Durable printed key film full-automatic production equipment and control method thereof

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of durable type printing key film full-automatic production equipment and control method thereof, and its equipment includes tooling, automatic clamp and mould.The mould contains lower mould plate, upper mould plate and stripper plate, and the lower mould plate and stripper plate are limited to the first time mold opening limit position by limiting slide bar and positioning bolt, and the upper mould plate and stripper plate are limited to the secondary mold opening limit position by limiting screw, pre-tightening sleeve and limiting guide column;First groove and core plate adapt to the front and back of key film.The application realizes automatic stripping and blanking of formed product by sectional mold opening structure design, cooperates with back injection molding process, avoids key identification wear from the root, guarantees equipment automation closed loop operation, improves production efficiency and product durability, compact structure, accurate limit, strong adaptability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of keypad film production technology, and in particular to a fully automated production equipment for durable printed keypad films and its control method. Background Technology

[0002] In today's era of widespread use of electronic products and industrial control equipment, printed key films are widely used in human-machine interfaces due to their lightness, thinness, flexibility, and relatively low cost in remote controls, calculators, medical equipment, home appliance control panels, and input devices of various industrial controllers.

[0003] Traditional printed keypad films, to meet tactile and durability requirements, have their individual key positions marked with printed coatings to form the numbers or letters on each key. However, these thin coating layers inevitably suffer physical wear over long-term use, resulting in a short lifespan. Therefore, this application proposes a novel printed keypad film structure. First, a thin printed sheet is printed, featuring only the overall color and appearance except for the keys. The key positions are convex and transparent, facing the user. Then, injection molding is performed on the back of the printed sheet, creating the color of the numbers or letters on the keys and injecting filler material to support them. This prevents direct contact with the molded numbers or letters from external touches, avoiding wear and tear on the key areas from prolonged finger contact. However, this product structure involves very thin printed sheets with numerous keys on each sheet, making automated material handling and molding particularly challenging. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a durable, fully automated production equipment for printed keypad films and its control method, so as to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0006] A durable, fully automated production line for printed keypad films includes tooling, an automatic fixture, and a mold. The mold comprises a lower template, an upper template, and a stripper plate. A limiting slide rod is slidably mounted between the lower template and the stripper plate. Positioning bolts are mounted on the outer walls of both the lower template and the stripper plate. The limiting slide rod, in conjunction with the positioning bolts, limits the limit position of a single mold opening. A limiting screw passes through the upper template and the stripper plate. A pre-tightening sleeve is fitted onto the limiting screw. A limiting guide post is also mounted between the upper template and the stripper plate. The limiting guide post, the limiting screw, and the pre-tightening sleeve cooperate to limit the limit position of a secondary mold opening. A first groove and a core plate are respectively provided on the sides of the lower template and the upper template that are close to each other. The first groove and the core plate are adapted to the front and back sides of the keypad film, respectively. The stripper plate is fitted outside the core plate, and the core unit of the core plate can pass through the stripper plate and be exposed.

[0007] As a further improvement, one end of the limiting screw is fixed to the upper template, and the other end is movably inserted through the stripper plate. The pre-tightening sleeve is clamped between the upper template and the stripper plate, and the pre-tightening sleeve is made of elastic and wear-resistant material.

[0008] As a further improvement, the limiting guide pillars are symmetrically arranged at the four corners of the upper template and the stripper plate, and the stroke of the limiting guide pillars matches the maximum separation distance of the secondary mold opening.

[0009] As a further improvement, the limiting slide rod is a multi-rod structure arranged side by side. One end of the limiting slide rod is detachably connected to the positioning bolt on the outside of the lower template, and the other end is slidably sleeved with the positioning bolt on the outside of the stripper plate.

[0010] As a further improvement, the upper template is provided with a glue injection line channel, and each core unit on the core plate is provided with a glue injection notch and a glue closing notch, with the glue injection notch connected to the glue injection line channel.

[0011] As a further improvement, the tooling is used to position and place the button housing to be injection molded. The automatic fixture is connected to an external drive module, which supports the automatic fixture to move along the X, Y, and Z axes. The automatic fixture includes a moving rod connected to the drive module. A connecting seat is provided at the bottom of the moving rod. The connecting seat can rotate 90° along the moving rod. An adsorption module and a pushing module are provided at the bottom of the connecting seat for adsorbing the button film and pushing the button film adsorbed on the automatic fixture off.

