Appearance inspection apparatus

Abstract

This invention discloses an appearance inspection device, which sequentially includes a storage station, a loading station, an inspection station, and a discharge station. The appearance inspection device comprises a loading module, a transfer module, an inspection module, a discharge module, and a unloading assembly. The loading module at least partially circulates between the storage station and the loading station to transfer material from the storage station to the loading station. The transfer module at least partially circulates between the loading station and the inspection station to transfer material from the storage station to the inspection station. The inspection module is located at the inspection station and includes a first inspection component for inspecting the appearance of the material from a first perspective and a second inspection component for inspecting the appearance of the material from a second perspective. The discharge module is located at the discharge station and includes two sets of discharge components for collecting qualified and defective products respectively and completing the discharge. The unloading assembly at least partially circulates between the inspection station and the discharge station to transfer the inspected material to one of the two sets of discharge components respectively.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of intelligent inspection equipment technology, and in particular to an appearance inspection device. Background Technology

[0002] In industrial production, product appearance inspection is a crucial part of quality control. Take flexible boards as an example, such as flexible printed circuit boards (FPCs), flexible display substrates, and flexible films. Appearance defects in flexible boards include scratches, dents, protrusions, foreign objects, open / short circuits, edge burrs, and uneven thickness. After flexible boards are produced, their appearance must be inspected to determine if any of these defects exist. In related technologies, appearance inspection methods typically include manual inspection and single-station, single-task inspection. Manual inspection suffers from low efficiency, strong subjectivity, and low accuracy, failing to meet the demands of high-precision, high-volume production. While single-station, single-task inspection uses automated equipment, it is limited by the shooting position and environment. The inspection module cannot comprehensively reflect the true condition of the product's appearance, and it cannot simultaneously perform comprehensive inspections, thus failing to meet the needs of production scenarios with diverse products and inspection items. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The main objective of this invention is to propose an appearance inspection device that addresses the problem that existing product appearance inspection methods cannot meet the demands of high-precision, high-volume production, nor can they satisfy the diverse product types and inspection items required in production scenarios.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention proposes an appearance inspection device, which is sequentially configured with a material storage station, a material loading station, an inspection station, and a material unloading station. The appearance inspection device includes:

[0005] The feeding module, at least partially, flows between the storage station and the feeding station to transfer materials at least from the storage station to the feeding station.

[0006] The transfer module, at least partially, flows between the loading station and the detection station to transfer material from the storage station to the detection station;

[0007] A detection module, located at the detection station, includes a first detection component for detecting the appearance of the material from a first perspective, and a second detection component for detecting the appearance of the material from a second perspective; and,

[0008] A discharge module, located at the discharge station, includes two sets of discharge components for collecting qualified and defective products respectively and completing the discharge; and,

[0009] The feeding assembly, at least partially, moves between the detection station and the discharge station to transfer the detected material to one of the two sets of discharge assemblies respectively.

[0010] Optionally, the appearance inspection equipment has a first direction and a second direction arranged in a cross direction in the horizontal direction, and the loading station, the inspection station and the unloading station are arranged along the first direction;

[0011] The feeding station is provided with a first feeding area and a second feeding area along the second direction; the inspection station is provided with two inspection areas along the second direction; the transfer module is provided between the first feeding area and one of the inspection areas, and between the second feeding area and the other inspection area;

[0012] The feeding module is used to transfer materials to the first feeding area and the second feeding area.

[0013] Optionally, the storage station is located directly below the loading station in the vertical direction;

[0014] The feeding module includes a feeding component and a pushing component. The feeding component includes a feeding part that flows vertically between the storage station and the first feeding area to transfer a tray containing the material to be tested to the first feeding area. The pushing component includes a pushing part that flows along a second direction between the first feeding area and the second feeding area to push at least the tray containing the material to be tested from the first feeding area to the second feeding area.

[0015] Optionally, the storage station is provided with a storage area and a receiving area along the second direction. The storage area is located directly below the first feeding area and is used to place a tray containing the material to be tested. The receiving area is located directly below the second feeding area and is used to receive empty trays.

[0016] The feeding section moves between the storage area and the first feeding area; the pushing section pushes the tray containing the material to be tested or the empty tray from the first feeding area to the second feeding area;

[0017] The feeding module further includes a tray ejection assembly, which includes a tray ejection section that flows vertically between the second feeding area and the receiving area to transfer an empty tray from the second feeding area to the receiving area.

[0018] Optionally, the inspection station has an upstream inspection end near the loading station and a downstream inspection end near the unloading station; the transfer module includes:

[0019] A material handling assembly, at least partially, flows between the loading station and the upstream detection end to transfer the material to be tested from the loading station to the upstream detection end; and,

[0020] The feeding assembly, at least partially, flows between the upstream and downstream ends of the detection process to receive material from the picking assembly at the upstream end of the detection process and transfer the material to the downstream end of the detection process.

[0021] Optionally, the material handling assembly includes a material handling section and a material handling drive section. The material handling drive section is connected to the material handling section and is used to drive the material handling section to flow between the loading station and the upstream end of the detection along a first direction. The material handling section includes a vacuum adsorption element for gripping or releasing materials.

[0022] Optionally, the feeding assembly includes a feeding drive unit and a receiving platform. The receiving platform is used to carry materials. The feeding drive unit can reciprocate in a first direction and is connected to the receiving platform to drive the receiving platform to flow between the upstream end of the detection and the downstream end of the detection.

[0023] Optionally, the feeding assembly further includes a flipping drive unit, which is driven to connect to the receiving platform to drive the receiving platform to flip along its axis in a second direction; the feeding drive unit is driven to connect to the flipping drive unit; the receiving platform is provided with a vacuum adsorption element for gripping or releasing materials.

[0024] The appearance inspection equipment also includes two sets of temporary storage components located downstream of the inspection and respectively corresponding to the two inspection areas. Each set of temporary storage components is used to receive materials from the receiving platform after it is flipped over from the corresponding side. The unloading component picks up materials from the receiving platform or the temporary storage component.

[0025] Optionally, the temporary storage component includes a temporary storage platform and a lifting drive unit, wherein the lifting drive unit can reciprocate in the vertical direction and is driven to connect to the temporary storage platform;

[0026] When the feeding drive unit moves the material receiving platform to the downstream end of the detection, the material receiving platform is directly above the temporary storage platform; the flipping drive unit flips the material receiving platform along the axis of the second direction, and the lifting drive unit drives the temporary storage platform to move up to fit with the material receiving platform and receive the material.

[0027] Optionally, the detection station has an upstream detection end near the loading station and a downstream detection end near the unloading station;

[0028] The first detection component includes a first detection unit located upstream of the detection unit and below the transfer module. The first detection unit can reciprocate along a second direction to alternately detect the material from a lower perspective in two detection areas.

[0029] Optionally, the first detection unit is configured as an image acquisition unit;

[0030] The first detection component further includes a first frame, a first drive unit, and a first fine-tuning unit. The first drive unit is driven to connect to the first frame to drive the first frame to move between the two detection areas along a second direction. The first fine-tuning unit is movably disposed on the first frame and driven to connect to the first detection unit to adjust the vertical distance between the first detection unit and the transfer module.

