A Visualized Curing Follow-up Printing System and Method

Abstract

This invention provides a visual curing follow-up printing system and method. The printing system includes a printing mechanism, a follow-up curing device, and a driving mechanism. The printing mechanism is used to print photocurable adhesive onto a substrate surface. The follow-up curing device includes a light generator, which emits curing light to cure the photocurable adhesive flowing from the printing mechanism onto the substrate surface. The printing mechanism includes a printing needle, and the light generator is sleeved around the printing needle. The light generator forms a light-covered area and a light-blocked area relative to the substrate, and the light-blocked area has several observation windows. The driving mechanism is used to drive the light generator to move relative to the printing needle. This application allows real-time observation of the printing status of the printing needle through the observation windows. When the printing needle becomes clogged or has material buildup, printing stops, and the driving mechanism drives the light generator to move relative to the printing needle for inspection or cleaning.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of printing equipment technology, and in particular to a visual curing follow-up printing system and method. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development of the semiconductor chip industry, related industries and equipment for mobile phone frames are also constantly being updated and upgraded. Among them, adhesive application to the mobile phone frame is a crucial step in the manufacturing process. Adhesive application uses dispensing equipment to apply glue to the frame, achieving bonding and sealing. During the dispensing process, the width and thickness of the glue application require extremely high precision. Furthermore, issues such as glue breaks, overflow, or collapse must be avoided to ensure a tight fit between the phone frame and the screen module.

[0003] Existing mobile phone frame dispensing equipment includes a printing mechanism and a follow-up curing device. The follow-up curing device simultaneously cures the adhesive on the surface of the mobile phone frame during printing to prevent adhesive collapse. The follow-up curing device often uses an enclosed ring-shaped UV lamp, meaning the ring-shaped UV lamp completely covers the printing needle. This prevents real-time monitoring of the printing needle to obtain needle condition and adhesive data during operation. Consequently, it cannot promptly stop repairs in case of adhesive leakage or needle blockage.

[0004] A Chinese patent document discloses a "follow-up photopolymerization printing device" with authorization announcement number CN217395696U. This printing device includes a curing module and a light-illuminating module. The curing module includes a bracket, an extruder, a light generator, and a light spot adjustment component. The light-illuminating module includes a control box and a mounting frame. One side of the mounting frame is fixedly connected to one side of the bracket. A through-hole is provided inside the mounting frame, and the light generator is installed inside the through-hole. The light spot adjustment component is mounted on the mounting frame. The upper end of the extruder is fixed to the bracket, and the lower end is inserted into the mounting frame. However, the light generator in this patent cannot irradiate the adhesive on the surface of the mobile phone frame from all directions, failing to achieve uniform curing. Furthermore, the light generator in this printing device still uses an encapsulated structure, making it impossible to monitor the needle status in real time during operation. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art described above, the purpose of this invention is to provide a visual curing follow-up printing system and method to solve the problem that the follow-up curing device in existing mobile phone frame dispensing equipment often uses an enclosed ring UV lamp to cover the entire printing needle, making it impossible to observe the printing needle in real time during operation to obtain needle condition and glue pattern data, and making it impossible to stop maintenance in time when glue leakage or needle blockage occurs.

[0006] To achieve the above and other related objectives, the present invention provides a visual curing follow-up printing system, comprising a printing mechanism, a follow-up curing device, and a driving mechanism. The printing mechanism is used to print a photocurable adhesive onto the surface of a substrate. The follow-up curing device includes a light generator for emitting curing light to cure the photocurable adhesive flowing from the printing mechanism onto the substrate surface. The printing mechanism includes a printing needle, and the light generator is sleeved on the printing needle. The light generator forms a light-covered area and a light-blocked area relative to the substrate, and the light-blocked area is provided with a plurality of observation windows. The driving mechanism is used to drive the light generator to move relative to the printing needle.

[0007] The visualized curing follow-up printing system of this application, when applied to the dispensing process of mobile phone mid-frames, uses a printing mechanism to print photocurable adhesive onto the substrate surface, while a light generator emits curing light to cure the photocurable adhesive flowing from the printing mechanism onto the substrate surface. The printing status of the printing needle is observed in real time through an observation window. When the printing needle becomes clogged, printing stops, and a drive mechanism moves the light generator relative to the printing needle to inspect it. The observation window must be located within the light-blocking area of ​​the light generator; otherwise, the photocurable adhesive on the surface of the mobile phone mid-frame will not be adequately irradiated by the curing light, resulting in uneven curing. The light-blocking area refers to the area on the substrate that the light generator cannot irradiate.

