A PCB circuit board unloading device and method

Abstract

The application provides a PCB circuit board discharging device and method, and relates to the technical field of automatic equipment.The device comprises a discharging box with openings on the upper and lower sides and a'mouth' type fully-enclosed structure of the side wall, a laser induction control switch is arranged on the edge of the bottom of the discharging box, and the inner wall of the discharging box is symmetrically provided with a top block and an upper supporting block which can be extended and retracted, the upper supporting block is located below the top block, and the top block and the upper supporting block are electrically connected with the laser induction control switch; when the laser induction control switch does not receive a laser signal, the upper supporting block is extended, the top block is retracted, the PCB circuit boards are stacked on the upper supporting block, and the height of the top block is equal to the height of the second-to-last high PCB circuit board; when the laser induction control switch receives a laser signal, the top block is extended to abut against the second-to-last high PCB circuit board, the upper supporting block is retracted, and the bottommost PCB circuit board falls off. The application realizes automatic and piece-by-piece placement of the PCB circuit boards, greatly simplifies the operation process, improves the production efficiency, and is suitable for efficient distribution and placement of the PCB circuit boards in an automatic production line.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of automation equipment, in particular to a discharging device and a discharging method for placing PCB boards one by one. Background Art

[0002] In the modern electronic manufacturing industry, PCB (Printed Circuit Board) acts as a support for electronic components and a carrier for electrical connection, and its efficient and accurate placement is crucial to the smooth operation of production lines. Traditional manual placement methods are not only inefficient, but also prone to errors, and cannot meet the requirements of large-scale, high-efficiency automated production. Therefore, developing a device and method capable of automatically placing PCB boards one by one is of great significance for improving production efficiency, reducing labor costs, and lowering error rates.

[0003] Most of the existing PCB discharging devices currently on the market have complex structures, cumbersome operations, and are difficult to achieve accurate one-by-one placement. These devices usually require complex mechanical structures and control systems, which are not only costly, but also difficult to maintain, making it hard to meet the diversified requirements in actual production. In addition, existing discharging methods often rely on manual operation and cannot achieve true automation, resulting in low production efficiency and being prone to placement errors caused by human factors. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above problems, the present invention provides an innovative PCB discharging device and method. Through an ingenious mechanical structure design, the device realizes automatic one-by-one placement of PCBs, greatly simplifies the operation process, and improves production efficiency. Meanwhile, the method is based on laser induction control, ensures the accuracy and stability of placement, reduces manual intervention and errors, and is suitable for accurate and efficient distribution and placement of PCBs in automated production lines.

[0005] The above technical object of the present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions: A PCB discharging device comprises a discharging box with openings on the upper and lower sides and a full-enclosed "square-shaped" side wall structure, and a laser induction control switch is arranged at the bottom edge of the discharging box;

[0006] a top block and an upper support block are telescopically embedded on two symmetrical sides of the inner wall of the discharging box, the upper support block is located below the top block, and both are electrically connected to the laser induction control switch;

[0007] when the laser induction control switch does not receive a laser signal, the upper support block extends out, the top block retracts, PCB boards are stacked on the upper support block, and the height of the top block is equal to the height of the second-to-last PCB board from the bottom of the stack;

[0008] When the laser sensor control switch receives a laser signal, the top block extends and presses against the second-to-last tallest PCB circuit board, the upper support block retracts, and the bottommost PCB circuit board falls off.

[0009] The bottom sides of the material box are connected to mounting blocks via springs, and the mounting blocks are equipped with lower support blocks with laser emitters.

[0010] The material box has side rods hinged to both sides via hinge seats. A connecting rope connects the side rods to the mounting block. When the side rods are flipped, the connecting rope pulls the mounting block, causing the lower support block to tilt and the PCB circuit board to fall off.

[0011] In some embodiments, the feeding box is connected to an XYZ axis robotic arm.

[0012] In some embodiments, the top blocks are provided with a rubber sheet with anti-slip texture on the side that is close to each other.

[0013] In some embodiments, the hinge seat is a resilient hinge seat.

[0014] In some embodiments, a roller is provided at the end of the side rod away from the hinge seat.

[0015] A PCB board feeding method, based on the aforementioned PCB board feeding device, includes the following steps:

[0016] a. Preparation stage: Ensure that the laser sensor control switch and laser emitter are powered off, and that the PCB circuit boards are stacked in the material box;

[0017] b. Release phase: Power on the laser sensor control switch and laser emitter to release the bottom PCB circuit board;

[0018] c. Moving and Positioning Stage: Move the feeding device above the feeding platform and adjust its position;

[0019] d. Pressing and releasing stage: The pressing and releasing device causes the PCB circuit board to fall from the lower support block to the releasing platform;

[0020] e. Reset and prepare for the next stage: Adjust the feeding device, reset all components, and prepare for the next feeding stage.

