "horizontal, vertical, horizontal" and "top, bottom" is usually based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description. Unless otherwise stated, these directional terms do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on the scope of protection of this application; the directional terms "inner" and "outer" refer to the inner and outer contours relative to the outline of each component itself.

[0076] For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as "above," "on top of," "on the upper surface of," "above," etc., are used herein to describe the spatial positional relationship of a device or feature as shown in the figures to other devices or features. It should be understood that spatial relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations in use or operation beyond the orientation of the device as described in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures were inverted, a device described as "above" or "on top of" other devices or structures would subsequently be positioned as "below" or "under" other devices or structures. Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below." The device may also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptions used herein will be interpreted accordingly.

[0077] Furthermore, it should be noted that the use of terms such as "first" and "second" to define components is merely for the purpose of distinguishing the corresponding components. Unless otherwise stated, the above terms have no special meaning and therefore cannot be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this application.

[0078] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A plate-laying machine, characterized in that: include A transfer mechanism includes a first workstation, a second workstation, and a moving component. The moving component is movably disposed between the first workstation and the second workstation, and the parts on the first workstation are moved to the second workstation by the moving component. The moving component includes a first slide rail and a second slide rail disposed opposite to each other, and the position between the first slide rail and the second slide rail is divided into the first workstation and the second workstation. A first cylinder is slidably connected to the first slide rail, and a second cylinder is slidably connected to the second slide rail. The extension and retraction ends of the first cylinder and the second cylinder point to the first workstation or the second workstation and are disposed opposite to each other. The extension and retraction ends of the first cylinder and the second cylinder are either close to each other or far apart from each other. A robotic arm is positioned above the second workstation. The robotic arm picks up sheet metal parts and places them on the second workstation for assembly with the parts located thereon. A transport mechanism is located below the transfer mechanism. The transport mechanism uses its lifting movement to lift plates to the first workstation or receive assembled parts at the second workstation. The transport mechanism includes a first lifting assembly and a second lifting assembly, the first lifting assembly being located below the first workstation and the second lifting assembly being located below the second workstation. The first lifting assembly is connected to an input line, and the second lifting assembly is connected to an output line. Both the first and second lifting assemblies include a lifting frame. The lower end of the lifting frame of the first lifting assembly and the lower end of the lifting frame of the second lifting assembly... Each component has a first arm at its lower end, and a second arm at the upper end of the lifting frame of both the first and second lifting components. The second arm and the first arm both point to the same side of the corresponding lifting frame. Both the lifting frame of the first and second lifting components have a first guide rail and a second guide rail. The first guide rail extends vertically, and the second guide rail extends horizontally. The first arm is mounted on the corresponding first guide rail, and the second arm is mounted on the corresponding second guide rail. Both the first and second arms are connected to a controller. The transfer mechanism, the transport mechanism, and the robotic arm are all connected to the controller.

2. The plate feeding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The telescopic end is fixedly connected to a positioning block, and the positioning block has a slot. The telescopic end abuts against the side of the accessory through the slot. The first slide rail and the second slide rail are located at the top of the rectangular frame and are respectively disposed on a pair of opposite sides of the rectangular frame; One end of the first cylinder and / or the second cylinder is slidably connected to the corresponding slide rail, and the other end points towards the inside of the rectangular frame; The first workstation and the second workstation are arranged along the long side of the rectangular frame within the rectangular frame.

3. The plate feeding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: Limiting rods are provided at the ends of the first slide rail and the second slide rail, respectively. The limiting rods on the first slide rail and the second slide rail are aligned one by one, and the limiting rods are all located between the first slide rail and the second slide rail.

4. The plate feeding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first guide rail of the lifting frame of the first lifting assembly and the first guide rail of the lifting frame of the second lifting assembly are both located on the front of the corresponding lifting frame, and the second guide rail of the lifting frame of the first lifting assembly and the second guide rail of the lifting frame of the second lifting assembly are both located on the back of the corresponding lifting frame, with both ends of the second guide rail extending out of the corresponding lifting frame.

5. The plate feeding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both the lifting frame of the first lifting assembly and the lifting frame of the second lifting assembly are equipped with height sensors on their sides. The height sensors are connected to the controller. When the corresponding first arm body rises to a height threshold, the height sensor transmits a signal to the controller.

6. The plate feeding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The robotic arm includes a mounting rod, to which a vacuum suction cup A is fixedly connected. Vacuum suction cups B and C are provided on both sides of vacuum suction cup A. Vacuum suction cups B and C slide along the mounting rod to move closer to or away from vacuum suction cup C.

7. The plate feeding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plate is placed on a platform, which is aligned with the second workstation, and the platform is equipped with conveyor wheels.

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