A laminator

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of laminating machines, in particular to a laminating machine which comprises a heating platform, an upper cover, a sealing assembly and telescopic cylinders, replaces a traditional whole silica gel plate with the multiple telescopic cylinders as a pressure source, omits the sealing structure between the silica gel plate and the upper cover, reduces the number and replacement frequency of vulnerable parts, simplifies the equipment structure, reduces the manufacturing cost and the cost of later maintenance and maintenance, the telescopic amount and / or pressure of each telescopic cylinder can be independently controlled, the telescopic cylinders can respectively exert different pressures on the corresponding areas of workpieces, the pressure of each area in the chamber can be accurately controlled in a partitioned and pointed manner, the uniform force of each area of the workpiece is ensured, the thickness of the middle, the edge and the corner of the assembly is kept consistent, the problem that the edge and the corner are prone to generating bubbles due to the large force is solved from the root, the laminating frame or the corner protector does not need to be used, the technological process is simplified, and the production cost is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application generally relates to the field of laminators, and more specifically, to laminators. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the laminators on the market have a top cover structure consisting of a top cover, an upper sealing silicone strip, a silicone plate, a top cover sealing frame, and a lower sealing silicone strip. The top cover and silicone plate form the upper chamber. During pressurization, air is inflated into the top cover, causing the silicone plate to sag and press against the product, applying pressure. There is no viewing window.

[0003] Most laminators on the market currently use a dual-chamber structure, with the upper chamber consisting of a top cover and a silicone plate, and the lower chamber consisting of a silicone plate and a heating platform. During operation, a single vacuum pump needs to simultaneously evacuate or pressurize both chambers, requiring high power from the pump and increasing equipment cost and energy consumption.

[0004] Furthermore, because the laminator uses a single piece of silicone sheet for pressurization, it cannot apply different pressures to products of different thicknesses within the same chamber, resulting in poor consistency in the lamination effect for products of varying thicknesses. Additionally, this type of equipment cannot laminate curved products, which typically require an autoclave for production. Each batch takes 4-5 hours to produce, leading to long production cycles, high energy consumption, and the need for manual handling, further increasing production costs and the workload of operators. Moreover, the existing laminators have sealed chambers lacking visibility, preventing operators from observing the product's condition during lamination in real time, posing significant obstacles to process development and the analysis of anomalies.

[0005] The laminator described above, which uses a single piece of silicone sheet for overall pressure, cannot independently adjust the pressure according to different areas inside the chamber because it uses a single piece of silicone sheet for overall pressure. The entire chamber can only be set with a uniform pressure value, which results in greater stress on the edges and corners of the components, thinner thickness, and a tendency to generate air bubbles. Additional lamination frames or corner protectors are required to protect the edges and corners, which increases the complexity of the process and production costs. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to this application, a laminating machine is provided. This solves the problems of existing laminating machines that use a single piece of silicone sheet for overall pressure application, where the pressure cannot be independently controlled by region. This results in excessive stress on the edges and corners of the components, leading to thinner thickness and a higher likelihood of air bubbles. Additional lamination frames or corner protectors are required, increasing the complexity of the process and production costs.

[0007] This application provides a laminator, including a heating platform, a top cover, a sealing assembly, and a telescopic cylinder; The upper cover is hinged to the upper part of the heating platform, and the upper cover has a cavity. After the upper cover and the heating platform are fastened together, a laminated chamber is formed. The sealing assembly is disposed on the lower surface edge of the upper cover and is used to seal the lamination chamber after fastening; Multiple telescopic cylinders are disposed within the cavity, with the extended ends of the telescopic cylinders facing the heating platform, for applying pressure to the workpiece placed on the heating platform; the extension and / or pressure of each telescopic cylinder can be independently controlled.

[0008] In one embodiment, the laminator further includes a position adjustment mechanism; The position adjustment mechanism is disposed in the cavity, and all the telescopic cylinders are mounted on the position adjustment mechanism; The position adjustment mechanism is used to adjust the position of the telescopic cylinder.

[0009] In one embodiment, the position adjustment mechanism includes a first guide rail, a second guide rail, and a sliding seat; The two first guide rails are respectively disposed at both ends of the cavity along the length direction, and the first guide rails extend along the width direction of the cavity; Multiple second guide rails are slidably mounted between two first guide rails, and the second guide rails extend along the length of the upper cover; Multiple sliding seats are slidably disposed on each of the second guide rails, and each telescopic cylinder is fixedly installed on one of the sliding seats.

[0010] In one embodiment, the position adjustment mechanism further includes a first rack, a first drive motor, and a first gear; The first rack is disposed on the side wall of the first guide rail and is disposed along the extension direction of the first guide rail; The first drive motor is disposed on the lower surface of the second guide rail; The first gear is located at the output end of the first drive motor, and the first gear meshes with the first rack.

