A flexible vacuum laminator

Abstract

This invention relates to a flexible vacuum laminating machine, comprising a packaging bag with an anti-static function and a single opening, a duckbill-shaped flat suction nozzle connected to a quick-connect air hose, a linkage mechanism connected to a cylinder for opening and closing to clamp the opening of the packaging bag and prevent air from entering, and a fixture for fixing TFTs and TPs. When the product is placed on the fixture, a feeding mechanism moves the fixture and the product to a designated position. The linkage then causes the packaging bag to close its opening. A vacuum pump sucks out the air from the packaging bag through the duckbill-shaped flat suction nozzle, causing the packaging bag to contract and apply pressure to the product, thereby bonding the TFTs and TPs via OCA. The bonding vacuum pressure and bonding speed can be adjusted by the vacuum pump and a speed control valve. This flexible vacuum laminating machine can adapt to solid-state bonding of displays of various shapes and sizes. By changing the fixture, it can meet the bonding needs of different sizes. The anti-static plastic bag, in conjunction with the vacuum pump, forms a vacuum bonding chamber, resulting in excellent product bonding.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of touch screen bonding technology, and more specifically to a flexible vacuum bonding machine. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, displays frequently feature dual-screen, triple-screen, and irregularly shaped products, significantly increasing the difficulty of full lamination. The main technical shortcomings include: Firstly, because the touchscreen glass has ink on it and a certain thickness, air bubbles are difficult to remove after lamination. Secondly, traditional laminating machines use edge-based clamping dimensions and rely on rotation to achieve overlap, which introduces precision errors in both the rotation and suction devices. Furthermore, while vacuum laminating machines with simple structures and clamping mechanisms are suitable for small orders and multi-model projects, their clamps currently suffer from high defect rates due to issues such as lamination bubbles and edge chipping. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention proposes a flexible vacuum bonding machine that can adapt to solid bonding of displays of various shapes and sizes.

[0004] Specifically, a flexible vacuum bonding machine includes:

[0005] The lower platform is equipped with a clamping and feeding mechanism, including a linear module and a clamp. The clamp is used to place the product to be bonded, and the linear module is used to move the clamp.

[0006] The middle platform is equipped with a vacuum bonding chamber, which includes an antistatic plastic bag and a pressure plate that is bonded to the inside of the antistatic plastic bag. The pressure plate is bonded to the top of the inside of the antistatic plastic bag. The antistatic plastic bag is connected to a flat nozzle, which is connected to an air tube, which is connected to a vacuum pump. A clamp pulls the product to be bonded into the antistatic plastic bag. The system also includes a sealing strip linkage mechanism, which includes an upper linkage structure and a lower linkage structure respectively located above and below the antistatic plastic bag.

[0007] The upper platform includes a fixture positioning mechanism for positioning the fixture, including a first positioning member and a second positioning member respectively located on the left and right sides of the fixture, which extend downward through the upper platform.

[0008] As a preferred technical solution, the clamping and feeding mechanism also includes a fork and a fork fixing component.

[0009] As a preferred technical solution, the fork includes at least two forks, and at least two forks are located below the clamp.

[0010] As a preferred technical solution, the fork fixing component includes a longitudinal fixing component connected to the linear module and a transverse fixing component connected to the longitudinal fixing component.

[0011] As a preferred technical solution, the transverse fixing member is provided with a locking member for locking and limiting the clamp.

[0012] As a preferred technical solution, the fixture positioning mechanism also includes a third and a fourth positioning member, which extend downward through the upper plate to the rear of the fixture, and together with the locking member, fix the fixture.

[0013] As a preferred technical solution, the upper connecting rod structure includes a spring assembly, including a spring and a guide post that provide a buffering effect when the silicone strip presses down on the opening of the antistatic plastic bag.

[0014] As a preferred technical solution, the sealing strip linkage mechanism is connected to the cylinder assembly, and the cylinder assembly controls the sealing strip linkage mechanism to open and close the antistatic plastic bag.

