Conveying device and display panel production apparatus

Abstract

The application provides a conveying device and a display panel production equipment. The conveying device is used for conveying a glass substrate. The conveying device comprises a support frame, a conveying assembly and a guide wheel. The conveying assembly is connected to the support frame. The conveying assembly is used for carrying the glass substrate and conveying the glass substrate in a first direction. The guide wheel is connected to the support frame and is arranged on at least one side of the conveying assembly in a second direction. The guide wheel is configured to rotate along an axis of the guide wheel. The axis of the guide wheel is parallel to a third direction. The guide wheel is used for guiding the glass substrate during the conveying of the glass substrate. The first direction, the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to each other. The guide wheel comprises a wheel body and a wear indication layer. The wear indication layer is wrapped on an outer circumferential surface of the wheel body. The color of the wear indication layer is different from the color of the wheel body. The wear indication layer is used for contacting the glass substrate during the conveying of the glass substrate. According to the application, the wear visibility of the guide wheel can be effectively improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of display panel technology, and in particular to a conveying device and display panel production equipment. Background Technology

[0002] As a crucial component of display panels, the fabrication of glass substrates is extremely important, and their yield directly impacts the economic benefits of the display panels. During the fabrication process, a conveying device is typically required to transport the glass substrates. To minimize shaking during transport, guide wheels are usually used to ensure greater stability.

[0003] Guide wheels will wear out over time. However, the wear of guide wheels in related technologies is not easy to observe, making it impossible to determine the replacement cycle. If severely worn guide wheels are not replaced in time, the glass substrate is prone to displacement, corner breakage, or fragment breakage during the conveying process, affecting the yield of glass substrates.

[0004] Therefore, improving the visibility of wear on guide wheels is an ongoing research direction in display panel technology. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the above problems, this application provides a conveying device and a display panel production equipment, which can effectively improve the visibility of wear on the guide wheels, thereby improving the reliability of the conveying device.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a conveying device for conveying a glass substrate. The conveying device includes a support frame, a conveying component, and guide wheels. The conveying component is connected to the support frame and is used to carry the glass substrate and convey it along a first direction.

[0007] The guide wheel is connected to the support frame and is disposed on at least one side of the conveying assembly along the second direction. The guide wheel is configured to rotate along its own axis, the axis of which is parallel to the third direction. The guide wheel is used to guide the glass substrate during the conveying process. The first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0008] The guide wheel includes a wheel body and a wear indicator layer. The wear indicator layer covers the outer circumferential surface of the wheel body, and the color of the wear indicator layer is different from that of the wheel body. The wear indicator layer is used to contact the glass substrate during the glass substrate transfer process.

[0009] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the wear indicator layer includes a first indicator layer and a second indicator layer, the first indicator layer covering the outer peripheral surface of the wheel body, the second indicator layer covering the outer peripheral surface of the first indicator layer, and the first indicator layer, the second indicator layer and the wheel body are all different colors.

[0010] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the wear indicator layer is detachably attached to the wheel body.

[0011] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the wear indicator layer comprises a fluorescent material.

[0012] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the conveying device further includes a light source connected to a support frame, the light source being used to emit light toward the wear indicator layer to excite the fluorescent material to produce fluorescence.

[0013] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the conveying device further includes a detection component connected to a support frame. The detection component is used to receive fluorescence and generate processing information based on the fluorescence. The processing information is used to determine the wear state of the wear indicator layer.

[0014] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the wheel body and the wear indicator layer are integrally formed.

[0015] In some embodiments of the first aspect, a first recess is provided on the wheel body, the first recess being recessed relative to one end face of the wheel body in a third direction.

[0016] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the wear indicator layer has a dimension of 0.3 mm to 1.5 mm in the direction perpendicular to the axis.

[0017] Secondly, this application provides a display panel production apparatus, which includes the conveying device provided in any embodiment of the first aspect.

[0018] The conveying device provided in this application introduces a wear indicator layer. During the conveying of the glass substrate, the wear indicator layer of the guide wheel comes into contact with the glass substrate, and the wear condition of the guide wheel is clearly and accurately displayed through the color difference between the wheel body and the wear indicator layer, thereby improving the visibility of the guide wheel's wear. Furthermore, the improved visibility of the guide wheel's wear allows operators to promptly identify and replace severely worn guide wheels, preventing the glass substrate from shifting, breaking, or fragmenting due to excessive wear of the guide wheels during conveying, thus improving the reliability of the conveying device.

