Transfer head switching device and stamp transfer apparatus

Abstract

This invention relates to a transfer head switching device and a stamp transfer device. The transfer head switching device includes a base, which includes a rotating shaft and multiple connecting ends distributed around the rotating shaft; multiple transfer head connectors, each corresponding to one of the connecting ends, are connected to transfer heads used to transfer target components; and a drive assembly, driven by the rotating shaft, is used to drive the base to rotate and switch the position of the transfer heads. The transfer head switching device and stamp transfer device provided in this application can reduce manual operation, increase the speed of transfer head switching, shorten downtime, reduce downtime frequency, and reduce the shortened equipment lifespan caused by frequent downtime, thereby improving verification speed and production efficiency, and extending equipment lifespan.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of display technology, and in particular to a transfer head switching device and a stamp transfer device. Background Technology

[0002] Stamp transfer refers to a transfer method that uses a flexible stamp made of flexible material to pick up chips or micro-components and transfer them to a target location. Pressure or electric fields are applied to the target substrate to overcome adhesion, thereby releasing the chip from the stamp surface onto the substrate. Stamp transfer offers high precision, and the flexibility of the stamp material makes it suitable for various substrates, such as rigid substrates, flexible substrates, and curved substrates. The soft stamp surface and low adhesion reduce mechanical damage to the target components during the pick-up and release process. Multiple components can be picked up at once and transferred in batches, making it widely used in the transfer of electronic chips, flexible electronic components, and optoelectronic devices.

[0003] The transfer head of a stamp transfer device is a key component that ensures an efficient, accurate, and damage-free transfer process. In practical applications, the performance of the transfer head needs to be verified, such as adhesion, positioning accuracy, or thermal performance. If multiple transfer heads need to be verified, they need to be replaced. During the replacement process, the equipment must be shut down, and frequent start-ups and shutdowns cause wear and tear on the disassembly mechanism that far exceeds the wear and tear caused by the equipment's own operation, seriously affecting the equipment's lifespan. Furthermore, the process of replacing the transfer head requires high operational precision, and the equipment is subject to space constraints, resulting in long downtime for replacing the transfer head and impacting production efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a transfer head switching device and stamp transfer device that can improve production efficiency and reduce equipment wear and tear, in order to address the problem that the inconvenience of changing the transfer head affects the equipment life and production efficiency.

[0005] In a first aspect, a transfer head switching device is provided, comprising:

[0006] A base, the base including a rotation axis and a plurality of connecting ends distributed around the rotation axis;

[0007] Multiple transfer head connectors are provided, each corresponding to one of the multiple connection ends. Each transfer head connector is connected to a transfer head, which is used to transfer the target component.

[0008] A drive assembly, connected to the rotating shaft, is used to drive the base to rotate in order to switch the position of the transfer head.

[0009] In one embodiment, when the dimensions of the plurality of transfer head connectors are different, the included angles between adjacent connector ends are different, and the adjacent transfer head connectors do not interfere with each other.

[0010] In one embodiment, the transfer head connector includes a first transfer head connector, a second transfer head connector, and a third transfer head connector, wherein the size of the first transfer head connector is smaller than the size of the second transfer head connector and the size of the third transfer head connector.

[0011] In one embodiment, the first transfer head connector is disposed between the second transfer head connector and the third transfer head connector.

[0012] In one embodiment, the surface of the transfer head connector used to connect the transfer head is square.

[0013] In one embodiment, the first transfer head connector has a size of 32 mm × 32 mm, the second transfer head connector has a size of 50 mm × 50 mm, and the third transfer head connector has a size of 100 mm × 100 mm.

[0014] In one embodiment, the rotating shaft is connected to a first gear via a ceramic bearing, and the drive assembly is driven by the first gear.

[0015] In one embodiment, the transfer head is used to transfer an adhesive element disposed on the surface of the target element.

[0016] In one embodiment, the device further includes a jig base detachably connected to the transfer head, the jig base being used to mount a transfer auxiliary jig.

[0017] In a second aspect, a stamp transfer device is provided, which is used to transfer a target element onto a target carrier, including a transfer head switching device as described in the first aspect or any embodiment of the first aspect.

