Manipulator for grabbing liquid crystal display screen and negative pressure adsorption assembly thereof

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of liquid crystal display screen production, and particularly relates to a mechanical arm used for grabbing a liquid crystal display screen and a negative pressure adsorption assembly of the mechanical arm. The suction cup assembly is arranged at the tail end of the mechanical arm, the suction cup assembly comprises a plurality of suction cups, and the suction cups are assembled at the tail end of the mechanical arm through spherical hinges; the air holes are formed in the bottom of the suction cup, and all the air holes are communicated with a negative pressure air source; wherein the air holes comprise a central air hole and surrounding air holes, the central air hole is located at the central position of the bottom of the suction cup, and the surrounding air holes uniformly surround the periphery of the central air hole in a circumferential shape. The contact area of the suction cup and the liquid crystal curved screen can be remarkably increased through the surrounding air holes, the adsorption force field of the suction cup is effectively enlarged, and therefore the situation that the curved screen falls off when the manipulator grabs the curved screen is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of liquid crystal display manufacturing technology, and in particular relates to a robotic arm for gripping liquid crystal displays and its negative pressure adsorption component. Background Technology

[0002] In the automated production and handling of LCD / OLED displays, vacuum suction cups are often used to hold the displays vertically from the side for easy packing. Traditional vacuum suction cups rely on planar adsorption principles. When a robotic arm grasps a curved display using a vacuum suction cup, the contact area between each suction cup and the curved screen is uneven, and the contact distance between each suction cup and the curved screen is difficult to control. This causes the vacuum level to decay rapidly, making it very easy for the display to fall.

[0003] Therefore, how to avoid the curved screen from falling when the robotic arm grasps it is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art.

[0004] It should be noted that the information disclosed in this background section is only for understanding the background technology of the present application concept, and therefore, the above description is not considered to constitute prior art information. Utility Model Content

[0005] This disclosure provides at least one robotic arm for gripping a liquid crystal display screen and its negative pressure adsorption component.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a robotic arm for grasping a liquid crystal display screen, comprising:

[0007] A support on which at least one robotic arm is mounted;

[0008] A suction cup assembly is disposed at the end of the robotic arm. The suction cup assembly includes a plurality of suction cups for adsorbing curved screens. The suction cups are all assembled at the end of the robotic arm via ball joints.

[0009] Several air holes are provided at the bottom of the suction cup, and all of the air holes are connected to a negative pressure air source;

[0010] The air vents include a central air vent and surrounding air vents. The central air vent is located at the center of the bottom of the suction cup, and the surrounding air vents are evenly arranged in a circular shape around the central air vent.

[0011] In one optional embodiment, the central vent and the surrounding vents are connected to a negative pressure air source through independent air passages, and the negative pressure value of the central vent is higher than that of the surrounding vents.

[0012] In one alternative embodiment, the inner edge of the suction cup is provided with a groove.

[0013] In one alternative implementation, the number of suction cups decreases from top to bottom.

[0014] Secondly, this disclosure also provides a negative pressure adsorption component, comprising:

[0015] Several suction cups are attached to the end of the robotic arm via ball joints;

[0016] Several air holes are provided at the bottom of the suction cup, and all of the air holes are connected to a negative pressure air source;

[0017] The air vents include a central air vent and surrounding air vents. The central air vent is located at the center of the bottom of the suction cup, and the surrounding air vents are evenly arranged in a circular shape around the central air vent.

[0018] In one optional embodiment, the central vent and the surrounding vents are connected to a negative pressure air source through independent air passages, and the negative pressure value of the central vent is higher than that of the surrounding vents.

[0019] In one alternative embodiment, the inner edge of the suction cup is provided with a groove.

[0020] In one alternative implementation, the number of suction cups decreases from top to bottom.