[0008] Preferably, the follow-curing device further includes an observation camera, which is used to monitor the printing status of the printing needle and acquire adhesive data in real time through the observation window.

[0009] Preferably, the printing mechanism further includes a mounting plate and a supply cylinder disposed on the mounting plate, the supply cylinder being used to contain photocurable adhesive, and the printing needle being disposed at the bottom of the supply cylinder.

[0010] Preferably, the mounting plate is further provided with an open fixing frame, the body of the supply cylinder is located inside the open fixing frame, and the observation camera is fixed on the open fixing frame. The open fixing frame has an open state and a closed state. During normal printing, the open fixing frame is in the closed state; when the supply cylinder needs to be replaced, the door-type fixing frame is in the open state, which facilitates manual opening and timely removal of the supply cylinder for feeding.

[0011] Preferably, the mounting plate is further provided with a material cylinder mounting seat located below the open fixing frame, the supply material cylinder is disposed on the material cylinder mounting seat, the material cylinder mounting seat is provided with a liquid level sensor, the liquid level sensor is used to detect the liquid level of the light-curing adhesive in the supply material cylinder in real time.

[0012] Preferably, the driving mechanism includes a linear guide rail mounted on a mounting plate, a slider slidably connected to the linear guide rail, and a driving component for driving the slider to move relative to the printing needle along the linear guide rail, wherein the light generator is fixedly connected to the slider.

[0013] Preferably, the linear guide rail is provided with a limiting member, which is used to limit the movement stroke of the slider along the linear guide rail.

[0014] Preferably, the light generator is provided with a needle light shield, and the needle light shield has a needle receiving hole at its center for accommodating the printing needle. This application provides a needle light shield inside the light generator, which absorbs UV light scattered by the UV lamp, preventing the photocurable adhesive in the needle from curing and causing needle blockage.

[0015] Preferably, the needle light-shielding plate is located in the light coverage area of ​​the light generator. The curing light emitted by the light-shielding area itself does not illuminate the substrate, and an observation window is provided. By placing the needle light-shielding plate in the light coverage area of ​​the light generator, the observation lines of the observation window are avoided from being blocked.

[0016] Preferably, the bottom surface of the needle light shield is provided with a light-absorbing groove, which is used to absorb the curing light scattered by the light generator towards the printing needle, so as to prevent the light-curing adhesive inside the printing needle from curing and causing needle blockage.

[0017] More preferably, the light-absorbing groove is at least one stepped groove. This structure can form multi-level reflections of the scattered curing light, further improving the light absorption effect and preventing the photocurable adhesive inside the printing needle from curing and causing needle blockage.

[0018] Preferably, the light generator is further provided with an airflow cooling structure, which is used to cool the light generator by airflow. UV curing lamps generate a large amount of heat during operation. In the prior art, a large external cooling fan is used to achieve heat dissipation. This application creatively adopts an airflow cooling structure, replacing traditional fan cooling with airflow cooling, reducing the size of the accompanying curing device, making the printing system more compact and applicable.

[0019] Preferably, the airflow cooling structure includes a plurality of airflow channels arranged circumferentially along the light generator, and the airflow channels are provided with air passage interfaces for connecting external air supply devices.

[0020] Preferably, the light generator has a ring structure, the substrate is the mobile phone frame, and the observation window has a rectangular cross-section, with its two diagonals parallel to the long and short sides of the mobile phone frame, respectively. When the observation window is positioned according to the above structure, it is located in the light-blocking area, effectively solving the technical problem that the surface of the mobile phone frame cannot be fully irradiated and covered by the curing light. This achieves the technical effect of balancing full curing with real-time observation of the printing needle status and acquisition of adhesive data.

[0021] The present invention also provides a visual curing follow-up printing method, which uses the above-mentioned visual curing follow-up printing system and includes the following steps:

[0022] A printing mechanism is used to print a photocurable adhesive onto the substrate surface, while a light generator emits curing light to cure the photocurable adhesive that flows from the printing mechanism onto the substrate surface.

[0023] The printing status of the print head can be observed in real time through the viewing window;

[0024] When the print head becomes clogged or gets stuck with material, printing stops, and a drive mechanism is used to move the light generator relative to the print head to inspect the print head or a glue-wiping mechanism is used to clean the print head.

