Light guide plate folding device

Abstract

The application relates to a light guide plate folding device, which comprises a conveying mechanism, a folding mechanism and a material collecting mechanism. The conveying mechanism is used for moving a light guide plate with a film to a folding station. The folding mechanism comprises two folding assemblies symmetrically arranged on both sides of the folding station. The folding assembly comprises a first moving module with a horizontal driving direction, a second moving module with a vertical driving direction and a first clamping assembly connected to the second moving module. The first clamping assembly is connected with a first clamping jaw through a first rotating assembly. The material collecting mechanism comprises a material collecting platform arranged at a material collecting station. The folding assemblies on both sides simultaneously limit the protective films on both sides of the light guide plate, that is, the folding position is limited by clamping the middle part of the protective film on one side of the light guide plate in the film direction and turning and folding, and the middle part of the protective film on the other side of the light guide plate is limited, so that the position of the folding part is stable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of light guide plate manufacturing technology, and in particular to a light guide plate folding device. Background Technology

[0002] Light guide plates are crucial components in display screen manufacturing. To facilitate transport and subsequent use, they require lamination and precise stacking according to specific rules. In current production processes, light guide plates with continuous film lamination are often stacked using a "Z"-shaped folding method. Existing folding equipment uses suction cups to pick up the light guide plates to be folded and moves them in an arc to the folding or stacking area (e.g., ...). Figure 7 (As shown). This folding method cannot guarantee the alignment of the protective film at the fold. Furthermore, the suction cup's movement during the light guide plate's movement pulls on it, causing misalignment between the stacked light guide plates. Specifically, the folded positions of the protective film on both sides of each light guide plate are inconsistent, and abnormalities such as curling are prone to occur at the folds, resulting in uneven edges after stacking. Additionally, the edges of the upper and lower light guide plates are no longer on the same plane, affecting packaging and subsequent assembly processes. Therefore, how to neatly stack continuously coated light guide plates is a problem that those skilled in the art need to consider. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a light guide plate folding device to solve the problem in the prior art where the light guide plate is not folded neatly, which affects the use of subsequent processes.

[0004] The technical solution of the present invention is: a light guide plate folding device, comprising:

[0005] The conveying mechanism transfers the coated light guide plate to the folding station;

[0006] The folding mechanism includes two folding components symmetrically arranged on both sides of the folding station. Each folding component includes a first moving module with a horizontal driving direction, a second moving module with a vertical driving direction, and a first clamping component connected to the second moving module. The first clamping component is connected to a first gripper via a first rotating component.

[0007] The receiving mechanism includes a receiving platform set up at the receiving station;

[0008] The first moving module and the second moving module drive the first clamping component to move in a semi-circular arc shape, and the movement path includes a symmetrical first path and a second path; the first moving module always drives the first clamping component to move in the same direction when traveling the first path and the second path, and the second moving module drives the first clamping component to move in opposite directions when traveling the first path and the second path.

[0009] The first gripper includes a pair of gripping portions that always act on both sides of the protective film; during one cycle of the first gripping assembly moving along the first path and the second path, the first gripper rotates 90°.

[0010] Preferably, the first clamping component includes a first driving device, and the first rotating component is connected to the second moving module through the first driving device. The first driving device drives the first rotating component to move closer to or away from the folding station.

[0011] Preferably, the receiving station is provided with a folding positioning component, which includes a positioning rod connected to a second rotating device. The second rotating device can drive the positioning rod to rotate, so that the positioning rod is close to the vertical plane of the folding station side, passes through the folding area of ​​the protective film, and its side away from the folding station is above the light guide plate.

[0012] Preferably, the second rotating device is connected to a third moving module, which can drive the second rotating device to move in the vertical direction.

[0013] Preferably, a limiting component is provided on the side of the receiving station away from the folding station. The limiting component includes a limiting rod connected to a third rotating device. The third rotating device can drive the limiting rod to rotate, so that the end of the limiting rod away from the third rotating device presses against the receiving station.

[0014] Preferably, the receiving platform is connected to a second drive device that can drive its vertical movement.

[0015] Preferably, the folding station is provided with a plurality of support plates arranged in sequence, and the support plates are disposed between the two folding components.

[0016] Preferably, a pressing device is provided at the upper end of the side of the support plate away from the receiving station, and the pressing device can press the light guide plate when each folding action is completed.