[0011] In one embodiment, the position adjustment mechanism further includes a second rack, a second drive motor, and a second gear; The second rack is disposed on the upper surface of the second guide rail and is disposed along the extension direction of the second guide rail; The second drive motor is disposed on the upper surface of the sliding seat, and the sliding seat is provided with a through groove; The second gear is located at the output end of the second drive motor, and the second gear passes through the through slot and meshes with the second rack.

[0012] In one embodiment, the sealing assembly includes a sealing frame and a sealing strip; The sealing frame is fixedly installed on the lower surface of the upper cover; The sealing strip is fixedly installed on the lower surface of the sealing frame.

[0013] In one embodiment, the laminator further includes a cushioning pad; The buffer pad is disposed on the end face of the extended end of the telescopic cylinder.

[0014] In one embodiment, the side wall of the top cover is provided with an observation window; The observation window is used to observe the state of the workpiece inside the lamination chamber from the outside.

[0015] In one embodiment, the laminator further includes a lighting lamp; The lighting lamp is located inside the observation window and is used to provide illumination for the interior of the lamination chamber.

[0016] In one embodiment, the laminator further includes a vacuum line; The vacuum pipeline is disposed on the heating platform, and the upper surface of the heating platform is provided with an air extraction hole, which is connected to the vacuum pipeline. The vacuum line is used to evacuate the lamination chamber.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, this application has the following beneficial technical effects: In this application, the extension and / or pressure of each telescopic cylinder can be independently controlled, allowing each telescopic cylinder to apply different pressures to the corresponding area of ​​the workpiece. This enables precise and segmented control of the pressure in each area of ​​the chamber, ensuring uniform force distribution across all areas of the workpiece and maintaining consistent thickness in the middle, edges, and corners of the component. This fundamentally solves the problem of excessive force at the edges and corners, which can easily lead to air bubbles. It also eliminates the need for laminated frames or corner protectors, simplifying the process and reducing production costs.

[0018] This application replaces the traditional single silicone plate with multiple telescopic cylinders as the pressure source, eliminating the silicone plate and its sealing structure with the top cover, reducing the number of vulnerable parts and replacement frequency, simplifying the equipment structure, and lowering the cost of equipment manufacturing and subsequent maintenance.

[0019] This application utilizes multiple independently controlled telescopic cylinders to apply different pressures to products of different thicknesses within the same chamber, achieving compatible lamination of products of different thicknesses within the same chamber. Furthermore, by independently adjusting the extension and retraction of each telescopic cylinder, the extended end face can form a contoured pressure surface that matches the curved surface of the product, enabling synchronous and differentiated pressurization at various points on the curved surface. This replaces the traditional autoclave process, significantly shortening the production cycle and reducing energy consumption and labor costs.

[0020] In addition, this application retains only a single-layer pressure chamber, and the vacuum pump only needs to evacuate a single chamber, which reduces the power requirement of the vacuum pump and the equipment manufacturing cost. At the same time, it reduces the heating space, shortens the heating time, and improves energy utilization efficiency and equipment space utilization.

[0021] It should be understood that the above description is not intended to limit the key or essential features of the embodiments of this application, nor is it intended to restrict the scope of this application. Other features of this application will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The above and other features, advantages, and aspects of the embodiments of this application will become more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description. In the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements, wherein: Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a laminator according to an embodiment of this application is shown; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of the top cover according to an embodiment of this application is shown; Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the position adjustment mechanism according to an embodiment of this application is shown; Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the first rack and its connecting structure according to an embodiment of this application is shown; Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the second rack and its connecting structure according to an embodiment of this application is shown; Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of the heating platform according to an embodiment of this application is shown; in, 1. Heating platform; 2. Top cover; 3. Sealing assembly; 31. Sealing frame; 32. Sealing strip; 4. Telescopic cylinder; 5. Position adjustment mechanism; 51. First guide rail; 52. Second guide rail; 53. Sliding seat; 54. First rack; 55. First drive motor; 56. First gear; 57. Second rack; 58. Second drive motor; 59. Second gear; 6. Cushioning pad; 7. Observation window; 8. Lighting; 9. Vacuum piping. Detailed Implementation

[0023] 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.

[0024] Furthermore, the term "and / or" in this article 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, the character " / " in this article generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0025] In this application, the extension and / or pressure of each telescopic cylinder 4 can be independently controlled, allowing each telescopic cylinder 4 to apply different pressures to the corresponding area of ​​the workpiece. This enables precise control of the pressure in each area of ​​the chamber, ensuring uniform force on each area of ​​the workpiece and maintaining consistent thickness in the middle, edges, and corners of the component. This fundamentally solves the problem of excessive force on the edges and corners, which easily leads to air bubbles. It also eliminates the need for laminated frames or corner protectors, simplifying the process and reducing production costs.

[0026] Reference Figures 1-6 As shown, this application provides a laminator, including a heating platform 1, a top cover 2, a sealing assembly 3, and a plurality of telescopic cylinders 4.