[0019] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of this application. In order to better understand the technical means of this application and to implement it in accordance with the contents of the specification, and to make the above and other objects, features and advantages of this application more obvious and understandable, specific embodiments of this application are given below. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Furthermore, the same reference numerals denote the same parts throughout the drawings. In the drawings:

[0021] Figure 1 This is a top view of a conveying device provided in some embodiments of this application;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a front view structural diagram of a transmission device provided in some embodiments of this application;

[0023] Figure 3 A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a guide wheel of a conveying device provided in some embodiments of this application;

[0024] Figure 4 A top view of the guide wheel of a conveying device provided in some embodiments of this application;

[0025] Figure 5 A front view of a guide wheel of a conveying device provided in some embodiments of this application;

[0026] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure along AA;

[0027] Figure 7 A top view of the guide wheel of another conveying device provided in some embodiments of this application;

[0028] Figure 8 A front view structural schematic diagram of the guide wheel of another conveying device provided in some embodiments of this application;

[0029] Figure 9 for Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure along BB.

[0030] The reference numerals in the detailed embodiments are as follows:

[0031] 100. Glass substrate;

[0032] 10. Support frame;

[0033] 20. Transmission component;

[0034] 30. Guide wheel; 31. Wheel body; 311. First recess; 32. Wear indicator layer; 321. First indicator layer; 322. Second indicator layer;

[0035] X, first direction; Y, second direction; Z, third direction. Detailed Implementation

[0036] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0037] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this application have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains; the terminology used in the specification of this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the application; the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, in the specification, claims, and foregoing drawings of this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. The terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, or foregoing drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order or hierarchy.

[0038] In this application, the reference to "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive with other embodiments.

[0039] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "attachment" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0040] In this application, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, in this application, the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0041] In the embodiments of this application, the same reference numerals denote the same components, and for the sake of brevity, detailed descriptions of the same components are omitted in different embodiments. It should be understood that the thickness, length, width, and other dimensions of various components in the embodiments of this application shown in the accompanying drawings, as well as the overall thickness, length, width, and other dimensions of the integrated device, are merely illustrative and should not constitute any limitation on this application.

[0042] In this application, "multiple" means two or more (including two).

[0043] In this application, the term "parallel" includes not only the case of absolute parallelism, but also the case of approximate parallelism as commonly understood in engineering; similarly, "perpendicular" includes not only the case of absolute perpendicularity, but also the case of approximate perpendicularity as commonly understood in engineering.

[0044] As a crucial component of display panels, the fabrication of glass substrates is extremely important, and their yield directly impacts the economic benefits of the display panels. During the fabrication process, a conveying device is typically required to transport the glass substrates. To minimize shaking during transport, guide wheels are usually used to ensure greater stability.

[0045] Guide wheels will wear out over time. However, the wear of guide wheels in related technologies is not easy to observe, making it impossible to determine the replacement cycle. If severely worn guide wheels are not replaced in time, the glass substrate is prone to displacement, corner breakage, or fragment breakage during the conveying process, affecting the yield of glass substrates.

[0046] Therefore, improving the visibility of wear on guide wheels is an ongoing research direction in display panel technology.

[0047] Based on the above considerations, this application designs a conveying device for conveying glass substrates. The conveying device includes a support frame, a conveying component, and guide wheels. The conveying component is connected to the support frame and is used to carry the glass substrate and convey it along a first direction.

[0048] The guide wheel is connected to the support frame and is disposed on at least one side of the conveying assembly along the second direction. The guide wheel is configured to rotate along its own axis, the axis of which is parallel to the third direction. The guide wheel is used to guide the glass substrate during the conveying process. The first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0049] The guide wheel includes a wheel body and a wear indicator layer. The wear indicator layer covers the outer circumferential surface of the wheel body, and the color of the wear indicator layer is different from that of the wheel body. The wear indicator layer is used to contact the glass substrate during the glass substrate transfer process.

[0050] By introducing a wear indicator layer, during the glass substrate transfer process, the wear indicator layer of the guide wheel comes into contact with the glass substrate. The wear condition of the guide wheel is clearly and accurately displayed through the color difference between the wheel body and the wear indicator layer, thereby improving the visibility of guide wheel wear. This improved visibility allows operators to promptly identify and replace severely worn guide wheels, preventing the glass substrate from shifting, breaking, or fragmenting due to excessive wear of the guide wheels during transfer, thus improving the reliability of the transfer device.

