conveying device

Abstract

The application discloses a carrying device, which comprises a supporting track arranged along a first direction, a moving component slidingly arranged on the supporting track, and a first driving element for driving the moving component to move along the first direction, wherein the first driving element comprises a chain box, a sprocket rotatably arranged on the chain box, at least one chain in transmission connection with the sprocket, and a rotating motor for driving the sprocket to rotate, and the chain is connected with the moving component. The moving component of the carrying device can carry a wafer carrier below the wafer carrier, and meanwhile, a locking element is matched with the wafer carrier; the first driving element drives the moving component to reciprocally move to carry the combination, so that the structure is simple and convenient to control; the first driving element drives the moving component by using the chain, so that the moving stroke of the moving component is improved and the space is saved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of automated equipment, and particularly relates to a material handling device. Background Technology

[0002] In the manufacturing process of photovoltaic cells, the preparation of silicon wafers is a crucial step. The preparation of silicon wafers requires first cutting crystal rods into thin slices, and then further processing.

[0003] Before dicing the crystal ingot, it needs to be placed on a crystal holder to maintain its stability. After placing the ingot on the holder, the assembly of the crystal holder and ingot needs to be transported to the dicing machine. Traditional handling devices typically use robotic arms, conveyor belts, etc., but these structures have the following disadvantages: robotic arms have complex structures, numerous drive components and controllers, making them prone to failure; conveyor belts occupy a large amount of space and are not suitable for use in space-constrained working environments. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a simple and space-saving handling device.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the transport device of the present invention includes a support rail arranged along a first direction, a transfer component slidably arranged on the support rail, and a first driving member for driving the transfer component to move along the first direction. The first driving member includes a chain box, a sprocket rotatably mounted on the chain box, at least one chain connected to the sprocket, and a rotary motor for driving the sprocket to rotate. The chain is connected to the transfer component.

[0006] In one embodiment of the transport device of the present invention, the support rail includes a horizontally arranged first mounting plate and a pair of first cantilever beams vertically mounted on the first mounting plate, and the transfer component is slidably connected to the pair of first cantilever beams.

[0007] In one embodiment of the transport device of the present invention, the chain moves along a first direction between a pair of first cantilever beams.

[0008] In one embodiment of the conveying device of the present invention, the chain is configured as two chains, which are arranged side by side along a third direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0009] In one embodiment of the conveying device of the present invention, the chains are configured as two chains, spaced apart along a third direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the distance between the two chains is the same as the distance between a pair of first cantilever beams.

[0010] In one embodiment of the handling device of the present invention, the chain box is further provided with a pair of second suspension beams corresponding to the positions of the pair of first suspension beams, and the end of the chain connected to the transfer component is provided with a plurality of sliders, which are slidably disposed on the first suspension beams and the second suspension beams.

[0011] In one embodiment of the conveying device of the present invention, the slider is provided with flared openings at both ends along the first direction.

[0012] In one embodiment of the transport device of the present invention, the transfer component is provided with a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism including at least one locking member disposed along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the locking member cooperating with a crystal tray.

[0013] In one embodiment of the handling device of the present invention, the transfer assembly includes a pair of transfer plates and a U-shaped plate connecting the pair of transfer plates, the pair of transfer plates being slidably connected to a support rail, and the U-shaped plate being connected to a chain.

[0014] In one embodiment of the conveying device of the present invention, the first opening of the U-shaped plate faces a crystal holder, and the crystal holder is driven to move along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and is supported on the U-shaped plate.

[0015] In summary, the transfer component of the conveying device of the present invention can support the crystal tray below the crystal tray, while the locking component cooperates with the crystal tray. The first driving component drives the transfer component to reciprocate and transport the assembly. The structure is simple and easy to control. The first driving component uses a chain to drive the transfer component, which not only increases the movement stroke of the transfer component, but also saves space. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Structural diagram of the central support track;

[0018] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Structural diagram of the transfer component;

[0019] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Structural diagram of the intermediate transfer component and its supporting track;

[0020] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A structural diagram showing the assembly of the transfer component and the crystal holder;

[0021] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 Structural diagram of the first driving component;

[0022] Figure 7 This is a structural diagram of the first driving component according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 8 This is a structural diagram of the transfer component according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 9 This is a structural diagram of the transfer component and the crystal holder in the third embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 10 This is a structural diagram of the transfer component according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 11 This is a structural diagram of the transfer component and the crystal holder in the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 12 This is a structural diagram of the transfer component according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 13 yes Figure 12 Cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism;