[0027] The heating platform 1 is used to support the workpiece to be laminated and to heat the workpiece. The heating platform 1 is equipped with a heating element, which is a resistance heating tube or a heat transfer oil pipeline, to heat the surface temperature of the heating platform 1 to the preset lamination temperature.

[0028] The upper cover 2 is hinged to the upper part of the heating platform 1. The upper cover 2 and the heating platform 1 are connected by a hinge to realize the opening and closing of the upper cover 2. The upper cover 2 has a cavity, which is formed by the shell of the upper cover 2 and the upper cover plate. After the upper cover 2 and the heating platform 1 are fastened together, a lamination chamber is formed. This lamination chamber is a closed space used to accommodate the workpiece to be laminated.

[0029] The sealing component 3 is located on the lower surface edge of the upper cover 2 and is used to seal the lamination chamber after the upper cover 2 is fastened to the heating platform 1 to prevent gas leakage during the lamination process and ensure the stability of the vacuum or pressure in the lamination chamber.

[0030] Multiple telescopic cylinders 4 are disposed within the cavity, with the extended ends of the cylinders 4 facing the heating platform 1. The cylinder body of the telescopic cylinder 4 is fixedly installed within the cavity, and the piston rod of the telescopic cylinder 4 serves as the extended end, capable of extending or retracting towards the heating platform 1. The telescopic cylinders 4 are used to apply pressure to the workpiece placed on the heating platform 1, and the pressure is applied directly to the workpiece surface through the extension of the piston rod. The extension and / or pressure of each telescopic cylinder 4 can be independently controlled.

[0031] Specifically, each telescopic cylinder 4 is connected to an independent control valve group. The air supply pressure of each telescopic cylinder 4 is adjusted by the control valve group to achieve independent control of the output pressure and telescopic amount of each telescopic cylinder 4.

[0032] In one embodiment, multiple telescopic cylinders 4 are arranged in an array, which consists of multiple rows and columns evenly arranged along the length and width of the upper cover 2 to ensure uniform force application to the workpiece.

[0033] By replacing the entire silicone plate with multiple independently controlled telescopic cylinders 4, precise control of pressure in different areas of the workpiece is achieved. This effectively avoids problems such as excessive stress on the edges and corners of the workpiece, insufficient thickness, and air bubbles caused by uneven pressure, thus improving the lamination quality. At the same time, it eliminates the need for lamination frames and corner protectors, simplifies the process, and reduces production costs.

[0034] Reference Figures 1-5 As shown, in one embodiment, the laminator further includes a position adjustment mechanism 5.

[0035] The position adjustment mechanism 5 is located inside the cavity, and all the telescopic cylinders 4 are mounted on the position adjustment mechanism 5. The position adjustment mechanism 5 is used to adjust the position of the telescopic cylinders 4.

[0036] In one embodiment, the position adjustment mechanism 5 is located at the top of the cavity, near the upper cover plate of the upper cover 2. All telescopic cylinders 4 are installed in the cavity via the position adjustment mechanism 5, which can move each telescopic cylinder 4, thereby changing the distribution position of each telescopic cylinder 4.

[0037] In one embodiment, a fixed support is provided between the position adjustment mechanism 5 and the upper cover 2, and the position adjustment mechanism 5 is fixedly installed in the cavity by the fixed support. The fixed support is a support frame that is welded or bolted to the inside of the upper cover 2.

[0038] By setting the position adjustment mechanism 5, the position of the telescopic cylinder 4 can be adjusted according to workpieces of different sizes and shapes. One machine can adapt to workpieces of various specifications, which improves the versatility and flexible production capacity of the equipment and reduces the user's equipment investment cost.

[0039] Reference Figures 1-5 As shown, in one embodiment, the position adjustment mechanism 5 includes two first guide rails 51, a plurality of second guide rails 52, and a plurality of sliding seats 53.

[0040] Two first guide rails 51 are respectively disposed at both ends of the cavity along its length direction, and the first guide rails 51 extend along the width direction of the cavity. The two first guide rails 51 are arranged in parallel, located at both ends of the cavity along its length direction, and are parallel to the width direction of the upper cover 2.

[0041] Multiple second guide rails 52 are slidably mounted between two first guide rails 51, and the second guide rails 52 extend along the length direction of the upper cover 2. The two ends of each second guide rail 52 are slidably engaged with the two first guide rails 51 respectively, and the second guide rail 52 can slide along the extension direction (i.e., the width direction) of the first guide rail 51.

[0042] Multiple sliding seats 53 are slidably disposed on each second guide rail 52, and each telescopic cylinder 4 is fixedly mounted on one sliding seat 53. The sliding seat 53 can slide along the extension direction (i.e., the length direction) of the second guide rail 52.