[0012] As a further improvement, the adsorption module includes a U-shaped connecting plate disposed at the bottom of the connecting seat. An adsorption plate is disposed at the lower end of the U-shaped connecting plate. Several air inlets are distributed on the adsorption plate for connecting to an external air source. Two sets of positioning blocks are arranged side by side on the lower wall of the adsorption plate. Each set of positioning blocks is adapted to the button distribution on the button membrane. Air holes are provided on the positioning blocks and are connected to the air inlets.

[0013] As a further improvement, the pushing module includes a first connecting plate installed at the bottom of the U-shaped connecting plate, an adsorption plate located between the first connecting plate and the U-shaped connecting plate, a plurality of first connecting slots being provided on the first connecting plate, two sets of positioning blocks on the adsorption plate passing through the first connecting slots through the first connecting plate, and a first cylinder being provided on the connecting seat, the first cylinder being used to control the adsorption plate to move vertically.

[0014] A control method for a fully automated production line for durable printed keypad films includes the following steps:

[0015] Mold closing and injection molding: The button film is positioned and clamped between the first groove of the lower mold plate and the core plate of the upper mold plate. After the mold is closed, injection molding liquid is injected into the mold to injection mold the marking and support structure on the back of the button film.

[0016] One-time mold opening: After injection molding is completed, the lower mold plate is driven to move. The lower mold plate slides along the limit slide bar to the one-time mold opening limit position defined by the positioning bolt, and the separation of the lower mold plate and the stripper plate is completed.

[0017] Secondary mold opening: Continue to drive the lower mold plate, and drive the stripper plate to move through the limit slide rod to overcome the pre-tightening force of the pre-tightening sleeve. The stripper plate slides along the limit screw and limit guide post to the limit position of the secondary mold opening. The stripper plate ejects the molded product from the core plate and completes the automatic unloading.

[0018] As a further improvement, during the first mold opening process, when the lower mold plate moves to the limit position, the limit slide rod pulls the stripper plate to move synchronously. At this time, the pre-tightening sleeve remains locked, and the stripper plate and the upper mold plate remain in contact. During the second mold opening process, after the pulling force of the drive mechanism is greater than the locking force of the pre-tightening sleeve, the stripper plate slides at a constant speed along the limit screw, and the core unit passes through the stripper plate to completely eject the molded product. The product completes directional dropping along the discharge hopper.

[0019] This equipment addresses the technical pain points of traditional printed keypad films, which directly coat the outer surface of injection-molded keys with numerical and alphanumeric paint, leading to easy wear and peeling after long-term use. Utilizing a new type of printed keypad film product structure with compatible molds and automated control solutions, and through precise multi-component coordination and segmented mold-making process design, it achieves fully automated closed-loop operation of the entire process from material handling and injection molding to demolding and unloading. Simultaneously, it fundamentally solves the problem of easy wear and tear on keypad markings from a product structure perspective, significantly improving the durability of the keypad film and the automation, efficiency, and standardization of production operations. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the tooling and automatic fixture of a durable printed key film fully automatic production equipment proposed in this invention;

[0021] Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of the key film structure of a fully automated production equipment for durable printed key film proposed in this invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a side view of the automatic fixture structure of a durable printed key film fully automatic production equipment proposed in this invention;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a bottom view schematic diagram of the automatic fixture structure of a durable printed key film fully automatic production equipment proposed in this invention;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the adsorption plate structure of a durable printed key film fully automatic production equipment proposed in this invention;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the mold structure of a durable printed key film fully automatic production equipment proposed in this invention;

[0026] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram showing the limiting screw in a durable printed key film fully automatic production equipment proposed in this invention;

[0027] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the lower template stripping plate structure of a durable printed keypad film fully automatic production equipment proposed in this invention;

[0028] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the stripping plate structure of a durable printed key film fully automatic production equipment proposed in this invention;

[0029] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the front structure of the upper template of a durable printed key film fully automatic production equipment proposed in this invention;

[0030] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the back structure of the upper template of a fully automated production equipment for durable printed keypad films proposed in this invention;

[0031] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the tooling structure of a durable printed keypad film fully automated production equipment proposed in this invention;

[0032] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the protective housing structure of a durable printed keypad film fully automated production equipment proposed in this invention.