[0031] Optionally, the second detection component includes a second detection section located near the downstream end of the detection and above the transfer module. The second detection section can reciprocate along a second direction to alternately detect the material from a top viewpoint in the two detection areas.

[0032] Optionally, the second detection unit is configured as an image acquisition unit;

[0033] The second detection component further includes a second frame, a second drive unit, and a second fine-tuning unit. The second drive unit is driven to connect to the second frame to drive the second frame to move between the two detection areas along a second direction. The second fine-tuning unit is movably disposed on the second frame and driven to connect to the second detection unit to adjust the vertical distance between the second detection unit and the transfer module.

[0034] Optionally, the appearance inspection equipment has a first direction and a second direction arranged in a cross direction in the horizontal direction. The loading station, the inspection station and the unloading station are arranged along the first direction. The unloading station has an upstream unloading end and a downstream unloading end, and the upstream unloading end is located close to the inspection station.

[0035] The two sets of discharge components are arranged along the second direction. Each set of discharge components includes a receiving component and a pushing component that are movably arranged. The receiving component is used to transfer the empty material tray to the upstream end of the discharge. The unloading component transfers the detected material to the empty material tray. The pushing component is used to transfer the material tray carrying the material from the upstream end of the discharge to the downstream end of the discharge.

[0036] Optionally, the discharge station is further provided with a feeding tray area, which is located vertically below the upstream end of the discharge station;

[0037] The receiving assembly includes a receiving platform and a receiving drive unit. The receiving platform is used to carry the material tray, and the receiving drive unit can reciprocate in the vertical direction and drive the receiving platform so that the receiving platform is transferred to the upstream end of the discharge after receiving the empty material tray in the feeding tray area. The unloading assembly transfers the detected material to the empty material tray on the receiving platform.

[0038] Optionally, the feeding assembly includes a feeding platform and a feeding part. The feeding platform is located between the upstream feeding end and the downstream feeding end. The feeding platform receives an empty material tray from the receiving assembly at the upstream feeding end. The feeding part can flow along a first direction between the upstream feeding end and the downstream feeding end to push the material tray on the feeding platform carrying the material to the downstream feeding end.

[0039] Optionally, the feeding assembly includes a third frame, a feeding section, a first feeding drive section, and a second feeding drive section. The first feeding drive section is driven to connect to the third frame to drive the third frame to rotate between the two sets of the discharge assemblies along a second direction. The second feeding drive section is movably disposed on the third frame and driven to connect to the feeding section to drive the feeding section to rotate between the detection station and the discharge station along a first direction. The feeding section includes a vacuum adsorption element for gripping or releasing materials.

[0040] The technical solution provided by this invention has at least the following advantages:

[0041] The appearance inspection equipment provided by this invention is sequentially configured with a storage station, a loading station, an inspection station, and a discharge station. The equipment includes a loading module, a transfer module, an inspection module, a discharge module, and a unloading component. The material to be inspected is placed at the storage station, and the loading module transfers the material from the storage station to the loading station. The transfer module transfers the material from the storage station to the inspection station. A first inspection component and a second inspection component are installed at the inspection station to inspect the appearance of the material. After inspection, the unloading component transfers qualified material to the discharge component for collecting qualified products and completes the discharge; the unloading component can also transfer unqualified material to the discharge component for collecting defective products and complete the discharge. Through the collaborative operation of multiple stations and mechanisms, automated material inspection is achieved. Compared with manual inspection, automated inspection has higher efficiency and accuracy, meeting the needs of mass production. Simultaneously, by utilizing the first and second inspection components, multi-view appearance inspection of materials can be achieved. This not only enables comprehensive product inspection but also meets the diverse needs of products and inspection items. Furthermore, the unloading component transfers the inspected materials to one of the two discharge components to separate and transfer qualified and defective products, ensuring that qualified products are accurately collected and discharged, thereby further guaranteeing the quality of the output. Attached Figure Description

[0042] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0043] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an appearance inspection device provided by the present invention;

[0044] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the appearance inspection equipment (hidden housing);

[0045] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A structural schematic diagram of the appearance inspection equipment (demonstration station);

[0046] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the appearance inspection equipment with respect to the feeding module;

[0047] Figure 5 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the material handling component of the appearance inspection equipment;

[0048] Figure 6 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the appearance inspection equipment with respect to the feeding assembly;

[0049] Figure 7 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the appearance inspection equipment (from another perspective);

[0050] Figure 8 for Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the appearance inspection equipment with respect to the first inspection component;

[0051] Figure 9 for Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the appearance inspection equipment with respect to the second inspection component;

[0052] Figure 10 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the appearance inspection equipment with respect to the material discharge module;

[0053] Figure 11 for Figure 10 A schematic diagram of the structure of the discharge module with respect to the receiving component;

[0054] Figure 12 for Figure 10 A schematic diagram of the structure of the discharge module with respect to the feeding assembly;

[0055] Figure 13 for Figure 12 A schematic diagram of the material feeding assembly (from another perspective);

[0056] Figure 14 for Figure 1 The structural diagram of the appearance inspection equipment regarding the material feeding component.

[0057] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0058] 100 Appearance Inspection Equipment; a. Storage Station; a1 Storage Area; a2 Receiving Area; b. Loading Station; b1 First Loading Area; b2 Second Loading Area; c. Inspection Station; c1 Inspection Area; c2 Upstream Inspection End; c3 Downstream Inspection End; d. Discharge Station; d1 Feeding Tray Area; F1 First Direction; F2 Second Direction; F3 Vertical Direction; 1. Loading Module; 11. Loading Assembly; 111. Loading Section; 12. Pushing Assembly; 121. Pushing Section; 2. Transfer Module; 21. Picking Assembly; 211. Picking Section; 212. Picking Drive Section; 22. Feeding Assembly; 221. Feeding Drive Section; 222. Support Platform; 223. Tilting Drive Section; 3. Inspection Module; 31. First Inspection Assembly; 311. First Inspection Section; 312. First Frame; 313. First Drive Section; 314. 32 First fine-tuning unit; 32 Second detection component; 321 Second detection unit; 322 Second frame; 323 Second drive unit; 324 Second fine-tuning unit; 4 Discharge module; 41 Discharge component; 411 Receiving component; 4111 Receiving platform; 4112 Receiving drive unit; 412 Pushing component; 4121 Discharge platform; 4122 Pushing unit; 5 Unloading component; 51 Third frame; 52 Unloading unit; 53 First unloading drive unit; 54 Second unloading drive unit; 6 Removal tray component; 61 Removal tray unit; 7 Temporary storage component; 71 Temporary storage platform; 72 Lifting drive unit; 8 Frame; 200 Material tray.

[0059] The realization of the objective, functional features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0060] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely 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 the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0061] It should be noted that if the embodiments of the present invention involve directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a certain specific posture (as shown in the figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.

[0062] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this invention involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the meaning of "and / or" throughout the text includes three parallel solutions; for example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously. Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this invention.

[0063] In industrial production, product appearance inspection is a crucial part of quality control. Take flexible boards as an example, such as flexible printed circuit boards (FPCs), flexible display substrates, and flexible films. Appearance defects in flexible boards include scratches, dents, bumps, foreign objects, open / short circuits, edge burrs, and uneven thickness. After production, the appearance of the flexible board must be inspected to determine if any of these defects exist.

