A load changing device and a control method thereof

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of load carriers, including turnover mechanism, first load carrier track, second load carrier track, handling mechanism, carrier bin mechanism and product tray mechanism, turnover mechanism includes turnover motor, and the output of turnover motor is connected with first conveying device, first load carrier track includes two oppositely arranged first track plates, and first track plate is provided with first track conveyor belt, second load carrier track is arranged in the side of first load carrier track, handling mechanism includes portal track, first mechanical chuck and second mechanical chuck, and portal track is transversely arranged above first load carrier track and second load carrier track.The application can transfer, turn over, feed and discharge flexible circuit board, and different process modes can share mechanical mechanism, so that the occupied area of equipment is small, and the flexible circuit board can be automatically turned over, to avoid manual intervention to affect production efficiency.The application also provides a control method of load carrier.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the technical field of FPC processing equipment, specifically relating to a carrier changing machine and its control method. Background Technology

[0002] FPC, or Flexible Printed Circuit Board, requires several steps in its processing, including transferring, flipping, loading, and unloading. This necessitates the use of machinery such as carrier changers, loading machines, and unloading machines. The large number of machines increases manufacturing costs and occupies significant space on the factory production line, hindering production line simplification. Carrier changers are primarily used to transfer workpieces from one carrier to another during processing to continue subsequent steps. If some flexible circuit boards need to be flipped before further processing, their thinness and flexibility necessitate manual flipping before carrier transfer. This manual intervention reduces production efficiency. Therefore, to avoid the shortcomings of existing technologies, improvements are necessary. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a carrier-changing machine that can transfer, flip, load, and unload flexible circuit boards. Different process modes can share mechanical mechanisms, thereby reducing the machine's footprint. It can automatically flip flexible circuit boards, avoiding manual intervention that could affect production efficiency. This invention also provides a control method for the carrier-changing machine.

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0005] A carrier changing machine includes a tilting mechanism, a first carrier changing track, a second carrier changing track, a conveying mechanism, a carrier hopper mechanism, and a product tray mechanism. The tilting mechanism includes a tilting motor, the output of which is connected to a first conveying device. The first conveying device is capable of transporting flexible circuit board carriers. The first carrier changing track includes two opposing first track plates, and a first conveyor belt is provided on the first track plates. The first conveyor belt is positioned along the extension direction of the first conveying device and is capable of transporting flexible circuit board carriers transferred from the first conveying device. The second carrier changing track is located beside the first carrier changing track and includes two opposing second track plates, with a first conveyor belt provided on the second track plates. The two-track conveyor belt and the conveying mechanism include a gantry track, a first mechanical suction cup, and a second mechanical suction cup. The gantry track is positioned across the top of the first and second vehicle changing tracks. The first and second mechanical suction cups are slidably mounted on the gantry track. The vehicle storage mechanism includes a first and a second vehicle storage bin. The first vehicle storage bin is positioned along the extension direction of the first track conveyor belt, and the second vehicle storage bin is positioned along the extension direction of the second track conveyor belt. The product tray mechanism is positioned beside the first vehicle changing track. The product tray mechanism is capable of stacking trays containing flexible circuit boards. The first mechanical suction cup can move above the product tray mechanism to adsorb the flexible circuit boards.

[0006] As a preferred embodiment of the aforementioned vehicle-changing machine, the first conveying device includes two opposing first transport plates, each first transport plate being provided with two parallel first transport belts, and the inner side of the first transport plate being provided with a vehicle suction cup for adsorbing the vehicle.

[0007] As a preferred embodiment of the aforementioned carrier-changing machine, the overturning mechanism further includes a lateral movement device, which includes a first lateral movement track and a drive motor. The first lateral movement track is perpendicular to the direction of the first conveyor belt. An adjusting plate is slidably disposed on the first lateral movement track. The drive motor is connected to the adjusting plate via a lead screw and nut pair and can drive the adjusting plate to slide along the first lateral movement track. The overturning motor is disposed on the adjusting plate.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment of the aforementioned vehicle-changing machine, a pusher device is provided on the first track plate. The pusher device includes a pusher track, a telescopic cylinder, and a pusher block. The pusher track is arranged on the outer side of the first track plate along the direction of the first track conveyor belt. The telescopic cylinder is slidably arranged on the pusher track. The output end of the telescopic cylinder is connected to the pusher block and can drive the pusher block to extend inward toward the inner side of the first track plate.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment of the aforementioned carrier replacement machine, a lifting device is provided on the inner side of the first track plate. The lifting device includes a lifting screw and a lifting plate. The output end of the lifting screw is connected to the lifting plate and can drive the lifting plate to lift the flexible circuit board carrier.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment of the aforementioned vehicle changing machine, the first vehicle changing track further includes a second transverse track and an electric lead screw. The second transverse track is perpendicular to the direction of the first track conveyor belt. The first track plate is slidably disposed on the second transverse track. The electric lead screw is connected to the first track plate and can drive the first track plate to slide along the second transverse track to adjust the width between the two first track plates.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of the aforementioned carrier changing machine, the second carrier changing track further includes a hook carrier device. The hook carrier device includes a hook carrier track, a hook carrier screw, and a hook carrier plate. The hook carrier track is parallel to the direction of the second track conveyor belt. The hook carrier plate is slidably disposed on the hook carrier track. The hook carrier screw is connected to the hook carrier plate and can drive the hook carrier plate to slide along the hook carrier track to extend into the second carrier hopper to hook the flexible circuit board carrier.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment of the aforementioned vehicle changing machine, the vehicle hopper mechanism further includes a first lifting device and a hopper transfer track. The output end of the first lifting device is connected to a lifting plate, and the first vehicle hopper is disposed on the lifting plate. The vehicle hopper mechanism is provided with hopper transfer tracks at the bottom and top of the first lifting device, which can dock with the lifting plate. The lifting plate is provided with a hopper transfer conveyor belt for driving the first vehicle hopper to move toward the hopper transfer track.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of the aforementioned carrier changing machine, the product tray mechanism includes a first tray lifting device, a second tray lifting device, a tray transfer track, and a tray transfer suction cup. The first tray lifting device includes a tray lifting screw and a tray frame. The tray lifting screw is connected to the tray frame and can drive the tray frame to lift. Flexible circuit board trays are stacked on the tray frame. The tray transfer track is disposed between the first tray lifting device and the second tray lifting device. The tray transfer suction cup is slidably disposed on the tray transfer track and can adsorb and transfer flexible circuit board trays between the first tray lifting device and the second tray lifting device.