[0025] Preferably, the printing mechanism further includes a mounting plate, an open fixing frame disposed on the mounting plate, a supply cylinder and a liquid level sensor, wherein the cylinder body of the supply cylinder is located inside the open fixing frame, and the open fixing frame has an open state and a closed state;

[0026] A liquid level sensor is used to detect the liquid level of the UV-curing adhesive in the supply cylinder in real time. When it is necessary to replenish the UV-curing adhesive, the open fixing frame is opened and the supply cylinder is taken out for feeding.

[0027] Preferably, the follow-up curing device further includes an observation camera, which is fixed on the open mounting frame;

[0028] During the printing process, an observation camera is used to observe the printing status of the printing needles in real time through the observation window and to acquire the glue pattern data.

[0029] As described above, the visual curing follow-up printing system and method of the present invention have the following beneficial effects:

[0030] (1) The visual curing and following printing system of this application, when applied to the dispensing process of mobile phone mid-frame, uses a printing mechanism to print light-curing adhesive on the substrate surface, and uses a light generator to emit curing light to cure the light-curing adhesive flowing from the printing mechanism to the substrate surface; the printing status of the printing needle is observed in real time through the observation window; when the printing needle is blocked, printing is stopped, and a driving mechanism is used to drive the light generator to move relative to the printing needle to inspect the printing needle;

[0031] (2) The observation window is set in the light blocking area of ​​the light generator, that is, the area where the light generator cannot irradiate the substrate. This can prevent the curing light on the surface of the mobile phone frame from being partially irradiated by the curing light, resulting in uneven curing.

[0032] (3) By setting a needle light shield between the printing needle and the light generator, the needle light shield is used to absorb the UV light scattered by the UV lamp, preventing the photocurable adhesive in the needle from being cured and causing needle blockage; the airflow heat dissipation structure is used instead of the traditional fan heat dissipation, reducing the volume of the following curing device, making the structure of the visual curing following printing system more compact and more widely applicable.

[0033] (4) An open-type fixing frame with open and closed states is adopted. During normal printing, the open-type fixing frame is in the closed state; when the supply cylinder needs to be replaced, the door-type fixing frame is in the open state, which makes it easy for manual opening to take out the supply cylinder for feeding. Attached Figure Description

[0034] Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of a visual curing follow-up printing system.

[0035] Figure 2 Displayed as Figure 1 A structural diagram from another perspective.

[0036] Figure 3 The diagram shows the assembly structure of the light generator and the light shield.

[0037] Figure 4 Displayed as Figure 3 A structural diagram from another perspective.

[0038] Figure 5 The diagram shows the structure of a light generator.

[0039] Figure 6 The diagram shows a three-dimensional structure of the light-shielding plate.

[0040] Figure 7 This is a structural diagram showing the open fixed frame in its open state.

[0041] Figure 8The diagram shows an application scenario where the curing device follows the mobile phone frame.

[0042] Reference numerals: 1. Light generator, 11. Needle receiving hole, 12. Observation window, 13. Needle light shield, 131. Light absorption groove, 14. Air passage interface, 2. Printing needle, 3. Substrate, 4. Observation camera, 5. Mounting plate, 51. Supply cylinder, 52. Open fixing frame, 521. First support plate, 522. Second support plate, 523. Hinge, 524. Camera mounting plate, 525. Positioning bead, 526. Indexing pin, 53. Cylinder mounting base, 531. Liquid level sensor, 6. Linear guide rail, 61. Slider, 62. Drive component, 63. Limiting component. Detailed Implementation

[0043] To make the objectives, features, and advantages of this invention more apparent and understandable, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the embodiments described below are only some embodiments of this invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0044] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "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 application 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 application.

[0045] Unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "connection," "fixed," and "set" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection, a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; or they can refer to a connection within two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0046] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown in the figure, this application embodiment provides a visual curing follow-up printing system, including a printing mechanism, a follow-up curing device, and a driving mechanism. The printing mechanism is used to print photocurable adhesive on the surface of a substrate 3. The follow-up curing device includes a light generator 1 and an observation camera 4. The light generator is used to emit curing light to cure the photocurable adhesive flowing from the printing mechanism to the surface of the substrate. The printing mechanism includes a printing needle 2, a mounting plate 5, and a supply cylinder 51, an open fixing frame 52, and a cylinder mounting base 53 disposed on the mounting plate. The cylinder body of the supply cylinder is located inside the open fixing frame. The observation camera is fixed on the open fixing frame. The open fixing frame has an open state and a closed state. The supply cylinder is disposed on the cylinder mounting base. The cylinder mounting base is provided with a liquid level sensor 531. The liquid level sensor is used to detect the liquid level of the photocurable adhesive in the supply cylinder in real time. The light generator is sleeved around the printing needle. The light generator forms a light-covered area and a light-blocked area relative to the substrate. The light-blocked area refers to the region of the substrate that the light generator cannot illuminate. Several observation windows 12 are provided within the light-blocked area. The observation camera is used to monitor the printing status of the printing needle in real time and acquire adhesive pattern data through the observation windows. The driving mechanism is used to drive the light generator to move relative to the printing needle. The driving mechanism includes a linear guide rail 6 mounted on a mounting plate, a slider 61 slidably connected to the linear guide rail, and a driving component 62 for driving the slider to move along the linear guide rail relative to the printing needle. The light generator is fixedly connected to the slider. A limiting component 63 is provided on the linear guide rail to limit the movement stroke of the slider along the linear guide rail. The driving component can be a telescopic cylinder, etc.

