A vacuum breaking mechanism and a vacuum breaking method

Abstract

The application discloses a vacuum breaking mechanism, comprising a rack, a lifting device, a suction plate device, a vacuum breaking supporting plate and a blowing device. The edge and corner of a plate are lifted by the suction plate device, then the vacuum breaking supporting plate is inserted into the lifted edge and corner, and the blowing device is arranged to uniformly introduce air, so that the closely adsorbed plate can be smoothly separated, the deformation of the plate caused by forced separation is effectively prevented, the flatness and size accuracy of the plate are ensured, and the quality of the plate is improved. The vacuum breaking method comprises the lifting of the plate, the insertion of the vacuum breaking supporting plate, the blowing of the blowing device and the resetting after operation. The vacuum breaking method can simplify the operation process of plate separation, and the vacuum breaking operation process between the plates can be automatically completed by pressing a button or starting a related control program, so that the complicated manual operation of the operator is not needed, the work efficiency is improved, and the risk caused by improper manual operation is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of sheet metal processing equipment, and more specifically, to a vacuum breaking mechanism and a vacuum breaking method. Background Technology

[0002] Furniture and machinery manufacturing require large quantities of wood or metal sheets. These sheets are typically stacked neatly to form material piles for transport, and are retrieved sequentially from top to bottom. However, due to static electricity between the sheets, the pressure between them creates a space with almost no gas molecules, making it difficult to separate the sheets and resulting in significant challenges in removal. Manual assistance is often required, leading to low processing efficiency, high labor intensity, and the risk of sheets falling and damaging the materials during handling, affecting their appearance. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention discloses a vacuum-breaking mechanism for separating sheet metal from a stack of sheet metal, comprising a frame, a lifting device, a suction plate device, a vacuum-breaking tray, and an air-blowing device; the lifting device and the air-blowing device are respectively connected to the frame; the suction plate device and the vacuum-breaking tray are respectively connected to the lifting device and are lifted and lowered by the lifting device; the stack of sheet metal consists of multiple sheet metals, wherein the sheet metal at the top is the first sheet metal, and the sheet metal below the first sheet metal is the second sheet metal; the suction plate device is used to attract the edges and corners of the first sheet metal, and under the action of the lifting device, lifts the first sheet metal to form a gap between the first sheet metal and the second sheet metal; the vacuum-breaking tray metal is used to insert into the gap between the first sheet metal and the second sheet metal; the air-blowing device is used to blow air into the stack of sheet metals.

[0004] The suction plate device includes a first rotating shaft, a first cylinder seat, a first cylinder, a first swing connecting plate, a mounting plate, and a suction mechanism; the first rotating shaft is rotatably mounted on the lifting device, the first cylinder seat is connected to the lifting device, and the cylinder body of the first cylinder is hinged to the first cylinder seat; one end of the first swing connecting plate is connected to the first rotating shaft, and the other end is connected to the piston rod of the first cylinder; the mounting plate is connected to the first rotating shaft, and the suction mechanism is adjustablely mounted on the mounting plate along its length.

[0005] The adsorption mechanism includes a support rod and a suction cup. The suction cup is installed at the bottom of the support rod and is connected to a vacuum pump via an air pipe. The mounting plate has a pair of parallel sliding grooves, and a mounting block is provided on the sliding groove. The mounting block is movable and locked on the sliding groove. The support rod is connected to the mounting block. The mounting plate has a pair of clamping clamps, and the clamping clamps are connected to the first rotating shaft.

[0006] The vacuum-breaking support plate includes a second rotating shaft, a second cylinder seat, a second cylinder, a second swing connecting plate, a support plate, and a long support plate; the second rotating shaft is rotatably mounted on the lifting device, the second cylinder seat is connected to the lifting device, and the cylinder body of the second cylinder is hinged to the second cylinder seat; one end of the second swing connecting plate is connected to the second rotating shaft, and the other end is connected to the piston rod of the second cylinder; the support plate is connected to the second rotating shaft, one end of the long support plate is connected to the support plate, and the other end is provided with a guide slope to facilitate entry into the gap.