[0014] The present invention also provides a control method for a carrier-changing machine, which performs flipping, carrier-changing, loading and unloading of flexible circuit boards by means of the aforementioned carrier-changing machine, including a carrier-changing mode, a loading mode and an unloading mode;

[0015] The vehicle-switching modes include:

[0016] Step S11: The carrier loaded with flexible circuit boards enters the first conveying device. The flipping motor drives the first conveying device to flip 180 degrees. Then the first conveying device transports the carrier loaded with flexible circuit boards to the first track conveyor belt.

[0017] Step S12: The first mechanical suction cup adsorbs the carrier base plate and moves it away; the second mechanical suction cup adsorbs the flexible circuit board and moves it to the second carrier track.

[0018] Step S13: Take an empty carrier out of the second carrier hopper and place it on the second carrier changing track. The second mechanical suction cup places the flexible circuit board on the empty carrier on the second carrier changing track. Then the second track conveyor belt pushes the carrier loaded with the flexible circuit board into the second carrier hopper, and the flexible circuit board completes the carrier changing process.

[0019] Step S14: The first mechanical suction cup covers the top of the carrier with the suction cup, the first track conveyor belt transports the empty carrier back to the flipping mechanism for flipping, the first conveyor device transports the flipped empty carrier to the first track conveyor belt, and then the first track conveyor belt transports the empty carrier to the first carrier hopper.

[0020] The feeding modes include:

[0021] Step S21: The empty vehicle enters the first conveying device, and the first conveying device transports the empty vehicle to the first track conveyor belt;

[0022] Step S22: The second mechanical suction cup adsorbs the top cover of the carrier and moves it away, while the first mechanical suction cup adsorbs the flexible circuit board from the product tray mechanism and places it on the empty carrier of the first track conveyor belt.

[0023] Step S23: The second mechanical suction cup covers the top of the carrier with the adsorption, and the first track conveyor belt transports the carrier containing the flexible circuit board to the first carrier hopper.

[0024] The feeding mode includes:

[0025] Step S31: The carrier loaded with flexible circuit boards enters the first conveying device, and the first conveying device transports the carrier loaded with flexible circuit boards to the first track conveyor belt.

[0026] Step S32: The second mechanical suction cup adsorbs the top cover of the carrier and moves it away, while the first mechanical suction cup adsorbs the flexible circuit board from the carrier carrying the flexible circuit board and places it on the tray of the product tray mechanism.

[0027] Step S33: The second mechanical suction cup covers the top of the carrier with the adsorbed material, and the first track conveyor belt transports the empty carrier to the first carrier hopper.

[0028] As a preferred embodiment of the control method for the aforementioned vehicle-changing machine, in the vehicle-changing mode, when the flexible circuit board does not need to be flipped, the vehicle-changing mode includes:

[0029] Step S41: The carrier loaded with flexible circuit boards enters the first conveying device, and then the first conveying device transports the carrier loaded with flexible circuit boards to the first track conveyor belt.

[0030] Step S42: The first mechanical suction cup adsorbs the top cover of the carrier and moves it away; the second mechanical suction cup adsorbs the flexible circuit board and moves it to the second carrier track.

[0031] Step S43: The second carrier changing track takes out an empty carrier from the second carrier hopper, the second mechanical suction cup places the flexible circuit board onto the empty carrier on the second carrier changing track, and then the second track conveyor belt pushes the carrier loaded with the flexible circuit board into the second carrier hopper, and the flexible circuit board completes the carrier changing process.

[0032] Step S44: The first mechanical suction cup covers the top of the carrier with the adsorption, and then the first track conveyor belt transports the empty carrier to the first carrier hopper.

[0033] The advantages of implementing the vehicle-changing machine provided by this invention compared with the prior art are as follows:

[0034] The flipping motor of this invention can flip the first conveying device together with the flexible circuit board carrier transported on the first conveying device, thereby flipping the flexible circuit board on the carrier. After flipping, the carrier with the flexible circuit board is transported to the first carrier changing track by the first conveying device. The first mechanical suction cup removes the top cover of the carrier, and the second mechanical suction cup attaches the flexible circuit board to the empty carrier on the second carrier changing track. The carrier and the flexible circuit board are then transported to the second carrier hopper by the second track conveyor belt, completing the flipping and carrier changing process of the flexible circuit board. Meanwhile, the empty carrier on the first track conveyor belt is moved by the first mechanical suction cup to the carrier with the flexible circuit board attached to it. The top cover is replaced, and the empty carrier is transported back to the flipping mechanism in the opposite direction. After another flip to restore its original shape, it is transported back to the first track conveyor belt and then to the first carrier hopper for collection. This carrier-changing machine can also perform loading. First, the empty carrier is transported from the first conveyor device to the first track conveyor belt. At this time, the top cover of the carrier is removed by a second mechanical suction cup. The first mechanical suction cup picks up the flexible circuit board from the product tray mechanism and places it on the carrier. The second mechanical suction cup replaces the top cover of the carrier, and the carrier and flexible circuit board are transported to the first carrier hopper for storage via the first track conveyor belt. The carrier changing machine in this technical solution can also perform unloading. First, the carrier loaded with flexible circuit boards is transported from the first conveyor to the first track conveyor belt. The top cover of the carrier is removed by the second mechanical suction cup. The first mechanical suction cup picks up the flexible circuit boards on the carrier and places them on the material tray of the product material tray mechanism for stacking. After the second mechanical suction cup closes the top cover of the carrier, the empty carrier is transported to the first carrier material bin for collection via the first track conveyor belt. The carrier changing machine in this technical solution can realize the transfer, flipping, loading and unloading of flexible circuit boards. Different process modes can share the first carrier changing track, the first mechanical suction cup, and the second mechanical suction cup. The mechanical suction cup, carrier hopper mechanism, and product tray mechanism are shared mechanical mechanisms that play different roles in different processes. This shared mechanical mechanism design makes the equipment occupy a small area and realizes multiple processes. Moreover, by flipping the first conveying device together with the flexible circuit board carrier transported on the first conveying device, the problem of the flexible circuit board being too thin to be automatically flipped is solved. After flipping, the flipped flexible circuit board is transferred to the carrier on the second carrier track, achieving the effect of flipping the flexible circuit board while keeping the carrier unchanged. This automatic flipping of the flexible circuit board avoids manual intervention and affects production efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0035] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings of the embodiments will be briefly described below.

[0036] Figure 1 This is an overall schematic diagram of the present invention. Figure 1 ;

[0037] Figure 2 This is an overall schematic diagram of the present invention. Figure 2 ;

[0038] Figure 3 This is a top view of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the flipping mechanism of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the track for the first vehicle replacement device of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the second vehicle-changing track of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the conveying mechanism of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the carrier hopper mechanism of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the product tray mechanism of the present invention.

[0045] Marked in the image:

[0046] 100. Tilting mechanism; 110. Tilting motor; 120. First conveying device; 121. First conveyor belt; 122. Carrier suction cup; 130. Drive motor; 140. First transverse track; 150. Adjusting plate; 160. First transport plate; 200. First carrier changing track; 210. First track plate; 220. First track conveyor belt; 230. Push plate device; 231. Push plate track; 232. Telescopic cylinder; 233. Push block; 240. Lifting device; 241. Lifting screw; 242. Lifting plate; 250. Second transverse track; 251. Electric screw; 300. Second carrier changing track; 310. Second track plate; 320. Second track conveyor belt; 330. Hook carrier device; 331. 332. Hook carrier track; 333. Hook carrier screw; 400. Hook carrier plate; 410. Handling mechanism; 420. Gantry rail; 430. First mechanical suction cup; 440. Second mechanical suction cup; 450. Suction cup moving track; 500. Suction cup lifting device; 510. Carrier hopper mechanism; 511. First carrier hopper; 512. Layered structure; 520. Lifting plate; 530. First lifting device; 540. Hopper transfer track; 550. Hopper transfer conveyor belt; 560. Second carrier hopper; 600. Product tray mechanism; 611. First tray lifting device; 612. Tray lifting screw; 630. Tray frame; 640. Second tray lifting device; 650. Tray transfer track; 661. Tray transfer suction cup. Detailed Implementation

[0047] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0048] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the orientation descriptions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting this invention.

[0049] In the description of this invention, "several" means one or more, "more than" means two or more, "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. The use of "first" and "second" in the description is merely for distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features, or implicitly indicating the order of the indicated technical features.

[0050] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly defined, terms such as "setting," "installing," and "connecting" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0051] Please refer to the following: Figures 1 to 9 The vehicle-changing machine provided in the embodiments of the present invention will now be described.

[0052] like Figures 1 to 9As shown, the carrier changing machine of the present invention includes a tilting mechanism 100, a first carrier changing track 200, a second carrier changing track 300, a conveying mechanism 400, a carrier hopper mechanism 500, and a product tray mechanism 600. The tilting mechanism 100 includes a tilting motor 110, the output end of which is connected to a first conveying device 120. The first conveying device 120 is capable of transporting flexible circuit board carriers. The first carrier changing track 200 includes two opposing first track plates 210, on which a first track conveyor belt 220 is provided. The first track conveyor belt 220 is located in the extending direction of the first conveying device 120 and is capable of transporting flexible circuit board carriers transferred from the first conveying device 120. The second carrier changing track 300 is located beside the first carrier changing track 200 and includes two opposing second track plates 310. The 10 is equipped with a second track conveyor belt 320. The handling mechanism 400 includes a gantry track 410, a first mechanical suction cup 420, and a second mechanical suction cup 430. The gantry track 410 is arranged across the top of the first carrier changing track 200 and the second carrier changing track 300. The first mechanical suction cup 420 and the second mechanical suction cup 430 are slidably arranged on the gantry track 410. The carrier hopper mechanism 500 includes a first carrier hopper 510 and a second carrier hopper 560. The first carrier hopper 510 is arranged in the extension direction of the first track conveyor belt 220, and the second carrier hopper 560 is arranged in the extension direction of the second track conveyor belt 320. The product tray mechanism 600 is arranged beside the first carrier changing track 200. The product tray mechanism 600 can stack trays containing flexible circuit boards. The first mechanical suction cup 420 can move above the product tray mechanism 600 to adsorb the flexible circuit boards.

[0053] It should be noted that the flexible circuit board carrier has a structure in which the base plate and the top cover are magnetically connected. The flexible circuit board is placed between the base plate and the top cover of the carrier, so that the flexible circuit board will not fall out when the flipping motor 110 flips the first conveying device 120 and the carrier together.