[0064] To ensure that the product appearance inspection method meets the requirements of high-precision, high-volume production, and production scenarios with diverse products and inspection items, this invention improves the appearance inspection equipment 100. The structure of the appearance inspection equipment 100 will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0065] Please see Figures 1 to 3 The appearance inspection equipment 100 is sequentially set with a material storage station a, a material loading station b, an inspection station c, and a material unloading station d. The appearance inspection equipment 100 includes a material loading module 1, a transfer module 2, an inspection module 3, a material unloading module 4, and a material unloading component 5.

[0066] The feeding module 1 at least partially flows between the storage station a and the feeding station b, so as to transfer the material on the storage station a to the feeding station b.

[0067] The transfer module 2 at least partially flows between the loading station b and the inspection station c, so as to transfer the material from the storage station a to the inspection station c.

[0068] The detection module 3 is located at the detection station c and includes a first detection component 31 that detects the appearance of the material from a first perspective and a second detection component 32 that detects the appearance of the material from a second perspective.

[0069] The discharge module 4 is located at the discharge station d and includes two sets of discharge components 41, which are used to collect qualified products and defective products respectively and complete the discharge.

[0070] The feeding component 5 moves at least partially between the detection station c and the discharge station d to transfer the detected material to one of the two discharge components 41 respectively.

[0071] The appearance inspection equipment 100 provided by the present invention is provided with a material storage station a, a material loading station b, an inspection station c, and a material unloading station d in sequence. The appearance inspection equipment 100 includes a material loading module 1, a transfer module 2, an inspection module 3, a material unloading module 4, and a material unloading assembly 5.

[0072] The material to be inspected is placed at storage station a, and the loading module 1 transfers the material from storage station a to loading station b. The transfer module 2 transfers the material from storage station a to inspection station c. A first inspection component 31 and a second inspection component 32 are installed at inspection station c to inspect the appearance of the material. After inspection, the unloading component 5 transfers qualified material to the unloading component 41 for collecting qualified products and completes the unloading; the unloading component 5 can also transfer unqualified material to the unloading component 41 for collecting defective products and complete the unloading.

[0073] Through the collaborative operation of multiple workstations and mechanisms, automated material inspection is achieved. Compared with manual inspection, automated inspection is more efficient and accurate, and can meet the needs of mass production.

[0074] Meanwhile, by utilizing the first detection component 31 and the second detection component 32, multi-view appearance inspection of materials can be achieved, which not only enables comprehensive product inspection but also meets the diverse needs of products and inspection items.

[0075] Furthermore, the feeding component 5 transfers the inspected materials to one of the two discharging components 41 respectively, so as to sort and transfer qualified and defective products, thereby ensuring that qualified products are accurately collected and discharged, and further ensuring the quality of the output.

[0076] The present invention does not impose specific restrictions on the layout of the workstations of the appearance inspection equipment 100. The appearance inspection equipment 100 has a first direction F1 and a second direction F2 arranged in a cross direction in the horizontal direction, and the loading station b, the inspection station c and the unloading station d are arranged along the first direction F1.

[0077] This invention does not impose specific limitations on the detection path of the appearance inspection equipment 100. In one embodiment, the material is transferred from the loading station b to the inspection station c, and only one transfer and inspection path is set.

[0078] In another embodiment, please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The loading station b is arranged with a first loading area b1 and a second loading area b2 along the second direction F2. The inspection station c is arranged with two inspection areas c1 along the second direction F2. A transfer module 2 is set between the first loading area b1 and one inspection area c1, and between the second loading area b2 and the other inspection area c1. The loading module 1 is used to transfer materials to the first loading area b1 and the second loading area b2.

[0079] In this embodiment, materials are transferred from loading station b to inspection station c, with two parallel transfer and inspection paths. Loading module 1 transfers the material to be inspected to a first loading area b1 and a second loading area b2. One transfer module 2 transfers the material from the first loading area b1 to the corresponding inspection area c1; the other transfer module 2 transfers the material from the second loading area b2 to another inspection area c1. By setting two parallel transfer and inspection paths, inspection efficiency can be further improved.

[0080] This invention does not impose specific restrictions on the layout of the material storage station a. The material storage station a can be arranged side by side with other stations in the horizontal direction; the material storage station a can also overlap with a certain station in the vertical direction F3.

[0081] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The material storage station a is located directly below the material loading station b in the vertical direction F3. The material loading module 1 includes a material loading component 11 and a material pushing component 12. The material loading component 11 includes a material loading part 111 that flows between the material storage station a and the first material loading area b1 in the vertical direction F3, so as to transfer the material tray 200 containing the material to be tested to the first material loading area b1.

[0082] The feeding assembly 12 includes a feeding section 121 that flows along a second direction F2 between a first feeding zone b1 and a second feeding zone b2, so as to push at least the tray 200 containing the material to be tested from the first feeding zone b1 to the second feeding zone b2.

[0083] In this embodiment, the storage station a is located directly below the loading station b in the vertical direction F3. The storage station a holds a material tray 200 that carries the material. The loading part 111 of the loading assembly 11 moves along the vertical direction F3 between the storage station a and the first loading area b1, pushing the material tray 200 from the storage station a to the first loading area b1. At this time, the second loading area b2 is empty, and the pushing part 121 of the pushing assembly 12 moves along the second direction F2 between the first loading area b1 and the second loading area b2, transferring the material tray 200 from the first loading area b1 to the second loading area b2. In this way, loading can be completed along two transfer and detection paths.

[0084] Understandably, to ensure smooth operation of the testing process, after the material in each tray 200 is transferred, the trays 200 in the first feeding area b1 and the second feeding area b2 need to be removed to ensure smooth feeding in the next cycle. In one embodiment, the trays 200 can be manually removed, but this method requires a dedicated operator to supervise the process to avoid downtime caused by the untimely removal of empty trays 200.

[0085] In another embodiment, please refer to Figure 4 The storage station a is arranged along the second direction F2 with a storage area a1 and a receiving area a2. The storage area a1 is located directly below the first feeding area b1 and is used to place the material tray 200 containing the material to be tested. The receiving area a2 is located directly below the second feeding area b2 and is used to receive the empty material tray 200.

[0086] The feeding section 111 moves between the storage area a1 and the first feeding area b1; the pushing section 121 pushes the material tray 200 containing the material to be tested or the empty material tray 200 from the first feeding area b1 to the second feeding area b2.

[0087] The feeding module 1 also includes a tray removal assembly 6, which includes a tray removal section 61 that flows vertically between the second feeding area b2 and the receiving area a2 to transfer the empty tray 200 of the second feeding area b2 to the receiving area a2.

[0088] In this embodiment, storage station a is provided with storage area a1 and receiving area a2 in the second direction F2, and loading station b is provided with first loading area b1 and second loading area b2 in the second direction F2. Storage area a1 is located directly below first loading area b1; receiving area a2 is located directly below second loading area b2.

[0089] The tray 200 placed in storage area a1 is transferred to the first loading area b1 by the loading unit 111. The pushing unit 121 transfers the tray 200 containing the material to be tested to the second loading area b2. At this time, the first loading area b1 is empty, and the next tray 200 placed in storage area a1 is transferred to the first loading area b1 by the loading unit 111. In this way, the loading of two transfer and testing paths is completed.