[0007] Preferably, the lifting device includes a slide rail mechanism, a slide plate, a third cylinder seat, and a third cylinder. The slide rail mechanism is mounted on the frame, and the slide plate is slidably disposed on the slide rail mechanism. The suction plate device and the vacuum breaking support plate are respectively mounted on the slide plate. The third cylinder seat is disposed on the frame, the cylinder body of the third cylinder is connected to the third cylinder seat, and its piston rod is hinged to the slide plate.

[0008] Preferably, the slide rail mechanism includes a pair of crossbeams and a pair of linear optical axes. The pair of crossbeams are arranged parallel to each other and are fixedly connected to the frame respectively. The pair of linear optical axes are arranged parallel to each other, and the two ends of the linear optical axes are respectively connected to the pair of crossbeams. The pair of linear optical axes and the pair of crossbeams form a rectangular frame structure. The linear optical axes are provided with a pair of slidable linear bearing seats. The slide plate is connected to the linear bearing seats and slides between the linear bearing seats and the linear optical axes.

[0009] Preferably, the air blowing device includes a fixed base, a clamping block, and an air blowing pipe. The fixed base is connected to the frame, and the air blowing pipe is connected to the fixed base through the clamping block. One end of the air blowing pipe is provided with an air nozzle, and the other end is connected to a blower through an air pipe. The air nozzle is positioned towards the stack of plates.

[0010] Preferably, the jet nozzle is a fan-shaped jet nozzle with a fan-shaped cross-section or a multi-hole jet nozzle with multiple air outlets.

[0011] Preferably, the device further includes a plate height detection device disposed on the lifting device. The plate height detection device includes a detection bracket and a distance sensor. The detection bracket is installed on the lifting device, and the distance sensor is connected to the lifting device through the detection bracket. The detection end of the distance sensor is set facing the top surface of the plate stack.

[0012] A vacuum breaking method, applied in the aforementioned vacuum breaking mechanism, comprises the following steps:

[0013] Step S1: The lifting device drives the suction plate device and the vacuum breaking tray to rise, so that the suction plate device and the vacuum breaking tray are located above the stack of plates.

[0014] Step S2: The suction plate device is started and rotated to above one corner of the first plate. Then the lifting device drives the suction plate device and the vacuum breaking plate to descend, so that the suction plate device contacts the corner of the first plate and the suction plate device holds the corner.

[0015] Step S3: The lifting device drives the suction plate device to rise, and the suction plate device sucks on the corner of the first plate, causing the first plate to lift up.

[0016] Step S4: The vacuum breaking tray is activated and inserted through the gap between the first and second plates to separate the first and second plates;

[0017] Step S5: The air blowing device blows air toward the stack of boards, introducing outside air into the space between the first board and the second board.

[0018] Step S6: Continue inserting the vacuum breaking plate until the vacuum between the first plate and the second plate is eliminated, thus completing the vacuum breaking operation between the first plate and the second plate;

[0019] Step S7: Remove the first sheet material using a material handling device or a robotic arm;

[0020] Step S8: The vacuum breaking tray and suction plate device are reset, and the lifting device moves the vacuum breaking tray and suction plate device to the top of the second plate to start the vacuum breaking operation of the second plate.

[0021] The vacuum-breaking mechanism provided by this invention uses a suction plate device to lift the edges and corners of the sheet material, then inserts a vacuum-breaking support plate through the lifted edges and corners, and a blowing device to evenly introduce air, allowing tightly adsorbed sheet materials to separate smoothly. This effectively prevents deformation caused by forced separation, ensuring the flatness and dimensional accuracy of the sheet materials and improving their quality. Applying this vacuum-breaking method simplifies the sheet material separation process; simply pressing a button or starting the relevant control program automatically completes the vacuum-breaking operation between the sheet materials, eliminating the need for complex manual operations, improving work efficiency, and reducing the risks associated with improper human operation. Attached Figure Description

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the vacuum breaking mechanism of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 This is another structural view of the vacuum breaking mechanism of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a front view of the vacuum breaking mechanism of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a rear view of the vacuum breaking mechanism of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a top view of the vacuum breaking mechanism of the present invention;

[0028] The labels in each of the attached figures are as follows:

[0029] 1--Frame, 2--Lifting device, 201--Slide rail mechanism, 2011--Crossbeam plate, 2012--Linear optical axis, 2013--Linear bearing seat, 202--Slide plate, 203--Third cylinder seat, 204--Third cylinder, 3--Suction plate device, 301--First rotating shaft, 302--First cylinder seat, 303--First cylinder, 304--First swing connecting plate, 305--Mounting plate, 30 6--Support rod, 307--Suction cup, 308--Mounting block, 4--Vacuum breaking support plate, 401--Second rotating shaft, 402--Second cylinder seat, 403--Second cylinder, 404--Second swing connecting plate, 405--Support plate, 406--Long support plate, 4061--Guide slope, 5--Blowing device, 501--Fixed seat, 502--Clamping block, 503--Blowing pipe, 504--Air nozzle. Detailed Implementation

[0030] This invention discloses a vacuum-breaking mechanism. A suction plate device lifts the edges and corners of a sheet material, and a vacuum-breaking support plate is inserted through these lifted edges and corners. An air-blowing device evenly introduces air, allowing the tightly adhered sheet material to separate smoothly. This effectively prevents deformation caused by forced separation, ensuring the flatness and dimensional accuracy of the sheet material and improving its quality. Applying this vacuum-breaking method improves work efficiency and reduces the risks associated with improper manual operation.

[0031] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and thoroughly described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0032] Please see Figures 1 to 5This invention provides a vacuum-breaking mechanism for separating sheet metal from a stack of sheet metal, comprising a frame 1, a lifting device 2, a suction plate device 3, a vacuum-breaking tray 4, and an air-blowing device 5; the lifting device 2 and the air-blowing device 5 are respectively connected to the frame 1; the suction plate device 3 and the vacuum-breaking tray 4 are respectively connected to the lifting device 2 and are lifted and lowered by the lifting device 2; the stack of sheet metal consists of multiple sheet metals, wherein the sheet metal at the top is the first sheet metal, and the sheet metal below the first sheet metal is the second sheet metal; the suction plate device 3 is used to attract the edges and corners of the first sheet metal, and under the action of the lifting device 2, lifts the first sheet metal to form a gap between the first sheet metal and the second sheet metal; the vacuum-breaking tray metal is used to insert into the gap between the first sheet metal and the second sheet metal; the air-blowing device 5 is used to blow air into the stack of sheet metals.

[0033] The stack of boards is composed of multiple boards stacked on top of each other. In this embodiment, the board at the top of the stack is defined as the first board, and the board adjacent to the first board is defined as the second board. The vacuum breaking mechanism in this embodiment mainly has four functional components: a suction plate device 3 responsible for adsorbing the boards; a vacuum breaking support plate 4 inserted between two boards to facilitate better separation; an air blowing device 5 that blows air into the stack of boards to allow more air to enter the gaps between the boards, thereby prompting the boards to enter the vacuum breaking state more quickly; and a lifting device 2 responsible for raising or lowering the suction plate device 3 and the vacuum breaking support plate 4.

[0034] The suction plate device 3 uses vacuum adsorption equipment to adsorb the board material. Compared with traditional board adsorption equipment that acts directly on the entire board material or on the center of gravity area of ​​the board material, the suction plate device 3 in this embodiment acts on the corners of the board material. Taking a common rectangular board material as an example, the area where the suction plate device 3 acts is the corner of the rectangular board material closest to the vacuum breaking mechanism. When the suction plate device 3 picks up this corner, the board material can be lifted up through this corner by the lifting device 2.

[0035] Once the boards slightly warp and reveal a gap, the vacuum-breaking support plate 4 can be inserted through the gap. Simultaneously, in conjunction with the movement of the suction plate device 3, the first and second boards are gradually separated. By using the vacuum-breaking support plate 4, heavier boards, such as large wooden boards or metal plates, can be effectively supported. These heavier boards would be difficult to separate using only suction. In this embodiment, the vacuum-breaking support plate 4 can be a long, strip-shaped support plate. By inserting the support plate into the gap, the tight fit between the two boards is gradually broken, greatly improving the efficiency of vacuum breaking.