[0018] The aforementioned transfer head switching device and stamp transfer equipment, through the transmission connection between the drive component and the rotating shaft, enable the base to rotate, thereby switching transfer heads at different positions. Compared to manual replacement or adjustment of transfer head positions, this allows for rapid and automatic switching of transfer heads, reducing equipment downtime and improving production line continuity and efficiency. Multiple transfer head connectors are connected and detached one-to-one with multiple connection ends of the base, allowing the same equipment to be equipped with multiple transfer heads of different types or functions. Different transfer heads can be flexibly switched according to different production tasks or target component requirements. The transfer head switching device and stamp transfer equipment provided in this application can reduce manual operation, increase transfer head switching speed, shorten downtime, reduce downtime frequency, and reduce equipment lifespan shortening caused by frequent downtime, thereby improving verification speed and production efficiency, and extending equipment lifespan. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the conventional technology, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the conventional technology will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a transfer head switching device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the other side of the transfer head switching device provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the transfer auxiliary fixture structure of a transfer head switching device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0023] To make the above and other objects, features, advantages and embodiments of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the appended symbols are explained as follows:

[0024] 100, base; 110, rotating shaft; 120, connecting end; 130, first gear; 200, transfer head connector; 210, first transfer head connector; 220, second transfer head connector; 230, third transfer head connector; 300, fixture base. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention can be practiced in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0026] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0027] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0028] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0029] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0030] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0031] The transfer head requires high precision and reliability during operation. Verifying the transfer head is a crucial step to ensure its stable, efficient, and accurate task execution in actual work. The commonly used transfer head size for stamp transfer equipment is 50mm×50mm, with an enlarged verification size of 100mm×100mm. Manually switching the transfer head once during verification takes approximately 2 hours. This process presents the following problems: excessively long switching and verification time, severely wasting machine time and capacity; frequent power on / off cycles and disassembly of the equipment mechanism cause wear far exceeding the equipment's inherent wear, impacting its lifespan; and the narrow working space demands high levels of expertise and experience from engineers. Due to the high value of the equipment, a more professional and stable verification method should be adopted. Currently, transfer head switching involves manual disassembly and reassembly of the equipment mechanism, resulting in excessively long operation time, wasted machine time, and frequent disassembly significantly impacting equipment accuracy.

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a transfer head switching device provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the other side of the transfer head switching device provided in one embodiment of this application; see also Figures 1 to 2 An embodiment of the present invention provides a transfer head switching device, comprising:

[0033] The base 100 includes a rotation shaft 110 and a plurality of connecting ends 120 distributed around the rotation shaft 110;

[0034] Multiple transfer head connectors 200 correspond one-to-one with the multiple connection ends 120. The transfer head connectors 200 are detachably connected to the corresponding connection ends 120 and are used to connect transfer heads, which are used to transfer target components.

[0035] A drive assembly, which is connected to the rotating shaft 110, is used to drive the base 100 to rotate in order to switch the position of the transfer head.

[0036] The base 100 and the multiple connecting ends 120 can be an integral structure or a detachable structure, as shown in the example. Figure 1As shown, the connecting end 120 extends from the base 100 in a direction away from the base 100, and adjacent connecting ends 120 form an included angle. The rotating shaft 110 can be made of metal, and its two ends can be supported by bearings to reduce friction and improve rotational accuracy. Gears or other transmission devices can be mounted on the shaft to connect to the drive assembly. By driving the base 100 through the drive assembly, the connecting ends 120 can rotate, allowing the position of the transfer head to be switched. This enables the transfer head to be switched without stopping the machine or requiring manual replacement when production or verification needs to be performed. The base 100 and connecting ends 120 can be made of metal, engineering plastics, or composite materials. The number of connecting ends 120 can be determined according to the number of transfer heads that need to be switched. They can be evenly or unevenly distributed on the base 100 according to actual needs. The connecting ends 120 are provided with interfaces corresponding to the transfer head connector 200, such as quick-connect, threaded, or other locking devices, allowing connection or disassembly with the transfer head via clamps, snaps, etc. The transfer head connector 200 can have a connection mechanism that matches the transfer head. Transfer heads can be used to transfer electronic chips, flexible electronic components, optoelectronic devices, and micro / nanostructures. Different structures and types of transfer heads can be equipped depending on the application scenario. The materials used to prepare the bonding surface between the transfer head and the target component can include shape-memory polymers or viscosity-tunable polymers, allowing for adjustments to the size and viscosity of the bonding surface. The bonding surface between the transfer head and the target component can also include thermodeformable materials, electrodeformable materials, photodeformable materials, or chemiluminescent materials. These materials are those capable of changing shape or properties in response to external physical stimuli (heat, electrical pulses, or light). Thermodeformable materials can include polynorbornene, polyurethane, high-trans polyisoprene, styrene, 7-butadiene copolymers, fluorinated resins, polycaprolactone, or polyamides; electrodeformable materials can include polyurethane, polyacrylates, etc.; and photodeformable materials can include photosensitive polymers or photodeformable liquid crystals, etc. Using these materials allows the bonding surface to respond to external stimuli and produce controllable deformation, adapting to the dynamic adjustment requirements during the transfer process. The drive assembly may include a drive source of the type of motor, pneumatic, or hydraulic system, and the output end of the drive source may be connected to the base via a transmission component. It may also include a position sensor and a controller. The position sensor can detect information such as the rotation angle of the base 100 or the position of the connecting end 120 to determine whether the position of the transfer head is accurate, or control the base to rotate by a preset angle to rotate the transfer head to the target working or verification position. The controller can control the rotation of the base 100 based on the information detected by the sensor or external input commands.