[0090] The transfer module 2 on each path transfers materials from the loading station b to the inspection station c. After the materials in the tray 200 of the second loading area b2 are transferred, the tray removal component 61 of the tray removal assembly 6 transfers the empty tray 200 from the second loading area b2 to the receiving area a2. After the materials in the tray 200 of the first loading area b1 are transferred, the pusher 121 pushes the empty tray 200 from the first loading area b1 to the second loading area b2, and then the empty tray 200 is transferred from the second loading area b2 to the receiving area a2 by the tray removal component 61. In this way, the empty tray 200 can be automatically recycled, which not only simplifies the personnel configuration, but also improves the recycling efficiency of the empty tray 200 and ensures the smooth operation of the appearance inspection equipment 100.

[0091] Continuing from the above, two parallel transfer and inspection paths are set between the loading station b and the inspection station c. Each transfer and inspection path is equipped with a set of transfer modules 2. Furthermore, to ensure modularity, the two sets of transfer modules 2 on the two transfer and inspection paths are identical in structure. The following explanation uses one transfer path as an example.

[0092] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The inspection station c has an upstream inspection end c2 near the loading station b and a downstream inspection end c3 near the unloading station d. The transfer module 2 includes a picking component 21 and a feeding component 22. The picking component 21 flows at least partially between the loading station b and the upstream inspection end c2 to transfer the material to be inspected from the loading station b to the upstream inspection end c2. The feeding component 22 flows at least partially between the upstream inspection end c2 and the downstream inspection end c3 to receive the material from the picking component 21 at the upstream inspection end c2 and transfer the material to the downstream inspection end c3.

[0093] In this embodiment, the transfer module 2 includes a material picking component 21 and a material feeding component 22. When the tray 200 carrying the material to be tested is transferred to the loading station b, the material picking component 21 transfers the material to be tested from the loading station b to the upstream testing end c2. The material feeding component 22 receives the material from the material picking component 21 at the upstream testing end c2 and transfers the material to the downstream testing end c3. In this way, material transfer along a single transfer path is achieved.

[0094] Please see Figure 5Specifically, the material handling assembly 21 includes a material handling section 211 and a material handling drive section 212. The material handling drive section 212 drives the material handling section 211 to move along the first direction F1 between the loading station b and the upstream detection end c2. The material handling section 211 includes a vacuum adsorption element for gripping or releasing the material.

[0095] When the tray 200 carrying the material to be tested is transferred to the loading station b, the picking drive unit 212 drives the picking unit 211 to move to the loading station b, and the vacuum adsorption element of the picking unit 211 grabs the material to be tested on the tray 200. The picking drive unit 212 drives the picking unit 211 to move to the upstream end c2 of the detection, and the vacuum adsorption element of the picking unit 211 releases the material to be tested so that the material to be tested falls onto the feeding assembly 22.

[0096] The material handling unit 211 is driven by the material handling drive unit 212 to rotate, thereby realizing the transfer of materials. The material is grasped or released by the vacuum adsorption element during the rotation, thereby achieving stable material transfer. In this way, on the one hand, the accuracy and stability of the transfer path can be guaranteed; on the other hand, by adsorbing the material by negative pressure, material damage or deformation can be avoided while ensuring stable material transfer.

[0097] Please see Figure 6 Specifically, the feeding assembly 22 includes a feeding drive unit 221 and a receiving platform 222. The receiving platform 222 is used to carry materials. The feeding drive unit 221 can reciprocate in the first direction F1 and drive the receiving platform 222 to drive the receiving platform 222 to flow between the upstream detection end c2 and the downstream detection end c3.

[0098] The vacuum adsorption element of the picking unit 211 picks up the material to be tested from the material tray 200. The picking drive unit 212 drives the picking unit 211 to move to the upstream end c2 of the detection, and the vacuum adsorption element of the picking unit 211 releases the material to be tested, so that the material to be tested falls onto the receiving platform 222. The feeding drive unit 221 drives the receiving platform 222 to move to the downstream end c3 of the detection, so as to synchronously transfer the material on the receiving platform 222 to the downstream end c3 of the detection. The unloading assembly 5 can pick up the material that has been tested from the receiving platform 222.

[0099] In some scenarios, the orientation of the material during discharge is opposite to that during loading. If a separate process for flipping the material and assigning corresponding operators is required after the material has been inspected and discharged, the inspection process becomes complex and requires a large number of personnel.

[0100] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 6The feeding assembly 22 also includes a flipping drive unit 223, which drives the receiving platform 222 to flip along its axis in the second direction F2. The feeding drive unit 221 drives the flipping drive unit 223. The receiving platform 222 is provided with a vacuum adsorption element for gripping or releasing materials.

[0101] The appearance inspection equipment 100 also includes two sets of temporary storage components 7 located at the downstream end c3 of the inspection and respectively corresponding to the two inspection areas c1. Each set of temporary storage components 7 is used to receive materials from the receiving platform 222 after being flipped over from the corresponding side; the unloading component 5 picks up materials from the receiving platform 222 or the temporary storage component 7.

[0102] In this embodiment, a flipping drive unit 223 is provided to flip the material receiving platform 222 and store the material on the flipped material receiving platform 222 on the temporary storage component 7, thereby realizing the change of material orientation. At the same time, the material receiving platform 222 is provided with a vacuum adsorption element for gripping or releasing the material, so that the gripping and releasing of the material can be realized before and after the material receiving platform 222 is flipped.

[0103] At the downstream end c3 of the corresponding detection, a temporary storage component 7 is provided in each detection area c1. The material picking drive unit 212 drives the material picking unit 211 to move to the upstream end c2 of the detection, and the vacuum adsorption element of the material picking unit 211 generates negative pressure to adsorb and fix the material. The material feeding drive unit 221 drives the material receiving platform 222 to move to the downstream end c3 of the detection, so as to synchronously transfer the material on the material receiving platform 222 to the downstream end c3 of the detection.

[0104] The flipping drive unit 223 drives the material receiving platform 222 to flip. Under the adsorption of the vacuum adsorption element, the material is still fixed on the material receiving platform 222. After the material receiving platform 222 flips to the correct position, the vacuum adsorption element stops generating negative pressure, and the material falls naturally onto the temporary storage component 7 under the action of gravity, thereby realizing the change of material orientation and temporary storage.

[0105] Specifically, the feeding drive unit 221 is configured as a linear motor, the linear guide rail of the linear motor is configured along the first direction F1, and the flipping drive unit 223 is configured on the slider of the linear motor so that when the slider moves along the first direction F1, it drives the flipping drive unit 223 to move along the first direction F1.

[0106] The flipping drive unit 223 includes a flipping motor and a flipping frame. The flipping frame is mounted on the output shaft of the flipping motor, which is arranged along the second direction F2 to drive the flipping frame to flip along its axis in the second direction F2. The receiving platform 222 is mounted on the flipping frame to flip along its axis in the second direction F2.

[0107] The linear guide rail has a head end near the loading station b and a tail end near the unloading station d in the first direction F1. The head end forms the upstream detection end c2, and the tail end forms the downstream detection end c3. The temporary storage component 7 is arranged side by side with the linear guide rail in the second direction F2 and is located at the tail end.