[0036] The air blowing device 5 primarily utilizes the principles of gas flow and pressure balance. When the first and second plates are tightly bonded, a near-vacuum state is formed between them, and the internal air pressure at the bonding point is lower than the external atmospheric pressure. Blowing air into the gap between the first and second plates introduces outside air into the space between the two plates. Based on the characteristic that gas flows from high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas, the blown air will enter the negative pressure area along the gap. As air continues to enter, the air pressure between the two plates gradually increases. When the air pressure reaches or nearly reaches equilibrium with the external atmospheric pressure, the vacuum state is broken.

[0037] With the above structural design, the vacuum breaking mechanism can evenly and slowly lift the board, and improve the separation efficiency of heavier boards by inserting the vacuum breaking support plate 4 into the gap. Then, air is introduced to make the pressure on both sides of the board change smoothly, effectively preventing the board from deforming due to sudden pressure changes, ensuring the flatness and dimensional accuracy of the board, and improving the quality and pass rate of the board.

[0038] The suction plate device 3 includes a first rotating shaft 301, a first cylinder seat 302, a first cylinder 303, a first swing connecting plate 304, a mounting plate 305, and a suction mechanism. The first rotating shaft 301 is rotatably mounted on the lifting device 2. The first cylinder seat 302 is connected to the lifting device 2, and the cylinder body of the first cylinder 303 is hinged to the first cylinder seat 302. One end of the first swing connecting plate 304 is connected to the first rotating shaft 301, and the other end is connected to the piston rod of the first cylinder 303. The mounting plate 305 is connected to the first rotating shaft 301, and the suction mechanism is adjustablely mounted on the mounting plate 305 along its length. In this embodiment, the first rotating shaft 301 is rotatably mounted on the lifting device 2 and can be connected to the lifting device 2 using a base with bearings. A limiting mechanism, such as a limiting pin or a retaining ring, can be provided at the upper end of the first rotating shaft 301 to prevent the first rotating shaft 301 from shifting in the vertical direction. A mounting plate 305 is fixedly connected to the first rotating shaft 301. The mounting plate 305 can rotate around the first rotating shaft 301. To drive the mounting plate 305, a first swing connecting plate 304 is mounted on the top of the first rotating shaft 301, and a first cylinder 303 acts on the first swing connecting plate 304. When the first cylinder 303 is activated, the piston rod extends, driving the first swing connecting plate 304 to move. The first swing connecting plate 304 acts on the first rotating shaft 301, causing the first rotating shaft 301 to rotate, which in turn drives the mounting plate 305 to rotate. The adsorption mechanism on the mounting plate 305 then moves to a designated position. To accommodate different sized boards, the adsorption mechanism in this embodiment is adjustable and can be adjusted on the mounting plate 305 as needed, and locked after adjustment, offering high flexibility.

[0039] The adsorption mechanism includes a support rod 306 and a suction cup 307. The suction cup 307 is installed at the bottom of the support rod 306 and is connected to a vacuum pump via an air pipe. A pair of parallel sliding grooves are provided on the mounting plate 305, and a mounting block 308 is provided on each groove. The mounting block 308 is movable and locked on the groove. The support rod 306 is connected to the mounting block 308. A pair of clamping clamps are provided on the mounting plate 305 and are connected to the first rotating shaft 301. In this embodiment, the support rod 306 is connected using clamping clamps. Bolts are provided on the clamping clamps to hold the support rod 306 in place. When the vertical position of the support rod 306 needs to be adjusted, simply loosen the bolts, adjust it to the desired position, and then tighten them again. By slidably placing the mounting block 308 in the sliding groove, the position of the mounting block 308 can be quickly adjusted, allowing for rapid adjustment of the position of the entire adsorption mechanism connected to the mounting block 308.

[0040] Preferably, the vacuum-breaking support plate includes a second rotating shaft 401, a second cylinder seat 402, a second cylinder 403, a second swing connecting plate 404, a support plate 405, and a long support plate 406; the second rotating shaft 401 is rotatably mounted on the lifting device 2, the second cylinder seat 402 is connected to the lifting device 2, and the cylinder body of the second cylinder 403 is hinged to the second cylinder seat 402; one end of the second swing connecting plate 404 is connected to the second rotating shaft 401, and the other end is connected to the piston rod of the second cylinder 403; the support plate 405 is connected to the second rotating shaft 401, one end of the long support plate 406 is connected to the support plate 405, and the other end is provided with a guide slope 4061 to facilitate entry into the gap.

