Feeding and discharging mechanism of printed circuit board

Abstract

A feeding and discharging mechanism of a printed circuit board comprises a first conveying module and a second conveying module. The first conveying module is arranged on a moving carrier and comprises a first conveying assembly, a first conveying plane and a first driving unit, the first conveying plane is provided with a first front end and a first rear end, and the first driving unit controls the first conveying plane to incline so that the first front end and the first rear end are not equal in height. The second conveying module is arranged on a processing machine table used for being connected with the moving carrier and comprises a second conveying assembly, a second conveying plane and a second driving unit, and the second conveying plane is provided with a second front end and a second rear end. The second driving unit controls the second conveying plane to incline so that the second front end and the second rear end are not equal in height.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a process equipment mechanism for printed circuit boards, in particular to a feeding and discharging mechanism for printed circuit boards. Background Art

[0002] Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are used in a variety of electronic products, such as televisions, computers, mobile phones, and electronic measuring instruments. With technological advancements, PCB designs are trending towards miniaturization and high density, making the manufacturing process more complex. Consequently, PCBs must be moved between various processing nodes within the production line, requiring constant handling and transport. Conventionally, PCBs are transported on carts and manually moved to processing equipment at each processing node for subsequent processing. However, manual handling not only incurs labor costs but also poses a greater risk of injury to employees due to careless handling, compromising the PCB processing and production quality.

[0003] Therefore, how to improve the problem that the printed circuit boards still need to be moved manually after being transported to the processing equipment by a cart in the conventional art has become a key point that technicians in this field are eager to develop. Utility Model Content

[0004] The main purpose of the utility model is to solve the problem of conventionally moving a printed circuit board from a cart to a processing device by manpower.

[0005] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention discloses a feeding and discharging mechanism for a printed circuit board, comprising a first conveying module and a second conveying module. The first conveying module is arranged on a transport carrier and comprises a first conveying component, a first conveying plane defined by the first conveying component, and a first driving unit connected to the first conveying component, the first conveying plane having a first front end and a first rear end, the first driving unit controlling the inclination of the first conveying plane so that the first front end and the first rear end are not at the same height. The second conveying module is arranged on a processing machine for connecting the transport carrier and comprises a second conveying component located in a processing space of the processing machine, a second conveying plane defined by the second conveying component, and a second driving unit connected to the second conveying component, the second conveying plane having a second front end and a second rear end, the second driving unit controlling the inclination of the second conveying plane so that the second front end and the second rear end are not at the same height. The first conveying plane and the second conveying plane are arranged horizontally and are spaced apart from each other by a distance less than a movable distance. A carrier loaded with one or more printed circuit boards is placed on the first conveying plane or the second conveying plane. The first driving unit and the second driving unit respectively control the first conveying plane and the second conveying plane to tilt at the same angle, so that the first conveying plane and the second conveying plane together form a conveying inclined plane, and the carrier is driven by gravity on the conveying inclined plane to move toward the inclined direction.

[0006] In one embodiment, the movable distance is equal to a length of the carrier.

[0007] In one embodiment, the tilting direction is toward the transport carrier.

[0008] In one embodiment, the tilting direction is toward the processing machine.

[0009] In one embodiment, the first conveying assembly includes a first damping unit that limits the speed at which the carrier moves toward the tilting direction.

[0010] In one embodiment, the second conveying assembly includes a second damping unit for limiting the speed at which the carrier moves in the inclined direction.

[0011] In one embodiment, a first buffer unit is disposed on a side of the first conveying module away from the processing machine.

[0012] In one embodiment, a second buffer unit is disposed on a side of the second conveying module away from the moving carrier.

[0013] In one embodiment, the first drive unit includes a first front end lifting member for controlling the lifting of the first front end and a first rear end lifting member for controlling the lifting of the first rear end, and the second drive unit includes a second front end lifting member for controlling the lifting of the second front end and a second rear end lifting member for controlling the lifting of the second rear end.

[0014] In one embodiment, when the first conveying plane and the second conveying plane jointly form the conveying slope, there is a first height difference between the first rear end and the first front end, and there is a second height difference between the second rear end and the second front end, and the first height difference is equal to the second height difference. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the operation of an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the operation of an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the first conveying assembly and the second conveying assembly being tilted.