[0108] In some scenarios, the orientation of the material during discharge is the same as that during loading. The feeding drive unit 221 drives the receiving platform 222 to move to the downstream detection end c3, synchronously transferring the material on the receiving platform 222 to the downstream detection end c3. The unloading component 5 picks up the material from the receiving platform 222.

[0109] In some scenarios, the orientation of the material during discharge is opposite to that during loading. The feeding drive unit 221 drives the receiving platform 222 to move to the downstream detection end c3, synchronously transferring the material on the receiving platform 222 to the downstream detection end c3. The flipping drive unit 223 drives the receiving platform 222 to flip, and the material on it falls onto the temporary storage component 7. The unloading component 5 picks up the material from the temporary storage component 7.

[0110] Understandably, after the material falls onto the temporary storage component 7, the unloading component 5 picks up the material from the temporary storage component 7. If the material is allowed to fall freely onto the temporary storage component 7 solely by gravity, the landing point of the material may shift due to external environmental influences, thus causing the unloading component 5 to fail to pick up the material.

[0111] To address this issue, in one embodiment, please refer to... Figure 6 The temporary storage component 7 includes a temporary storage stage 71 and a lifting drive unit 72. The lifting drive unit 72 can reciprocate in the vertical direction F3 and drives the temporary storage stage 71.

[0112] When the feeding drive unit 221 moves the receiving platform 222 to the downstream end c3 of the detection, the receiving platform 222 is directly above the temporary storage platform 71; the flipping drive unit 223 flips the receiving platform 222 along the axis of the second direction F2, and the lifting drive unit 72 drives the temporary storage platform 71 to move up to fit with the receiving platform 222 and receive the material.

[0113] In this embodiment, the material picking drive unit 212 drives the material picking unit 211 to move to the upstream detection end c2, and the vacuum adsorption element of the material picking unit 211 generates negative pressure to adsorb and fix the material. The material feeding drive unit 221 drives the material receiving platform 222 to move to the downstream detection end c3, so as to synchronously transfer the material on the material receiving platform 222 to the downstream detection end c3. At this time, the material receiving platform 222 is directly above the temporary storage platform 71.

[0114] The flipping drive unit 223 drives the receiving platform 222 to flip, and the material remains fixed on the receiving platform 222 under the adsorption of the vacuum adsorption element. After flipping, the receiving platform 222 is directly above the temporary storage platform 71. The lifting drive unit 72 drives the temporary storage platform 71 to move upward until it is in contact with the receiving platform 222. The vacuum adsorption element on the receiving platform 222 stops generating negative pressure, and the material falls naturally onto the temporary storage platform 71 under the action of gravity. Since the temporary storage platform 71 is in contact with the receiving platform 222, there is almost no space for the material to shift when it falls. In this way, while realizing the change of material orientation, it can ensure that the landing point of the material does not shift, which is conducive to the accurate picking up of the material by the subsequent unloading component 5.

[0115] To further ensure the accurate and fixed position of the material on the temporary storage platform 71, in one embodiment, the temporary storage platform 71 is equipped with a vacuum adsorption element for gripping or releasing the material. Thus, when the material falls onto the temporary storage platform 71, the vacuum adsorption element generates negative pressure, thereby adsorbing and fixing the material onto the temporary storage platform 71. This ensures the accurate and fixed position of the material on the temporary storage platform 71, facilitating accurate material handling by the subsequent feeding assembly 5.

[0116] Continuing from the above, two parallel and identical transfer paths are set between the loading station b and the inspection station c. When the tray 200 carrying the material to be inspected is transferred to the loading station b, the picking component 21 transfers the material to be inspected from the loading station b to the upstream inspection end c2. The feeding component 22 receives the material from the picking component 21 at the upstream inspection end c2 and transfers the material to the downstream inspection end c3. In this way, material transfer is achieved along a single transfer path.

[0117] The present invention does not impose specific limitations on the detection method of the first detection component 31. In one embodiment, the first detection component 31 includes two detection units, each detection unit corresponding to a transfer path, so as to detect the material on different paths from a first perspective during the material transfer process.

[0118] In another embodiment, please refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 The first detection component 31 includes a first detection unit 311. The first detection unit 311 is located at the upstream detection end c2 and below the transfer module 2. The first detection unit 311 can reciprocate along the second direction F2 to alternately detect the material in two detection areas c1 from a lower perspective. By using a single first detection unit 311 to sequentially detect the material on both transfer paths, the number of detection components can be reduced, simplifying the structure of the appearance inspection equipment 100.

[0119] Continuing from the above, the loading station b is arranged with a first loading area b1 and a second loading area b2 along the second direction F2. The storage station a stores a tray 200 carrying materials. The loading part 111 of the loading assembly 11 pushes the tray 200 of the storage station a to the first loading area b1. At this time, the second loading area b2 is empty, and the pushing part 121 of the pushing assembly 12 moves the tray 200 of the first loading area b1 to the second loading area b2. At this time, the first loading area b1 is empty again, and the next tray 200 placed in the storage area a1 is moved to the first loading area b1 by the loading part 111.

[0120] After the feeding unit 121 transfers the tray 200 from the first feeding area b1 to the second feeding area b2, the first feeding area b1 is currently undergoing its next feeding cycle. Corresponding to the transfer path of the second feeding area b2, the transfer module 2 can begin to pick up material from the tray 200 of the second feeding area b2 and move it towards the inspection station c. When the transfer module 2 reaches the upstream inspection end c2, the first inspection unit 311 moves to the inspection area c1 corresponding to the second feeding area b2 and performs a downward-view inspection of the material in the inspection area c1.

[0121] When the first feeding area b1 finishes feeding again, the transfer module 2 can start picking up materials from the tray 200 of the first feeding area b1 along the transfer path of the first feeding area b1 and moving them towards the inspection station c. When the transfer module 2 reaches the upstream end c2 of the inspection, the first inspection unit 311 moves to the inspection area c1 corresponding to the first feeding area b1 and performs downward-view inspection on the materials in the inspection area c1.

[0122] This process repeats continuously, enabling simultaneous material transfer along two lines while allowing the first inspection unit 311 to alternately perform inspections in the two inspection zones c1. The alternating linkage between the two inspection zones c1 and the inspection components allows the material loading and inspection processes to be executed in parallel, effectively eliminating idle waiting time for the inspection components and meeting the high-efficiency inspection requirements for large batches of materials. Simultaneously, without increasing the number of inspection components, time-difference collaborative control increases the effective working time of the inspection components, thereby improving equipment utilization.

[0123] Specifically, the first inspection unit 311 is configured as an image acquisition unit; it acquires images of the material from a bottom viewpoint and performs image recognition through the recognition unit of the appearance inspection device 100, thereby obtaining whether there are defects on the lower surface of the material.

[0124] Please see Figure 8The first detection component 31 also includes a first frame 312, a first drive unit 313, and a first fine-tuning unit 314. The first drive unit 313 is driven to connect to the first frame 312 to drive the first frame 312 to move between the two detection areas c1 along the second direction F2. The first fine-tuning unit 314 is movably disposed on the first frame 312 and driven to connect to the first detection unit 311 to adjust the distance between the first detection unit 311 and the transfer module 2 in the vertical direction F3.