[0015] As a preferred technical solution, the linear module includes a first linear module and a second linear module, the first linear module and the second linear module are arranged perpendicularly, and the second linear module is disposed on the linear slide of the first linear module.

[0016] As a preferred technical solution, the first linear module and the second linear module include proximity switches for controlling the forward and backward movement and the up and down movement of the second linear module.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has achieved the following technical effects: The flexible vacuum bonding machine disclosed in this patent can adapt to the solid bonding of displays of various shapes and sizes. By changing the clamps, it can meet the bonding of different sizes. Furthermore, the clamp limiting parts and fixing parts can make the bonding accuracy more accurate. Furthermore, the anti-static plastic bag is set in conjunction with the vacuum pump to form a vacuum bonding cavity, so that the product bonding effect is good.

[0018] Other features and advantages of this application will be set forth in the following description, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing this application. Attached image description:

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a flexible vacuum bonding machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the sealing strip linkage mechanism proposed in this embodiment of the invention;

[0021] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the 45° angled structure of the vacuum bonding cavity proposed in this embodiment of the invention;

[0022] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the flat-mouth suction nozzle proposed in this embodiment of the invention;

[0023] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0024] Lower platform 1; First linear module 11; Second linear module 12; Fixture 13; Lateral fixing component 14; Longitudinal fixing component 15; Positioning component 16; Stepper motor 17; Proximity switch 18;

[0025] 2. Middle platform plate; 21. Linkage mechanism; 211. Spring assembly; 22. First cylinder assembly; 23. Vacuum sealing cavity; 231. Antistatic plastic bag; 232. Pressure plate; 233. Bag opening; 24. Flat mouth suction nozzle; 241. Grooving; 25. Quick connector; 26. Loading position;

[0026] Upper platform 3; clamp positioning mechanism 31; first positioning component 311; second positioning component 312; third positioning component 313; fourth positioning component 314; second cylinder assembly 32. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with specific embodiments and corresponding drawings. In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the term "or" is generally used to include the meaning of "and / or," unless otherwise expressly indicated.

[0028] It should be understood that the steps described in the method embodiments of this application may be performed in different orders and / or in parallel. Furthermore, the method embodiments may include additional steps and / or omit the steps shown. The scope of this application is not limited in this respect.

[0029] The term "comprising" and its variations as used herein are open-ended inclusions, meaning "including but not limited to". The term "based on" means "at least partially based on". The term "one embodiment" means "at least one embodiment"; the term "another embodiment" means "at least one additional embodiment"; the term "some embodiments" means "at least some embodiments". Definitions of other terms will be given in the description below.

[0030] It should be noted that the terms "one" and "multiple" used in this application are illustrative rather than restrictive, and those skilled in the art should understand that, unless explicitly stated otherwise in the context, they should be interpreted as "one or more". "Multiple" should be understood as two or more.

[0031] Example

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, a flexible vacuum bonding machine includes: a lower platform 1, a middle platform 2, and an upper platform 3, as well as various components disposed on the platform. Through the coordinated action of these components, a clamp 13 carrying the product to be bonded is transported to a vacuum bonding chamber 23 for product bonding. Specifically, it includes the following:

[0033] The lower platform 1 includes a clamping and loading mechanism, comprising a linear module and a clamp 13. The clamp 13 is used to place the product to be bonded, which can be a TP (transparent panel) or a TFT (transparent TFT) with OCA (Optical Calibration). The linear module is used to move the clamp 13. The clamp 13 can be changed according to different shapes and sizes to meet the flexible bonding needs of different products. Preferably, the linear module includes a first linear module 11 and a second linear module 12, which are arranged perpendicularly. The second linear module 12 is mounted on the linear slide of the first linear module 11.