[0041] In this embodiment, the vacuum-breaking support plate mainly consists of a driving part and a long support plate 406. The driving part includes a second rotating shaft 401, a second cylinder 403, and a second swing connecting plate 404. The piston rod of the second cylinder 403 acts on the second swing connecting plate 404, which in turn acts on the second rotating shaft 401, thereby rotating the second rotating shaft 401. This causes the support plate 405 mounted on the second rotating shaft 401 to rotate accordingly, and the support plate 405 drives the long support plate 406 to insert into the gap. One end of the long support plate 406 is provided with a guide slope 4061 to facilitate insertion into the gap.

[0042] Preferably, the lifting device includes a slide rail mechanism 201, a slide plate 202, a third cylinder seat 203, and a third cylinder 204. The slide rail mechanism 201 is mounted on the frame 1, and the slide plate 202 is slidably disposed on the slide rail mechanism 201. The suction plate device 3 and the vacuum-breaking support plate 4 are respectively mounted on the slide plate 202. The third cylinder seat 203 is disposed on the frame 1, and the cylinder body of the third cylinder 204 is connected to the third cylinder seat 203, with its piston rod hinged to the slide plate 202. In this embodiment, the slide rail mechanism 201 is mounted on the frame 1, providing stable support and guidance for the slide plate 202. The slide plate 202 can slide precisely on the slide rail mechanism 201, ensuring that the suction plate device 3 and the vacuum-breaking support plate 4 maintain linear motion during lifting, avoiding deviation or shaking, improving the stability and reliability of the entire mechanism, and helping to ensure the accuracy of suction plate and vacuum-breaking operations. The cooperation between the sliding plate 202 and the slide rail mechanism 201 can evenly distribute the weight of the suction plate device 3 and the vacuum breaking support plate 4, enabling the entire mechanism to maintain good operating condition when subjected to heavy loads, improving the load-bearing capacity of the mechanism, and adapting to the operating requirements of plates of different weights. During operation, the piston rod of the third cylinder 204 acts on the sliding plate 202, driving the sliding plate 202 to rise or fall, thereby realizing the movement of the suction plate device 3 and the vacuum breaking support plate 4. Furthermore, the sliding plate 202 can be provided with hollowed-out sections to reduce weight while ensuring strength.

[0043] Preferably, the slide rail mechanism 201 includes a pair of crossbeam plates 2011 and a pair of linear optical axes 2012. The pair of crossbeam plates 2011 are arranged parallel to each other and are fixedly connected to the frame 1 respectively. The pair of linear optical axes 2012 are arranged parallel to each other, and the two ends of the linear optical axes 2012 are respectively connected to the pair of crossbeam plates 2011. The pair of linear optical axes 2012 and the pair of crossbeam plates 2011 form a rectangular frame structure. The linear optical axes 2012 are provided with a pair of slidable linear bearing seats 2013. The slide plate 202 is connected to the linear bearing seats 2013 and slides between the linear bearing seats 2013 and the linear optical axes 2012.

[0044] Preferably, the air blowing device 5 includes a fixed base 501, a clamping block 502, and an air blowing pipe 503. The fixed base 501 is connected to the frame 1, and the air blowing pipe 503 is connected to the fixed base 501 through the clamping block 502. One end of the air blowing pipe 503 is provided with a jet nozzle 504, and the other end is connected to a blower through an air pipe. The jet nozzle 504 is oriented towards the stack of plates. In this embodiment, the fixed base 501 is used to install the clamping block 502, and then the clamping block 502 clamps the air blowing pipe 503, so that the air blowing pipe 503 is firmly fixed in the designated position, preventing it from loosening or swinging under the action of airflow. The combination structure of the fixed base 501 and the clamping block 502, with the clamping block 502 and the air blowing pipe 503 being detachably connected, facilitates the installation and disassembly of the air blowing device 5 and makes it easy to control the extension length of the air blowing pipe 503. During installation, the mounting base 501 can be installed on the frame 1 first, and then the air pipe 503 can be quickly and easily fixed in place using the clamping block 502, making the operation simple and convenient. When maintenance or replacement of the air pipe 503 is required, the clamping block 502 can also be easily removed to take off the air pipe 503, reducing the difficulty and cost of maintenance. The rear end of the air pipe 503 is connected to an air hose, which is connected to the blower. When the blower is started, the nozzle 504 at one end of the air pipe 503 is oriented towards the stack of boards, which can accurately guide the airflow to the position where air needs to be blown.