[0125] On one of the transfer paths, transfer module 2 picks up material from tray 200 at loading station b and moves it towards inspection station c. When transfer module 2 passes the upstream inspection end c2, the first inspection unit 311 acquires an image of the material in the corresponding inspection area c1 from a lower perspective. When transfer module 2 on the other transfer path transfers material, when it passes the upstream inspection end c2 on that path, the first drive unit 313 drives the first frame 312 to move the first inspection unit 311 to another inspection area c1 and acquires an image of the material in that inspection area c1 from a lower perspective. In this way, the first inspection unit 311 can alternately acquire images in the two inspection areas c1.

[0126] Furthermore, the focal length of the images captured by the first detection unit 311 varies depending on the material. To ensure the clarity of the captured images, the first detection unit 311 needs to have an autofocus function. By setting the first fine-tuning unit 314, the distance between the first detection unit 311 and the transfer module 2 in the vertical direction F3 is adjusted, thereby realizing the autofocus of the first detection unit 311 and meeting the imaging requirements of different materials.

[0127] More specifically, the first detection component 31 also includes a first fine-tuning cylinder, the cylinder seat of which is disposed on the first frame 312, and the piston rod of which forms a first fine-tuning part 314 and is drivenly connected to the first detection part 311.

[0128] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 7 and Figure 9 The second detection component 32 includes a second detection part 321 located near the downstream end c3 and above the transfer module 2. The second detection part 321 can reciprocate along the second direction F2 to alternately detect the material from the top view in two detection areas c1.

[0129] Similarly, after the feeding unit 121 transfers the tray 200 from the first feeding area b1 to the second feeding area b2, the first feeding area b1 is currently undergoing its next feeding cycle. On the corresponding transfer path of the second feeding area b2, the transfer module 2 can begin to pick up material from the tray 200 of the second feeding area b2 and move it towards the inspection station c. When the transfer module 2 reaches the upstream inspection end c2, the first inspection unit 311 moves to the inspection area c1 corresponding to the second feeding area b2 and performs a downward-view inspection of the material in the inspection area c1. The transfer module 2 continues to move material towards the downstream inspection end c3, and the second inspection unit 321 moves to the inspection area c1 corresponding to the second feeding area b2 and performs an upward-view inspection of the material in the inspection area c1 near the downstream inspection end c3.

[0130] When the first feeding area b1 finishes feeding again, the transfer module 2 can start picking up materials from the tray 200 of the first feeding area b1 and moving them towards the inspection station c along the transfer path corresponding to the first feeding area b1. When the transfer module 2 reaches the upstream inspection end c2, the first inspection unit 311 moves to the inspection area c1 corresponding to the first feeding area b1 and performs downward-view inspection on the materials in the inspection area c1. The transfer module 2 continues to move materials towards the downstream inspection end c3, and the second inspection unit 321 moves to the inspection area c1 corresponding to the first feeding area b1 and performs upward-view inspection on the materials in the inspection area c1 near the downstream inspection end c3.

[0131] This process repeats continuously, enabling simultaneous material transfer along two lines. It allows the first detection unit 311 to alternately perform detection in the two detection zones c1, and the second detection unit 321 to alternately perform detection in the two detection zones c1. This alternating linkage between the dual detection zones c1 and the detection components allows the feeding and detection processes to be executed in parallel, effectively eliminating idle waiting time for the detection components and meeting the high-efficiency detection requirements for large batches of materials. Simultaneously, without increasing the number of detection components, time-difference collaborative control increases the effective working time of the detection components, thereby improving equipment utilization.

[0132] Furthermore, during the transfer process of the transfer module 2, the first detection unit 311 and the second detection unit 321 are used to detect the material from different perspectives. The material has almost no pause time, which can shorten the single detection time and further improve the detection efficiency.

[0133] Specifically, the second inspection unit 321 is configured as an image acquisition unit; it acquires images of the material from a top-view perspective and performs image recognition through the recognition unit of the appearance inspection device 100 to obtain whether there are defects on the upper surface of the material.

[0134] Please see Figure 9The second detection component 32 also includes a second frame 322, a second drive unit 323, and a second fine-tuning unit 324. The second drive unit 323 is driven to connect to the second frame 322 to drive the second frame 322 to move between the two detection areas c1 along the second direction F2. The second fine-tuning unit 324 is movably disposed on the second frame 322 and driven to connect to the second detection unit 321 to adjust the distance between the second detection unit 321 and the transfer module 2 in the vertical direction F3.

[0135] On one of the transfer paths, transfer module 2 picks up material from tray 200 at loading station b and moves it towards inspection station c. When transfer module 2 approaches the downstream inspection end c3 on this path, the second inspection unit 321 acquires an image of the material in the corresponding inspection area c1 from a top view. When transfer module 2 on the other transfer path is transferring material, when transfer module 2 approaches the downstream inspection end c3 on this path, the second drive unit 323 drives the second frame 322 to move the second inspection unit 321 to another inspection area c1 and acquires an image of the material in that inspection area c1 from a top view. In this way, the second inspection unit 321 can alternately acquire images in the two inspection areas c1.

[0136] Furthermore, the focal length of the images captured by the second detection unit 321 varies depending on the material. To ensure the clarity of the captured images, the second detection unit 321 needs to have an autofocus function. By setting the second fine-tuning unit 324, the distance between the second detection unit 321 and the transfer module 2 in the vertical direction F3 is adjusted, thereby realizing the autofocus of the second detection unit 321 and meeting the imaging requirements of different materials.

[0137] More specifically, the second detection component 32 also includes a second fine-tuning cylinder, the cylinder seat of which is disposed on the second frame 322, and the piston rod of which forms a second fine-tuning part 324 and is drivenly connected to the second detection part 321.

[0138] As mentioned above, the appearance inspection equipment 100 has a first direction F1 and a second direction F2 arranged in a cross direction in the horizontal direction, and the loading station b, the inspection station c and the unloading station d are arranged along the first direction F1.

[0139] The inspected materials are transferred to the downstream end c3. Since the materials contain defective products, it is necessary to sort the qualified and defective products to ensure the quality of the output. By setting up two sets of discharge components 41 and a feeding component 5, the feeding component 5 transfers the inspected materials to one of the two sets of discharge components 41 respectively, thereby achieving the sorting and transfer of qualified and defective products. This ensures that qualified products are accurately collected and discharged, further guaranteeing the quality of the output.

[0140] Furthermore, to ensure modularity of the structure, the two sets of discharge components 41 are identical in structure. The following explanation uses one set of discharge components 41 as an example.

[0141] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 10 The discharge station d has a relative upstream discharge end and a downstream discharge end, with the upstream discharge end set close to the detection station c.

[0142] Two sets of discharge components 41 are arranged along the second direction F2. Each set of discharge components 41 includes a receiving component 411 and a pushing component 412. The receiving component 411 is used to transfer the empty material tray 200 to the upstream end of the discharge. The unloading component 5 transfers the detected material to the empty material tray 200. The pushing component 412 is used to transfer the material tray 200 carrying the material from the upstream end of the discharge to the downstream end of the discharge.

[0143] In this embodiment, the material that has completed the inspection is transferred to the downstream inspection end c3. The receiving component 411 transfers the empty material tray 200 to the upstream discharge end. The unloading component 5 transfers the qualified material from the downstream inspection end c3 to the upstream discharge end and places it on one of the empty material trays 200. The unloading component 5 transfers the defective material from the downstream inspection end c3 to the upstream discharge end and places it on the other empty material tray 200. In this way, the sorting and collection of qualified and defective products can be realized.