[0051] Figure 1 This is a top view schematic diagram of a conveying device provided in some embodiments of this application. Figure 2 This is a front view structural diagram of a transmission device provided in some embodiments of this application. Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a guide wheel of a conveying device provided in some embodiments of this application. Figure 4 This is a top view schematic diagram of the guide wheel structure of a conveying device provided in some embodiments of this application. Figure 5 This is a front view structural schematic diagram of a guide wheel of a conveying device provided in some embodiments of this application. Figure 6 for Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure along AA.

[0052] refer to Figures 1 to 6 This application provides a conveying device for conveying a glass substrate 100. The conveying device includes a support frame 10, a conveying component 20 and a guide wheel 30. The conveying component 20 is connected to the support frame 10 and is used to carry the glass substrate 100 and convey the glass substrate 100 along a first direction X.

[0053] The guide wheel 30 is connected to the support frame 10 and is disposed on at least one side of the conveying assembly 20 along the second direction Y. The guide wheel 30 is configured to rotate along its own axis. The axis of the guide wheel 30 is parallel to the third direction Z. The guide wheel 30 is used to guide the glass substrate 100 during the conveying process. The first direction X, the second direction Y and the third direction Z are perpendicular to each other.

[0054] The guide wheel 30 includes a wheel body 31 and a wear indicator layer 32. The wear indicator layer 32 covers the outer peripheral surface of the wheel body 31, and the color of the wear indicator layer 32 is different from the color of the wheel body 31. The wear indicator layer 32 is used to contact the glass substrate 100 during the conveying process of the glass substrate 100.

[0055] For example, the conveying device in this application embodiment is mainly used to convey the glass substrate 100. Of course, in the field of display panels, some substrates may also be made of materials other than glass, such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The conveying device in this application embodiment can also be used to convey substrates made of materials other than glass, as long as the substrate has a similar structure to the glass substrate 100.

[0056] To facilitate a clear description of the embodiments of this application, the following description will use the example of a conveying device for conveying a glass substrate 100.

[0057] The support frame 10 is used to provide stable structural support for the entire conveying device. The support frame 10 may be made of metal or non-metal materials, for example, metal materials may be copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, nickel, nickel alloy, titanium, titanium alloy or stainless steel, etc., and non-metal materials may be polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride or wood, etc.

[0058] The conveying assembly 20 is the main functional component of the conveying device for conveying the glass substrate 100. The conveying assembly 20 can be directly connected to the support frame 10, or it can be restricted to the support frame 10 by other components.

[0059] Optionally, the conveying component 20 can be a belt conveyor structure, a roller conveyor structure, or a chain conveyor structure, which can be selected according to the actual application environment.

[0060] In some examples, the conveying assembly 20 may include a drive motor and a plurality of rollers spaced apart along a first direction X, with the axial direction of the rollers parallel to a second direction Y. The drive motor is connected to the rollers and is used to drive the rollers to rotate, thereby realizing the conveying of the glass substrate 100.

[0061] In some examples, the conveying assembly 20 may further include a conveyor belt laid on the outer circumferential surface of multiple rollers. A drive motor is connected to the rollers and drives them to rotate, causing the conveyor belt to move along a first direction X to achieve the transport of the glass substrate 100. The conveyor belt may be made of wear-resistant rubber or a polymer composite material to ensure stable friction and load-bearing capacity during long-term operation.

[0062] In some examples, the conveyor assembly 20 may also include a tensioning component for adjusting the tension of the conveyor belt to prevent slippage or slack during operation and improve transmission stability.

[0063] The guide wheel 30 can be detachably connected to the support frame 10 or integrally mounted on the support frame 10. The guide wheel 30 can be directly connected to the support frame 10 or constrained to the support frame 10 by other components. As an example, the connection method between the guide wheel 30 and the support frame 10 can be, but is not limited to, bolt connection, snap-fit, riveting, or adhesive.

[0064] The number of guide wheels 30 can be one or more. As an example, the number of guide wheels 30 is multiple, and the multiple guide wheels 30 may include a first guide wheel and a second guide wheel. The first guide wheel and the second guide wheel are respectively disposed on both sides of the conveying assembly 20 along the second direction Y. During the conveying process of the glass substrate 100, the glass substrate 100 passes between the first guide wheel and the second guide wheel.