[0043] In one embodiment, the first guide rail 51 is a linear guide rail, and the two ends of the second guide rail 52 are provided with sliders adapted to the first guide rail 51. The sliders are nested on the first guide rail 51 to achieve a sliding fit. The second guide rail 52 is a linear guide rail, and the sliding seat 53 is nested on the second guide rail 52 to achieve a sliding fit.

[0044] Through the cooperation of the first guide rail 51 and the second guide rail 52, the telescopic cylinder 4 can slide freely in both the length and width directions, forming a two-dimensional planar adjustment system. The sliding seat 53 slides with the second guide rail 52, allowing each telescopic cylinder 4 to move independently along the length direction; the second guide rail 52 slides with the first guide rail 51, allowing a row of telescopic cylinders 4 to move as a whole along the width direction. With this structure, each telescopic cylinder 4 can be flexibly adjusted to any position in the horizontal plane, meeting the pressure point layout requirements of different workpieces and further improving the equipment's compatibility with workpieces of different sizes and shapes.

[0045] Reference Figures 3-5 As shown, in one embodiment, the position adjustment mechanism 5 further includes a first rack 54, a first drive motor 55, and a first gear 56.

[0046] The first rack 54 is disposed on the side wall of the first guide rail 51 and is arranged along the extension direction of the first guide rail 51. The first rack 54 is fixedly installed on one side of the first guide rail 51, with its tooth surface facing the direction of the second guide rail 52.

[0047] The first drive motor 55 is disposed on the lower surface of the second guide rail 52. Specifically, the first drive motor 55 is fixedly installed below the end of the second guide rail 52.

[0048] The first gear 56 is located at the output end of the first drive motor 55, and the first gear 56 meshes with the first rack 54.

[0049] In one embodiment, the first drive motor 55 is a servo motor, which has the advantages of high control precision and fast response speed, and can accurately control the movement distance of the second guide rail 52.

[0050] In one embodiment, a first drive motor 55 is provided at each end of the second guide rail 52. The two first drive motors 55 operate synchronously and jointly drive the second guide rail 52 to move along the first guide rail 51, so as to ensure that the two ends of the second guide rail 52 slide synchronously and prevent jamming.

[0051] In one embodiment, the first drive motor 55 is fixedly installed in a clearance groove on the lower surface of the second guide rail 52, and the first gear 56 passes through the clearance groove and meshes with the first rack 54.

[0052] The first drive motor 55 drives the first gear 56 to rotate. The meshing transmission between the gear and the first rack 54 converts the rotational motion of the motor into the linear motion of the second guide rail 52 along the first guide rail 51. This achieves automatic and precise adjustment of the position of the second guide rail 52 without the need for manual adjustment, which greatly improves changeover efficiency and positioning accuracy.

[0053] Reference Figures 3-5 As shown, in one embodiment, the position adjustment mechanism 5 further includes a second rack 57, a second drive motor 58, and a second gear 59.

[0054] The second rack 57 is disposed on the upper surface of the second guide rail 52, and is arranged along the extending direction of the second guide rail 52. The second rack 57 is fixedly installed on the upper surface of the second guide rail 52, with the tooth surface facing upward.

[0055] The second drive motor 58 is disposed on the upper surface of the sliding seat 53, and the sliding seat 53 is provided with a through groove.

[0056] The second gear 59 is located at the output end of the second drive motor 58, and the second gear 59 passes through the through slot and meshes with the second rack 57.

[0057] In one embodiment, the second drive motor 58 is a servo motor; the second drive motor 58 is fixed to the upper surface of the sliding seat 53 by a mounting bracket, the mounting bracket being an L-shaped bracket, and is fixedly connected to the sliding seat 53 by bolts.

[0058] The second drive motor 58 drives the second gear 59 to rotate. The meshing transmission between the gear and the second rack 57 converts the rotational motion of the motor into the linear motion of the sliding seat 53 along the second guide rail 52. This realizes the automatic and precise adjustment of the position of the sliding seat 53 and the telescopic cylinder 4 installed on it, and realizes the automatic positioning in the length direction. Combined with the automatic positioning in the width direction of embodiment 4, it forms a fully automatic two-dimensional position adjustment system.

[0059] Reference Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment, the sealing assembly 3 includes a sealing frame 31 and a sealing strip 32.

[0060] The sealing frame 31 is fixedly installed on the lower surface of the upper cover 2. The sealing frame 31 is a rectangular frame that surrounds the edge of the lower surface of the upper cover 2 and is fixedly connected to the lower surface of the upper cover 2 by bolts or welding.

[0061] The sealing strip 32 is fixedly disposed on the lower surface of the sealing frame 31. The sealing strip 32 is arranged in a ring along the lower surface of the sealing frame 31 to form a continuous sealing ring.

[0062] In one embodiment, the sealing frame 31 is a metal frame made of aluminum alloy or stainless steel.