[0017] Preferably, the clamping part is cylindrical.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are:

[0019] (1) The protective film on both sides of the light guide plate can be restricted at the same time. During the folding process, the protective film is always in a taut state. That is, in the forward direction of the light guide plate, the protective film on one side of the light guide plate is clamped in the center and flipped and folded. At the same time, the protective film on the other side of the light guide plate is used as the folding area and is limited. This method restricts the folding position on both sides of the light guide plate, ensuring that the folding position is stable and that the folded state is neat.

[0020] (2) Each time it is folded, the receiving platform moves downward by the distance of two light guide plates under the drive of the second drive device, so that the stroke of the folding component is the same each time it is folded, further ensuring that the position and state of each fold are the same, and avoiding the phenomenon of unevenness after folding.

[0021] (3) During the folding process, the first gripper rotates 90° to avoid the phenomenon that the edge of the light guide plate cannot be aligned due to the protective film wrapping around the gripper. It also avoids the protective film being pulled away when the first gripper performs the reset action, causing the folding position to move. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments:

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the light guide plate folding device of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a top view of the light guide plate folding device described in this invention.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the folding mechanism and the receiving mechanism described in this invention;

[0026] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Enlarged structural diagram at point A;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the pressing device structure described in this invention;

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the material receiving mechanism described in this invention;

[0029] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the folding method in existing technology;

[0030] Figure 8 This is a top view of the initial stage of the folding action described in this invention.

[0031] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of performing the folding action as described in this invention;

[0032] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of an abnormal folding condition as described in this invention;

[0033] The light guide plate is covered with a protective film on both the top and bottom surfaces. For ease of explanation, Figure 7 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 The protective films in all of them have simplified structures.

[0034] Among them: transmission mechanism 1;

[0035] Folding mechanism 2, folding station 2a, first path 2b, second path 2c;

[0036] Folding assembly 3, support plate 31, first support plate 311, second support plate 312, first moving module 32, second moving module 33, first clamping assembly 34, first rotating assembly 341, first gripper 342, clamping part 3421, first driving device 343;

[0037] Material receiving mechanism 4, material receiving station 4a, material receiving platform 41, second drive device 411, folding positioning component 42, second rotating device 421, positioning rod 422, third moving module 423;

[0038] Folded area 5;

[0039] The clamping device 6, the first bracket 61, the lower pressure plate 62, the third drive device 63, the base plate 64, and the guide roller 65 are included.

[0040] Light guide plate 7, light guide plate a area 7a, protective film 71;

[0041] Suction cup 8;

[0042] Limiting component 9, third rotating device 91, limiting rod 92. Detailed Implementation

[0043] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments:

[0044] like Figure 1-10 As shown, a light guide plate folding device includes:

[0045] The conveying mechanism 1 transfers the coated light guide plate to the folding station 2a. In this embodiment, the conveying mechanism 1 can be a conveyor belt, located at the front end of the folding station 2a, through which the coated light guide plate is conveyed. In actual production, the conveyor belt does not operate continuously; it operates according to the rhythm of the folding action. When the folding mechanism 2 performs the folding action, the conveyor belt operates, conveying the light guide plate while the folding mechanism 2 drags it. When the folding mechanism 2 performs the reset action after folding, the conveyor belt stops operating to avoid relative movement and friction between the conveyor belt and the protective film during operation.

[0046] The folding mechanism 2 includes two folding components 3 symmetrically arranged on both sides of the folding station 2a. Between the two folding components 3, there are multiple support plates 31 arranged in sequence. The multiple support plates 31 are arranged at intervals along the conveying direction of the light guide plate.

[0047] In this embodiment, the support plate 31 has at least two locations, such as... Figure 3As shown, the two support plates 31 are the first support plate 311 and the second support plate 312, which are close to the receiving station 4a. When the light guide plate moves onto the support plate 31, the two adjacent light guide plates are directly above the first support plate 311 and the second support plate 312, respectively. At the same time, the protective film between the two adjacent light guide plates is located in the gap between the first support plate 311 and the second support plate 312. This design can avoid interference when the first gripper 342 holds the protective film. In addition, the first support plate 311 and the second support plate 312 are detachably connected and their positions can be adjusted according to different specifications of light guide plates.