[0021] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: the robotic arm for gripping curved LCD screens has a central air hole and surrounding air holes inside the suction cup. While the central air hole adsorbs the curved LCD screen under negative pressure, the surrounding air holes are distributed circumferentially to adapt to the edge of the curved surface, significantly increasing the contact area between the suction cup and the curved LCD screen and effectively expanding the suction force field of the suction cup. In addition, the suction cup is mounted on the robotic arm via a ball joint, allowing the suction cup to automatically adjust its angle when contacting the curved screen, so that the edge of the suction cup fits snugly against the curved screen, reducing air leakage and thus preventing the curved screen from falling.

[0022] Other features and advantages of this invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing the invention. The objectives and other advantages of this invention are realized and obtained through the structures particularly pointed out in the description and drawings.

[0023] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, preferred embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of this utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0025] Figure 1 A front view of a robotic arm for grasping a liquid crystal display screen, provided as an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a side view of a robotic arm for grasping a liquid crystal display screen, provided as an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] In the picture:

[0028] 100, Support; 110, Robotic arm; 200, Suction cup assembly; 210, Air vent; 211, Central air vent; 212, Surrounding air vent; 220, Groove; 230, Suction cup; 300, Curved screen; 400, Ball joint. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0030] In this document, when it is mentioned that a first component is located on a second component, this can mean that the first component can be directly formed on the second component, or that a third component can be inserted between the first and second components. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the thickness of the components may be exaggerated or reduced for the purpose of effectively describing the technical content.

[0031] In this document, when an element or layer is referred to as “located,” “joined to,” “connected to,” “attached to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly located, joined, connected, attached to, or coupled to the other element or layer, or there may be intermediate elements or layers present. Conversely, when an element is referred to as “directly on another element or layer,” “directly joined to,” “directly connected to,” “directly attached to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intermediate elements or layers present. Other terms used to describe relationships between elements should be interpreted in a similar manner (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items.

[0032] In this document, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. As used herein, expressions such as “at least one of…” modify the entire list of elements when following a list of elements, rather than individual elements in the list. For example, the expression “at least one of a, b, and c” should be understood to include only a, only b, only c, both a and b, both a and c, both b and c, or all of a, b, and c.

[0033] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing specific exemplary configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular articles “a,” “an,” and “the” may also be intended to include plural forms unless otherwise clearly stated herein. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are inclusive and thus specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein should not be construed as requiring them to be performed in the specific order discussed or shown, unless specifically identified as such. Additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0034] As used herein, the phrases “in one embodiment,” “according to one embodiment,” “in some embodiments,” etc., generally refer to the fact that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic following the phrase can be included in at least one embodiment of this disclosure. Therefore, a particular feature, structure, or characteristic can be included in more than one embodiment of this disclosure, such that these phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. As used herein, the terms “example,” “exemplary,” etc., are used to “serve as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation, aspect, or design described herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or superior to other implementations, aspects, or designs. Rather, the use of the terms “example,” “exemplary,” etc., is intended to present concepts in a specific manner.

[0035] Research has revealed the shortcomings of existing technologies: Traditional vacuum suction cups rely on planar adsorption principles. When gripping curved displays, the negative pressure adsorption pores of traditional suction cups are located at the center of the suction cup, causing a sharp drop in the adsorption force between the edge of the suction cup and the screen. This leads to a rapid decay of the vacuum level, which can easily cause the display to fall.

[0036] Based on the above research, this disclosure provides a robotic arm for gripping liquid crystal displays. By setting a central air hole and surrounding air holes on the suction cup, the surrounding air holes can significantly increase and effectively expand the suction force field of the suction cup, thus solving the above-mentioned problems.

[0037] The shortcomings of the above solutions are the result of the inventor's practical experience and careful research. Therefore, the discovery process of the above problems and the solutions proposed in this disclosure should be considered as the inventor's contribution to this disclosure.

[0038] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0039] The following detailed description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, describes some embodiments of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments and features can be combined with each other.