[0033] In the diagram: 1. Tooling; 101. Base; 102. Positioning plate; 103. Positioning groove; 2. Automatic clamp; 21. Moving rod; 22. Connecting seat; 23. Adsorption module; 231. U-shaped connecting plate; 232. Adsorption plate; 233. Air inlet; 234. Positioning block; 24. Pushing module; 241. First connecting plate; 242. First connecting groove; 243. First cylinder; 3. Mold; 31. Lower template; 32. Upper template; 34. First groove; 35. Core plate; 36. Limiting slide bar; 37. Stripping plate; 38. Glue injection line channel; 39. Glue injection notch; 30. Glue closing notch; 4. Protective shell; 41. Feed inlet; 42. Discharge hopper; 43. Observation window; 44. Flow channel plate; 45. Limiting screw; 46. Pre-tightening sleeve; 47. Positioning bolt. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments.

[0035] Reference Figure 1 , 3 4, 6-10, A durable fully automatic production equipment for printed keypad films, comprising a tooling 1, an automatic fixture 2, and a mold 3. The tooling 1 is used to position and place the keypad shell to be injection molded. The automatic fixture 2 is connected to an external drive module, which supports the movement of the automatic fixture 2 along the X, Y, and Z axes. The automatic fixture 2 includes a moving rod 21 connected to the drive module. A connecting seat 22 is provided at the bottom of the moving rod 21. The connecting seat 22 can rotate 90° along the moving rod 21. An adsorption module 23 and a pushing module 24 are provided at the bottom of the connecting seat 22 for adsorbing the keypad film and pushing the keypad film adsorbed on the automatic fixture 2 off the automatic fixture 2 after the adsorption force is broken. The mold 3 includes a lower mold plate 31, an upper mold plate 32, and a stripper plate 37 positioned between the upper mold plate 32 and the lower mold plate 31. When the mold is opened and closed, the lower mold plate 31 and the upper mold plate 32 are positioned at different extreme positions by a number of limit slide rods 36 installed side by side and positioning bolts 47 fixed to the sides of the lower mold plate 31 and the stripper plate 37 respectively. The lower mold plate 31 and the upper mold plate 32 are respectively provided with a first groove 34 and a core plate 35 on the side close to each other. The first groove 34 and the core plate 35 are respectively adapted to the front and back of the button film. The outer side of the lower mold plate 31 is connected to a drive mechanism for mold closing. The outer side of the upper mold plate 32 is connected to an injection molding machine. The equipment is equipped with a control system. The automatic fixture 2, the mold 3 and the drive module are all electrically connected to the control system and are controlled by the control system to perform automated operations.

[0036] This equipment addresses the technical pain points of traditional printed keypad films, which directly coat the outer surface of injection-molded keys with numerical and alphanumeric paint, leading to easy wear and peeling after long-term use. Utilizing a new type of printed keypad film product structure with compatible molds and automated control solutions, and through precise multi-component coordination and segmented mold-making process design, it achieves fully automated closed-loop operation of the entire process from material handling and injection molding to demolding and unloading. Simultaneously, it fundamentally solves the problem of easy wear and tear on keypad markings from a product structure perspective, significantly improving the durability of the keypad film and the automation, efficiency, and standardization of production operations.

[0037] Further explanation is needed regarding the product structure. The novel printed key film structure involves first preparing a transparent printed sheet with only the overall color of the key, recessed on the side facing the user. Then, a mold 3 is used to injection mold the printed sheet from the back, filling the back of the sheet with injection-molded material to form the key numbers and letters, thus supporting the key. This structure ensures that when the user operates the device, their hand only contacts the transparent recessed surface of the printed sheet, avoiding direct contact with the molded number and letter injection material. This fundamentally prevents wear and fading of the key markings caused by prolonged finger contact, significantly extending the lifespan of the printed key film.