[0047] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the light generator is equipped with a needle light-shielding plate 13, and the center of the needle light-shielding plate is provided with a needle receiving hole 11 for accommodating the printing needle. The needle light-shielding plate 13 is located in the light coverage area of ​​the light generator. Figure 6 As shown, the bottom surface of the needle light-shielding plate has a light-absorbing groove 131. The light-absorbing groove is used to absorb the curing light scattered by the light generator towards the printing needle, so as to prevent the photocurable adhesive inside the printing needle from curing and causing needle blockage. The light-absorbing groove is a multi-level stepped groove. This structure can form multi-level reflection of the scattered curing light, further improving the light absorption effect and preventing the photocurable adhesive inside the printing needle from curing and causing needle blockage.

[0048] like Figure 7As shown, the open mounting frame 52 includes a first support plate 521 and a first support plate 522 arranged opposite to each other, and a camera mounting plate 524. The mounting plate 524, together with the first support plate 521, the first support plate 522, and the camera mounting plate 524, forms a supply cylinder receiving space, such that the cylinder body is located within the supply cylinder receiving space of the open mounting frame. The observation camera is fixed to the camera mounting plate. The first support plate 522 and the camera mounting plate 524 are hinged together by a hinge 523. The open mounting frame 52 achieves two states—open and closed—through the cooperation of a positioning bead 525 and an indexing pin 526.

[0049] The light generator also includes an airflow cooling structure for cooling the light generator via airflow. The airflow cooling structure comprises several airflow channels arranged circumferentially along the light generator, and the airflow channels are configured as follows: Figure 3 The gas interface 14 shown is used to connect an external gas supply device.

[0050] like Figure 8 As shown, the light generator has a ring structure, is a ring-shaped UV curing lamp, the curing light is UV light, and the UV-curing adhesive is a UV adhesive. (Combined) Figure 5 The substrate is a mobile phone frame, the viewing window has a rectangular cross-section, and the two diagonals of the viewing window are parallel to the long and short sides of the mobile phone frame, respectively.

[0051] This application embodiment also provides a visual curing follow-up printing method, which uses the above-mentioned visual curing follow-up printing system and includes the following steps:

[0052] A printing mechanism is used to print a photocurable adhesive onto the substrate surface, while a light generator emits curing light to cure the photocurable adhesive that flows from the printing mechanism onto the substrate surface.

[0053] A liquid level sensor is used to detect the liquid level of the UV-curing adhesive in the supply cylinder in real time. When it is necessary to replenish the UV-curing adhesive, the positioning bead 525 and the indexing pin 526 are separated, the open fixing frame is opened, and the supply cylinder is taken out for feeding.

[0054] During the printing process, an observation camera is used to observe the printing status of the printing needle in real time through the observation window and to acquire the glue pattern data.

[0055] When the print head becomes clogged or gets stuck with material, printing stops, and the drive unit 62 drives the light generator 1 to move the slider 61 along the linear guide rail 6 relative to the print head 2. At this time, the print head is separated from the light generator 1, and the print head can be inspected or cleaned using the glue wiping mechanism.

[0056] In summary, the visual curing follow-up printing system of the present invention, when applied to the dispensing process of mobile phone mid-frames, employs a printing mechanism to print photocurable adhesive onto the substrate surface, while a light generator emits curing light to cure the photocurable adhesive flowing from the printing mechanism onto the substrate surface. The printing status of the printing needles is observed in real time through an observation window. When the printing needles become clogged, printing stops, and a drive mechanism drives the light generator to move relative to the printing needles for maintenance or cleaning using a wiping mechanism. Therefore, the present invention effectively overcomes the various shortcomings of the prior art and has high industrial applicability.