[0063] In one embodiment, the sealing strip 32 is a silicone sealing strip or a fluororubber sealing strip, which has good high-temperature resistance and compression resilience. The sealing strip 32 is fixed by embedding it into the mounting groove on the lower surface of the sealing frame 31, or by adhesive bonding.

[0064] In one embodiment, the cross-section of the sealing strip 32 is circular or hollow D-shaped to increase the sealing contact area and improve the sealing effect.

[0065] The sealing assembly 3, consisting of a sealing frame 31 and a sealing strip 32, has a simple structure and reliable sealing. The sealing frame 31 provides a stable mounting base for the sealing strip 32. When the upper cover 2 is fastened, the sealing strip 32 fits tightly against the upper surface of the heating platform 1, forming an effective seal and ensuring the airtightness of the lamination chamber. This is beneficial for the stable control of vacuum or pressure during the lamination process.

[0066] Reference Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment, the laminator also includes a cushioning pad 6.

[0067] The buffer pad 6 is set on the end face of the extended end of the telescopic cylinder 4.

[0068] In one embodiment, the buffer pad 6 is a circular or square sheet structure, the shape and size of which match the end face shape and size of the extended end of the telescopic cylinder 4.

[0069] In one embodiment, the buffer pad 6 is fixed to the piston rod end face of the telescopic cylinder 4 by adhesive or snap-fit.

[0070] In one embodiment, the buffer pad 6 is a silicone buffer pad or a polyurethane buffer pad; the thickness of the buffer pad 6 is 1mm to 5mm, which can play a buffering role without affecting the accurate transmission of pressure.

[0071] By setting the buffer pad 6, the rigid protruding end of the telescopic cylinder 4 is prevented from directly contacting the workpiece, thus preventing damage to the workpiece surface. At the same time, the buffer pad 6 can adapt to the slight unevenness of the workpiece surface to a certain extent, making the pressure distribution more uniform and improving the lamination quality.

[0072] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment, the side wall of the upper cover 2 is provided with an observation window 7.

[0073] The observation window 7 is used to observe the condition of the workpiece inside the lamination chamber from the outside.

[0074] In one embodiment, the observation window 7 is a high-pressure resistant transparent window, fixedly installed on the side wall of the upper cover 2 and penetrating the wall thickness of the upper cover 2. The inner end face of the observation window 7 is flush with the inner wall of the cavity, and the outer end face is flush with the outer wall of the upper cover 2. A sealing ring is provided between the observation window 7 and the upper cover 2 to ensure the sealing performance of the lamination chamber. Operators can observe the morphological changes, positional shifts, and surface conditions of the products inside the lamination chamber in real time through the observation window 7, promptly detect abnormalities, and make process adjustments, providing a direct basis for process development and problem analysis.

[0075] In one embodiment, there are multiple observation windows 7, which are evenly distributed along the side wall of the upper cover 2.

[0076] In one embodiment, the observation window 7 is a long strip window or a circular window extending along the length of the upper cover 2, which facilitates a comprehensive observation of the interior of the cavity.

[0077] In one embodiment, the observation window 7 includes a window formed on the side wall of the upper cover 2 and a transparent sealing plate fixed inside the window. The transparent sealing plate is a transparent material resistant to high pressure and high temperature, such as tempered glass or quartz glass. A sealing ring is provided between the transparent sealing plate and the window to ensure the airtightness of the window.

[0078] In one embodiment, the transparent sealing plate of the observation window 7 is detachably installed inside the window for easy cleaning and replacement.

[0079] By setting up observation window 7, real-time visualization of the lamination process is achieved. Operators can observe the changes in the status of the workpiece during the lamination process at any time, which facilitates timely detection of abnormalities and process adjustments. At the same time, it provides an intuitive basis for process development and problem analysis, effectively shortens the process optimization cycle, and solves the problem that the lamination chambers of current laminators on the market cannot be viewed internally and the real-time status of the products inside the lamination chamber cannot be observed from the outside, which leads to the obstruction of process development and the difficulty in tracing and analyzing abnormal problems.

[0080] Reference Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment, the laminator also includes a lighting lamp 8.

[0081] The lighting lamp 8 is located inside the observation window 7 and is used to provide illumination for the interior of the lamination chamber.

[0082] In one embodiment, there are multiple lighting lamps 8, and each of the multiple lighting lamps 8 is configured to correspond one-to-one with a multiple observation window 7.

[0083] In one embodiment, the lighting lamp 8 is a high-temperature resistant LED lamp or a high-temperature resistant tungsten filament lamp, which can operate normally in the high-temperature environment of the lamination chamber.

[0084] In one embodiment, the lighting lamp 8 is fixedly installed on the inner wall of the cavity of the upper cover 2, located on the inner edge of the window of the observation window 7, and its illumination direction is towards the interior of the lamination chamber.

[0085] In one embodiment, the lighting lamp 8 is electrically connected to an external power source and control switch via a high-temperature resistant wire. A sealing joint is provided where the high-temperature resistant wire passes through the wall of the upper cover 2 to ensure the airtightness of the passage.