[0065] In some examples, there are multiple first guide wheels and multiple second guide wheels, with multiple first guide wheels spaced apart along the first direction X and multiple second guide wheels spaced apart along the first direction X, which can further improve the transport stability of the glass substrate 100.

[0066] The wheel body 31 serves as the main skeleton structure of the guide wheel 30, and the guide wheel 30 is rotatably connected to the support frame 10 through the wheel body 31.

[0067] The guide wheel 30 and the support frame 10 can be rotatably connected via a rotating component. For example, the rotating component can be mounted on the guide wheel 30, and the support frame 10 can have a corresponding connecting component; the rotating component and the connecting component cooperate to achieve a rotatable connection between the guide wheel 30 and the support frame 10. Alternatively, the rotating component can be mounted on the support frame 10, and the guide wheel 30 can have a corresponding connecting component; the rotating component and the connecting component cooperate to achieve a rotatable connection between the guide wheel 30 and the support frame 10. The rotating component can be made of, but is not limited to, metal, polyethylene, or polypropylene.

[0068] During the transport of the glass substrate 100, the wear indicator layer 32, as the outermost structure of the guide wheel 30, directly bears and counteracts the frictional force from the glass substrate 100, thus becoming the main structure bearing the friction brought by the glass substrate 100 on the guide wheel 30.

[0069] As the wear indicator layer 32 wears down, its thickness gradually decreases. Since the wear indicator layer 32 is a different color from the wheel body 31, when the thickness of the wear indicator layer 32 gradually diminishes over time and is reduced to a point where it completely disappears, the color of the inner wheel body 31 will become visible. This simple and intuitive visualization method allows operators to directly assess the degree of wear on the guide wheel 30.

[0070] The wear indicator layer 32 not only makes daily inspections more convenient but also significantly shortens troubleshooting and maintenance cycles. Once the wear indicator layer 32 shows signs of extensive or high-level wear, operators can promptly replace or repair the guide wheel 30, effectively preventing problems such as glass substrate 100 misalignment, corner breakage, or fragmentation caused by guide wheel 30 failure. Furthermore, timely replacement of excessively worn guide wheels 30 can reduce unexpected downtime and defect rates, helping to maintain high production efficiency.

[0071] Furthermore, by recording and analyzing the specific wear location and morphology of the wear indicator layer 32, the conveying process of the conveying device can be optimized in reverse, providing solid data support for improving the service life of the guide wheel 30 and the reliability of the conveying process.

[0072] As an example, the wear indicator layer 32 and the wheel body 31 can be two high-contrast colors to further improve visibility. For example, the wear indicator layer 32 and the wheel body 31 can be set to red and green respectively; or, the wear indicator layer 32 and the wheel body 31 can be set to black and white respectively, and so on.

[0073] The wear indicator layer 32 can be detachably connected to the wheel body 31 or integrally formed on the wheel body 31. The wear indicator layer 32 can be directly connected to the wheel body 31 or constrained to the wheel body 31 by other components. As an example, the connection method between the wear indicator layer 32 and the wheel body 31 can be, but is not limited to, riveting or bonding.

[0074] For example, the wear indicator layer 32 and the wheel body 31 may be made of the same material or different materials.

[0075] As an example, the wear indicator layer 32 and the wheel body 31 are made of the same material, which helps to simplify the manufacturing process and reduce costs.

[0076] Optionally, the wear indicator layer 32 and the wheel body 31 can both be made of materials such as polyetheretherketone, polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyvinyl chloride, but are not limited to polyetheretherketone.

[0077] As an example, both the wear indicator layer 32 and the wheel body 31 are made of polyetheretherketone.

[0078] The above technical solution introduces a wear indicator layer 32. During the conveying process of the glass substrate 100, the wear indicator layer 32 of the guide wheel 30 comes into contact with the glass substrate 100. The wear condition of the guide wheel 30 is clearly and accurately displayed through the color difference between the wheel body 31 and the wear indicator layer 32, thereby improving the wear visibility of the guide wheel 30. Furthermore, the improved wear visibility of the guide wheel 30 allows operators to promptly identify and replace severely worn guide wheels 30, preventing the glass substrate 100 from shifting, breaking, or fragmenting due to excessive wear of the guide wheel 30 during conveying, thus improving the reliability of the conveying device.