[0038] When using this device, it will be as follows: Figure 2 The button film to be injected is placed in the corresponding contour jig of fixture 1 with the protruding button surface facing down. Then, the control system controls the drive module to move the automatic clamp 2 directly above fixture 1, and controls the automatic clamp 2 to move downwards until its bottom end contacts the button film to be injected. Then, the adsorption module 23 is activated, adsorbing the button film to be injected onto the bottom end of the automatic clamp 2. Finally, the drive module is controlled to move the automatic clamp 2 directly above the mold 3 (the mold's state in the injection molding machine at this time is as follows). Figure 6 (When placed horizontally, the mold opening and closing actions are also along the horizontal direction), then control the automatic clamp 2 to rotate 90° (e.g., Figure 3 As shown, the movable lever 21 can rotate 90°. This figure does not represent the existence of two movable levers 21; the two movable levers 21 in the figure only represent the two states of the whole before and after rotating 90°, to achieve horizontal adsorption of the button membrane on the fixture and vertical placement of the button membrane. Figure 6(Two postures of the lower template 31 in the mold opening state) so that the front of the button protrusion of the button film to be injected faces the lower template 31. The automatic fixture 2 is driven by the drive module to move downward between the lower template 31 and the stripper plate 37. Then, the front of the button film to be injected is attached to the first groove 34. At the same time, the suction force of the adsorption module 23 on the button film to be injected is released, and the pusher module 24 is activated to make the button film to be injected fall off the automatic fixture 2 and attach to the lower template 31 through the first groove 34. Then, the automatic fixture 2 is removed from the mold 3, and the mold 3 is controlled by the control system to make the lower template 31, stripper plate 37 and upper template 32 close. The injection molding liquid is injected into the mold through the injection molding machine outside the mold 3. After the injection is completed, the drive mechanism drives the lower template 31 to move outward to open the mold, thereby realizing the whole process operation of the button film from material picking to injection molding completion.

[0039] The core plate 35 is detachably mounted on the upper template 32, allowing users to replace it according to production needs to accommodate different specifications of printed key film and further improve the practicality of the device.

[0040] Reference Figure 9-10 In this embodiment, the upper mold plate 32 is provided with an injection line channel 38 and a core plate 35. Several core units are fixedly arranged on the core plate 35. The injection line channel 38 passes through the core units and injects glue into the gap formed between the sheet and the core unit. The core units also serve to position the product and retain it on the core plate 35 during injection molding. This allows the product to be ejected automatically after mold opening by separating the core plate 35 and the stripper plate 37. The overall mold structure design is based on the novel product structure proposed by the applicant. For example, the material is fixed to the lower mold plate 31 for easy placement and positioning during unloading, and transferred to the stripper plate 37 for easy demolding during mold closing. Furthermore, each core unit on the core plate 35 is provided with an injection notch 39 and a closing notch 30. The injection notch 39 is connected to the injection line channel 38. This allows the injection molding liquid in the injection molding machine to be delivered to the core plate 35 via the injection line channel 38 on the upper mold plate 32 and the injection notch 39, and then to the key groove on the key film, thereby achieving the purpose of injecting the coating into the key groove. The setting of one injection notch 39 and one closing notch 30 on each core unit on the core plate 35 is used to increase the contact depth between the injection molding material and the key film, increase the tensile strength, and ensure that the molded product can remain on the core plate 35.

[0041] Reference Figure 6 , Figure 7-9In this embodiment, a stripper plate 37 is provided on the side of the upper template 32 near the lower template 31. The outer surface of the core unit on the core plate 35 can pass through the stripper plate 37 and be exposed outside the stripper plate 37. The sides of the lower template 31 and the stripper plate 37 are both fixed with... Figure 6 The positioning bolt 47 is shown.

[0042] In the specific mold opening and closing process, the following segmented mold opening structure and control method were adopted to achieve product demolding. Please refer to [the relevant documentation]. Figure 6 and Figure 7 :

[0043] During button film injection molding, the button film adheres to the contact surface between the lower mold plate 31 and the stripper plate 37. The lower mold plate 31 moves towards the upper mold plate 32 to close the mold, and the injection molding liquid is delivered into the button groove of the button film through the upper mold plate 32 for injection molding.