[0054] The gantry rail 410 is positioned across the top of the first changeover rail 200 and the second changeover rail 300, enabling the first mechanical suction cup 420 and the second mechanical suction cup 430 to move along the direction between the first changeover rail 200 and the second changeover rail 300, thereby playing different roles in the processes of transferring, loading and unloading flexible circuit boards.

[0055] like Figure 7As shown, the first mechanical suction cup 420 and the second mechanical suction cup 430 are respectively provided with suction cup moving tracks 440 between the gantry rails 410, so that the first mechanical suction cup 420 and the second mechanical suction cup 430 can move between the gantry rails 410 to adjust their positions and adsorb the carrier and the flexible circuit board. A suction cup lifting device 450 is slidably provided on the suction cup moving track 440. The suction cup lifting device 450 can drive the first mechanical suction cup 420 and the second mechanical suction cup 430 to rise and fall, so that the first mechanical suction cup 420 and the second mechanical suction cup 430 can descend to the first carrier changing track 200 and the second carrier changing track 300 to adsorb and transport the carrier and the flexible circuit board.

[0056] like Figures 1-3 As shown, in the carrier-changing process, since the second mechanical suction cup 430 needs to transfer the flexible circuit board to the empty carrier on the second carrier-changing track 300, the first mechanical suction cup 420 suctions the top cover of the carrier and moves it away, so that the second mechanical suction cup 430 can suction the flexible circuit board inside the carrier. It should be noted that if the carrier has already been flipped in the flipping mechanism 100, then the first mechanical suction cup 420 actually suctions the bottom plate of the carrier; if the carrier is directly transported to the first track conveyor belt 220 without being flipped in the flipping mechanism 100, then the first mechanical suction cup 420 suctions the top cover of the carrier. The flexible circuit board is suctioned to the empty carrier on the second carrier-changing track 300. After the empty vehicle on the second vehicle changing track 300 is removed, the second track conveyor belt 320 transports the vehicle containing the flexible circuit board to the second vehicle hopper 560 for storage. If the vehicle on the first vehicle changing track 200 has been flipped in the flipping mechanism 100, it needs to be transported back to the first conveying device 120, flipped back to its original state by the flipping motor 110, and then transported to the first track conveyor belt 220, and then transported to the first vehicle hopper 510 for collection. If the vehicle on the first vehicle changing track 200 has not been flipped in the flipping mechanism 100, it is directly transported to the first vehicle hopper 510 for collection.

[0057] In the loading process, an empty carrier is first conveyed from the first conveyor device 120. The first conveyor device 120 transports the empty carrier to the first track conveyor belt 220. At this time, since the first mechanical suction cup 420 needs to pick up the flexible circuit board from the product tray mechanism 600 and place it on the empty carrier, the second mechanical suction cup 430 is needed to pick up and remove the top cover of the carrier. After the flexible circuit board is placed on the empty carrier, the second mechanical suction cup 430 closes the top cover of the carrier again. Then, the first track conveyor belt 220 transports the carrier containing the flexible circuit board to the first carrier hopper 510 for storage.

[0058] In the unloading process, the first conveyor 120 first conveys the carrier loaded with flexible circuit boards. The first conveyor 120 transports the carrier and flexible circuit boards to the first track conveyor belt 220. At this time, since the first mechanical suction cup 420 needs to pick up the flexible circuit boards from the carrier and place them on the product tray mechanism 600, the second mechanical suction cup 430 is needed to pick up and remove the top cover of the carrier. After the flexible circuit boards are placed on the tray of the product tray mechanism 600, the second mechanical suction cup 430 closes the top cover of the carrier, and the first track conveyor belt 220 transports the empty carrier to the first carrier hopper 510 for collection.

[0059] The flipping mechanism 100, the first carrier changing track 200, the first mechanical suction cup 420, the second mechanical suction cup 430, the carrier hopper mechanism 500, and the product tray mechanism 600 are shared mechanical mechanisms in the carrier changing process, the loading process, and the unloading process. They play different roles in different processes, enabling the carrier changing machine of this technical solution to have the functions of flipping, transferring, loading, and unloading flexible circuit boards, saving space. By flipping the first transport device together with the carrier carrying the flexible circuit board through the flipping mechanism 100, the problem of the flexible circuit board being too thin to be flipped is solved. By adsorbing the flipped flexible circuit board onto the empty carrier of the second carrier changing track 300, the effect of flipping the flexible circuit board without flipping the carrier is achieved, and the flipping of the flexible circuit board is automatically realized, which improves the production efficiency.

[0060] like Figure 4 As shown, the first conveying device 120 includes two opposing first conveying plates 160. Each first conveying plate 160 has two parallel first conveyor belts 121. The inner side of the first conveying plate 160 is also provided with a carrier suction cup 122 for adsorbing the carrier. The two first conveyor belts 121 are arranged in parallel, so that the carrier loaded with the flexible circuit board can enter the first conveying device 120 from the area between the two first conveyor belts 121. After being flipped, the first conveyor belt 121 located under the carrier can provide power to drive the carrier to the first track conveyor belt 220. The carrier suction cup 122 is provided on the inner side of the first conveying plate 160 for adsorbing the carrier. When the flipping motor 110 flips the first conveying device 120, the carrier suction cup 122 adsorbs the bottom plate of the carrier, and the top cover of the carrier is magnetically connected to the bottom plate of the carrier. The flexible circuit board is sandwiched between the bottom plate and the top cover of the carrier, ensuring that the carrier and the flexible circuit board will not fall off during the flipping process.