[0079] It should be noted that the thickness of the wear indicator layer 32 is an important factor affecting the replacement frequency of the guide wheel 30 and the conveying quality of the glass substrate 100. The greater the thickness of the wear indicator layer 32, the less likely it is to be completely worn away in a short period of time, and the inner wheel body 31 is exposed later, which superficially prolongs the service life of the guide wheel 30; however, at the same time, the actual wear condition of the guide wheel 30 may be "covered up" for a longer period of time, increasing the potential risks of misalignment, corner breakage, or fragmentation of the glass substrate 100.

[0080] Conversely, the thinner the wear indicator layer 32, the easier it is for the wear indicator layer 32 to be completely worn away, exposing the inner wheel body 31, which indicates that the guide wheel 30 has reached the replacement threshold and helps to eliminate potential problems more quickly. However, this also means that the replacement frequency of the guide wheel 30 will increase accordingly, increasing costs.

[0081] Therefore, when designing the thickness of the wear indicator layer 32, the operating environment and process requirements of the specific production line should be comprehensively considered, including factors such as conveying speed, production cycle time, glass substrate 100 size and brittleness level, to ensure that severely worn guide wheels 30 can be detected and replaced in a timely manner without increasing costs due to excessively frequent replacement of guide wheels 30. By reasonably setting the thickness of the indicator layer, efficient and visual management of the wear status of guide wheels 30 can be achieved while maximizing the quality of glass substrate 100 conveying and cost control.

[0082] Figure 7 This is a top view of the guide wheel of another conveying device provided in some embodiments of this application.

[0083] Continue to refer to Figure 7 In some embodiments, the wear indicator layer 32 includes a first indicator layer 321 and a second indicator layer 322. The first indicator layer 321 covers the outer peripheral surface of the wheel body 31, and the second indicator layer 322 covers the outer peripheral surface of the first indicator layer 321. The colors of the first indicator layer 321, the second indicator layer 322 and the wheel body 31 are all different.

[0084] For example, the second indicator layer 322 is located on the outermost side and will be subjected to frictional wear first during the transfer of the glass substrate 100. When at least a portion of the second indicator layer 322 is completely worn away, the first indicator layer 321 will be at least partially exposed. Then, the first indicator layer 321 will continue to be subjected to frictional wear, and when at least a portion of the first indicator layer 321 is completely worn away, the inner wheel body 31 will be at least partially exposed.

[0085] Because the first indicator layer 321, the second indicator layer 322, and the wheel body 31 are all different colors, clear visual feedback can be provided throughout the wear process of the guide wheel 30. When the first indicator layer 321 is at least partially exposed, the operator can obtain information about the current wear status of the guide wheel 30, establish a mental expectation, and prepare the guide wheel 30 that needs to be replaced in advance. When the wheel body 31 is at least partially exposed, the operator can confirm that the guide wheel 30 has reached the preset maintenance or replacement standard, and then replace the guide wheel 30 that has reached the preset maintenance or replacement standard.

[0086] The above technical solution enables the wear condition of the guide wheel 30 to be displayed layer by layer through the color difference between the first indicator layer 321 and the second indicator layer 322, which improves the predictability of the maintenance of the conveyor device and thus achieves more accurate wear monitoring and maintenance management.

[0087] As an example, the colors of the first indicator layer 321, the second indicator layer 322, and the wheel body 31 can be two colors with high contrast to further improve visibility. For example, the first indicator layer 321, the second indicator layer 322, and the wheel body 31 can be set to red, green, and blue, respectively.

[0088] The second indicator layer 322 can be detachably connected to the first indicator layer 321, or it can be integrally formed on the first indicator layer 321. The second indicator layer 322 can be directly connected to the first indicator layer 321, or it can be constrained to the first indicator layer 321 by other components. As an example, the connection method between the second indicator layer 322 and the first indicator layer 321 can be, but is not limited to, riveting or bonding.

[0089] For example, the first indicator layer 321 and the second indicator layer 322 may be made of the same material or different materials.

[0090] As an example, the first indicator layer 321 and the second indicator layer 322 are made of the same material, which helps to simplify the manufacturing process and reduce costs.

[0091] Optionally, the thickness of the first indicator layer 321 and the second indicator layer 322 can be the same or different, depending on the specific production line's operating environment and process requirements.

[0092] In some embodiments, the wear indicator layer 32 may further include a third indicator layer, which covers the outer peripheral surface of the second indicator layer 322. The first indicator layer 321 and the second indicator layer 322...