[0044] After injection molding is completed, the mold is opened. During mold opening, the button film is adhered to the core plate 35 on the upper mold plate 32 through the stripper plate 37. The mold opening action is as follows:

[0045] S1: When the button film attached to the stripper plate 37 needs to be peeled off after injection molding, the lower template 31 is moved away from the upper template 32 by the drive mechanism to open the mold. When the lower template 31 moves, the positioning bolt 47 moves synchronously along the slide of the limit slide bar 36. At the same time, the lower template 31 is separated from the stripper plate 37 to open the mold for the first time. At this time, the button film is attached to the stripper plate 37.

[0046] S2: When the lower template 31 and the stripper plate 37 are opened to the maximum distance, the positioning bolt 47 on the lower template 31 begins to move in the mold opening direction along with the limiting slide rod 36. When the two extreme positions of the slide in the limiting slide rod 36 are the two positioning bolts of the lower template 31 and the stripper plate 37 respectively, the force of the limiting slide rod 36 pulls the upper template 32 and the runner plate 44 apart first (at this time, because there is a smooth limiting guide post between the upper template 32 and the runner plate 44, the limiting guide post can limit the maximum distance that the two can be pulled apart, while the stripper plate 37 and the upper template 32 are provided with a limiting screw 45 and a pre-tightening sleeve 46. Through the friction of the pre-tightening sleeve 46, it is ensured that the stripper plate 37 and the runner plate 44 will not separate during the mold opening process), thus realizing the separation of the injection head from the product. At the same time, the limiting guide post between the upper template 32 and the runner plate 44 (not shown in the figure) restricts the opening space of the two templates, leaving space for the external material picker jaws.

[0047] S3: When the mold opening reaches the maximum distance between the upper template 32 and the runner plate 44, the limiting slide bar 36 continues to apply tension to the positioning bolt 47 on the stripper plate 37. When the tension is greater than the friction generated by several pre-tightening sleeves 46 (in this embodiment, there are multiple sets of limiting slide bars 36 and pre-tightening sleeves 46, and before this action, the bottom of the groove where the pre-tightening sleeve 46 is located is still a certain distance from the bottom surface of the pre-tightening sleeve 46 for movement), the stripper plate 37 pulls the pre-tightening sleeve 46 to slide in its groove through the fixed connection relationship of the limiting screw 45, thereby separating the stripper plate 37 and the upper template 32 and forming a secondary demolding. This causes the button film adsorbed on the upper template 32 through the stripper plate 37 to be ejected, and the button film falls to the bottom of the mold 3 under the action of gravity at the designed dropping position, thereby realizing the automated feeding operation of the button film.

[0048] This invention utilizes a segmented mold opening structure design to achieve orderly mold parting and automated demolding and unloading. The mold opening action is precise and controllable, and the process is smooth. The mold 3 employs a clever structural combination of limiting slide rods 36, positioning bolts 47, limiting guide pillars, pre-tightening sleeves 46, and limiting screws 45 to achieve precise positioning and orderly action in segmented mold opening, ensuring automated demolding and unloading. The limiting slide rods 36, in conjunction with the positioning bolts 47, precisely position each template at different extreme positions during the mold opening and closing process, providing basic positional limit protection for segmented mold opening and preventing damage to injection molded parts or mold opening failure due to template overtravel or misalignment. The entire mold opening process, through the structural cooperation of various limiting and connecting components, achieves orderly step-by-step movement of the lower template 31, stripper plate 37, upper template 32, and runner plate 44. The mold parting action is smooth and precise, and demolding and automatic unloading can be completed without manual intervention. This solves the problem of low efficiency and potential product damage associated with manual demolding of membrane button products with special structures.