[0021] In some embodiments, before preparation stage a, the stacked PCB circuit boards are bound with ropes or straps, placed in the material box, and then the ropes or straps are cut off and removed.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0023] This invention enables the automatic and precise placement of PCB circuit boards, greatly improving production efficiency and ease of operation. Simultaneously, the device features a simple structure and high stability, effectively protecting PCB circuit boards from damage. It is suitable for precise and efficient allocation and placement of PCB circuit boards in automated production lines.

[0024] Specifically, this invention achieves precise control of PCB circuit boards through the cooperation of a laser-sensing control switch and a laser emitter. During the unloading process, the laser-sensing control switch can receive signals from the laser emitter in real time and control the extension and retraction states of the top block and upper support block according to the changes in the signals, thereby ensuring that the PCB circuit boards can be stably stacked in the unloading box and can smoothly slide down to the unloading platform when needed.

[0025] Furthermore, this invention achieves automatic release of the PCB circuit board through the design of a spring-connected mounting block and a lower support block. When the unloading device moves above the unloading platform and presses down, the two side rods are forced apart due to compression, causing the connecting rope to gradually taut and pull on the mounting block. This causes the lower support block to move and tilt in a direction away from each other, thereby allowing the PCB circuit board to fall from the lower support block onto the unloading platform. This design is not only simple in structure and convenient to operate, but also ensures the stability and accuracy of the PCB circuit board during the release process. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is an overall structural diagram of the feeding device of the present invention when it is not powered on;

[0027] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A magnified view of point A;

[0028] Figure 3 This is an overall structural diagram of the feeding device of the present invention after power-on and before the laser emitter is blocked by the PCB circuit board.

[0029] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A magnified view of point B;

[0030] Figure 5 This is an overall structural diagram of the feeding device of the present invention after power-on and after the laser emitter is blocked by the PCB circuit board.

[0031] Figure 6 This is an overall structural diagram of the feeding device of the present invention after power-on and when the two side rods are squeezed apart;

[0032] Figure 7 for Figure 6 Enlarged view of point C.

[0033] In the diagram: 100, PCB circuit board; 1, feeding box; 2, XYZ axis robotic arm; 3, laser sensor control switch; 4, top block; 5, upper support block; 6, spring; 7, mounting block; 8, lower support block; 9, laser emitter; 10, hinge seat; 11, side rod; 12, connecting rope; 13, roller. Detailed Implementation

[0034] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0035] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0036] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature 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.

[0037] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0038] Please see Figure 1-7This embodiment provides a PCB board feeding device for placing PCB boards 100 one by one. It includes a feeding box 1 with openings on both the top and bottom sides and a "U"-shaped fully enclosed structure on the side walls. A laser-sensing control switch 3 is provided at the bottom edge of the feeding box 1. A top block 4 and an upper support block 5 are symmetrically and retractably embedded on both sides of the inner wall of the feeding box 1. The upper support block 5 is located below the top block 4. The top block 4 and the upper support block 5 are electrically connected to the laser-sensing control switch 3. When the laser-sensing control switch 3 does not receive a laser signal, the upper support block 5 first adjusts to the extended state, and then the top block 4 adjusts to the retracted state. At this time, several PCB boards 100 to be fed can be placed into the feeding box 1 and stacked on the two extended upper support blocks 5. At this time, the retracted top block 4 does not contact any PCB circuit board 100. The height of the top block 4 is equal to the height of the second-to-last PCB circuit board 100. When the laser sensor control switch 3 receives the laser signal, the top block 4 will first switch to the extended state and firmly hold the second-to-last PCB circuit board 100 in place, so that the second-to-last PCB circuit board 100 and all the PCB circuit boards 100 stacked above it remain stationary. Then the upper support block 5 will switch to the retracted state. At this time, the bottom PCB circuit board 100 is neither held by the top block 4 nor supported by the upper support block 5. Therefore, the bottom PCB circuit board 100 will fall out of the material box 1 due to its own gravity.

[0039] Both sides of the bottom of the material box 1 are connected to mounting blocks 7 by springs 6. The two mounting blocks 7 are provided with a lower support block 8 on the side that is close to each other. The lower support block 8 is provided with a laser emitter 9 that is compatible with the laser sensor control switch 3. Only when the laser emitter 9 is not blocked and the angle is not tilted can the laser sensor control switch 3 receive the laser signal from the laser emitter 9. The PCB circuit board 100 that falls from inside the material box 1 to outside the material box 1 will fall onto the lower support block 8 and block the laser emitter 9.