[0029] Figure 14 This is a structural diagram of the transfer component according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] 10. Crystal holder; 11. Substrate; 12. T-shaped clamping part; 13. Inverted T-shaped slide rail; 14. Connecting hole; 20. Crystal rod; 30. Transfer device; 31. Reference base; 32. Inverted T-shaped slide rail;

[0031] 100. Mounting bracket; 110. Slide rail; 120. Second drive component; 130. Third mounting plate; 131. Through hole; 140. Fourth mounting plate; 150. Hollow rotating platform;

[0032] 200. Support rail; 210. First mounting plate; 220. First cantilever beam; 230. Second mounting plate;

[0033] 300. Transfer assembly; 310. Transfer plate; 320. U-shaped plate; 321. Second opening; 330. First roller; 340. Second roller; 350. Third roller;

[0034] 400 Locking mechanism; 410 Locking element; 411 Snap-fit ​​part; 412 Pressing part; 430 Elastic element; 420 First connecting plate; 421 Mounting groove;

[0035] 500, First driving component; 510, Chain box; 520, Rotary motor; 530, Sprocket; 540, Chain; 550, Second connecting plate; 560, Slider; 561, Flared end; 570, Second cantilever beam;

[0036] A. First direction; B. Second direction; C. Third direction. Detailed Implementation

[0037] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, so that those skilled in the art can better understand and implement the present invention. However, the embodiments described are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown, the conveying device of the present invention is used to convey an assembly consisting of a crystal tray 10 and a crystal rod 20 bonded together. The crystal tray 10 has a substrate 11 bonded to the crystal rod 20 and a pair of T-shaped clamping portions 12 disposed on the upper surface of the substrate 11. An inverted T-shaped groove 13 is formed between the two T-shaped clamping portions 12. The crystal tray 10 is mounted on a transfer device 30 via the inverted T-shaped groove 13. The transfer device 30 is disposed at one end of the conveying device and includes a reference base 31 and an inverted T-shaped slide rail 32 slidably connected to the reference base 31. The inverted T-shaped slide rail 32 cooperates with the inverted T-shaped groove 13. The inverted T-shaped slide rail 32 can be driven to move up and down along a second direction B, i.e., the height direction of the assembly, to clamp or release the T-shaped clamping portions 12 of the crystal tray 10. The crystal tray 10 can be driven to move left and right along a first direction A, i.e., the length direction of the assembly, under the constraint of the inverted T-shaped slide rail 32 and the inverted T-shaped groove 13.

[0039] In this specification, the first direction A is defined as a direction parallel to the length direction of the assembly, the second direction B is defined as a direction parallel to the height direction of the assembly, and the third direction C is defined as a direction parallel to the width direction of the assembly. Figure 1 As shown, the three directions form a spatial rectangular coordinate system.

[0040] like Figure 1The diagram illustrates the first embodiment of the present invention. The transport device includes a mounting frame 100, a support rail 200 mounted on the mounting frame 100, a transfer assembly 300 slidably disposed on the support rail 200, a locking mechanism 400 disposed on the transfer assembly 300, and a first driving member 500 mounted on one end of the support rail 200. The support rail 200 is disposed along a first direction A, and a transfer device 30 is disposed at the end of the support rail 200 away from the first driving member 500. The driving end of the first driving member 500 is connected to the transfer assembly 300, driving the transfer assembly 300 to slide along the support rail 200 and move to the reference seat 31. The transfer device 30 then drives the crystal tray 10 to descend along a second direction B until the two T-shaped clamping portions 12 are supported by the transfer assembly 300. The locking mechanism 400 engages the crystal tray 10 with the transfer assembly 300, and the first driving member 500 drives the transfer assembly 300 to transport the assembly from the reference seat 31 of the transfer device 300 to the support rail 200. The mounting bracket 100 has a working position (not shown in the figure) on one side along the third direction C. The working position is equipped with a reference base 31 and an inverted T-shaped slide rail 32, which are identical in structure to the transfer device 30. The mounting bracket 100 is connected to a slide rail extending along the third direction C and is driven to move along the slide rail to the working position. On the same working principle, the first driving component 500 drives the transfer assembly 300 to transport the assembly from the support rail 200 to the working position, realizing the loading of the assembly. After the working position operates on the crystal ingot 20, the conveying device can also pull the assembly out from the working position, realizing the unloading of the assembly.