[0034] Preferably, the feeding mechanism of the clamp 13 further includes forks and fork fixing members. Further, at least two forks are included, with at least two forks located below the clamp 13 (not shown in the figure) for supporting the clamp 13. More preferably, the fork fixing members include a longitudinal fixing member 15 connected to the linear module and a transverse fixing member 14 connected to the longitudinal fixing member 15. Specifically, the longitudinal fixing member 15 is connected to the second linear module 12, and the second linear module 12 drives the longitudinal fixing member 15 to move up and down through the movement of the slide table. Even further, the longitudinal fixing member 15 includes two parts, wherein the first part is fixed to the linear slide table of the second linear module 12, and the second part is connected to the first part through a connector, wherein the connector can be fixed together by bolts. The first part can extend out with a threaded hole, and the second part also has a corresponding threaded hole, and is then connected together by screws.

[0035] The vacuum bonding cavity 23 provided in the middle platform 2, such as Figure 3 The diagram shows a 45° angled structural schematic of the vacuum bonding cavity 23. As can be seen, the bag opening 233 of the bonding cavity faces to the right front. The vacuum bonding cavity 23 includes an antistatic plastic bag 231 and a pressure plate 232 attached to the inner side of the antistatic plastic bag 231. The pressure plate 232 is attached to the top of the inner side of the antistatic plastic bag 231. One or more pressure plates 232 can be used; when the product to be bonded consists of multiple screens, multiple pressure plates 232 can be used. After vacuuming, the antistatic plastic bag 231 contracts inward. During this contraction, pressure is applied to the pressure plate 232, causing it to press against the screen of the product to be bonded. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the pressure plate 232 can be made of flexible materials, and furthermore, a film can be wrapped around it to prevent scratches on the bonded product. Furthermore, the antistatic plastic bag 231 is connected to a flat-mouth suction nozzle 24, which is connected to an air tube (not shown in the figure), and the air tube is connected to a vacuum pump (not shown in the figure). Specifically, as follows... Figure 4As shown, the flat-mouthed suction nozzle 24 is shaped similarly to a duckbill. The nozzle has a slot 241 that connects to a quick connector 25 on the anti-static plastic bag 231. At the end that connects to the air hose, the quick connector 25 is provided for connection to the air hose.

[0036] Furthermore, it also includes a sealing strip linkage mechanism for opening and closing the antistatic plastic bag 231. Specifically, it includes an upper linkage structure and a lower linkage structure respectively located above and below the antistatic plastic bag 231. Further, the upper and lower linkage structures have silicone strips at the bag opening 233 of the antistatic plastic bag 231 to facilitate sealing the plastic bag.

[0037] Furthermore, two components extend from below the central platform 2, serving as loading positions 26 for the clamp 13. The clamp 13 is placed in the loading positions 26, and after the product is placed on them, the linear module transports the product to be bonded into the anti-static plastic bag 231. At this point, the sealing strip linkage mechanism needs to drive the upper and lower linkage structures to open the plastic bag. After the clamp 13 is in place, the linkage mechanism 21 presses down to close the plastic bag and seals it with a silicone strip.

[0038] Furthermore, as can be seen from the figure, the sealing strip linkage mechanism includes a linkage mechanism 21 and a power mechanism. The power mechanism is the first cylinder assembly 22, which moves the linkage mechanism 21 by extending and retracting the cylinder, thereby realizing the opening and closing of the upper and lower linkage structures. Figure 2 As shown, preferably, the upper connecting rod structure includes a spring assembly 211, which includes a spring and a guide post that provide a buffering effect when the silicone strip presses down on the opening of the antistatic plastic bag 231.

[0039] Preferably, the lateral fixing member 14 is provided with a locking member 16 for locking and restricting the clamp 13. After the linear module transports the clamp 13 to the anti-static plastic bag 231, the locking member 16 positions the clamp 13 to prevent misalignment. Before bonding, the locking member 16 is retracted by moving the lateral fixing member 14.