[0040] Both sides of the material feeding box 1 are hinged with side rods 11 via hinge seats 10. The height of the end of the side rod 11 away from the hinge seat 10 is lower than the height of the lower support block 8. A connecting rope 12 connects the side rod 11 to the mounting block 7. When the two side rods 11 are flipped away from the mounting block 7 at the same time, the connecting rope 12 will gradually straighten and pull the mounting block 7. At this time, the two lower support blocks 8 on the two mounting blocks 7 will move away from each other and tilt until the two lower support blocks 8 can no longer effectively support the PCB circuit board 100 on them, causing the PCB circuit board 100 to fall off the lower support block 8. During this period, the spring 6 is also pulled to a skewed state. After the force on the side rods 11 is released, under the elastic reset action of the spring 6, the mounting block 7 and the lower support block 8 can quickly reset to receive the next PCB circuit board 100 that falls out of the material feeding box 1.

[0041] When placing PCB circuit boards 100 one by one, the operator first neatly stacks several PCB circuit boards 100 and places them into the placement box 1. During this process, the laser sensor control switch 3 and the laser emitter 9 are kept in the off state so that the laser sensor control switch 3 will not be triggered. At this time, the upper support block 5 remains in the extended state, while the top block 4 remains in the retracted state, ensuring that all the placed PCB circuit boards 100 can be stably stacked on the two extended upper support blocks 5.

[0042] When it is necessary to release the bottom PCB circuit board 100, simply power on the laser sensor control switch 3 and the laser emitter 9. At this time, the laser sensor control switch 3 will be able to successfully receive the laser signal from the laser emitter 9, thereby causing the top block 4 to extend and the upper support block 5 to retract. The top block 4 extends and firmly holds the second-to-last tallest PCB circuit board 100, while the bottom PCB circuit board 100, under its own gravity, slides down the set path to outside the material box 1 and lands on the lower support block 8.

[0043] After the PCB circuit board 100 falls onto the lower support block 8, it will block the laser emitter 9 on the lower support block 8, thus preventing the laser sensing control switch 3 from receiving the laser signal from the laser emitter 9, and consequently preventing the laser sensing control switch 3 from being triggered. At this time, the upper support block 5 remains extended, while the top block 4 remains retracted. At this time, all the PCB circuit boards 100 in the material box 1 will be stacked on the two upper support blocks 5, and the single PCB circuit board 100 outside the material box 1 will be placed on the two lower support blocks 8.

[0044] Subsequently, the entire feeding device can be moved above the feeding platform, and then the entire feeding device can be moved downwards. As the feeding device gets closer and closer to the feeding platform, the two side rods 11 will be squeezed and spread apart. At this time, the connecting rope 12 will gradually straighten and pull the mounting block 7, causing the two lower support blocks 8 on the two mounting blocks 7 to move and tilt in a direction away from each other, until the two lower support blocks 8 can no longer effectively support the PCB circuit board 100 on them, causing the PCB circuit board 100 to fall off the lower support blocks 8.

[0045] After the PCB circuit board 100 falls from the lower support block 8, since the lower support block 8 is now tilted, the laser emitter 9 on it is also tilted. This causes the laser sensor control switch 3 to be unable to receive the laser signal from the laser emitter 9, thus preventing the laser sensor control switch 3 from being triggered. At this time, the upper support block 5 remains extended, while the top block 4 remains retracted. Therefore, no new PCB circuit board 100 will fall at this time.

[0046] Then, the entire feeding device can be adjusted upwards to increase the distance between the feeding box 1 and the feeding platform. At this time, under the elastic reset action of the spring 6, the mounting block 7, the lower support block 8, and the laser emitter 9 are all reset. At this time, the laser sensing control switch 3 can receive the laser signal from the laser emitter 9 again, causing the top block 4 to extend, the upper support block 5 to retract, and the new PCB circuit board 100 to fall onto the lower support block 8.

[0047] Finally, the entire unloading device is moved to the new area of ​​the unloading platform, and then the entire unloading device is moved downwards to release the PCB circuit board 100 on the lower support block 8. This process is repeated to place the PCB circuit boards 100 one by one on the unloading platform.

[0048] This invention simplifies the material feeding process. After the PCB circuit boards 100 are stacked in the feeding box 1, the user only needs to locate any feeding position on the feeding platform and then press down to release the material. This design greatly improves production efficiency and ease of operation, reduces manual intervention and errors, and is suitable for precise and efficient allocation and placement of PCB circuit boards 100 in automated production lines.