[0144] Once the inspection is completed or the current tray 200 is full, the feeding component 412 is used to move the corresponding tray 200 from the upstream end of the discharge to the downstream end of the discharge, thereby completing the discharge of qualified and defective products.

[0145] Specifically, please refer to Figure 11 The discharge station d is also equipped with a feeding tray 200 zone d1, which is located below the upstream end of the discharge station in the vertical direction F3.

[0146] The receiving assembly 411 includes a receiving platform 4111 and a receiving drive unit 4112. The receiving platform 4111 is used to carry the material tray 200. The receiving drive unit 4112 can reciprocate in the vertical direction F3 and drive the receiving platform 4111 so that after the receiving platform 4111 receives the empty material tray 200 in the feeding tray 200 area d1, it is transferred to the upstream end of the discharge. The unloading assembly 5 transfers the detected material to the empty material tray 200 on the receiving platform 4111.

[0147] Users or other organizations place the empty material tray 200 on the receiving platform 4111. The receiving drive unit 4112 drives the receiving platform 4111 to move the empty material tray 200 to the upstream end of the discharge. The unloading assembly 5 transfers the inspected material to the empty material tray 200 on the receiving platform 4111.

[0148] More specifically, the receiving assembly 411 also includes a receiving frame and a receiving cylinder, with the cylinder seat of the receiving cylinder fixed to the receiving frame. The piston rod of the receiving cylinder forms a receiving drive unit 4112, which is arranged in the vertical direction F3 and drives the receiving platform 4111 so that when it moves in the vertical direction F3, it drives the receiving platform 4111 to rotate between the feed tray 200 zone d1 and the upstream end of the discharge.

[0149] Specifically, please refer to Figure 12 and Figure 13 The feeding assembly 412 includes a feeding platform 4121 and a feeding part 4122. The feeding platform 4121 is located between the upstream end and the downstream end of the feeding process. The feeding platform 4121 receives the empty material tray 200 from the receiving assembly 411 at the upstream end of the feeding process. The feeding part 4122 can move along the first direction F1 between the upstream end and the downstream end of the feeding process to push the material tray 200 carrying the material on the feeding platform 4121 to the downstream end of the feeding process.

[0150] The receiving drive unit 4112 drives the receiving platform 4111 to move the empty material tray 200 to the upstream end of the discharge. The discharge platform 4121 receives the empty material tray 200 from the receiving component 411 at the upstream end of the discharge. When the inspection is completed or the current material tray 200 is full, the material feeding unit 4122 is used to move the corresponding material tray 200 from the upstream end of the discharge to the downstream end of the discharge, thereby completing the discharge of qualified and defective products.

[0151] More specifically, the feeding unit 4122 includes a feeding rod and a feeding drive unit. The feeding rod is at least partially located above the discharge platform 4121. The feeding drive unit is movable along the first direction F1 and is driven to connect with the feeding rod to drive the feeding rod to move the material tray 200 of the discharge platform 4121 between the upstream end and the downstream end of the discharge.

[0152] The component used to drive the feeding lever can be a linear motor, a servo motor and a lead screw and nut, or a servo motor and a rack and pinion. Correspondingly, the feeding drive unit can be a slider of a linear motor, a nut or a lead screw, or a rack. No specific restrictions are imposed here.

[0153] For more details, please refer to Figure 13 The discharge platform 4121 includes two material plates arranged opposite each other in the second direction F2, each material plate spanning between the upstream and downstream ends of the discharge. The two material plates are spaced apart in the second direction F2 and can move relative to each other.

[0154] The two material plates are relatively far apart, and the distance between them in the second direction F2 is greater than the length of the material tray 200 in the second direction F2. At this time, the user or other mechanism places the empty material tray 200 on the receiving platform 4111, and the receiving drive unit 4112 drives the receiving platform 4111 to move the empty material tray 200 to the upstream end of the discharge, where the empty material tray 200 is above the two material plates.

[0155] The two material plates are relatively close to each other, and the distance between them in the second direction F2 is slightly less than the length of the material tray 200 in the second direction F2. The receiving drive unit 4112 drives the receiving platform 4111 to move down, the empty material tray 200 is intercepted by the two material plates and rests on the two material plates, the receiving drive unit 4112 drives the receiving platform 4111 to continue to move down, and passes between the two material plates, returning to the feeding tray 200 area d1.

[0156] The feeding assembly 412 also includes an opening and closing drive unit, which is provided for the two material plates and is used to drive the two material plates to move relative to each other, so that they move closer or further apart.

[0157] Continuing from the above, the inspection station c has two inspection areas c1 arranged along the second direction F2. The discharge module 4 includes two sets of discharge components 41 arranged along the second direction F2. The unloading component 5 transfers the inspected material to one of the two sets of discharge components 41 respectively.

[0158] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 14 The unloading assembly 5 includes a third frame 51, an unloading section 52, a first unloading drive section 53, and a second unloading drive section 54. The first unloading drive section 53 is driven to connect to the third frame 51, so as to drive the third frame 51 to rotate along the second direction F2 between the two sets of discharge assemblies 41. The second unloading drive section 54 is movably disposed on the third frame 51 and driven to connect to the unloading section 52, so as to drive the unloading section 52 to rotate along the first direction F1 between the detection station c and the discharge station d. The unloading section 52 includes a vacuum adsorption element for gripping or releasing materials.

[0159] In this embodiment, corresponding to the two detection areas c1, when the material that has completed the detection is transferred to the downstream detection end c3, the second feeding drive unit 54 drives the feeding unit 52 to move to one of the downstream detection ends c3. The feeding unit 52 grabs the material (qualified product) that has completed the detection from the corresponding downstream detection end c3. The second feeding drive unit 54 drives the feeding unit 52 to move to the discharge component 41 (discharge component 41 for collecting qualified products). The feeding unit 52 releases the material so that the material falls into the corresponding empty material tray 200.

[0160] The unloading unit 52 grabs the inspected material (defective product) from the corresponding downstream end c3 of the inspection unit. The first unloading drive unit 53 drives the third frame 51 to flow to the corresponding other discharge component 41 (discharge component 41 for collecting defective products). The second unloading drive unit 54 drives the unloading unit 52 to move to the discharge component 41 (discharge component 41 for collecting defective products). The unloading unit 52 releases the material so that the material falls into the corresponding empty material tray 200.

[0161] Thus, through the coordinated action of the first feeding drive unit 53 and the second feeding drive unit 54, the feeding unit 52 can move in the first direction F1 and the second direction F2, thereby enabling the feeding unit 52 to pick up materials in the two detection zones c1 respectively, and to sort qualified products and defective products and transfer them to the two discharge components 41 respectively.

[0162] The appearance inspection equipment 100 also includes a frame 8, a feeding module 1, a transfer module 2, an inspection module 3, a discharging module 4, and a unloading assembly 5, all of which are assembled onto the frame 8.