[0049] Please refer to Figure 7 One end of the limiting screw 45 is fixed to the upper template 32, and the other end is movably inserted through the stripper plate 37. The pre-tightening sleeve 46 is clamped between the upper template 32 and the stripper plate 37, and the pre-tightening sleeve 46 is made of elastic and wear-resistant material. The limiting screw 45 is fixedly assembled to the upper template 32 and movably inserted through the stripper plate 37. With the elastic and wear-resistant material pre-tightening sleeve 46 clamped between the two, a stable initial locking force can be provided for the stripper plate 37 and the upper template 32 during the first mold opening stage, ensuring that the two remain in a close fit during this stage and preventing the product from accidentally falling off. The elastic and wear-resistant material can reduce the structural wear caused by long-term mold opening and closing, extend the service life of the limiting component, and at the same time, through the controllable setting of the pre-tightening force, the triggering time of the second mold opening can be accurately realized, improving the timing accuracy of the mold parting action.

[0050] Furthermore, the limiting guide pillars (not shown in the figure) are symmetrically arranged at the four corners of the upper template 32 and the stripper plate 37, and the stroke of the limiting guide pillars matches the maximum separation distance of the secondary mold opening. The symmetrical arrangement of the limiting guide pillars at the four corners of the upper template 32 and the stripper plate 37, and the matching of the guide pillar stroke with the maximum separation distance of the secondary mold opening, can not only play a guiding and positioning role during the relative movement of the templates, preventing radial deviation, misalignment and collision of the stripper plate 37, but also limit the maximum displacement of the secondary mold opening from the mechanical structure level. Together with the limiting screw 45 and the pre-tightening sleeve 46, they form multiple limiting protections, further enhancing the positional accuracy of the segmented mold opening, and ensuring the consistency of product demolding and blanking and the yield rate.

[0051] Please refer to Figure 6 The limiting slide rods 36 are multiple rod-shaped structures arranged side by side. One end of the limiting slide rod 36 is detachably connected to the positioning bolt 47 on the outside of the lower template 31, and the other end is slidably sleeved with the positioning bolt 47 on the outside of the stripper plate 37. By employing a structure of multiple limiting slide rods 36 arranged side by side, with both ends of the limiting slide rods 36 forming detachable connections and slidable sleeve engagements with the positioning bolts 47 on the outside of the lower template 31 and the stripper plate 37 respectively, multi-point synchronous limiting constraints can be achieved during mold opening. This effectively avoids template skewing and jamming problems caused by uneven force on a single slide rod. Simultaneously, the detachable connection method facilitates later disassembly, maintenance, and component replacement, improving the synchronization and operational stability of segmented mold opening actions and ensuring precise controllability of the mold opening stroke.

[0052] Reference Figure 3-4 In this embodiment, the adsorption module 23 includes a U-shaped connecting plate 231 disposed at the bottom of the connecting seat 22. An adsorption plate 232 is disposed at the lower end of the U-shaped connecting plate 231. Several air inlets 233 are distributed on the adsorption plate 232 for connecting to an external air source. Multiple sets of positioning blocks 234 are arranged side by side on the lower wall of the adsorption plate 232. Each set of positioning blocks 234 is adapted to the button distribution on the button membrane. Air holes are provided on the positioning blocks 234, and the air holes are connected to the air inlets 233.

[0053] When the automatic clamp 2 picks up the key film, the drive module moves the automatic clamp 2 to directly above the fixture 1 and controls the automatic clamp 2 to move downwards until it contacts the key film on the fixture 1. At this time, the positioning block 234 is inserted into the groove on the key film, and the air source is connected through the air inlet 233 and acts on the key film through the air hole on the positioning block 234, thereby achieving the purpose of adsorbing and picking up the key film.

[0054] Reference Figure 4In this embodiment, the pushing module 24 includes a first connecting plate 241 installed at the bottom of the U-shaped connecting plate 231, an adsorption plate 232 located between the first connecting plate 241 and the U-shaped connecting plate 231, a plurality of first connecting grooves 242 are provided on the first connecting plate 241, two sets of positioning blocks 234 on the adsorption plate 232 pass through the first connecting plate 241 through the first connecting grooves 242, and a first cylinder 243 is provided on the connecting seat 22. The first cylinder 243 is used to control the adsorption plate 232 to move vertically.

[0055] When it is necessary to push the button film adsorbed on the automatic fixture 2 off, the first cylinder 243 drives the adsorption plate 232 to move outward, so that the adsorption plate 232 drives the two sets of positioning blocks 234 to move outward of the first connecting plate 241, thereby pushing the button film attached to the first connecting plate 241 outward, thus achieving the purpose of pushing the button film off the automatic fixture 2.