[0019]

Explanation of symbols

[0020] 10: First conveying module

[0021] 10a: First conveying plane

[0022] 101: First Front End

[0023] 102: First backend

[0024] 11: First conveying component

[0025] 111: First conveyor wheel

[0026] 112: First damping unit

[0027] 113: First conveyor belt

[0028] 12: First drive unit

[0029] 121: First front end lifting piece

[0030] 122: First rear end lifting member

[0031] 13: First buffer unit

[0032] 20: Second conveying module

[0033] 20a: Second conveying plane

[0034] 201: Second front end

[0035] 202: Second backend

[0036] 21: Second conveying component

[0037] 211: Second conveyor wheel

[0038] 212: Second damping unit

[0039] 213: Second conveyor belt

[0040] 22: Second drive unit

[0041] 221: Second front end lifting piece

[0042] 222: Second rear end lifting piece

[0043] 23: Second buffer unit

[0044] 30a, 30b: conveying slope

[0045] 91: Moving Vehicles

[0046] 911: Connection side

[0047] 92: Processing machine

[0048] 921: Processing space

[0049] 922: Opening

[0050] 923: Opening side

[0051] 93: Printed Circuit Board

[0052] 94: Carrier

[0053] d: spacing

[0054] L: length

[0055] W1, W2: width

[0056] h1, h2, h3, h4: vertical height

[0057] θ1, θ2, θ3, θ4: angle

[0058] Δh1: first height difference

[0059] Δh2: Second height difference DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] The terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" used herein may also include plural forms.

[0061] Directional terms used herein, such as up, down, left, right, front, back, and their derivatives or synonyms, refer to the orientation of elements in the drawings and are not intended to limit the present invention unless the context clearly states otherwise.

[0062] See Figure 1 The present invention discloses a loading and unloading mechanism for printed circuit boards (PCBs). The mechanism is mounted on a transport carrier 91 and a processing machine 92. The transport carrier 91 is used to transport a carrier 94 loaded with one or more printed circuit boards 93 to a processing space 921 of the processing machine 92, where the processing machine 92 performs a processing process on the printed circuit boards 93. The transport carrier 91 can be considered a movable device that moves between various processing nodes in a factory. The processing machine 92 can be installed in various processing areas of the factory as processing nodes, and the processing machine 92 is connected to the transport carrier 91.

[0063] The loading and unloading mechanism includes a first conveying module 10 and a second conveying module 20 . The first conveying module 10 is disposed on the transport carrier 91 , and the second conveying module 20 is disposed on the processing machine 92 and connected to an opening 922 of the processing machine 92 .

[0064] The first conveying module 10 includes a first conveying assembly 11 , a first driving unit 12 , and a first buffer unit 13 .

[0065] The first conveying assembly 11 includes a plurality of first conveying wheels 111, a plurality of first damping units 112, and a first conveyor belt 113. The first damping units 112 are disposed within the first conveying wheels 111 to slow down the rotation of the first conveying wheels 111. The first conveyor belt 113 is disposed around the first conveying wheels 111, so that the first conveying module 10 defines a first conveying plane 10a on the first conveying assembly 11. The first conveying plane 10a has a first front end 101 and a first rear end 102.

[0066] The first driving unit 12 includes a first front end lifting member 121 and a first rear end lifting member 122. The first front end lifting member 121 is arranged on the moving carrier 91 and connected to the side of the first conveying component 11 close to the first front end 101 to control the lifting and lowering of the first front end 101. The first rear end lifting member 122 is arranged on the moving carrier 91 and connected to the side of the first conveying component 11 close to the first rear end 102 to control the lifting and lowering of the first rear end 102. Accordingly, the first driving unit 12 can control the tilt of the first conveying plane 10a to make the first front end 101 and the first rear end 102 unequal in height.

[0067] The first buffer unit 13 is disposed on the transport carrier 91 and close to the first rear end 102 of the first conveying plane 10a. The first buffer unit 13 refers to a device or material that can provide kinetic energy absorption, such as a spring, foam, etc., and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0068] The second conveying module 20 includes a second conveying assembly 21 , a second driving unit 22 , and a second buffer unit 23 .

[0069] The second conveying assembly 21 includes a plurality of second conveying wheels 211, a plurality of second damping units 212, and a second conveyor belt 213. The second damping units 212 are disposed within the second conveying wheels 211 to slow down the rotation of the second conveying wheels 211. The second conveyor belt 213 is disposed around the second conveying wheels 211, so that the second conveying module 20 defines a second conveying plane 20a on the second conveying assembly 21. The second conveying plane 20a has a second front end 201 and a second rear end 202.

[0070] The second driving unit 22 includes a second front end lifting member 221 and a second rear end lifting member 222. The second front end lifting member 221 is arranged on the processing machine 92 and connected to the side of the second conveying component 21 close to the second front end 201 to control the lifting and lowering of the second front end 201. The second rear end lifting member 222 is arranged on the processing machine 92 and connected to the side of the second conveying component 21 close to the second rear end 202 to control the lifting and lowering of the second rear end 202. Accordingly, the second driving unit 22 can control the tilt of the second conveying plane 20a to make the second front end 201 and the second rear end 202 unequal in height.