[0163] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. All equivalent structural transformations made under the concept of the present invention using the contents of the present invention specification and drawings, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An appearance inspection apparatus characterized by comprising: The appearance inspection equipment is sequentially equipped with a material storage station, a material loading station, an inspection station, and a material unloading station. The appearance inspection equipment includes: The feeding module, at least partially, flows between the storage station and the feeding station to transfer materials at least from the storage station to the feeding station. The transfer module, at least partially, flows between the loading station and the detection station to transfer material from the storage station to the detection station; A detection module, located at the detection station, includes a first detection component for detecting the appearance of the material from a first perspective, and a second detection component for detecting the appearance of the material from a second perspective; and, A discharge module, located at the discharge station, includes two sets of discharge components for collecting qualified and defective products respectively and completing the discharge; and, The feeding assembly, at least partially, moves between the detection station and the discharge station to transfer the detected material to one of the two sets of discharge assemblies respectively; The appearance inspection equipment has a first direction and a second direction arranged in a cross direction in the horizontal direction, and the loading station, the inspection station and the unloading station are arranged along the first direction; The feeding station is provided with a first feeding area and a second feeding area along the second direction; the inspection station is provided with two inspection areas along the second direction; the transfer module is provided between the first feeding area and one of the inspection areas, and between the second feeding area and the other inspection area; The feeding module is used to transfer materials to the first feeding area and the second feeding area; The detection station has an upstream detection end near the loading station and a downstream detection end near the unloading station; The first detection component includes a first detection unit located upstream of the detection unit and below the transfer module. The first detection unit can reciprocate along a second direction to alternately detect the material from a lower perspective in two detection areas. The first detection unit is configured as an image acquisition unit; The first detection component further includes a first frame, a first drive unit, and a first fine-tuning unit. The first drive unit is driven to connect to the first frame to drive the first frame to move between the two detection areas along a second direction. The first fine-tuning unit is movably disposed on the first frame and driven to connect to the first detection unit to adjust the vertical distance between the first detection unit and the transfer module. The second detection component includes a second detection section located near the downstream end of the detection and above the transfer module. The second detection section can reciprocate along a second direction to alternately detect the material from a top viewpoint in the two detection areas. The second detection unit is configured as an image acquisition unit; The second detection component further includes a second frame, a second drive unit, and a second fine-tuning unit. The second drive unit is driven to connect to the second frame to drive the second frame to move between the two detection areas along a second direction. The second fine-tuning unit is movably disposed on the second frame and driven to connect to the second detection unit to adjust the vertical distance between the second detection unit and the transfer module.

2. The appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by The material storage station is located directly below the material loading station in the vertical direction; The feeding module includes a feeding component and a pushing component. The feeding component includes a feeding part that flows vertically between the storage station and the first feeding area to transfer a tray containing the material to be tested to the first feeding area. The pushing component includes a pushing part that flows along a second direction between the first feeding area and the second feeding area to push at least the tray containing the material to be tested from the first feeding area to the second feeding area.

3. The appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 2, characterized by The material storage station is arranged along the second direction with a material storage area and a receiving area. The material storage area is located directly below the first feeding area and is used to place a material tray containing the material to be tested. The receiving area is located directly below the second feeding area and is used to receive empty material trays. The feeding section moves between the storage area and the first feeding area; the pushing section pushes the tray containing the material to be tested or the empty tray from the first feeding area to the second feeding area; The feeding module further includes a tray ejection assembly, which includes a tray ejection section that flows vertically between the second feeding area and the receiving area to transfer an empty tray from the second feeding area to the receiving area.

4. The appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by The inspection station has an upstream inspection end near the loading station and a downstream inspection end near the unloading station; the transfer module includes: A material handling assembly, at least partially, flows between the loading station and the upstream detection end to transfer the material to be tested from the loading station to the upstream detection end; and, The feeding assembly, at least partially, flows between the upstream and downstream ends of the detection process to receive material from the picking assembly at the upstream end of the detection process and transfer the material to the downstream end of the detection process.

5. The appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 4, characterized by The material handling assembly includes a material handling section and a material handling drive section. The material handling drive section is connected to the material handling section and is used to drive the material handling section to flow between the loading station and the upstream end of the detection along a first direction. The material handling section includes a vacuum adsorption element for gripping or releasing materials.

6. The appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 4, characterized by The feeding assembly includes a feeding drive unit and a receiving platform. The receiving platform is used to carry materials. The feeding drive unit can reciprocate in a first direction and is connected to the receiving platform to drive the receiving platform to flow between the upstream end of the detection and the downstream end of the detection.

7. The appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 6, characterized by The feeding assembly further includes a flipping drive unit, which is connected to the receiving platform to drive the receiving platform to flip along its axis in a second direction. The feeding drive unit is connected to the flipping drive unit. The receiving platform is provided with a vacuum adsorption element for gripping or releasing materials. The appearance inspection equipment also includes two sets of temporary storage components located downstream of the inspection and respectively corresponding to the two inspection areas. Each set of temporary storage components is used to receive materials from the receiving platform after it is flipped over from the corresponding side. The unloading component picks up materials from the receiving platform or the temporary storage component.

8. The appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 7, wherein The temporary storage component includes a temporary storage platform and a lifting drive unit. The lifting drive unit can reciprocate in the vertical direction and is connected to the temporary storage platform. When the feeding drive unit moves the material receiving platform to the downstream end of the detection, the material receiving platform is directly above the temporary storage platform; the flipping drive unit flips the material receiving platform along the axis of the second direction, and the lifting drive unit drives the temporary storage platform to move up to fit with the material receiving platform and receive the material.

9. The appearance inspection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The appearance inspection equipment has a first direction and a second direction arranged in a cross direction in the horizontal direction. The loading station, the inspection station and the unloading station are arranged along the first direction. The unloading station has an upstream unloading end and a downstream unloading end, and the upstream unloading end is located close to the inspection station. The two sets of discharge components are arranged along the second direction. Each set of discharge components includes a receiving component and a pushing component that are movably arranged. The receiving component is used to transfer the empty material tray to the upstream end of the discharge. The unloading component transfers the detected material to the empty material tray. The pushing component is used to transfer the material tray carrying the material from the upstream end of the discharge to the downstream end of the discharge.

10. The appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 9, wherein The discharge station is also provided with a feeding tray area, which is located vertically below the upstream end of the discharge station; The receiving assembly includes a receiving platform and a receiving drive unit. The receiving platform is used to carry the material tray, and the receiving drive unit can reciprocate in the vertical direction and drive the receiving platform so that the receiving platform is transferred to the upstream end of the discharge after receiving the empty material tray in the feeding tray area. The unloading assembly transfers the detected material to the empty material tray on the receiving platform.

11. The appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 9, wherein The material feeding assembly includes a feeding platform and a feeding part. The feeding platform is located between the upstream end and the downstream end of the feeding process. The feeding platform receives an empty material tray from the receiving assembly at the upstream end of the feeding process. The feeding part can flow along a first direction between the upstream end and the downstream end of the feeding process to push the material tray on the feeding platform carrying the material to the downstream end of the feeding process.

12. The appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 1 or 9, characterized by The feeding assembly includes a third frame, a feeding section, a first feeding drive section, and a second feeding drive section. The first feeding drive section is driven and connected to the third frame to drive the third frame to rotate between the two sets of discharge assemblies along a second direction. The second feeding drive section is movably disposed on the third frame and driven and connected to the feeding section to drive the feeding section to rotate between the detection station and the discharge station along a first direction. The feeding section includes a vacuum adsorption element for gripping or releasing materials.

Images