[0048] The folding assembly 3 includes a first moving module 32 with a horizontal driving direction, a second moving module 33 with a vertical driving direction, and a first clamping assembly 34 connected to the second moving module 33. The folding assembly 3 moves the light guide plate from the folding station 2a along the folding area 5 (e.g., ...). Figure 8-9 As shown, for ease of explanation, the bending position of the protective film is the folding area 5). Fold and move to the receiving station 4a. The first clamping component 34 includes a first gripper 342 connected to the first rotating component 341. The first rotating component 341 is connected to the second moving module 33 through the first driving device 343. The first driving device 343 drives the first rotating component 341 to move closer to or away from the folding station 2a.

[0049] In this embodiment, the direction of the driving motion of the first moving module 32 is the same as the direction of the light guide plate's conveying motion. The first gripper 342 includes two gripping portions 3421, which are preferably cylindrical. The cylindrical gripping portions 3421 can reduce the contact area with the protective film, provide a certain tension during folding, and avoid damage to the protective film. At the same time, when the folding action is completed, the protective film is in a state of bypassing the gripping portions 3421. At this time, the fold of the protective film is arc-shaped, and the folding area 5 has a tendency to fold, which can prevent the protective film from being abnormally folded when the gripping portions 3421 are disengaged (e.g., ...). Figure 10 As shown, this illustrates the phenomenon of abnormal folding of the protective film, which is common in production. At the folding station 2a, the first driving device 343 drives the first gripper 342 to approach the light guide plate and clamp the protective film; after folding is completed at the receiving station 4a, the first driving device 343 drives the first gripper 342 away from the light guide plate to detach the protective film.

[0050] A pressing device 6 is provided on the upper end of the support plate 31 on the side away from the receiving station 4a. Each time a folding action is completed, the pressing device 6 presses the light guide plate, keeping the light guide plate and protective film on the folding station 2a taut. In this embodiment, the pressing device 6 includes a first bracket 61 straddling the support plate 31. A third driving device 63 connecting the lower pressure plate 62 is provided on the first bracket 61, as well as a base plate 64 adjacent to the support plate 31 and with its upper surface parallel to the base plate 64. The third driving device 63 can drive the lower pressure plate 62 to move downwards and abut the light guide plate against the base plate 64. A guide roller 65 is provided on the side of the first bracket 61 closest to the receiving station 4a. The position of the pressing device 6 can be adjusted in the direction of movement of the light guide plate to accommodate the folding of light guide plates of different specifications. The guide roller 65 serves as a guide when the folding assembly 3 performs the folding action, and also prevents interference between the protective film or light guide plate and the pressing device 6 or other mechanisms during the folding process.

[0051] The receiving mechanism 4 includes a receiving platform 41 set at the receiving station 4a.

[0052] A folding positioning assembly 42 is provided at the receiving station 4a. The folding positioning assembly 42 includes a positioning rod 422 connected to a second rotating device 421. The second rotating device 421 can drive the positioning rod 422 to rotate, so that the positioning rod 422 approaches the vertical plane on the side of the folding station 2a and passes through the folding area 5 of the protective film (e.g., Figure 8-9 As shown, for ease of explanation, at the receiving station, the area of ​​the folded light guide plate is designated as light guide plate area a (7a). The second rotating device 421 is connected to a third moving module 423, which can drive the second rotating device 421 to move vertically. In this embodiment, the folding positioning component 42 is preferably provided in two locations, symmetrically arranged on both sides of the receiving station 4a; the third moving module can be a cylinder or other device capable of driving up and down movement; the second rotating device 421 can be a pressing rotating cylinder, so that when the positioning rod 422 rotates from a position away from the light guide plate to the protective film folding area 5, the positioning rod 422 moves downward simultaneously. When the positioning rod 422 rotates to the folding area 5, it presses down on the light guide plate, which can reduce interference between the positioning rod 422 and the light guide plate area a (7a) during rotation, and can also press down on the light guide plate to prevent displacement during the folding action.

[0053] It is important to note that in actual production, the positioning rod 422 is designed in an "L" shape. Its rotation path first passes through the light guide plate area a 7a and then to the folding area 5. To avoid severe friction between the positioning rod 422 and the light guide plate during rotation, the downward movement distance of the positioning rod 422 is limited, which may prevent it from absolutely pressing the light guide plate area a 7a. This could cause the folding assembly 3 to drag the already folded light guide plate during the folding action, resulting in displacement of the light guide plate and affecting the folding accuracy. Therefore, a third moving module 423 is provided. After the positioning rod 422 rotates to the folding area 5, the third moving module 423 drives the second rotating device 421 and the positioning rod 422 to move downward, so that the positioning rod 422 presses the light guide plate area a 7a, preventing displacement of the light guide plate during folding and affecting the folding accuracy.