[0057] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention. Any person skilled in the art can modify or alter the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or alterations made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and technical concept disclosed in the present invention should still be covered by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A visual curing follow-up printing system, characterized in that, The device includes a printing mechanism, a follow-up curing device, and a driving mechanism. The printing mechanism is used to print a light-curing adhesive onto the surface of a substrate (3). The follow-up curing device includes a light generator (1), which emits curing light to cure the light-curing adhesive that flows from the printing mechanism to the surface of the substrate. The printing mechanism includes a printing needle (2), and the light generator is sleeved on the printing needle. The light generator forms a light coverage area and a light blocking area relative to the substrate. The light blocking area is provided with several observation windows (12). The driving mechanism is used to drive the light generator to move relative to the printing needle. The light generator is provided with a needle light shield (13). The needle light shield (13) is located in the light coverage area of ​​the light generator.

2. The visual curing follow-up printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The follow-up curing device also includes an observation camera (4), which is used to monitor the printing status of the printing needle and acquire adhesive data in real time through the observation window.

3. The visual curing follow-up printing system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The printing mechanism also includes a mounting plate (5) and a supply cylinder (51) disposed on the mounting plate. The supply cylinder is used to contain photocurable adhesive, and the printing needle is disposed at the bottom of the supply cylinder.

4. The visual curing follow-up printing system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The mounting plate is also provided with an open fixing frame (52), the body of the supply cylinder is located inside the open fixing frame, the observation camera is fixed on the open fixing frame, and the open fixing frame has an open state and a closed state.

5. The visual curing follow-up printing system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The mounting plate is also provided with a cylinder mounting base (53) located below the open fixed frame. The supply cylinder is located on the cylinder mounting base. The cylinder mounting base is provided with a liquid level sensor (531). The liquid level sensor is used to detect the liquid level of the light-curing adhesive in the supply cylinder in real time.

6. The visual curing follow-up printing system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The driving mechanism includes a linear guide rail (6) mounted on a mounting plate, a slider (61) slidably connected to the linear guide rail, and a driving component (62) for driving the slider to move relative to the printing needle along the linear guide rail. The light generator is fixedly connected to the slider.

7. The visual curing follow-up printing system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The linear guide rail is provided with a limiting member (63), which is used to limit the movement stroke of the slider along the linear guide rail.

8. The visual curing follow-up printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The needle light shield has a needle receiving hole (11) at the center for accommodating the printing needle.

9. The visual curing follow-up printing system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The bottom surface of the needle light shield is provided with a light-absorbing groove (131). The light-absorbing groove is used to absorb the curing light scattered by the light generator toward the printing needle, so as to avoid the light curing adhesive inside the printing needle from curing and causing needle blockage.

10. The visual curing follow-up printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light generator is also provided with an airflow cooling structure, which is used to cool the light generator by airflow.

11. The visual curing follow-up printing system according to claim 10, characterized in that: The airflow cooling structure includes several airflow channels arranged circumferentially along the light generator. Each airflow channel is provided with an air passage interface (14), which is used to connect an external air supply device.

12. The visual curing follow-up printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light generator has a ring structure, the substrate is the mobile phone frame, the viewing window has a rectangular cross-section, and the two diagonals of the viewing window are parallel to the long and short sides of the mobile phone frame, respectively.

13. A visually-based, solidified, follow-up printing method, characterized in that: The visualization-based curing and follow-up printing system as described in any one of claims 1 to 12 includes the following steps: A printing mechanism is used to print a photocurable adhesive onto the substrate surface, while a light generator emits curing light to cure the photocurable adhesive that flows from the printing mechanism onto the substrate surface. The printing status of the print head can be observed in real time through the viewing window; When the print head becomes clogged or gets stuck with material, printing stops, and a drive mechanism is used to move the light generator relative to the print head to inspect the print head or a glue-wiping mechanism is used to clean the print head.

14. The visual curing follow-up printing method according to claim 13, characterized in that: The printing mechanism also includes a mounting plate, an open fixing frame mounted on the mounting plate, a supply cylinder, and a liquid level sensor. The cylinder body of the supply cylinder is located inside the open fixing frame, which has an open state and a closed state. A liquid level sensor is used to detect the liquid level of the UV-curing adhesive in the supply cylinder in real time. When it is necessary to replenish the UV-curing adhesive, the open fixing frame is opened and the supply cylinder is taken out for feeding.

15. The visual curing follow-up printing method according to claim 14, characterized in that: The follow-up curing device also includes an observation camera, which is fixed on the open mounting frame; During the printing process, an observation camera is used to observe the printing status of the printing needles in real time through the observation window and to acquire the glue pattern data.

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