[0049] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 1 , 35 or 6, the material feeding box 1 is connected to an XYZ-axis robotic arm 2. This robotic arm can precisely control the position of the material feeding box 1 in three-dimensional space, achieving automated and accurate placement of the PCB circuit board 100. This robotic arm has high precision and high stability, ensuring that the material feeding box 1 remains stable during movement and avoiding damage to the PCB circuit board 100. Furthermore, the XYZ-axis robotic arm 2 can seamlessly interface with other equipment on the production line, further improving production efficiency and automation. Through this design, the present invention not only achieves rapid and accurate placement of the PCB circuit board 100 but also improves the automation level and production efficiency of the entire production line.

[0050] In some embodiments, each of the two top blocks 4 has a rubber sheet with anti-slip texture on its adjacent side. Firstly, the anti-slip textured rubber sheet increases the friction between the top block 4 and the PCB circuit board 100, allowing the top block 4 to more firmly hold the second-to-last PCB circuit board 100 in place when it extends and presses against it, preventing it from moving or slipping under external force or vibration, thus ensuring the stability of the PCB circuit board 100 during the feeding process. Secondly, the rubber sheet has good elasticity and cushioning properties. When the top block 4 extends and contacts the PCB circuit board 100, the rubber sheet effectively absorbs and disperses the impact force, preventing damage or scratches to the PCB circuit board 100, thereby protecting its quality and appearance. Finally, the anti-slip textured rubber sheet also has a certain degree of adaptability, accommodating PCB circuit boards 100 of different thicknesses and materials, making the feeding device more widely applicable and flexible. Simultaneously, the anti-slip textured design of the rubber sheet also increases the contact area and gripping force between it and the PCB circuit board 100, further improving the stability and reliability of the fixation.

[0051] In some embodiments, the hinge seat 10 is an elastic hinge seat 10, which enables the two side rods 11 to maintain an "eight"-shaped structure when not subjected to external force. This allows the two side rods 11 to be more easily spread apart when subjected to external pressure, thereby achieving the tilting of the lower support block 8 and the smooth drop of the PCB circuit board 100. This design ensures the stability and reliability of the unloading device when releasing the PCB circuit board 100. Secondly, the elastic characteristics of the elastic hinge seat 10 help reduce the impact and vibration of the side rods 11 when subjected to external force, protecting the mechanical structure of the entire unloading device and avoiding damage to the PCB circuit board 100 or the device itself due to instantaneous impact. Finally, because the elastic hinge seat 10 can adapt to the deformation of the side rods 11 and help them return to their original position, the unloading device can reset more quickly after releasing the PCB circuit board 100, preparing for the next unloading operation. This design improves the continuous working capability and efficiency of the unloading device.

[0052] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 1-7 A roller 13 is provided at the end of the side rod 11 away from the hinge seat 10. The design of the roller 13 makes it easier for the side rod 11 to move and flip when subjected to external pressure, thereby reducing the friction between the side rod 11 and the feeding platform or other objects. This friction-reducing design not only makes the feeding device move and release the PCB circuit board 100 more smoothly, but also reduces wear and heat generated by friction, extending the service life of the feeding device.

[0053] Please see Figure 1-7 This embodiment also provides a PCB circuit board feeding method, which is based on the PCB circuit board feeding device in any of the above embodiments, and includes the following steps:

[0054] a. Preparation stage: First, ensure that the laser sensor control switch 3 and the laser emitter 9 are in the off state, so that the upper support block 5 remains extended and the top block 4 remains retracted. Then, neatly stack several PCB circuit boards 100 and place them into the material box 1, ensuring that all the placed PCB circuit boards 100 can be stably stacked on the two extended upper support blocks 5.

[0055] b. Release Phase: When it is necessary to release the bottom PCB circuit board 100, power on the laser sensor control switch 3 and the laser emitter 9. At this time, the laser sensor control switch 3 will be able to successfully receive the laser signal from the laser emitter 9, thereby causing the top block 4 to extend and the upper support block 5 to retract. The top block 4 extends and firmly holds the second-to-last tallest PCB circuit board 100, while the bottom PCB circuit board 100, under its own gravity, slides down the set path to outside the material release box 1 and lands on the lower support block 8.

[0056] c. Moving and positioning stage: Move the entire unloading device above the unloading platform and adjust the position of the unloading device as needed to ensure that the PCB circuit board 100 can be accurately placed in the predetermined unloading position.

[0057] d. Pressing and releasing stage: Move the entire unloading device downwards, causing the two side rods 11 to be separated due to compression. At this time, the connecting rope 12 will gradually straighten and pull the mounting block 7, causing the two lower support blocks 8 on the two mounting blocks 7 to move and tilt in a direction away from each other, until the two lower support blocks 8 can no longer effectively support the PCB circuit board 100 on them, causing the PCB circuit board 100 to fall from the lower support blocks 8 onto the unloading platform.