[0093] The colors of the third indicator layer and the wheel body 31 are different.

[0094] This can further improve the predictability of transmission device maintenance, thereby further improving the accuracy of wear monitoring and maintenance management.

[0095] In some embodiments, the wear indicator layer 32 is detachably attached to the wheel body 31.

[0096] For example, the wear indicator layer 32 may be fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the wheel body 31 by means of threaded connection, snap connection, magnetic connection or adhesion.

[0097] As an example, the wear indicator layer 32 is bonded to the wheel body 31.

[0098] The design of the removable wear indicator layer 32 allows the operator to replace only the wear indicator layer 32 when it reaches its wear limit, without having to replace the wheel body 31, thereby reducing maintenance costs.

[0099] In some embodiments, the wear indicator layer 32 includes a fluorescent material.

[0100] Fluorescent materials can emit light under specific light sources (such as ultraviolet or blue light), making the wear indicator layer 32 clearly visible, thereby further improving the visibility and accuracy of wear monitoring.

[0101] For example, the operator can hold a light source and illuminate the guide wheel 30 during routine inspections of the conveyor. Since the wear indicator layer 32 includes fluorescent material, the fluorescent material can emit fluorescence under the illumination of the light source, making it easier for the operator to observe the wear condition of the wear indicator layer 32. Alternatively, the light source can be fixedly mounted on the support frame 10 so that the light source illuminates the guide wheel 30 throughout the entire process.

[0102] Optionally, the fluorescent material can be, but is not limited to, inorganic fluorescent materials, organic fluorescent materials, or quantum dot fluorescent materials. Among them, inorganic fluorescent materials include silicates, copper-doped zinc sulfide, and europium-doped calcium sulfide; organic fluorescent materials include polythiophene and naphthalimide; and quantum dot fluorescent materials include cadmium selenide, zinc selenide, and indium phosphide.

[0103] As an example, the wear indicator layer 32 includes a quantum dot fluorescent material that provides a highly stable fluorescence signal and can be combined with an optical sensor for automatic detection.

[0104] In some embodiments, the conveying device further includes a light source connected to the support frame 10, which emits light toward the wear indicator layer 32 to excite the fluorescent material to produce fluorescence.

[0105] The light source can be detachably connected to the support frame 10, or it can be integrally mounted on the support frame 10. The light source can be directly connected to the support frame 10, or it can be constrained to the support frame 10 by other components.

[0106] The light source can be fixedly connected to the support frame 10 or movably connected to the support frame 10.

[0107] As an example, the light source can be movably connected to the support frame 10, making it easy to adjust the position and angle of the light source according to actual needs, thereby improving its flexibility and applicability.

[0108] Alternatively, the light source can be a light-emitting diode, a laser generator, or a xenon lamp, etc.

[0109] As an example, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are used as the light source. LEDs have the characteristics of high efficiency, long lifespan and low heat release.

[0110] The above technical solution, by adding a light source to the conveying device, can use light of a specific wavelength to continuously irradiate the wear indicator layer 32 to excite the fluorescent material to produce fluorescence, enabling operators to obtain and record the wear degree of the guide wheel 30 in real time, and improving the overall maintenance convenience of the conveying device.

[0111] In some embodiments, the conveying device further includes a detection component connected to the support frame 10. The detection component is used to receive fluorescence and generate processing information based on the fluorescence. The processing information is used to determine the wear state of the wear indicator layer 32.

[0112] The detection component can be detachably connected to the support frame 10, or it can be integrally mounted on the support frame 10. The detection component can be directly connected to the support frame 10, or it can be constrained to the support frame 10 by other components.

[0113] The detection component can be fixedly connected to the support frame 10 or movably connected to the support frame 10.

[0114] As an example, the detection component can be movably connected to the support frame 10, which makes it easy to adjust the position and angle of the detection component according to actual needs, thereby improving its flexibility and applicability.

[0115] The detection component can monitor the fluorescence intensity changes of the wear indicator layer 32 in real time.

[0116] When the wear indicator layer 32 is subjected to continuous friction, causing a reduction in fluorescent material or fluorescence decay, the detection component can capture the change in fluorescence intensity and convert it into an electrical signal. This electrical signal can be analyzed by a built-in processing unit (such as a microcontroller) to generate wear status data and determine whether the guide wheel 30 needs to be replaced based on a set threshold.