[0056] Reference Figure 12 In this embodiment, the fixture includes a base 101, on which several positioning plates 102 are arranged longitudinally. Each positioning plate 102 has multiple sets of positioning grooves 103 arranged side-by-side. The arrangement of each set of positioning grooves 103 is adapted to the distribution of the key membrane buttons. This allows the key membrane to be arranged on the positioning plates 102 according to a certain pattern through the positioning grooves 103, and to be stably arranged on the fixture 1 through the compatibility between the key membrane and each set of positioning grooves 103, facilitating material handling by the automatic fixture 2.

[0057] The entire equipment can be linked with tooling 1, automatic fixture 2, mold 3, external drive module, and injection molding machine to realize a fully automated closed loop of the printed button film process from loading, unloading, feeding, injection molding to demolding and unloading.

[0058] (1) The positioning plate 102 and positioning groove 103 of tooling 1 are used to achieve precise positioning and placement of the button film to be injected, which provides a basis for automatic material picking;

[0059] (2) The automatic fixture 2 achieves X, Y and Z axis movement through the drive module. With the 90° rotation function of the connecting seat, it completes the posture conversion from horizontal adsorption of the button film by the tooling 1 to vertical feeding to the mold 3. Then, the button film is accurately adsorbed and picked up through the air hole of the adsorption module 23 and the positioning block 234. The button film is accurately pushed down through the cooperation of the first cylinder 243, the adsorption plate 232 and the first connecting plate 241, and is stably attached to the first groove 34 of the lower template 31, thus completing the automatic feeding and unloading.

[0060] Reference Figure 13In this embodiment, a protective shell 4 is provided on the outside of the mold. The top of the protective shell 4 is provided with a feed inlet 41 and the bottom is provided with a discharge hopper 42. Observation windows 43 are provided on both sides of the protective shell 4. The observation windows 43 can be opened and closed manually.

[0061] The protective shell 4 provides protection for the mold 3. The inlet 41 and outlet 42 at the top and bottom of the protective shell 4 facilitate the placement of the button shell to be injection molded into the mold 3 by the automatic clamp 2. After injection molding, the shell is discharged uniformly by the outlet 42. The observation windows 43 on both sides allow the staff to observe the operation of the mold 3 in real time. Opening and closing the observation windows 43 facilitates the routine maintenance of the mold 3.

[0062] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A durable, fully automated production line for printed keypad films, comprising tooling (1), an automatic fixture (2), and a mold (3), characterized in that: The printed key film includes a printed sheet and an injection-molded material layer; The tooling (1) is used to position and place the printed sheet to be injected. The automatic fixture (2) is connected to an external drive module, which supports the automatic fixture (2) to move along the three axes of X, Y and Z. The automatic fixture (2) includes a moving rod (21) connected to the drive module. A connecting seat (22) is provided at the bottom of the moving rod (21). The connecting seat (22) can rotate 90° along the moving rod (21). An adsorption module (23) and a pushing module (24) are provided at the bottom of the connecting seat (22) for adsorbing the printed sheet and pushing the printed sheet adsorbed on the automatic fixture (2) off. The mold includes a lower template (31), an upper template (32), and a stripper plate (37); a limiting slide rod (36) is slidably assembled between the lower template (31) and the stripper plate (37); positioning bolts are assembled on the outer side walls of the lower template (31) and the stripper plate (37); the limiting slide rod (36) cooperates with the positioning bolts to limit the limit position of one mold opening. A limiting screw (45) is provided between the upper template (32) and the stripper plate (37). A pre-tightening sleeve (46) is fitted on the limiting screw (45). A limiting guide post is also assembled between the upper template (32) and the stripper plate (37). The limiting guide post, the limiting screw (45) and the pre-tightening sleeve (46) work together to limit the limit position of the secondary mold opening. The lower template (31) and the upper template (32) are respectively provided with a first groove (34) and a core plate (35) on the side close to each other. The first groove (34) and the core plate (35) are respectively adapted to the front and back sides of the printed sheet. The stripper plate (37) is sleeved on the outside of the core plate (35) and the core unit of the core plate (35) can pass through the stripper plate (37) and be exposed.