[0045] Preferably, the jet nozzle 504 is a fan-shaped jet nozzle 504 with a fan-shaped cross-section or a multi-hole jet nozzle 504 with multiple air outlets. In this embodiment, the jet nozzle 504 can be a fan-shaped jet nozzle 504 or a multi-hole jet nozzle 504. The fan-shaped structure of the fan-shaped jet nozzle 504 allows the blown airflow to form a fan-shaped distribution within a certain angle range, which can cover a larger planar area. When blowing air onto a stack of boards, it can cover a large area in the vertical direction at the edges and corners of the stack of boards at once, without needing to aim at the gaps in the boards. It is only necessary to spray airflow towards the edges and corners of the stack of boards to send air into the gap area where vacuum needs to be broken. The multi-hole jet nozzle 504 has multiple air outlets. By designing the orientation of the air outlets, the airflow can be dispersed into multiple small airflow beams, which are sprayed out from different holes. This can avoid the impact or damage to the boards caused by a single airflow being too concentrated, especially for some softer boards or boards with easily damaged surfaces.

[0046] Preferably, the device further includes a board height detection device mounted on the lifting device 2. The board height detection device includes a detection bracket and a distance sensor. The detection bracket is mounted on the lifting device 2, and the distance sensor is connected to the lifting device 2 via the detection bracket. The detection end of the distance sensor faces the top surface of the board stack. In this embodiment, the detection bracket is mounted on the lifting device 2, and the distance sensor is connected to the lifting device 2 via the detection bracket, making the distance sensor and the lifting device 2 a single unit. The distance sensor can feed back the detected board stack height information to the lifting device 2 in real time. The lifting device 2 uses this information to control the descent height, thereby lowering the suction plate device 3 to a suitable distance from the first board. Through the coordinated operation of the distance sensor and the lifting device 2, the lifting height of the lifting device 2 can be precisely controlled, improving the accuracy and suction force of the suction plate device 3.

[0047] A vacuum breaking method, applied in the aforementioned vacuum breaking mechanism, comprises the following steps:

[0048] Step S1: The lifting device 2 drives the suction plate device 3 and the vacuum breaking plate 4 to rise, so that the suction plate device 3 and the vacuum breaking plate 4 are located above the stack of plates.

[0049] In this step, the lifting device 2 acts on the suction plate device 3 and the vacuum breaking plate 4, and drives both to rise or fall simultaneously. When the vacuum breaking operation begins, it drives the suction plate device 3 and the vacuum breaking plate 4 to move above the stack of plates.

[0050] Step S2: The suction plate device 3 is started and rotated to the top of one corner of the first plate. Then the lifting device 2 drives the suction plate device 3 and the vacuum breaking plate 4 to descend, so that the suction plate device 3 contacts the corner of the first plate and the suction plate device 3 sucks up the corner.

[0051] In this step, after the lifting device 2 drives the suction plate device 3 to rise to the top of the stack of boards, the suction plate device 3 moves and rotates to above the corner of the first board. The lifting device 2 then descends so that the suction plate device 3 contacts the first board, and the suction plate device 3 activates its suction function and sucks up this corner of the first board.

[0052] Step S3: The lifting device 2 drives the suction plate device 3 to rise, and the suction plate device 3 sucks on the corners of the first board, causing the first board to tilt upwards. In this step, after the suction plate device 3 sucks on the first board, the lifting device 2 drives the suction plate device 3 to rise, and the suction plate device 3 applies a pulling force to the corners of the first board, causing the corners of the first board to tilt upwards slowly. Compared with traditional equipment that directly acts on the entire board, the lifting device 2 in this step only acts on the corners of the first board, making the force on the first board more concentrated and easier to tilt.