[0054] Additionally, it should be noted that the folding positioning component 42 can move back and forth in the forward direction of the light guide plate and be fixed, which is used to adjust the position of the positioning rod 422 when it is rotated to the folding area 5, so as to be suitable for folding continuous coated light guide plates of different specifications.

[0055] A limiting component 9 is provided on the side of the receiving station 4a away from the folding station 2a. The limiting component 9 includes a limiting rod 92 connected to a third rotating device 91. The third rotating device 91 can drive the limiting rod 92 to rotate, so that the end of the limiting rod 92 away from the third rotating device 91 presses against the already folded light guide plate on the receiving station 4a, that is, the light guide plate a area 7a. In this embodiment, the limiting rod 92 and the positioning rod 422 alternately press the folded light guide plate to ensure that the light guide plate a area 7a is always in a pressed state. Of course, during the entire folding process, the light guide plate can be in a pressed state at some steps, but it cannot be in a relaxed state at the same time. Specifically, when the positioning rod 422 presses against the light guide plate a area 7a, the folding assembly 3 performs a folding action, and at the same time, the third rotating device 91 drives the limiting rod 92 to rotate away from the light guide plate a area 7a; when the folding assembly 3 completes the folding action and resets, the third rotating device 91 drives the limiting rod 92 to rotate in the opposite direction and press against the light guide plate a area 7a, and then the positioning rod 422 moves away from the receiving station 4a and resets under the drive of the second rotating device 421.

[0056] The receiving platform 41 is connected to a second driving device 411 that can drive its vertical movement. In this embodiment, initially, the upper surface of the receiving platform 41 is lower than the upper surface of the support plate 31 by a distance equal to the thickness of a light guide plate. After each folding action, the receiving platform 41 moves downward by a distance equal to the thickness of two light guide plates under the drive of the second driving device 411, so that the upper surface of the light guide plate a region 7a is always on the same horizontal plane as the upper surface of the support plate 31. This ensures that the stroke of the folding component 3 is the same each time a folding action is performed, and the folding effect is also the same, thereby ensuring folding accuracy.

[0057] The folding principle in this embodiment is as follows: Initially, the limiting rod 92, driven by the third rotating device 91, presses the light guide plate a area 7a, and the pressing device 6 is in a state of pressing the light guide plate against the bottom plate. At this time, the light guide plate and protective film in the folding station 2a area are in a taut state. Afterward, the first driving device 343 of the folding components 3 on both sides simultaneously drives the first gripper 342 to approach the protective film, so that the two gripping parts 3421 of the first gripper 342 are respectively at the upper and lower ends of the protective film, and are located between the first support plate 311 and the second support plate 312, and are also in the center position of the protective film between the two light guide plates. The clamping parts 3421 approach each other and clamp the protective film; the second rotating device 421 drives the positioning rod 422 to rotate, so that the side of the positioning rod 422 near the folding station 2a is in the middle of the folding area 5; the third moving module 423 drives the positioning rod 422 to move downward, so that the positioning rod 422 presses the light guide plate a area 7a; the limiting rod 92 is disengaged from the light guide plate a area 7a under the drive of the third rotating device 91, and the pressing device 6 is disengaged from the light guide plate; the first moving module 32 and the second moving module 33 drive the first clamping assembly 34 to move in a semi-circular arc, and the movement path includes a symmetrical first path 2b and a second path 2c (e.g. Figure 9 As shown, for ease of explanation, the dashed lines represent the first path 2b and the second path 2c, respectively. That is, the driving direction of the first moving module 32 is along the forward direction of the light guide plate, and the driving direction of the second moving module 33 is first vertically upward and then vertically downward, completing the folding. Under the drive of the third rotating device 91, the limiting rod 92 presses the light guide plate a area 7a again, and the pressing device 6 presses the light guide plate again. The positioning rod 422 first moves upward to reset under the drive of the third moving module 423, and then rotates away from the receiving station 4a area under the drive of the second rotating device 421. The two clamping parts 3421 of the first gripper 342 open and move away from the receiving station 4a under the drive of the first driving device 343. The first moving module 32 and the second moving module 33 reset, completing one folding action.