[0086] By installing a lighting lamp 8 inside the observation window 7, sufficient lighting is provided for the interior of the lamination chamber, ensuring a clear field of vision when observing through the observation window 7. This allows operators to clearly observe the surface condition, positional changes, and potential defects of the workpiece, thus improving the actual effect of visual monitoring.

[0087] Reference Figure 6 As shown, in one embodiment, the laminator also includes a vacuum line 9.

[0088] Vacuum line 9 is mounted on heating platform 1. The upper surface of heating platform 1 is provided with evacuation holes, which are connected to vacuum line 9. Vacuum line 9 is used to evacuate the lamination chamber.

[0089] In one embodiment, multiple evacuation holes are evenly distributed on the upper surface of the heating platform 1. These multiple evacuation holes are interconnected through channels inside the heating platform 1 and converge into the vacuum pipeline 9. The even distribution of multiple evacuation holes enables the gas in the lamination chamber to be extracted uniformly, thereby improving the vacuuming efficiency.

[0090] In one embodiment, one end of the vacuum line 9 is connected to the evacuation port of the heating platform 1, and the other end extends to the outside of the laminator for connection to an external vacuum pump.

[0091] In one embodiment, a control valve is provided on the vacuum line 9, which is used to control the opening and closing of the vacuum line 9.

[0092] In one embodiment, the vacuum line 9 is a high-temperature resistant metal tube, capable of withstanding the high-temperature environment during the lamination process.

[0093] The vacuum line 9, in conjunction with the evacuation port, enables the lamination chamber to achieve the required vacuum level during the lamination process, thus meeting the vacuum environment requirements of the lamination process. The vacuum line 9 is integrated onto the heating platform 1, featuring a compact structure and a rational pipeline layout, which is beneficial for the overall equipment layout and ensuring sealing.

[0094] This invention replaces the solid silicone plate of a traditional laminator by setting multiple independently controlled telescopic cylinders 4 in the cavity of the upper cover 2. This enables precise control of the pressure in different areas of the workpiece, effectively solving the defects of traditional laminators, such as excessive force on the edges and corners of the workpiece, thinness, and air bubbles caused by the inability to control the pressure in different areas. It also eliminates the need for lamination frames and corner protectors, simplifying the process and reducing production costs.

[0095] Meanwhile, the position adjustment mechanism 5 allows for flexible adjustment of the position of each telescopic cylinder 4, enabling the equipment to be compatible with workpieces of different sizes and shapes, thus improving the equipment's versatility and flexible production capabilities.

[0096] The lamination process is visualized and monitored through the observation window 7 and the lighting lamp 8, which facilitates process optimization and anomaly handling.

[0097] Vacuuming of the single-layer pressure chamber was achieved through vacuum line 9, eliminating the need for the traditional dual-chamber structure and reducing the power requirements of the vacuum pump and the manufacturing cost of the equipment.

[0098] The laminator provided in this application operates as follows: When the size or shape of the workpiece to be laminated changes, the position of the telescopic cylinder 4 is adjusted first.

[0099] Based on the size and shape of the workpiece to be laminated, the control system calculates the target position coordinates of each telescopic cylinder 4 in the horizontal plane. The control system then sends control commands to each of the first drive motors 55 and the second drive motors 58.

[0100] Each first drive motor 55 starts, and its output drives the first gear 56 to rotate. Since the first gear 56 meshes with the first rack 54 fixedly mounted on the side wall of the first guide rail 51, the first gear 56 rolls along the first rack 54 when it rotates, thereby driving each second guide rail 52 to slide along the two first guide rails 51 respectively, adjusting each second guide rail 52 to the target position in the width direction. After the second guide rail 52 moves into place, the first drive motor 55 stops running and self-locks, locking the second guide rail 52 in that position.

[0101] Each of the second drive motors 58 starts, and its output drives the second gear 59 to rotate. Since the second gear 59 meshes with the second rack 57 fixedly mounted on the upper surface of the second guide rail 52, the second gear 59 rolls along the second rack 57 when it rotates, thereby driving each sliding seat 53 to slide along its corresponding second guide rail 52, adjusting each sliding seat 53 to the target position in the length direction. After the sliding seat 53 moves into place, the second drive motor 58 stops running and self-locks, locking the sliding seat 53 in that position.

[0102] At this point, the overall layout of the telescopic cylinder 4 array installed on each sliding seat 53 matches the size and shape of the current workpiece.

[0103] The workpiece to be laminated is placed on the upper surface of heating platform 1. The heating element (resistance heating tube or heat transfer oil pipeline) inside heating platform 1 is activated, heating the surface temperature of heating platform 1 to the preset lamination temperature. Heating platform 1 maintains a constant temperature, providing a stable heat input to the workpiece.