[0041] like Figure 2 As shown, the support rail 200 includes a horizontally arranged first mounting plate 210 and a pair of first cantilever beams 220 vertically mounted on the first mounting plate 210. The longitudinal section of the first cantilever beams 220 is L-shaped, and the two first cantilever beams 220 are arranged opposite to each other. In order to make the first cantilever beams 220 more stable, a second mounting plate 230 is also connected between the two first cantilever beams 220.

[0042] like Figure 3 As shown, the transfer assembly 300 includes a pair of opposing transfer plates 310 and a U-shaped plate 320 connecting the two transfer plates 310. The first opening of the U-shaped plate 320 faces the transfer device 30, facilitating the movement of the U-shaped plate 320 along the first direction A and its insertion between the T-shaped clamping part 12 of the crystal tray 10 and the substrate 11. The longitudinal section of the two transfer plates 310 is inverted L-shaped. When the transfer assembly 300 is suspended on the support rail 200, the two transfer plates 310 are precisely matched with the first suspension beam 220, such as... Figure 4 As shown.

[0043] like Figure 3As shown, the locking mechanism 400 includes two pairs of locking members 410, which are disposed on the upper surface of the U-shaped plate 320, with each pair of locking members 410 located at both ends of the U-shaped plate 320 along the first direction A. The length of the first opening of the U-shaped plate 320 is slightly greater than the length of the T-shaped clamping portion 12. In the locked state, the two pairs of locking members 410 abut against both ends of the T-shaped clamping portion 12 of the crystal holder 10 along the length direction, as shown. Figure 5 As shown.

[0044] Refer again Figure 4 As shown, after the transfer assembly 300 is suspended from the support rail 200, there is a gap between the second mounting plate 230 and the U-shaped plate 320. The locking member 410 is preferably a pin, the height of which is less than the height of the gap, and the locking member 410 is located within the gap to prevent the locking member 410 from affecting the sliding of the transfer assembly 300 on the support rail 200.

[0045] like Figure 6 As shown, the first driving component 500 includes a chain box 510. A rotary motor 520 is disposed outside the chain box 510. The driving end of the rotary motor 520 extends into the chain box 510 and is connected to a sprocket 530 rotatably mounted in the chain box 510. A chain 540 is coiled inside the chain box 510. The chain 540 is connected to the sprocket 530 for transmission. The end of the chain 540 is connected to the U-shaped plate 320 through a second connecting plate 550. The rotary motor 520 drives the sliding of the transfer assembly 300 through the chain 540 and the sprocket 530, which not only saves space but also greatly increases the distance the transfer assembly can move.

[0046] The width of the chain 540 is smaller than the width of the second mounting plate 230. When the chain 540 extends with the movement of the transfer assembly 300, the chain 540 will not touch the support rail 200, thus not affecting the movement of the transfer assembly 300.

[0047] Refer again Figure 1 As shown, the support rail 200 is slidably mounted on the mounting frame 100 via a pair of slide rails 110 arranged along the second direction B. The mounting frame 100 is provided with a second driving member 120 for driving the support rail 200 to move along the slide rails 110. In this embodiment, the second driving member 120 is preferably a combination of a motor and a lead screw. When the height of the support rail 200 is not the same as the height of the transfer device 30 or the working position, the second driving member 120 can easily adjust the height of the support rail 200.

[0048] The first drive member 500 is mounted on the end of the support rail 200 via a third mounting plate 130, and the first drive member 500 can also move with the movement of the support rail 200. The third mounting plate 130 is provided with a through hole 131 for the chain 540 to pass through.

[0049] Mounting bracket 100 is mounted on a fourth mounting plate 140, which is mounted on a hollow rotating platform 150. When the support rail 200 is not aligned with the reference base 31 of the transfer device 30, the hollow rotating platform 150 drives the support rail 200 to rotate.

[0050] The working process of the conveying device is as follows:

[0051] The second driving element 120 drives the support rail 200 to slide along the slide rail 110, so that the support rail 200 corresponds to the reference seat 31.

[0052] The first driving member 500 drives the transfer assembly 300 to move from the support rail 200 to the reference seat 31 of the transfer device 30. The two transfer plates 310 cooperate with the reference seat 31, and the U-shaped plate 320 passes between the T-shaped clamping part 12 and the base plate 11. The inverted T-shaped slide rail 32 is driven to descend, supporting the T-shaped clamping part 12 on the U-shaped plate 320. At this time, the two pairs of locking members 410 respectively abut against the two ends of the T-shaped clamping part 12 along the length direction.

[0053] The first drive unit 500 drives the transfer assembly 300 to move from the reference base 31 of the transfer device 30 to the support track 200.