[0061] For example, the flipping mechanism 100 also includes a lateral movement device, which includes a first lateral movement track 140 and a drive motor 130. The first lateral movement track 140 is perpendicular to the direction of the first conveyor belt 121. An adjusting plate 150 is slidably disposed on the first lateral movement track 140. The drive motor 130 is connected to the adjusting plate 150 via a lead screw and nut pair and can drive the adjusting plate 150 to slide along the first lateral movement track 140. A flipping motor 110 is disposed on the adjusting plate 150. The flipping motor 110 is disposed on the adjusting plate 150 and can slide along the first lateral movement track 140 with the adjusting plate 150, thereby driving the first conveying device 120 connected to the flipping motor 110 to move and adjust its position along the direction of the first lateral movement track 140, so that the first conveyor belt 121 can dock with the first track conveyor belt 220 and transfer the carrier to the first track conveyor belt 220.

[0062] like Figure 5 As shown, a pusher device 230 is provided on the first track plate 210. The pusher device 230 includes a pusher track 231, a telescopic cylinder 232, and a pusher block 233. The pusher track 231 is arranged on the outer side of the first track plate 210 along the direction of the first track conveyor belt 220. The telescopic cylinder 232 is slidably arranged on the pusher track 231. The output end of the telescopic cylinder 232 is connected to the pusher block 233 and can drive the pusher block 233 to extend inward toward the inner side of the first track plate 210. By driving the pusher block 233 to extend inward toward the inner side of the first track plate 210 through the telescopic cylinder 232, it can touch the carrier on the first track conveyor belt 220 during movement. The telescopic cylinder 232 is slidably arranged on the pusher track 231, which is arranged along the direction of the first track conveyor belt 220. During the movement of the telescopic cylinder 232 along the pusher track 231, the extended pusher block can push the carrier into the first carrier hopper 510 along the first track conveyor belt 220.

[0063] For example, a lifting device 240 is provided on the inner side of the first track plate 210. The lifting device 240 includes a lifting screw 241 and a lifting plate 242. The output end of the lifting screw 241 is connected to the lifting plate 242 and can drive the lifting plate 242 to lift the flexible circuit board carrier. The lifting device 240 drives the lifting plate 242 to lift through the lifting screw 241, thereby lifting the carrier on the first track conveyor belt 220, thus playing a positioning role, so that the first mechanical suction cup 420 and the second mechanical suction cup 430 can adsorb the carrier top cover and the flexible circuit board. After adsorption is completed and the carrier top cover is put back on, the lifting screw 241 of the lifting device 240 drives the lifting plate 242 to descend, so that the carrier re-contacts the first track conveyor belt 220, and the first track conveyor belt 220 transports the carrier to the first carrier hopper 510.

[0064] For example, the first carrier-changing track 200 further includes a second transverse track 250 and an electric lead screw 251. The second transverse track 250 is perpendicular to the direction of the first track conveyor belt 220. A first track plate 210 is slidably disposed on the second transverse track 250. The electric lead screw 251 is connected to the first track plate 210 and can drive the first track plate 210 to slide along the second transverse track 250 to adjust the width between the two first track plates 210. The connection of the electric lead screw 251 to the first track plate 210 and the drive of the first track plate 210 to slide along the second transverse track 250 to adjust the width between the two first track plates 210 can accommodate carriers of different sizes, improving the processing adaptability of the carrier-changing machine.

[0065] like Figure 6 As shown, the second carrier track 300 also includes a hook carrier device 330, which includes a hook carrier track 331, a hook carrier screw 332, and a hook carrier plate 333. The hook carrier track 331 is parallel to the direction of the second track conveyor belt 320. The hook carrier plate 333 is slidably disposed on the hook carrier track 331. The hook carrier screw 332 is connected to the hook carrier plate 333 and can drive the hook carrier plate 333 to slide along the hook carrier track 331 to extend into the second carrier hopper 560 to hook the flexible circuit board carrier. The hook carrier screw 332 is connected to the hook carrier plate 333 and can drive the hook carrier plate 333 to slide along the hook carrier track 331 to extend into the second carrier bin 560 to hook the flexible circuit board carrier. The hook carrier plate 333 is provided with protrusions for engaging with the carrier. The carriers in the second carrier bin 560 are arranged in layers. The hook carrier plate 333 can extend from the area between two carriers to hook the carrier. Thus, the carrier is pulled out from the second carrier bin 560 onto the second track conveyor belt 320 by the drive of the hook carrier screw 332. The second carrier track 300 is also provided with a lifting device 240 and a pusher device 230 for lifting the carrier on the second track conveyor belt 320 and pushing it into the second carrier bin 560.

[0066] like Figure 8As shown, the vehicle hopper mechanism 500 also includes a first lifting device 530 and a hopper transfer track 540. The output end of the first lifting device 530 is connected to a lifting plate 520. The first vehicle hopper 510 is disposed on the lifting plate 520. The vehicle hopper mechanism 500 is provided with hopper transfer tracks 540 that can dock with the lifting plate 520 at the bottom and top of the first lifting device 530, respectively. The lifting plate 520 is provided with a hopper transfer conveyor belt 550 for driving the first vehicle hopper 510 to move toward the hopper transfer track 540. The first vehicle storage bin 510 has a layered structure 511, allowing vehicles to be placed in layers within the bin. The first lifting device 530 can lift the first vehicle storage bin 510 via a lifting plate 520. Each time a vehicle is placed into the first conveyor belt 220, the first lifting device 530 lifts the first vehicle storage bin 510 by one layer, allowing the vehicle to be placed in the next layer of the layered structure 511. When the layered structure 511 of the first vehicle storage bin 510 is full of vehicles, the first lifting device 530... The first carrier hopper 510 has been raised to the top. At the bottom and top of the first lifting device 530, there are hopper transfer tracks 540 that can dock with the lifting plate 520. The first carrier hopper 510 is transferred laterally along the hopper transfer track 540 by the hopper transfer conveyor belt 550 set on the lifting plate 520. The lifting plate 520 is lowered to the bottom, and the new empty hopper is transferred to the lifting plate 520 at the bottom along the hopper transfer track 540 at the bottom. This cycle continues.