[0037] The aforementioned transfer head switching device and stamp transfer equipment, through the transmission connection between the drive component and the rotating shaft 110, enable the base 100 to rotate, thereby switching transfer heads at different positions. Compared to manual replacement or adjustment of transfer head positions, this allows for rapid and automatic switching of transfer heads, reducing equipment downtime and improving production line continuity and efficiency. Multiple transfer head connectors 200 are connected to and detached from multiple connection ends 120 of the base 100 in a one-to-one correspondence, allowing the same equipment to be equipped with multiple transfer heads of different types or functions. Different transfer heads can be flexibly switched according to different production tasks or target component requirements. The transfer head switching device provided in this application reduces manual operation, increases transfer head switching speed, shortens downtime, reduces downtime frequency, and reduces equipment lifespan shortening caused by frequent downtime, thereby improving verification speed and production efficiency, and extending equipment lifespan.

[0038] In one exemplary embodiment, when the dimensions of the multiple transfer head connectors 200 are different, the included angles between adjacent connecting ends 120 are different, and the adjacent transfer head connectors do not interfere with each other. When the transfer heads installed on the base 100 are of the same size, considering space saving and stability requirements, the included angles between adjacent connecting ends 120 can be the same. The fact that adjacent transfer head connectors do not interfere with each other means that when any one transfer head is in the working position, other transfer heads will not affect the operation of the current transfer head; that is, after the transfer head is installed on the connecting end 120, there is a certain distance between the edges of each transfer head. When a transfer head switching device needs to install transfer heads of different specifications, considering space saving and avoiding interference, the included angles between adjacent connecting ends 120 can be different and adapted to the actual size of the transfer head.

[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, the device includes a first transfer head connector 210, a second transfer head connector 220, and a third transfer head connector 230, wherein the size of the first transfer head connector 210 is smaller than the size of the second transfer head connector 220 and the third transfer head connector 230. By providing three transfer head connectors 200, transfer heads of different specifications and sizes can be adapted, enabling the transfer equipment to perform more diverse transfer operations, improving the flexibility and adaptability of the equipment, and also enhancing the precision control and operational stability of the transfer head. This provides more refined and precise operations in the transfer of components of different sizes and types, while optimizing the structural design of the equipment, improving its versatility, and reducing production costs.

[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, the first transfer head connector 210 is disposed between the second transfer head connector 220 and the third transfer head connector 230. Distributing the smaller first transfer head connector 210 between the second and third transfer head connectors 220 helps balance the overall stability of the device, allowing for more even force distribution during operation and reducing vibrations or offsets caused by asymmetry. This improves the accuracy of the transfer head, allows for more efficient use of space in the device design, resulting in a more compact design and reduced unnecessary space waste, while maintaining the flexibility and efficiency of the device.

[0041] In one exemplary embodiment, the surface of the transfer head connector 200 used to connect the transfer head is square. A square connection surface offers strong symmetry, making alignment and positioning easier when connecting adapters, resulting in uniform pressure distribution. It also contributes to the standardization of the transfer system and facilitates compatibility with different types of transfer heads.

[0042] In one exemplary embodiment, the first transfer head connector 210 has a size of 32mm × 32mm, the second transfer head connector 220 has a size of 50mm × 50mm, and the third transfer head connector 230 has a size of 100mm × 100mm. These are common sizes for transfer heads. If other sizes of transfer heads are required, other sizes of transfer head connectors can be added according to actual needs.

[0043] In an exemplary embodiment, the rotating shaft 110 is connected to a first gear 130 via a ceramic bearing, and the drive assembly is driven by the first gear 130. The ceramic bearing has a low coefficient of friction and excellent corrosion resistance and self-lubricating properties, which can significantly reduce energy loss during rotation and ensure the smoothness of the rotating shaft 110. Connecting the rotating shaft 110 and the first gear 130 via the ceramic bearing ensures the precision and stability of the transmission process.