[0058] e. Reset and Preparation for the Next Stage: Adjust the entire feeding device upwards to increase the distance between the feeding box 1 and the feeding platform. Under the elastic reset action of spring 6, mounting block 7, lower support block 8, and laser emitter 9 all reset. At this time, laser sensing control switch 3 can receive the laser signal from laser emitter 9 again, causing top block 4 to extend and upper support block 5 to retract, and the new PCB circuit board 100 falls onto lower support block 8. Then repeat the above steps to place PCB circuit boards 100 one by one on the feeding platform.

[0059] This feeding method allows operators to easily and quickly place PCB circuit boards 100 one by one on the feeding platform, greatly improving production efficiency and ease of operation. At the same time, this method reduces manual intervention and errors, making it suitable for precise and efficient allocation and placement of PCB circuit boards 100 in automated production lines.

[0060] In some embodiments, before preparation stage a, the stacked PCB circuit boards 100 are bundled together, with their edges aligned and secured using ropes or straps. This ensures that the PCB circuit boards 100 remain neat and aligned when placed into the feeding box 1, facilitating subsequent automatic feeding operations. After the bundled PCB circuit boards 100 are placed into the feeding box 1, the ropes or straps are cut and removed to avoid affecting the automatic release of the PCB circuit boards 100.

[0061] This specific embodiment is merely an explanation of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. After reading this specification, those skilled in the art can make modifications to this embodiment without contributing any inventive step, but such modifications are protected by patent law as long as they are within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A PCB circuit board feeding device, characterized in that, Comprising: a discharge box (1) with openings at the upper and lower sides and a full-surrounding square-shaped side wall, wherein a laser induction control switch (3) is arranged on the bottom edge of the discharge box (1); top blocks (4) and upper support blocks (5) are telescopically embedded on two symmetrical sides of the inner wall of the discharge box (1), the upper support blocks (5) are located below the top blocks (4), and both are electrically connected with the laser induction control switch (3); when the laser induction control switch (3) does not receive a laser signal, the upper support blocks (5) extend out, the top blocks (4) retract, PCB circuit boards (100) are stacked on the upper support blocks (5), and the height of the top blocks (4) is equal to the height of the second-last PCB circuit board (100) from the bottom; when the laser induction control switch (3) receives the laser signal, the top blocks (4) extend out to abut against the second-last PCB circuit board (100) from the bottom, the upper support blocks (5) retract, and the bottommost PCB circuit board (100) drops; two sides of the bottom of the discharge box (1) are connected with mounting blocks (7) through springs (6), and the mounting blocks (7) are provided with lower support blocks (8) with laser transmitters (9); two sides of the discharge box (1) are hinged with side rods (11) through hinge seats (10), a connecting rope (12) is connected between the side rods (11) and the mounting blocks (7), when the side rods (11) turn over, the connecting rope (12) pulls the mounting blocks (7) to make the lower support blocks (8) tilt, and the PCB circuit board (100) drops.

2. The PCB circuit board discharging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: the discharge box (1) is connected with an XYZ axial mechanical arm (2).

3. The PCB circuit board discharging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: a side, where the top blocks (4) approach each other, is provided with a rubber sheet with anti-slip patterns.

4. The PCB circuit board discharging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: the hinge seats (10) are elastic hinge seats (10).

5. The PCB circuit board discharging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: an end of the side rod (11) away from the hinge seat (10) is provided with a roller (13).

6. A PCB circuit board feeding method, based on the PCB circuit board feeding device according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, comprising the following steps: a. Preparation stage: ensuring that the laser induction control switch (3) and the laser transmitter (9) are powered off, and stacking the PCB circuit boards (100) in the discharge box (1); b. Discharging stage: powering on the laser induction control switch (3) and the laser transmitter (9), and discharging the bottommost PCB circuit board (100); c. Moving and positioning stage: moving the discharging device to above the discharging platform, and adjusting the position; d. Pressing down and discharging stage: pressing down the discharging device to make the PCB circuit board (100) drop from the lower support blocks (8) onto the discharging platform; e. Resetting and preparing for the next round stage: moving up the discharging device, resetting all components, and preparing for the next round of discharging.

7. The PCB circuit board discharging method according to claim 6, characterized in that: before the preparation stage a, binding the stacked PCB circuit boards (100) with a rope or a binding band, and cutting and drawing away the rope or the binding band after placing the stacked PCB circuit boards into the discharge box (1).

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