[0067] like Figure 9As shown, the product tray mechanism 600 includes a first tray lifting device 610, a second tray lifting device 620, a tray transfer track 630, and a tray transfer suction cup 640. The first tray lifting device 610 includes a tray lifting screw 611 and a tray frame 612. The tray lifting screw 611 is connected to the tray frame 612 and can drive the tray frame 612 to lift. Flexible circuit board trays are stacked on the tray frame 612. The tray transfer track 630 is located between the first tray lifting device 610 and the second tray lifting device 620. The tray transfer suction cup 640 is slidably located on the tray transfer track 630 and can adsorb and transfer flexible circuit board trays between the first tray lifting device 610 and the second tray lifting device 620. The tray transfer suction cup 640 moves and transports the tray along the tray transfer track 630 between the first tray lifting device 610 and the second tray lifting device 620. In the loading process, the first tray lifting device 610 stacks trays loaded with flexible circuit boards. After the first mechanical suction cup 420 picks up the flexible circuit board on the top tray, the tray transfer suction cup 640 picks up the empty tray on the top tray and transfers it to the second tray lifting device 620 for stacking. The first tray lifting device 610 is lifted accordingly so that the first mechanical suction cup 420 can continue to pick up the flexible circuit board on the top tray. In the unloading process, the second tray lifting device 620 stacks empty trays. The tray transfer suction cup 640 picks up and transfers the top empty tray to the first tray lifting device 610, allowing the first mechanical suction cup 420 to place the flexible circuit board onto the empty tray of the first tray lifting device 610. Then, the tray transfer suction cup 640 continues to pick up and transport the empty tray of the second tray lifting device 620 to the top of the first tray lifting device 610, allowing the first mechanical suction cup 420 to place the flexible circuit board onto the top empty tray of the first tray lifting device 610 for stacking. This process is repeated.

[0068] The present invention also provides a control method for a carrier-changing machine, which performs flipping, carrier-changing, loading and unloading of flexible circuit boards by means of the aforementioned carrier-changing machine, including a carrier-changing mode, a loading mode and an unloading mode;

[0069] Vehicle switching modes include:

[0070] Step S11: The carrier loaded with flexible circuit boards enters the first conveyor device 120. The flip motor 110 drives the first conveyor device 120 to flip 180 degrees. Then the first conveyor device 120 transports the carrier loaded with flexible circuit boards to the first track conveyor belt 220.

[0071] Step S12: The first mechanical suction cup 420 adsorbs the carrier base plate and moves it away; the second mechanical suction cup 430 adsorbs the flexible circuit board and moves it to the second carrier track 300.

[0072] Step S13: Take out an empty carrier from the second carrier hopper 560 and place it on the second carrier changing track 300. The second mechanical suction cup 430 places the flexible circuit board on the empty carrier on the second carrier changing track 300. Then the second track conveyor belt 320 pushes the carrier loaded with the flexible circuit board into the second carrier hopper 560, and the flexible circuit board completes the carrier changing process.

[0073] Step S14: The first mechanical suction cup 420 covers the top of the carrier with suction, the first track conveyor belt 220 transports the empty carrier back to the flipping mechanism 100 for flipping, the first conveying device 120 transports the flipped empty carrier to the first track conveyor belt 220, and then the first track conveyor belt 220 transports the empty carrier to the first carrier hopper 510.

[0074] The feeding modes include:

[0075] Step S21: The empty vehicle enters the first conveyor device 120, and the first conveyor device 120 transports the empty vehicle to the first track conveyor belt 220.

[0076] Step S22: The second mechanical suction cup 430 adsorbs the top cover of the carrier and moves it away, and the first mechanical suction cup 420 adsorbs the flexible circuit board from the product tray mechanism 600 and places it on the empty carrier of the first track conveyor belt 220.

[0077] Step S23: The second mechanical suction cup 430 covers the top of the carrier with the suction, and the first track conveyor belt 220 transports the carrier containing the flexible circuit board to the first carrier hopper 510.

[0078] Material feeding modes include:

[0079] Step S31: The carrier loaded with flexible circuit boards enters the first conveying device 120, and the first conveying device 120 transports the carrier loaded with flexible circuit boards to the first track conveyor belt 220.

[0080] Step S32: The second mechanical suction cup 430 adsorbs the top cover of the carrier and moves it away, and the first mechanical suction cup 420 adsorbs the flexible circuit board from the carrier carrying the flexible circuit board and places it on the tray of the product tray mechanism 600.

[0081] Step S33: The second mechanical suction cup 430 covers the top of the carrier with the adsorption, and the first track conveyor belt 220 transports the empty carrier to the first carrier hopper 510.

[0082] As a preferred embodiment of the control method for the aforementioned vehicle-changing machine, in the vehicle-changing mode, when the flexible circuit board does not need to be flipped, the vehicle-changing mode includes:

[0083] Step S41: The carrier loaded with flexible circuit boards enters the first conveyor 120, and then the first conveyor 120 transports the carrier loaded with flexible circuit boards to the first track conveyor belt 220.

[0084] Step S42: The first mechanical suction cup 420 adsorbs the top cover of the carrier and moves it away; the second mechanical suction cup 430 adsorbs the flexible circuit board and moves it to the second carrier track 300.