[0104] Rotate the upper cover 2 downwards around the hinge to engage it with the heating platform 1. The sealing assembly 3 on the lower edge of the upper cover 2 then actuates. The sealing frame 31 moves downwards along with the upper cover 2, and the sealing strip 32, fixed to the lower surface of the sealing frame 31, abuts against the upper surface of the heating platform 1. Under the engaging pressure, the sealing strip 32 undergoes elastic deformation, filling the gap between the sealing frame 31 and the heating platform 1 to form a continuous sealing ring, isolating the lamination chamber from the external environment.

[0105] The external vacuum pump is started, and the lamination chamber is evacuated through vacuum line 9. Vacuum line 9 extracts gas from the lamination chamber through multiple evacuation holes on the upper surface of heating platform 1. These evacuation holes are evenly distributed on the upper surface of heating platform 1, ensuring uniform extraction of gas from the lamination chamber. When the vacuum level in the lamination chamber reaches the preset value, the vacuum pump stops working, and the control valve on vacuum line 9 closes, maintaining a stable vacuum level in the lamination chamber.

[0106] During the vacuuming process, the sealing strip 32 adheres more tightly to the heating platform 1 under the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the lamination chamber, further enhancing the sealing effect.

[0107] The control system sends control commands to each telescopic cylinder 4 according to preset process parameters. The piston rods of each telescopic cylinder 4 extend simultaneously, and the buffer pads 6 on the piston rod ends contact the workpiece surface. Each telescopic cylinder 4 applies pressure to the corresponding area of ​​the workpiece according to a preset pressure value.

[0108] Since each telescopic cylinder 4 is connected to an independent control valve group, the control system independently adjusts the air supply pressure of each telescopic cylinder 4 through the control valve group, so that each telescopic cylinder 4 applies different pressures to different areas of the workpiece, achieving precise control of the pressure in different areas of the chamber. For the edge and corner areas of the workpiece, a lower pressure value can be set; for the middle area of ​​the workpiece, a higher pressure value can be set, thereby ensuring that the force is uniform in all areas of the workpiece.

[0109] During the lamination process, the buffer pad 6 acts as a buffer and pressure equalizer between the piston rod end face and the workpiece surface. The buffer pad 6 adapts to the slight unevenness of the workpiece surface through local elastic deformation, avoiding rigid collision between the piston rod end face and the workpiece surface, preventing damage to the workpiece surface, and making the pressure transmission more uniform.

[0110] Throughout the lamination process, operators can observe the workpiece status inside the lamination chamber in real time through the observation window 7 located on the side wall of the top cover 2. The lighting 8 provides ample illumination inside the lamination chamber, ensuring a clear field of view. The transparent sealing plate of the observation window 7 ensures airtightness while allowing light to pass through for operator observation.

[0111] When the operator observes an abnormal change in the shape of a certain area of ​​the workpiece (such as local warping, bubble formation, etc.) through the observation window 7, the operator immediately adjusts the pressure or extension / retraction amount of the corresponding telescopic cylinder 4 in real time through the control system. Based on the operator's adjustment command, the control system changes the opening of the control valve group of the corresponding telescopic cylinder 4, adjusts the air supply pressure, increases or decreases the output pressure of the telescopic cylinder 4, or causes the piston rod to extend or retract a certain distance, thus providing dynamic intervention.

[0112] After the lamination time reaches the preset value, lamination is completed. The control system sends a retraction command to each telescopic cylinder 4, and the piston rods of each telescopic cylinder 4 retract simultaneously, causing the buffer pad 6 to disengage from the workpiece surface.

[0113] Open the pressure relief valve on vacuum line 9 to restore the lamination chamber to normal pressure. Rotate the top cover 2 upwards around the hinge to open it and remove the laminated workpiece.

[0114] Through the above-described process, this application achieves the following beneficial effects: The extension and / or pressure of each telescopic cylinder 4 can be independently controlled, allowing each cylinder 4 to apply different pressures to the corresponding area of ​​the workpiece. This enables precise control of the pressure in each area of ​​the chamber, ensuring uniform force on each area of ​​the workpiece and maintaining consistent thickness in the middle, edges, and corners of the component. This fundamentally solves the problem of excessive force on the edges and corners, which easily leads to air bubbles. It also eliminates the need for laminated frames or corner protectors, simplifying the process and reducing production costs.

[0115] By replacing the traditional solid silicone plate with multiple telescopic cylinders 4 as the pressure source, the silicone plate and its sealing structure with the top cover are eliminated, reducing the number of vulnerable parts and the frequency of replacement, simplifying the equipment structure, and lowering the cost of equipment manufacturing and subsequent maintenance.

[0116] By using the first drive motor 55 and the second drive motor 58 of the position adjustment mechanism 5 in conjunction with the first rack 54 and the second rack 57, the position of the telescopic cylinder 4 is automatically and precisely adjusted, enabling the equipment to quickly adapt to workpieces of different sizes and shapes, thereby improving the equipment's versatility and flexible production capabilities.