[0053] Step S4: The vacuum breaking plate 4 is activated and inserted into the gap between the first plate and the second plate to separate the first plate and the second plate. The vacuum breaking plate 4 is inserted by rotation. When a gap is formed between the first plate and the second plate, the vacuum breaking plate 4 can be inserted into the gap and continue to go deeper between the first plate and the second plate after being inserted into the gap, so that the two are separated.

[0054] Step S5: The air blowing device 5 blows air toward the stack of boards, introducing outside air into the space between the first board and the second board.

[0055] Compared to blowing air directly into the gaps, the air blowing device 5 in this step uses a wide-range blowing method to spray airflow towards the stack of boards. Its structure is simpler and its operation is more stable.

[0056] Step S6: Continue inserting the vacuum breaking plate 4 until the vacuum between the first plate and the second plate is eliminated, thus completing the vacuum breaking operation between the first plate and the second plate. In this step, the vacuum breaking is achieved through the simple insertion action of the vacuum breaking plate 4, without the need for complex equipment or cumbersome operating procedures. This can quickly and effectively complete the vacuum breaking operation, improve work efficiency, and save time and labor costs.

[0057] Step S7: Remove the first sheet material using a material handling device or a robotic arm. In this step, commonly used material handling devices on the production line can be used, such as a vacuum suction cup 307 material handling device or a mechanical gripper material handling device. Alternatively, a robotic arm can be used to handle material handling operations depending on the material handling task and environment. All of these methods can accurately grasp the first sheet material, improve material handling efficiency, and reduce the impact on the vacuum breaking mechanism.

[0058] Step S8: The vacuum breaking tray 4 and suction plate device 3 are reset, and the lifting device 2 moves the vacuum breaking tray 4 and suction plate device 3 to the top of the second plate to start the vacuum breaking operation of the second plate.

[0059] The vacuum-breaking mechanism provided by this invention uses a suction plate device to lift the edges and corners of the sheet material, then inserts a vacuum-breaking support plate through the lifted edges and corners, and a blowing device to evenly introduce air, allowing tightly adsorbed sheet materials to separate smoothly. This effectively prevents deformation caused by forced separation, ensuring the flatness and dimensional accuracy of the sheet materials and improving their quality. Applying this vacuum-breaking method simplifies the sheet material separation process; simply pressing a button or starting the relevant control program automatically completes the vacuum-breaking operation between the sheet materials, eliminating the need for complex manual operations, improving work efficiency, and reducing the risks associated with improper human operation.

[0060] The vacuum breaking mechanism and vacuum breaking method provided by the present invention have been described in detail above. For those skilled in the art, there will be changes in the specific implementation and application scope based on the ideas of the embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vacuum breaking mechanism for separating sheet metal from a stack of sheet metal, characterized in that, The system includes a frame (1), a lifting device (2), a suction plate device (3), a vacuum-breaking tray (4), and an air-blowing device (5). The lifting device and the air-blowing device are respectively connected to the frame. The suction plate device and the vacuum-breaking tray are respectively connected to the lifting device and are lifted and lowered through the lifting device. The stack of boards consists of multiple boards, of which the board at the top is the first board and the board below the first board is the second board. The suction plate device is used to attract the edges and corners of the first board and, under the action of the lifting device, lifts the first board to form a gap between the first board and the second board. The vacuum-breaking tray is used to insert into the gap between the first board and the second board. The air-blowing device is used to blow air into the stack of boards. The suction plate device includes a first rotating shaft (301), a first cylinder seat (302), a first cylinder (303), a first swing connecting plate (304), a mounting plate (305), and a suction mechanism; the first rotating shaft is rotatably mounted on the lifting device, the first cylinder seat is connected to the lifting device, and the cylinder body of the first cylinder is hinged to the first cylinder seat; one end of the first swing connecting plate is connected to the first rotating shaft, and the other end is connected to the piston rod of the first cylinder; the mounting plate is connected to the first rotating shaft, and the suction mechanism is adjustablely mounted on the mounting plate along its length; The adsorption mechanism includes a support rod (306) and a suction cup (307). The suction cup is installed at the bottom of the support rod and is connected to a vacuum pump via an air pipe. The mounting plate is provided with a pair of parallel sliding grooves, and a mounting block (308) is provided on the sliding groove. The mounting block is movable and locked on the sliding groove. The support rod is connected to the mounting block. The mounting plate is provided with a pair of clamping clamps, and the clamping clamps are connected to the first rotating shaft. The vacuum-breaking support plate includes a second rotating shaft (401), a second cylinder seat (402), a second cylinder (403), a second swing connecting plate (404), a support plate (405), and a long support plate (406); the second rotating shaft is rotatably mounted on the lifting device, the second cylinder seat is connected to the lifting device, and the cylinder body of the second cylinder is hinged to the second cylinder seat; one end of the second swing connecting plate is connected to the second rotating shaft, and the other end is connected to the piston rod of the second cylinder; the support plate is connected to the second rotating shaft, one end of the long support plate is connected to the support plate, and the other end is provided with a guide slope (4061) to facilitate entry into the gap.