[0071] The second buffer unit 23 is disposed on the processing machine 92 and close to the second front end 201 of the second conveying plane 20a. The second buffer unit 23 refers to a device or material that can provide kinetic energy absorption, such as a spring, foam, etc., and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0072] See Figure 2 and Figure 3When the transport carrier 91 moves to the processing node of the corresponding process, the transport carrier 91 is connected to the processing machine 92 located at the processing node, so that the first conveying plane 10a and the second conveying plane 20a are arranged horizontally and are separated from each other by a distance d. The distance d is less than a movable distance. The movable distance can be regarded as a length L of the contact between the carrier 94 and the first conveying plane 10a or the second conveying plane 20a. In one embodiment, a connecting side 911 of the transport carrier 91 can be positioned close to an opening side 923 of the processing machine 92 so that the distance d between the first conveying plane 10a and the second conveying plane 20a is smaller than the movable distance (or the length L), thereby achieving the purpose of connecting with each other. In other embodiments, the connecting side 911 of the transport carrier 91 can be substantially fixed to the opening side 923 of the processing machine 92, so that the first conveying plane 10a is connected from the opening 922 of the processing machine 92 to the second conveying plane 20a, so that the distance d is smaller than the movable distance (or the length L).

[0073] like Figure 2 In the example shown, the carrier 94 and the printed circuit board 93 are placed on the transport carrier 91, and the carrier 94 and the printed circuit board 93 are moved close to the processing machine 92 by the transport carrier 91, so that the distance d between the first conveying plane 10a and the second conveying plane 20a is smaller than the movable distance, and the first drive unit 12 controls the first conveying plane 10a to tilt at an angle θ1, and the second drive unit 22 controls the second conveying plane 20a to tilt at an angle θ2, and the angle θ1 is substantially equal to the angle θ2. In detail, the difference between the angle θ1 and the angle θ2 can be within an allowable error range, such as within 10%.

[0074] The first front end lifting member 121 controls a vertical height h1 of the first front end 101 to be lower than a vertical height h2 of the first rear end 102 controlled by the first rear end lifting member 122. The second front end lifting member 221 controls a vertical height h3 of the second front end 201 to be lower than a vertical height h4 of the second rear end 202 controlled by the second rear end lifting member 222. The vertical height h1 of the first front end 101 and the vertical height h4 of the second rear end 202 can be adjusted to the same or similar heights based on the distance d, so that the first conveying plane 10a and the second conveying plane 20a jointly form a conveying inclined plane 30a. The carrier 94 is driven by gravity on the conveying slope 30a to move in an inclined direction toward the processing machine 92, so that the printed circuit board 93 moves with the carrier 94 to the processing machine 92 for processing, which can avoid the use of manual transportation. On the other hand, the first damping unit 112 and the second damping unit 212 can slow down the movement speed of the carrier 94 to ensure the stability of the carrier 94 and the printed circuit board 93 during the movement process. The carrier 94 contacts the second buffer unit 23 at the second front end 201 to form a buffer, thereby preventing the printed circuit board 93 on the carrier 94 from being damaged due to collision.

[0075] like Figure 3 In the example shown, the carrier 94 and the printed circuit board 93 are placed on the processing machine 92 and the processing process has been completed. In order to move them to other processing equipment through the transport carrier 91, the transport carrier 91 moves close to the processing machine 92 so that the distance d between the first conveying plane 10a and the second conveying plane 20a is less than the movable distance. The first drive unit 12 controls the first conveying plane 10a to tilt at an angle θ3, and the second drive unit 22 controls the second conveying plane 20a to tilt at an angle θ4. The angle θ3 is substantially equal to the angle θ4. In detail, the difference between the angle θ3 and the angle θ4 can be within an allowable error range, such as within 10%.

[0076] The first front end lifting member 121 controls the vertical height h1 of the first front end 101 to be higher than the vertical height h2 of the first rear end 102 controlled by the first rear end lifting member 122, and the second front end lifting member 221 controls the vertical height h3 of the second front end 201 to be higher than the vertical height h4 of the second rear end 202 controlled by the second rear end lifting member 222. The vertical height h1 of the first front end 101 and the vertical height h4 of the second rear end 202 can be adjusted to the same or similar heights based on the distance d, so that the first conveying plane 10a and the second conveying plane 20a together form a conveying inclined plane 3. 0b, the carrier 94 is driven by gravity on the conveying slope 30b to move in an inclined direction toward the transport carrier 91, so that the printed circuit board 93 moves with the carrier 94 to the transport carrier 91, which can avoid the use of manual transportation. On the other hand, the first damping unit 112 and the second damping unit 212 can slow down the movement speed of the carrier 94, ensuring the stability of the carrier 94 and the printed circuit board 93 during the movement process. The carrier 94 contacts the first buffer unit 13 at the first rear end 102 to form a buffer, thereby preventing the printed circuit board 93 on the carrier 94 from being damaged due to collision.