[0058] In this design, the first moving module 32 continuously drives the first clamping component 34 to move in the same direction, i.e., towards the receiving station 4a, during the travel of the first path 2b and the second path 2c. The second moving module 33 drives the first clamping component 34 to move in opposite directions during the travel of the first path 2b and the second path 2c, i.e., driving the first clamping component 34 to move upwards and then downwards. Within one cycle of movement along the first path 2b and the second path 2c, the first gripper 342 rotates 90°. Initially, the relative positions of the two clamping parts 3421 are vertically oriented (up and down), and after folding, the relative positions of the two clamping parts 3421 are horizontally oriented (left and right). This prevents the protective film from wrapping around the clamping parts 3421 and affecting folding accuracy. Furthermore, after folding, the actions of the first clamping component 34 opening the first gripper 342 and disengaging from the receiving station 4a, and the actions of the positioning component 42 disengaging the positioning rod 422 from the receiving station 4a, can be adjusted in sequence. When the third rotating device 91 drives the limiting rod 92 to press the light guide plate a area 7a, it should maintain a downward pressing trend so that when a folding action is completed and the second driving device 411 drives the receiving platform 41 to descend, the limiting rod 92 can still maintain the pressing of the light guide plate a area 7a.

[0059] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the technical concept and features of the present invention, intended to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of the present invention and implement it accordingly, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the above exemplary embodiments, and that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered exemplary and non-limiting in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and thus all changes falling within the meaning and scope of the equivalents of the claims are intended to be included within the present invention.

Claims

1. A light guide plate folding apparatus, characterized by comprising: The application relates to a folding device for folding a light guide plate with a protective film. The folding device comprises a conveying mechanism for conveying the light guide plate with the protective film to a folding station; a folding mechanism comprising two folding assemblies symmetrically arranged on both sides of the folding station, wherein each folding assembly comprises a first moving module with a horizontal driving direction, a second moving module with a vertical driving direction, and a first clamping assembly connected to the second moving module, and the first clamping assembly is connected with a first clamping jaw through a first rotating assembly; The folding device further comprises a material collecting mechanism comprising a material collecting platform arranged at a material collecting station. The first moving module and the second moving module drive the first clamping assembly to move in a semicircular arc shape, and the movement path comprises symmetrical first and second paths; the first moving module always drives the first clamping assembly to move in the same direction when the first and second moving modules move along the first and second paths, and the second moving module drives the first clamping assembly to move in the opposite direction when the first and second moving modules move along the first and second paths. The first clamping jaw comprises a pair of clamping portions always acting on both sides of the protective film, and the clamping portions are in a cylindrical shape; the first clamping jaw rotates by 90 degrees in one cycle of movement of the first clamping assembly along the first and second paths. The material collecting station is provided with a folding positioning assembly, the folding positioning assembly comprises a positioning rod connected with a second rotating device, the second rotating device drives the positioning rod to rotate, so that the positioning rod approaches a vertical plane where the folding station is located, passes through the folding area of the protective film, and the side of the positioning rod away from the folding station is above the light guide plate. The first clamping assembly further comprises a first driving device, the first rotating assembly is connected with the second moving module through the first driving device, and the first driving device drives the first rotating assembly to approach or move away from the folding station.

2. The light guide plate folding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The second rotating device is connected with a third moving module, and the third moving module drives the second rotating device to move in the vertical direction.

3. The light guide plate folding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The side of the material collecting station away from the folding station is provided with a limiting assembly, the limiting assembly comprises a limiting rod connected with a third rotating device, and the third rotating device drives the limiting rod to rotate, so that the end of the limiting rod away from the third rotating device is pressed against the material collecting station.

4. The light guide plate folding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The material collecting platform is connected with a second driving device for driving the vertical movement of the material collecting platform.

5. The light guide plate folding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The folding station is provided with a plurality of support plates arranged in sequence, and the support plates are arranged between the two folding assemblies.

6. The light guide plate folding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The upper end of the side of the support plate away from the material collecting station is provided with a pressing device, and the pressing device presses the light guide plate when each folding action is completed.

7. A light guide plate folding apparatus according to claim 6, characterized by: ​

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