[0085] Step S43: The second carrier changing track 300 takes out an empty carrier from the second carrier hopper 560. The second mechanical suction cup 430 places the flexible circuit board on the empty carrier on the second carrier changing track 300. Then the second track conveyor belt 320 pushes the carrier loaded with the flexible circuit board into the second carrier hopper 560, and the flexible circuit board completes the carrier changing process.

[0086] Step S44: The first mechanical suction cup 420 covers the top cover of the carrier with the suction, and then the first track conveyor belt 220 transports the empty carrier to the first carrier hopper 510.

[0087] The advantages of implementing the vehicle-changing machine provided by this invention compared with the prior art are as follows:

[0088] The flipping motor 110 of this invention can flip the first conveying device 120 together with the flexible circuit board carrier transported on the first conveying device 120, thereby flipping the flexible circuit board on the carrier. After flipping, the carrier with the flexible circuit board is transported to the first carrier changing track 200 by the first conveying device 120. The first mechanical suction cup 420 adsorbs and removes the top cover of the carrier, and the second mechanical suction cup 430 adsorbs the flexible circuit board onto the empty carrier on the second carrier changing track 300. The carrier and the flexible circuit board are transported to the second carrier hopper 560 by the second track conveyor belt 320, completing the flipping and carrier changing process of the flexible circuit board. The empty carrier on the first track conveyor belt 220 is transported by the first mechanical suction cup 420. The top cover of the carrier is replaced, and the empty carrier is transported back to the flipping mechanism 100 in the reverse direction. After another flip to restore its original shape, it is transported back to the first track conveyor belt 220 and then to the first carrier hopper 510 for collection. This carrier-changing machine can also perform loading. First, the empty carrier is transported from the first conveying device 120 to the first track conveyor belt 220. At this time, the second mechanical suction cup 430 removes the top cover of the carrier. The first mechanical suction cup 420 picks up the flexible circuit board from the tray of the product tray mechanism 600 and places it on the carrier. The second mechanical suction cup 430 replaces the top cover of the carrier, and the carrier and flexible circuit board are transported to the first carrier hopper 510 via the first track conveyor belt 220. The first carrier hopper 510 stores the flexible circuit boards. The carrier changing machine in this technical solution can also unload materials. First, the carrier loaded with flexible circuit boards is transported from the first conveyor device 120 to the first track conveyor belt 220. The second mechanical suction cup 430 removes the top cover of the carrier. The first mechanical suction cup 420 picks up the flexible circuit boards from the carrier and places them on the tray of the product tray mechanism 600 for stacking. The second mechanical suction cup 430 then replaces the top cover of the carrier, and the empty carrier is transported to the first carrier hopper 510 for collection via the first track conveyor belt 220. The carrier changing machine in this technical solution can realize the transfer, flipping, loading, and unloading of flexible circuit boards. Different process modes can share the first carrier changing track 200 and the first... The mechanical suction cup 420, the second mechanical suction cup 430, the carrier hopper mechanism 500, and the product tray mechanism 600 are shared mechanical mechanisms that play different roles in different processes. This shared mechanical mechanism design makes the equipment occupy a small area and realizes more processes. Moreover, by flipping the first conveying device 120 together with the flexible circuit board carrier transported on the first conveying device 120 through the flipping mechanism 100, the problem of the flexible circuit board being too thin to be automatically flipped is solved. After flipping, the flipped flexible circuit board is transferred to the carrier on the second carrier track 300, achieving the effect of flipping the flexible circuit board while keeping the carrier unchanged. This automatic flipping of the flexible circuit board avoids manual intervention and affects production efficiency.

[0089] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and substitutions can be made without departing from the technical principles of the present invention, and these improvements and substitutions should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vehicle-changing machine, characterized in that, include: A flipping mechanism, comprising a flipping motor, the output end of which is connected to a first conveying device, the first conveying device being capable of transporting a flexible circuit board carrier; The first carrier changing track includes two opposing first track plates, and a first track conveyor belt is provided on the first track plates. The first track conveyor belt is arranged in the extension direction of the first conveying device and is capable of transporting the flexible circuit board carrier transferred from the first conveying device. The second vehicle changing track is located beside the first vehicle changing track. The second vehicle changing track includes two opposing second track plates, and a second track conveyor belt is provided on the second track plates. The transport mechanism includes a gantry rail, a first mechanical suction cup, and a second mechanical suction cup. The gantry rail is arranged across the top of the first and second vehicle change rails, and the first and second mechanical suction cups are slidably arranged on the gantry rail. A vehicle hopper mechanism, comprising a first vehicle hopper and a second vehicle hopper, wherein the first vehicle hopper is disposed in the extension direction of the first track conveyor belt, and the second vehicle hopper is disposed in the extension direction of the second track conveyor belt; The product tray mechanism is located beside the first carrier track. The product tray mechanism can stack trays containing flexible circuit boards. The first mechanical suction cup can move above the product tray mechanism to adsorb the flexible circuit boards.

2. The vehicle-changing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first conveying device includes two opposing first transport plates, each first transport plate is provided with two parallel first transport belts, and the inner side of the first transport plate is also provided with a carrier suction cup for adsorbing the carrier.

3. The vehicle-changing machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The flipping mechanism further includes a lateral movement device, which includes a first lateral movement track and a drive motor. The first lateral movement track is perpendicular to the direction of the first conveyor belt. An adjustment plate is slidably arranged on the first lateral movement track. The drive motor is connected to the adjustment plate through a lead screw and nut pair and can drive the adjustment plate to slide along the first lateral movement track. The flipping motor is arranged on the adjustment plate.