[0077] See Figure 4 , to show only Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the inclination of the first conveying component 11 and the second conveying component 21, when the first driving unit 12 controls the inclination of the first conveying plane 10a and the second driving unit 22 controls the inclination of the second conveying plane 20a, the first front end 101 and the first rear end 102 have a first height difference Δh1, and the second front end 201 and the second rear end 202 have a second height difference Δh2, when a width W1 of the first conveying component 11 is the same as a width W2 of the second conveying component 21, and the angle θ1 (or θ3) is the same as the angle θ2 (or θ4), the first height difference Δh1 is substantially equal to the second height difference Δh2.

[0078] The above-described mechanism and component composition of the conveyor assembly are merely illustrative. The conveyor assembly may also adopt other designs or options as long as it allows the carrier and the printed circuit board to move thereon, such as a crawler or ball-type design. On the other hand, in one embodiment, the first conveyor assembly and the second conveyor assembly do not have a power unit to drive the conveyor wheels to rotate. In other words, the first conveyor assembly and the second conveyor assembly use gravity after tilting to move the carrier. In addition, the drive unit can be a non-powered unit, for example, the first conveyor assembly and the second conveyor assembly may be tilted manually. In this way, a non-powered printed circuit board loading and unloading mechanism can be achieved.

[0079] In summary, the present invention forms the conveying slope by controlling the inclination of the first conveying assembly and the second conveying assembly through the first drive unit and the second drive unit, so that the carrier and the printed circuit board can move naturally in the inclined direction by gravity without relying on manual transportation. This can reduce labor costs and avoid injuries to personnel due to careless operation during the transportation process, which may affect the processing procedures and production quality of the printed circuit boards.

Claims

1. A feeding and discharging mechanism for a printed circuit board, characterized in that: include: a first conveying module disposed on a transport carrier and comprising a first conveying assembly, a first conveying plane defined by the first conveying assembly, and a first driving unit connected to the first conveying assembly, wherein the first conveying plane has a first front end and a first rear end, and the first driving unit controls the first conveying plane to tilt so that the first front end and the first rear end are at different heights; and a second conveying module, disposed on a processing machine connected to the transport carrier, and comprising a second conveying assembly located in a processing space of the processing machine, a second conveying plane defined by the second conveying assembly, and a second driving unit connected to the second conveying assembly, the second conveying plane having a second front end and a second rear end, the second driving unit controlling the inclination of the second conveying plane so that the second front end and the second rear end are at different heights; In which, the first conveying plane and the second conveying plane are arranged horizontally and at a distance from each other that is less than a movable distance. A carrier loaded with one or more printed circuit boards is placed on the first conveying plane or the second conveying plane. The first driving unit and the second driving unit respectively control the first conveying plane and the second conveying plane to tilt at the same angle, so that the first conveying plane and the second conveying plane together form a conveying inclined plane, and the carrier is driven by gravity on the conveying inclined plane to move in an inclined direction.

2. The printed circuit board feeding and discharging mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The movable distance is equal to a length of the carrier.

3. The feeding and discharging mechanism for a printed circuit board according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tilting direction is tilting toward the transport carrier.

4. The feeding and discharging mechanism for a printed circuit board according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tilting direction is tilting toward the processing machine.

5. The feeding and discharging mechanism for a printed circuit board according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first conveying assembly includes a first damping unit for limiting the speed at which the carrier moves toward the tilting direction.

6. The feeding and discharging mechanism for a printed circuit board according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second conveying assembly includes a second damping unit for limiting the speed at which the carrier moves toward the tilting direction.

7. The printed circuit board feeding and discharging mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first buffer unit is disposed on a side of the first conveying module away from the processing machine.

8. The feeding and discharging mechanism for a printed circuit board according to claim 1, characterized in that: A second buffer unit is disposed on a side of the second conveying module away from the moving carrier.

9. The printed circuit board feeding and discharging mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first driving unit includes a first front end lifting member for controlling the lifting of the first front end and a first rear end lifting member for controlling the lifting of the first rear end. The second driving unit includes a second front end lifting member for controlling the lifting of the second front end and a second rear end lifting member for controlling the lifting of the second rear end.

10. The printed circuit board feeding and discharging mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the first conveying plane and the second conveying plane jointly form the conveying slope, there is a first height difference between the first rear end and the first front end, and there is a second height difference between the second rear end and the second front end, and the first height difference is equal to the second height difference.

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