[0044] In one exemplary embodiment, the transfer head is used to transfer an adhesive element disposed on the surface of the target element. The adhesive element can be made of an adhesive material or a viscous adjustable material, wherein the viscous adjustable material refers to a material whose viscosity changes with changes in external conditions, such as a polymer material containing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), whose viscosity changes with temperature. When picking up different chips, the temperature of the transfer head can be adjusted to adjust the viscosity of the contact surface, thereby achieving different adhesion forces.

[0045] In one exemplary embodiment, the device further includes a jig base 300, which is detachably connected to the transfer head and is used to mount a transfer auxiliary jig. The transfer auxiliary jig is used to assist in the positioning, gripping, and stabilization of components during the transfer process, thereby improving the accuracy, stability, and efficiency of the transfer process. It can include various types such as positioning jigs, clamping jigs, orientation jigs, and thermal management jigs.

[0046] In an exemplary embodiment, to address the aforementioned problems of complex operations, high maintenance costs, and excessively long equipment debugging times, a novel transfer head structure design suitable for different sizes is provided. The main objective of this structure is to enable switching between transfer heads of different sizes. First, the transfer head size is determined. Commonly used transfer head sizes include 32mm×32mm, 50mm×50mm, and 100mm×100mm. Taking this transfer head as an example, the design is as follows... Figure 1 As shown, a square and semi-circular structure connected by bearings forms a base 100. Three connectors are machined on top of this base to connect the transfer heads. These three connectors are unevenly distributed on the base 100 to prevent interference between the large and small transfer heads. The square base 100, with its semi-gear structure, facilitates easy switching between transfer heads. The square base 100 also allows for easy adjustment of the mechanism's flatness. The square base 100 and the semi-gear assembly are connected by ceramic bearings. The connectors are unevenly distributed circumferentially around the gear mechanism, and their uneven distribution on top ensures no interference between the large and small transfer heads. This also effectively reduces the mechanism's movement space and volume, improving space utilization. A fixture can be directly fixed above the existing transfer head. Fixtures of different sizes can be fabricated according to different needs, making the process simple, quick, and easy to install.

[0047] In one exemplary embodiment, a stamp transfer device is provided for transferring a target element onto a target carrier, including a transfer head switching device as described in any of the above embodiments, the transfer head switching device being used to install a transfer head.

[0048] In one exemplary embodiment, in addition to the transfer head switching device, the stamp transfer device may also include a control system. The control system coordinates and manages the various parts of the device to ensure the transfer head performs precise transfer operations. This control system may include components such as a computer control unit, sensors, and a human-machine interface. The computer control unit controls the movement and transfer process of the device via software. The sensors detect the chip's position, whether the chip has been successfully grasped, etc., and provide real-time status feedback. The human-machine interface allows the operator to interact with the device and may include a touchscreen, buttons, an alarm system, etc. It may also include a vision sensor system, which uses components such as cameras to identify the precise position of the element to be transferred. Furthermore, it may include a conveyor belt or other transport device to move the chip to the target position, as well as a data recording and monitoring system.

[0049] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0050] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of the present invention, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of this invention patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A transfer head switching device, characterized in that, include: A base, the base including a rotation axis and a plurality of connecting ends distributed around the rotation axis; Multiple transfer head connectors are provided, each corresponding to one of the multiple connection ends. Each transfer head connector is connected to a transfer head, which is used to transfer the target component. A drive assembly, connected to the rotating shaft, is used to drive the base to rotate in order to switch the position of the transfer head.

2. The transfer head switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the dimensions of multiple transfer head connectors are different, the included angles between adjacent connectors are different, and the adjacent transfer head connectors do not interfere with each other.

3. The transfer head switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transfer head connector includes a first transfer head connector, a second transfer head connector, and a third transfer head connector, wherein the size of the first transfer head connector is smaller than the size of the second transfer head connector and the size of the third transfer head connector.

4. The transfer head switching device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first transfer head connector is disposed between the second transfer head connector and the third transfer head connector.

5. The transfer head switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The surface of the transfer head connector used to connect the transfer head is square.

6. The transfer head switching device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first transfer head connector has a size of 32 mm × 32 mm, the second transfer head connector has a size of 50 mm × 50 mm, and the third transfer head connector has a size of 100 mm × 100 mm.

7. The transfer head switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotating shaft is connected to a first gear via a ceramic bearing, and the drive assembly is connected to the first gear in a transmission connection.

8. The transfer head switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transfer head is used to transfer the target element, which has an adhesive component on its surface.

9. The transfer head switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The device also includes a jig base, which is detachably connected to the transfer head, and the jig base is used to mount a transfer auxiliary jig.

10. A seal transfer device, characterized in that, The stamp transfer device is used to transfer a target element onto a target carrier, including a transfer head switching device as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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