[0117] Each telescopic cylinder 4 can be independently controlled, enabling the simultaneous lamination of workpieces of different thicknesses within the same lamination chamber. This improves the equipment's compatibility and the production efficiency of diverse products. Furthermore, by adjusting the extension and retraction of each cylinder 4, the extended end face of each cylinder 4 can form a contoured pressure surface that matches the curved product, allowing for the synchronous application of different pressures to various points on the curved product. This replaces traditional high-pressure autoclaves, shortens the production cycle, and reduces energy consumption.

[0118] The lamination process is visualized and monitored through the observation window 7 and the lighting lamp 8. Operators can observe the status of the workpiece in real time and make dynamic adjustments, which improves the production yield and facilitates process development and production line process adjustment.

[0119] By using a telescopic cylinder 4 to directly apply pressure to the workpiece, the upper chamber is eliminated, leaving only a single-layer pressure chamber. The vacuum pump only needs to evacuate this single chamber, reducing the power requirements of the vacuum pump and the equipment manufacturing cost. At the same time, the heating space is reduced, the heating time is shortened, heat loss is reduced, the overall height of the equipment is reduced, and the space utilization rate is improved.

[0120] It should be understood that the various forms of processes shown above can be used to rearrange, add, or delete steps. For example, the steps described in this application can be executed in parallel, sequentially, or in different orders, as long as the desired result of the technical solution of this application can be achieved, and this is not limited herein.

[0121] The specific embodiments described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations, and substitutions can be made according to design requirements and other factors. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A laminator, characterized in that, include: Heating platform (1); The upper cover (2) is hinged to the upper part of the heating platform (1). The upper cover (2) has a cavity inside. After the upper cover (2) and the heating platform (1) are fastened together, a laminated chamber is formed. A sealing assembly (3) is disposed on the lower surface edge of the upper cover (2) for sealing the laminated chamber after fastening; Multiple telescopic cylinders (4) are disposed in the cavity, with the extended end of the telescopic cylinder (4) facing the heating platform (1) for applying pressure to the workpiece placed on the heating platform (1); the telescopic amount and / or pressure of each telescopic cylinder (4) can be independently controlled.

2. The laminator according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a position adjustment mechanism (5); The position adjustment mechanism (5) is located in the cavity, and all the telescopic cylinders (4) are mounted on the position adjustment mechanism (5); The position adjustment mechanism (5) is used to adjust the position of the telescopic cylinder (4).

3. The laminator according to claim 2, characterized in that, The position adjustment mechanism (5) includes: Two first guide rails (51) are respectively disposed at both ends of the cavity along the length direction, and the first guide rails (51) extend along the width direction of the cavity; Multiple second guide rails (52) are slidably mounted between two first guide rails (51), and the second guide rails (52) extend along the length direction of the upper cover (2); Multiple sliding seats (53) are slidably disposed on each of the second guide rails (52), and each of the telescopic cylinders (4) is fixedly installed on one of the sliding seats (53).

4. The laminator according to claim 3, characterized in that, The position adjustment mechanism (5) further includes: The first rack (54) is disposed on the side wall of the first guide rail (51) and is disposed along the extension direction of the first guide rail (51); The first drive motor (55) is disposed on the lower surface of the second guide rail (52); The first gear (56) is located at the output end of the first drive motor (55), and the first gear (56) meshes with the first rack (54).

5. The laminator according to claim 3, characterized in that, The position adjustment mechanism (5) further includes: The second rack (57) is disposed on the upper surface of the second guide rail (52) and is disposed along the extension direction of the second guide rail (52); The second drive motor (58) is disposed on the upper surface of the sliding seat (53), and the sliding seat (53) is provided with a through groove; The second gear (59) is located at the output end of the second drive motor (58), and the second gear (59) passes through the through groove and meshes with the second rack (57).

6. The laminator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing assembly (3) includes: A sealing frame (31) is fixedly installed on the lower surface of the upper cover (2); A sealing strip (32) is fixedly disposed on the lower surface of the sealing frame (31).

7. The laminator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The laminator also includes a cushioning pad (6); The buffer pad (6) is disposed on the end face of the extended end of the telescopic cylinder (4).

8. The laminator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The side wall of the upper cover (2) is provided with an observation window (7); The observation window (7) is used to observe the state of the workpiece inside the lamination chamber from the outside.

9. The laminator according to claim 8, characterized in that, The laminator also includes a lighting lamp (8); The lighting lamp (8) is located inside the observation window (7) and is used to provide illumination for the interior of the lamination chamber.

10. The laminator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The laminator also includes a vacuum line (9); The vacuum pipeline (9) is disposed on the heating platform (1), and the upper surface of the heating platform (1) is provided with an air extraction hole, which is connected to the vacuum pipeline (9). The vacuum line (9) is used to evacuate the laminated chamber.

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