[0040] The upper platform 3 includes a fixture positioning mechanism 31 for positioning the fixture 13. This mechanism includes a first positioning element 311 and a second positioning element 312, respectively located on the left and right sides of the fixture 13, extending downwards through the upper platform 3 to the left and right sides of the fixture 13. Once the fixture 13 is in place, it is fixed by the positioning mechanism, and then removed for vacuum bonding. The fixture positioning mechanism 31 can be controlled by a cylinder for its left and right movement. More preferably, the fixture positioning mechanism 31 also includes a third positioning element 313 and a fourth positioning element 314, extending downwards through the upper platform 3 to the rear of the fixture 13, working in conjunction with the locking element 16 to fix the fixture 13 front and rear.

[0041] The clamping positioning mechanism 31 of the upper plate 3, through the cylinder action of the second cylinder assembly 32, limits the clamp 13, then activates the vacuum pump. Air is drawn from the packaging bag through the duckbill-shaped suction nozzle, creating a vacuum, causing the plastic bag to shrink. At this time, the plastic bag exerts pressure on the TP on the clamp 13, bonding the TP and the TFT with OCA, and removing any air bubbles generated during bonding. The bonding vacuum pressure and bonding speed can be adjusted by the vacuum pump and speed control valve. Specific structure and adjustment details are not described here.

[0042] In some preferred embodiments, the first linear module 11 and the second linear module 12 include a stepper motor 17, wherein the first linear module 11 is disposed on the lower platform 1. Further, the first linear module 11 and the second linear module 12 include a proximity switch 18 for controlling the forward and backward movement and the up and down movement of the second linear module 12.

[0043] Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flexible vacuum bonding machine, characterized in that, include: The lower platform is equipped with a clamping and feeding mechanism, including a linear module and a clamp. The clamp is used to place the product to be bonded, and the linear module is used to drive the clamp. A central platform is provided with a vacuum bonding chamber, which includes an antistatic plastic bag and a pressure plate that is bonded to the inside of the antistatic plastic bag. The pressure plate is bonded to the top of the inside of the antistatic plastic bag. The antistatic plastic bag is connected to a flat-mouth suction nozzle, which is connected to an air tube, which is connected to a vacuum pump. The clamp is capable of pulling the product to be bonded into the antistatic plastic bag. It also includes a sealing strip linkage mechanism, comprising an upper linkage structure and a lower linkage structure respectively located above and below the opening of the antistatic plastic bag. The sealing strip linkage mechanism is connected to a cylinder assembly, and the cylinder assembly controls the opening and closing of the antistatic plastic bag by the sealing strip linkage mechanism. The upper platform includes a fixture positioning mechanism for positioning the fixture, comprising a first positioning member and a second positioning member respectively disposed on the left and right sides of the fixture, extending downward through the upper platform.

2. The flexible vacuum bonding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The clamping and feeding mechanism also includes a fork and a fork fixing component.

3. A flexible vacuum bonding machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The fork includes at least two forks, which are located below the clamp.

4. A flexible vacuum bonding machine according to claim 3, characterized in that, The fork fastener includes a longitudinal fastener connected to the linear module and a transverse fastener connected to the longitudinal fastener.

5. A flexible vacuum bonding machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, The lateral fixing member is provided with a locking member for locking and restricting the clamp.

6. A flexible vacuum bonding machine according to claim 5, characterized in that, The fixture positioning mechanism further includes a third and a fourth positioning member, which extend downward through the upper platform to the rear of the fixture, and together with the locking member, fix the fixture.

7. A flexible vacuum bonding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper connecting rod structure includes a spring assembly.

8. A flexible vacuum bonding machine according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The linear module includes a first linear module and a second linear module, wherein the first linear module and the second linear module are arranged perpendicularly to each other, and the second linear module is disposed on the linear slide of the first linear module.

9. A flexible vacuum bonding machine according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first linear module and the second linear module also include proximity switches for controlling the forward and backward movement and the up and down movement of the second linear module.

Images