4. The vehicle-changing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, A pusher device is provided on the first track plate. The pusher device includes a pusher track, a telescopic cylinder, and a pusher block. The pusher track is arranged on the outer side of the first track plate along the direction of the first track conveyor belt. The telescopic cylinder is slidably arranged on the pusher track. The output end of the telescopic cylinder is connected to the pusher block and can drive the pusher block to extend inward toward the inner side of the first track plate.

5. The vehicle-changing machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, A lifting device is provided on the inner side of the first track plate. The lifting device includes a lifting screw and a lifting plate. The output end of the lifting screw is connected to the lifting plate and can drive the lifting plate to lift the flexible circuit board carrier.

6. The vehicle-changing machine according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first carrier track also includes a second transverse track and an electric lead screw. The second transverse track is perpendicular to the direction of the first track conveyor belt. The first track plate is slidably disposed on the second transverse track. The electric lead screw is connected to the first track plate and can drive the first track plate to slide along the second transverse track to adjust the width between the two first track plates.

7. The vehicle-changing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second carrier track also includes a hook carrier device, which includes a hook carrier track, a hook carrier screw, and a hook carrier plate. The hook carrier track is parallel to the direction of the second track conveyor belt. The hook carrier plate is slidably disposed on the hook carrier track. The hook carrier screw is connected to the hook carrier plate and can drive the hook carrier plate to slide along the hook carrier track to extend into the second carrier hopper to hook the flexible circuit board carrier.

8. The vehicle-changing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vehicle hopper mechanism further includes a first lifting device and a hopper transfer track. The output end of the first lifting device is connected to a lifting plate. The first vehicle hopper is disposed on the lifting plate. The vehicle hopper mechanism is provided with the hopper transfer track at the bottom and top of the first lifting device, which can dock with the lifting plate. The lifting plate is provided with a hopper transfer conveyor belt for driving the first vehicle hopper to move towards the hopper transfer track.

9. The vehicle-changing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The product tray mechanism includes a first tray lifting device, a second tray lifting device, a tray transfer track, and a tray transfer suction cup. The first tray lifting device includes a tray lifting screw and a tray frame. The tray lifting screw is connected to the tray frame and can drive the tray frame to lift. Flexible circuit board trays are stacked on the tray frame. The tray transfer track is located between the first tray lifting device and the second tray lifting device. The tray transfer suction cup is slidably disposed on the tray transfer track and can adsorb and transfer flexible circuit board trays between the first tray lifting device and the second tray lifting device.

10. A control method for a carrier-changing machine, wherein the carrier-changing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is used to flip, change carriers, load, and unload flexible circuit boards, characterized in that, This includes vehicle-changing mode, loading mode, and unloading mode; The vehicle-switching modes include: Step S11: The carrier loaded with flexible circuit boards enters the first conveying device. The flipping motor drives the first conveying device to flip 180 degrees. Then the first conveying device transports the carrier loaded with flexible circuit boards to the first track conveyor belt. Step S12: The first mechanical suction cup adsorbs the carrier base plate and moves it away; the second mechanical suction cup adsorbs the flexible circuit board and moves it to the second carrier track. Step S13: Take an empty carrier out of the second carrier hopper and place it on the second carrier changing track. The second mechanical suction cup places the flexible circuit board onto the empty carrier on the second carrier changing track. Then the second track conveyor belt pushes the carrier loaded with the flexible circuit board into the second carrier hopper, and the flexible circuit board completes the carrier changing process. Step S14: The first mechanical suction cup covers the top of the carrier with the suction cup, the first track conveyor belt transports the empty carrier back to the flipping mechanism for flipping, the first conveyor device transports the flipped empty carrier to the first track conveyor belt, and then the first track conveyor belt transports the empty carrier to the first carrier hopper. The feeding modes include: Step S21: The empty vehicle enters the first conveying device, and the first conveying device transports the empty vehicle to the first track conveyor belt; Step S22: The second mechanical suction cup adsorbs the top cover of the carrier and moves it away, while the first mechanical suction cup adsorbs the flexible circuit board from the product tray mechanism and places it on the empty carrier of the first track conveyor belt. Step S23: The second mechanical suction cup covers the top of the carrier with the adsorption, and the first track conveyor belt transports the carrier containing the flexible circuit board to the first carrier hopper. The feeding mode includes: Step S31: The carrier loaded with flexible circuit boards enters the first conveying device, and the first conveying device transports the carrier loaded with flexible circuit boards to the first track conveyor belt. Step S32: The second mechanical suction cup adsorbs the top cover of the carrier and moves it away, while the first mechanical suction cup adsorbs the flexible circuit board from the carrier carrying the flexible circuit board and places it on the tray of the product tray mechanism. Step S33: The second mechanical suction cup covers the top of the carrier with the adsorbed material, and the first track conveyor belt transports the empty carrier to the first carrier hopper.

11. The control method for the vehicle-changing machine according to claim 10, characterized in that, In the aforementioned carrier-swapping mode, when the flexible circuit board does not need to be flipped, the carrier-swapping mode includes: Step S41: The carrier loaded with flexible circuit boards enters the first conveying device, and then the first conveying device transports the carrier loaded with flexible circuit boards to the first track conveyor belt. Step S42: The first mechanical suction cup adsorbs the top cover of the carrier and moves it away; the second mechanical suction cup adsorbs the flexible circuit board and moves it to the second carrier track. Step S43: The second carrier changing track takes out an empty carrier from the second carrier hopper, the second mechanical suction cup places the flexible circuit board onto the empty carrier on the second carrier changing track, and then the second track conveyor belt pushes the carrier loaded with the flexible circuit board into the second carrier hopper, and the flexible circuit board completes the carrier changing process. Step S44: The first mechanical suction cup covers the top of the carrier with the adsorption, and then the first track conveyor belt transports the empty carrier to the first carrier hopper.

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