[0117] When the detection component determines that the guide wheel 30 needs to be replaced, it can output a corresponding signal to prompt the operator to replace the guide wheel 30.

[0118] The above technical solution monitors the wear process by detecting the fluorescent signal emitted by the wear indicator layer 32 in real time using a detection component. It provides dynamic wear process information, including wear rate, wear location, and wear amount—the aforementioned processing information. This achieves intelligent monitoring of the wear state of the guide wheel 30, improving the automation level of equipment maintenance. Compared to traditional methods relying on manual visual inspection, this solution offers a more precise and efficient maintenance approach. It can ensure the stability of glass substrate 100 transmission while reducing maintenance costs, increasing production efficiency, and ensuring the long-term stable operation of the transmission device.

[0119] Furthermore, by considering the relationship between the aforementioned processing information and the specific production line's operating environment and process requirements, including factors such as conveying speed, production cycle time, glass substrate 100 size, and brittleness level, the manufacturing process of the glass substrate 100 can be further optimized, thereby improving product quality.

[0120] In some embodiments, the detection component may include a receiver and a processor, the receiver being used to receive fluorescence, and the processor being connected to the receiver and used to generate and process information based on the fluorescence received by the receiver.

[0121] The receiver is responsible for receiving the fluorescence generated by the fluorescent material and converting it into an electrical signal for transmission to the processor. Optionally, the receiver may be, but is not limited to, a photodiode, a photomultiplier tube, a fiber optic probe combined with a photodetector, etc., which can quickly respond to the fluorescence generated on the wear indicator layer 32 and accurately transmit it to the processor.

[0122] The processor is responsible for converting the fluorescence received by the receiver into processing information that can be used for analysis. The processor may include a high-speed computing module and a data processing module, which generate wear data about the wear indicator layer 32, i.e., the aforementioned processing information, by analyzing information such as fluorescence intensity and spectrum.

[0123] Alternatively, the processor can be a spectrometer.

[0124] In some embodiments, the conveying device may further include an alarm component, a detection component connected to the alarm component, the alarm component being used to receive processing information from the detection component, and to issue an alarm when the processing information reaches a first threshold, which can further reduce the risk of missed detection of the guide wheel 30.

[0125] For example, an alarm may be at least one of an audio signal or a light signal.

[0126] In some embodiments, the wheel body 31 and the wear indicator layer 32 are integrally formed structures.

[0127] On the one hand, the wheel body 31 and the wear indicator layer 32 do not require additional connection processes, simplifying the manufacturing process. On the other hand, compared to connecting the wheel body 31 and the wear indicator layer 32 through additional connection processes, the integrated structure of the wheel body 31 and the wear indicator layer 32 has higher structural strength.

[0128] For example, the guide wheel 30 can be made of polyetheretherketone material, and different colors of the wheel body 31 and the wear indicator layer 32 can be formed by mixing different pigments into the polyetheretherketone.

[0129] Figure 8 This is a front view structural schematic diagram of the guide wheel of another conveying device provided in some embodiments of this application. Figure 9 for Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure along BB.

[0130] Continue to refer to Figures 8 to 9 In some embodiments, a first recess 311 is provided on the wheel body 31, and the first recess 311 is recessed on one side end face of the wheel body 31 along the third direction Z.

[0131] For example, the wheel body 31 has a first end face along the third direction Z, and the first recess 311 is recessed relative to the first end face.

[0132] Optionally, the first recess 311 may adopt a structure such as an annular recess, a wedge-shaped recess, or an asymmetrical recess.

[0133] By providing the first recess 311, not only can the stress of the wheel body 31 be released, the stress concentration phenomenon be reduced, the structural reliability of the wheel body 31 be improved, and the service life of the guide wheel 30 be extended, but the weight of the wheel body 31 can also be reduced, thereby reducing the rotational inertia of the guide wheel 30, thereby reducing the interaction force between the guide wheel 30 and the glass substrate 100, effectively reducing frictional damage to the surface of the glass substrate 100, and improving the transmission stability of the glass substrate 100.

[0134] In some embodiments, the wheel body 31 is further provided with a second recess, which is recessed relative to the other end face of the wheel body 31 along the third direction Z.

[0135] For example, the wheel body 31 also has a second end face along the third direction Z, the first end face and the second end face are disposed opposite to each other along the third direction Z, and the second recess is recessed relative to the second end face.

[0136] In some embodiments, the dimension d1 of the wear indicator layer 32 in the direction perpendicular to the axis is 0.3 mm to 1.5 mm.