2. The vacuum breaking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lifting device includes a slide rail mechanism (201), a slide plate (202), a third cylinder seat (203), and a third cylinder (204). The slide rail mechanism is mounted on the frame, and the slide plate is slidably disposed on the slide rail mechanism. The suction plate device and the vacuum breaking support plate are respectively mounted on the slide plate. The third cylinder seat is disposed on the frame, and the cylinder body of the third cylinder is connected to the third cylinder seat. Its piston rod is hinged to the slide plate.

3. The vacuum breaking mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The slide rail mechanism includes a pair of crossbeam plates (2011) and a pair of linear optical axes (2012). The pair of crossbeam plates are arranged parallel to each other and are fixedly connected to the frame respectively. The pair of linear optical axes are arranged parallel to each other, and the two ends of the linear optical axes are connected to the pair of crossbeam plates respectively. The pair of linear optical axes and the pair of crossbeam plates form a rectangular frame structure. The linear optical axes are provided with a pair of slidable linear bearing seats (2013). The slide plate is connected to the linear bearing seats and slides between the linear bearing seats and the linear optical axes.

4. The vacuum breaking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air blowing device includes a fixed base (501), a clamp (502) and an air blowing pipe (503). The fixed base is connected to the frame, and the air blowing pipe is connected to the fixed base through the clamp. One end of the air blowing pipe is provided with a jet nozzle (504), and the other end is connected to a blower through an air pipe. The jet nozzle is positioned towards the stack of plates.

5. The vacuum breaking mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that, The jet nozzle is either a fan-shaped jet nozzle with a fan-shaped cross-section or a multi-hole jet nozzle with multiple air outlets.

6. The vacuum breaking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a plate height detection device installed on the lifting device. The plate height detection device includes a detection bracket and a distance sensor. The detection bracket is installed on the lifting device, and the distance sensor is connected to the lifting device through the detection bracket. The detection end of the distance sensor is set towards the top surface of the plate stack.

7. A vacuum breaking method, applied in the vacuum breaking mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The vacuum breaking method includes the following steps: Step S1: The lifting device drives the suction plate device and the vacuum breaking tray to rise, so that the suction plate device and the vacuum breaking tray are located above the stack of plates. Step S2: The suction plate device is started and rotated to above one corner of the first plate. Then the lifting device drives the suction plate device and the vacuum breaking plate to descend, so that the suction plate device contacts the corner of the first plate and the suction plate device holds the corner. Step S3: The lifting device drives the suction plate device to rise, and the suction plate device sucks on the corner of the first plate, causing the first plate to lift up. Step S4: The vacuum breaking tray is activated and inserted through the gap between the first and second plates to separate the first and second plates; Step S5: The air blowing device blows air toward the stack of boards, introducing outside air into the space between the first board and the second board. Step S6: Continue inserting the vacuum breaking plate until the vacuum between the first plate and the second plate is eliminated, thus completing the vacuum breaking operation between the first plate and the second plate; Step S7: Remove the first sheet material using a material handling device or a robotic arm; Step S8: The vacuum breaking tray and suction plate device are reset, and the lifting device moves the vacuum breaking tray and suction plate device to the top of the second plate to start the vacuum breaking operation of the second plate.

Images