[0054] The entire conveying device is driven to move along the third direction C to the working position, and the support rail 200 is aligned with the reference seat 31 of the working position by the hollow rotating platform 150 and the second driving component 120.

[0055] The first driving component 500 drives the transfer assembly 300 to move from the support rail 200 to the reference seat 31 of the working position. The inverted T-shaped slide groove 13 of the crystal tray 10 cooperates with the inverted T-shaped slide rail 32 of the working position. The inverted T-shaped slide rail 32 of the working position is driven to rise, separating the crystal tray 10 from the locking component 410.

[0056] The first driving component 500 drives the transfer assembly 300 to move from the reference seat 31 at the working position to the support rail 200, thereby realizing the loading of the assembly.

[0057] After the crystal ingot 20 is processed at the working station, the conveying device can also unload the assembly from the working station. The unloading working principle is the same as the loading working principle, and will not be described in detail here.

[0058] like Figure 7The diagram shows the second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the structure of the first driving member 500 of the first embodiment is improved. Two chains 540 are provided, and the heads of the two chains 540 connected to the second connecting plate 550 are provided with multiple sliders 560 connected to the chains 540. The distance between the two chains 540 is the same as the width between the two first suspension beams 220, so that the sliders 560 cooperate with the first suspension beams 220 to support the chains 540 and improve the running accuracy of the chains 540. A single chain 540 driving the transfer assembly 300 will bear a large tensile and thrust force, and the chain 540 is easily damaged, affecting the working efficiency; two chains 540 driving the movement of the transfer assembly 300 reduce the force borne by each chain 540 and improve the service life of the chains 540.

[0059] The chain box 510 is also provided with a second suspension beam 570 that supports the slider 560. The second suspension beam 570 and the first suspension beam 220 are located on the same horizontal plane, ensuring that the chain 540 can be smoothly transmitted between the first suspension beam 220 and the second suspension beam 570.

[0060] Both ends of the slider 560 along the first direction A are provided with flared openings 561 to facilitate the cooperation between the slider 560 and the first suspension beam 220 and the second suspension beam 570. The slider 560 does not need to be precisely aligned with the first suspension beam 220 and the second suspension beam 570. Even with slight deviation, the flared openings 561 can still guide the slider 560 into the first suspension beam 220 and the second suspension beam 570.

[0061] like Figure 8 The image shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the locking mechanism 400 differs from the first embodiment. The locking mechanism 400 includes a pair of locking members 410, which are configured as pins and vertically positioned in the middle of the upper surface of the U-shaped plate 320. The two T-shaped clamping portions 12 of the crystal holder 10 are provided with connecting holes 14 that mate with the pair of locking members 410, as shown... Figure 9 As shown.

[0062] like Figure 10 As shown, this is the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The locking member 410, located on the upper surface of the U-shaped plate 320, can easily affect the operation of the transfer assembly 300. This embodiment improves the placement of the locking mechanism 400. The locking mechanism 400 includes a first connecting plate 420, which has an L-shaped longitudinal section. A pair of locking members 410, which are pins, are vertically disposed on the first connecting plate 420. Figure 11 As shown, a connection hole 14 that mates with a locking member 410 is provided on the lower surface of the substrate 11 of the crystal tray 10 and at one end near the transport device. When the crystal tray 10 is carried on the transfer assembly 300, the locking member 410 mates with the connection hole 14.

[0063] like Figure 12 As shown, this is the fifth embodiment of the present invention, an improvement upon the third embodiment. The locking mechanism 400 is still mounted on the lower surface of the U-shaped plate 320 via the first connecting plate, but the locking member 410 is movably mounted on the first connecting plate 420. Figure 13 As shown, the first connecting plate 420 is provided with a mounting groove 421. The locking member 410 is plate-shaped and rotatably mounted in the mounting groove 421, forming a lever structure. The two ends of the locking member 410 are a snap-fit ​​portion 411 and a pressing portion 412, respectively, with the height of the snap-fit ​​portion 411 being higher than the height of the pressing portion 412. An elastic member 430 is provided between one end of the locking member 410 located at the pressing portion 412 and the mounting groove 421. The elastic member 430 is preferably a compression spring. Under normal circumstances, the elastic member 430 supports the pressing portion 412 protruding out of the mounting groove 421. When the substrate 11 of the crystal holder 10 falls from above and is supported by the first connecting plate 420, the pressing portion 412 is pressed into the mounting groove 421. Due to the lever principle, the snap-fit ​​portion 411 extends out of the mounting groove 421 and engages with the connecting hole 14 located on the substrate 11. The locking member 410 is configured as a lever structure, and the pressing part 412 is very small in height. When the locking mechanism 400 needs to cooperate with the crystal holder 10, the locking part 411 extends out of the mounting groove 421. When the locking mechanism 400 does not need to cooperate with the crystal holder 10, the locking part 411 retracts into the mounting groove 421 and the pressing part 412 extends out of the mounting groove 421, which will not affect the movement of the transfer assembly 300.