2. The fully automatic production equipment for durable printed keypad films according to claim 1, characterized in that: One end of the limiting screw (45) is fixed to the upper template (32), and the other end is movably inserted through the stripper plate (37). The pre-tightening sleeve (46) is clamped between the upper template (32) and the stripper plate (37). The pre-tightening sleeve (46) is made of elastic and wear-resistant material.

3. The fully automatic production equipment for durable printed keypad films according to claim 2, characterized in that: The limiting guide pillars are symmetrically arranged at the four corners of the upper template (32) and the stripper plate (37), and the stroke of the limiting guide pillars matches the maximum separation distance of the second mold opening.

4. The fully automatic production equipment for durable printed keypad films according to claim 1, characterized in that: The limiting slide bar (36) is a multi-bar structure arranged in parallel. One end of the limiting slide bar (36) is detachably connected to the positioning bolt on the outside of the lower template (31), and the other end is slidably sleeved with the positioning bolt on the outside of the stripper plate (37).

5. The fully automatic production equipment for durable printed keypad films according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper template (32) is provided with an injection line channel (38), and each core unit on the core plate (35) is provided with an injection notch (39) and a closing notch (30). The injection notch (39) is connected to the injection line channel (38).

6. The fully automatic production equipment for durable printed keypad films according to claim 1, characterized in that: The adsorption module (23) includes a U-shaped connecting plate (231) disposed at the bottom of the connecting seat (22). An adsorption plate (232) is disposed at the lower end of the U-shaped connecting plate (231). Several air inlets (233) are distributed on the adsorption plate (232) for connecting to an external air source. Two sets of positioning blocks (234) are arranged side by side on the lower wall of the adsorption plate (232). Each set of positioning blocks (234) is adapted to the button distribution on the button membrane. Air holes are provided on the positioning blocks (234), and the air holes are connected to the air inlets (233).

7. The fully automatic production equipment for durable printed keypad films according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pushing module (24) includes a first connecting plate (241) installed at the bottom of the U-shaped connecting plate (231), an adsorption plate (232) located between the first connecting plate (241) and the U-shaped connecting plate (231), a plurality of first connecting grooves (242) are provided on the first connecting plate (241), and two sets of positioning blocks (234) on the adsorption plate (232) pass through the first connecting plate (241) through the first connecting grooves (242). A first cylinder (243) is provided on the connecting seat (22), and the first cylinder (243) is used to control the adsorption plate (232) to move vertically.

8. The control method for a fully automatic production equipment for durable printed keypad films according to claim 1, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1: Mold closing injection molding: The printed sheet is positioned and clamped between the first groove (34) of the lower template (31) and the core plate (35) of the upper template (32). After the mold is closed, the injection liquid is injected into the mold to form the marking and support structure on the back of the button film. S2: One-time mold opening: After injection molding is completed, the lower mold plate (31) is driven to move. The lower mold plate (31) slides along the limit slide bar (36) to the one-time mold opening limit position defined by the positioning bolt, and the lower mold plate (31) is separated from the stripper plate (37). S3: Secondary mold opening: Continue to drive the lower mold plate (31), and drive the stripper plate (37) to move through the limit slide rod (36), overcome the pre-tightening force of the pre-tightening sleeve (46), and make the stripper plate (37) slide along the limit screw (45) and the limit guide post to the limit position of the secondary mold opening. The stripper plate (37) ejects the molded product on the core plate (35) and completes the automatic unloading.

9. The control method for a fully automatic production equipment for durable printed keypad films according to claim 8, characterized in that: During the first mold opening process, when the lower mold plate (31) moves to the limit position, the limiting slide bar (36) pulls the stripper plate (37) to move synchronously. At this time, the pre-tightening sleeve (46) remains locked, and the stripper plate (37) and the upper mold plate (32) remain in contact. During the second mold opening process, after the pulling force of the driving mechanism is greater than the locking force of the pre-tightening sleeve (46), the stripper plate (37) slides at a constant speed along the limiting screw (45), and the core unit passes through the stripper plate (37) to completely eject the molded product. The product completes the directional dropping along the discharge hopper (42).

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