[0137] For example, the dimension d1 of the wear indicator layer 32 in the direction perpendicular to the axis can be understood as the thickness of the wear indicator layer 32.

[0138] As an example, the dimension d1 of the wear indicator layer 32 in the direction perpendicular to the axis can be, but is not limited to, 0.3mm, 0.4mm, 0.5mm, 0.6mm, 0.7mm, 0.8mm, 0.9mm, 1mm, 1.2mm, 1.3mm, 1.4mm, 1.5mm, etc.

[0139] As mentioned earlier, the thickness of the wear indicator layer 32 is an important factor affecting the replacement frequency of the guide wheel 30 and the conveying quality of the glass substrate 100. The greater the thickness of the wear indicator layer 32, the less likely it is to be completely worn away in a short period of time, and the wheel body 31 located inside is exposed later, which superficially prolongs the service life of the guide wheel 30; however, at the same time, the actual wear condition of the guide wheel 30 may be "covered up" for a longer period of time, increasing the potential risks of misalignment, corner breakage, or fragmentation of the glass substrate 100.

[0140] Conversely, the thinner the wear indicator layer 32, the easier it is for the wear indicator layer 32 to be completely worn away, exposing the inner wheel body 31, which indicates that the guide wheel 30 has reached the replacement threshold and helps to eliminate potential problems more quickly. However, this also means that the replacement frequency of the guide wheel 30 will increase accordingly, increasing costs.

[0141] Thus, by setting the dimension d1 of the wear indicator layer 32 in the direction perpendicular to the axis to meet the above range, the above technical solution ensures that the severely worn guide wheel 30 can be detected and replaced in a timely manner, without causing cost increases due to excessively frequent replacement of the guide wheel 30. It can achieve efficient and visual management of the wear status of the guide wheel 30 while maximizing the quality of glass substrate 100 transmission and cost control.

[0142] In some embodiments, the wear indicator layer 32 has a dimension d1 of 0.5 mm in the direction perpendicular to the axis.

[0143] According to some embodiments of this application, this application also provides a display panel production apparatus, including a conveying device according to any of the above solutions.

[0144] Unless otherwise specified, all embodiments and optional embodiments of this application can be combined to form new technical solutions. All technical features and optional technical features of this application can be combined to form new technical solutions.

[0145] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and not to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. These modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and they should all be covered within the scope of the claims and specification of this application. In particular, as long as there is no structural conflict, the various technical features mentioned in the embodiments can be combined in any way. This application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A conveying device for conveying glass substrates, characterized in that, The conveying device includes: Support frame; A conveying assembly, connected to the support frame, is used to carry the glass substrate and convey the glass substrate along a first direction; A guide wheel, connected to the support frame and disposed on at least one side of the conveying assembly along a second direction, is configured to rotate along its own axis, the axis of the guide wheel being parallel to a third direction, the guide wheel being used to guide the glass substrate during the conveying of the glass substrate, the first direction, the second direction and the third direction being perpendicular to each other; The guide wheel includes a wheel body and a wear indicator layer. The wear indicator layer covers the outer peripheral surface of the wheel body and has a different color than the wheel body. The wear indicator layer is used to contact the glass substrate during the conveying process of the glass substrate.

2. The conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wear indicator layer includes a first indicator layer and a second indicator layer. The first indicator layer covers the outer peripheral surface of the wheel body, and the second indicator layer covers the outer peripheral surface of the first indicator layer. The first indicator layer, the second indicator layer, and the wheel body are all different colors.

3. The conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wear indicator layer is detachably attached to the wheel body.

4. The conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wear indicator layer includes a fluorescent material.

5. The conveying device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The conveying device also includes a light source connected to the support frame, which emits light toward the wear indicator layer to excite the fluorescent material to produce fluorescence.

6. The conveying device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The conveying device further includes a detection component connected to the support frame. The detection component is used to receive the fluorescence and generate processing information based on the fluorescence. The processing information is used to determine the wear state of the wear indicator layer.

7. The conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wheel body and the wear indicator layer are integrally formed.

8. The conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wheel body is provided with a first recess, which is recessed relative to one end face of the wheel body in the third direction.

9. The conveying device according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The wear indicator layer has a dimension of 0.3mm-1.5mm in the direction perpendicular to the axis.

10. A display panel manufacturing equipment, characterized in that, Includes the transmission device as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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