[0064] like Figure 14 As shown in the sixth embodiment of the present invention, in order to reduce the friction between the transfer assembly 300 and the support rail 200 and the reference seat 31, a row of first rollers 330 and a row of second rollers 340 are provided on the opposing surfaces of the two transfer plates 310. The U-shaped plate 320 is provided with a plurality of second openings 321 for the second rollers 340 to extend out. The first rollers 330 and the second rollers 340 are in contact with the first cantilever beam 220 of the support rail 200 and the reference seat 31, converting the sliding friction into rolling friction, thereby reducing the friction between the transfer assembly 300 and the support rail 200 and the reference seat 31.

[0065] The first opening of the U-shaped plate 320 is provided with a plurality of third rollers 350. The U-shaped plate 320 extends between the T-shaped clamping part 12 of the crystal holder 10 and the substrate 11, and the friction is reduced by the third rollers 350.

[0066] The friction-reducing transfer component 300 in this embodiment can be applied to any of the above embodiments.

[0067] Multiple sets of support rails 200 and transfer components 300 can be installed on the mounting frame 100 to improve handling efficiency. Multiple handling devices can also be installed in the equipment for loading and unloading, respectively, to further improve handling efficiency.

[0068] The above embodiments are merely preferred embodiments provided to fully illustrate the present invention, and the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art based on the present invention are all within the scope of protection of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A conveying device for conveying a crystal tray having a pair of T-shaped clamping portions, said pair of T-shaped clamping portions forming an inverted T-shaped groove, characterized in that, include: A support rail is set along the first direction; A transfer assembly is slidably disposed on a support rail. The transfer assembly includes a pair of transfer plates and a U-shaped plate connecting the pair of transfer plates. The pair of transfer plates are slidably connected to the support rail. The U-shaped plate has a first opening facing the crystal holder, and the length of the first opening is greater than the length of the T-shaped clamping portion of the crystal holder. A first driving member for driving the transfer assembly to move along a first direction. The first driving member includes a chain box, a sprocket rotatably mounted on the chain box, at least one chain connected to the sprocket, and a rotary motor for driving the sprocket to rotate. The chain is connected to the U-shaped plate of the transfer assembly. The first driving member drives the transfer assembly to reciprocate. A transfer device is disposed at the end of the support rail away from the first driving member. The transfer device includes a reference base and an inverted T-shaped slide rail slidably connected to the reference base. The inverted T-shaped slide rail is configured to cooperate with the inverted T-shaped slide groove of the crystal holder and can move up and down along a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction. The transfer assembly is provided with a locking mechanism, which includes at least one locking element that cooperates with a crystal tray; The locking mechanism is mounted on the lower surface of the U-shaped plate via the first connecting plate. The locking member is movably mounted on the first connecting plate, which has a mounting groove. The locking member is rotatably mounted in the mounting groove, forming a lever structure. The two ends of the locking member are a snap-fit ​​part and a pressing part, respectively. An elastic member is provided between the pressing part of the locking member and the mounting groove. When the substrate of the crystal tray falls from above and is supported by the first connecting plate, the pressing part is pressed into the mounting groove, and the snap-fit ​​part extends out of the mounting groove and cooperates with the connecting hole located on the substrate.

2. The conveying device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The support track includes a horizontally arranged first mounting plate and a pair of first cantilever beams vertically mounted on the first mounting plate. The transfer assembly is slidably connected to the pair of first cantilever beams.

3. The conveying device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The chain moves along a first direction between a pair of first cantilever beams.

4. The conveying device as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The chain is configured as two chains, which are arranged side by side along a third direction perpendicular to the first direction.

5. The conveying device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The chain is configured as two chains, spaced apart along a third direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the distance between the two chains is the same as the distance between a pair of first cantilever beams.

6. The conveying device as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The chain box is also provided with a pair of second suspension beams corresponding to the positions of the pair of first suspension beams. The end of the chain connected to the transfer component is provided with multiple sliders, which are slidably disposed on the first and second suspension beams.

7. The conveying device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that, The slider has flared openings at both ends along the first direction.

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