[0040] See Figure 1 This disclosure provides a robotic arm for grasping a liquid crystal display screen, comprising: a support 100 on which at least one robotic arm 110 is disposed. The end of the robotic arm 110 is provided with a suction cup assembly 200, which includes a plurality of suction cups 230, such as... Figure 1 As shown by the dashed line, the curved screen 300 is located directly in front of the suction cup 230. The suction cup 230 is adapted to hold the curved screen 300 from the side, and then the robotic arm transports it to the packing area for packing. The bottom of the suction cup 230 has several air holes 210, all of which are connected to a negative pressure air source. When the robotic arm 110 approaches the LCD curved screen, the negative pressure air source is activated, and the suction cup 230 adheres to the curved screen 300 through the air holes 210.

[0041] See also Figure 1 The vent 210 includes a central vent 211 and surrounding vents 212. The central vent 211 is located at the center of the bottom of the suction cup 230, and the surrounding vents 212 are evenly distributed in a circular shape around the central vent 211. With the above arrangement, while the central vent 211 adsorbs the curved screen 300, the surrounding vents 212 are distributed in a circular shape to adapt to the edge of the curved surface, which can significantly increase the contact area between the suction cup 230 and the curved screen 300, effectively expanding the adsorption force field of the suction cup 230, thereby preventing the curved screen 300 from falling off.

[0042] See Figure 2 The suction cup 230 is mounted at the end of the robotic arm 110 via a ball joint 400, allowing the suction cup 230 to automatically adjust its angle when it contacts the curved screen 300, ensuring that the edge of the suction cup 230 fits snugly against the curved screen 300, thereby reducing air leakage. Preferably, the bottom plane of the suction cup 230 located in the middle position protrudes beyond the bottom plane of the peripheral suction cups 230, so that the overall arrangement of the suction cups 230 conforms to the shape of the curved screen 300, improving adsorption efficiency.

[0043] See also Figure 1 In some embodiments, the central vent 211 and the surrounding vents 212 are connected to a negative pressure air source via independent air paths. These independent air paths include two parallel pipes, one connecting the central vent and the other the surrounding vents. Compared to traditional solutions where all vents share an air path, localized leakage can cause a sharp drop in overall suction power; independent air paths, through physical isolation, can avoid this problem. Furthermore, the negative pressure value of the central vent 211 is higher than that of the surrounding vents 212. The central vent 211 can quickly generate strong suction, preferentially adsorbing the central area of ​​the curved screen 300, ensuring initial gripping stability. The surrounding vents 212, using a relatively lower negative pressure than the central vent 211, can flexibly conform to the curved edges, preventing screen edge deformation or damage due to excessive suction, while also supplementing the adsorption area of ​​the suction cup 230.

[0044] See also Figure 1 In some embodiments, the inner edge of the suction cup 230 is provided with a groove 220. When the suction cup 230 adsorbs a curved surface, the groove 220 provides additional space for the edge of the suction cup 230 to bend, thereby better fitting the curved surface and preventing the suction cup 230 from being unable to adapt to shape changes due to its edge being too hard.

[0045] See also Figure 1 In some embodiments, the number of suction cups 230 decreases from top to bottom. Due to gravity, the upper part of the curved screen 300 experiences a backward tilting moment. A conventionally evenly distributed array of suction cups 230 can easily lead to insufficient suction force at the top, causing the screen to slide or detach. The suction cups 230, arranged in a decreasing order from top to bottom, enhance the suction force on the upper part of the curved screen 300, preventing the screen from tilting backward.

[0046] See Figure 1Some of the strengths also provide a negative pressure adsorption component, including: a plurality of suction cups 230, which are assembled to the end of the robotic arm 110 via ball hinges 400; a plurality of air holes 210, which are opened at the bottom of the suction cups 230, and all the air holes 210 are connected to a negative pressure air source; wherein, the air holes 210 include a central air hole 211 and surrounding air holes 212, the central air hole 211 is located at the center of the bottom of the suction cup 230, and the surrounding air holes 212 are evenly surrounding the central air hole 211 in a circular shape.

[0047] In summary, the robotic arm for gripping LCD screens, by setting a central air hole 211 and surrounding air holes 212 within the suction cup 230, allows the central air hole 211 to adsorb the curved LCD screen under negative pressure, while the surrounding air holes 212 are distributed circumferentially to adapt to the curved edge, significantly increasing the contact area between the suction cup 230 and the curved screen 300, and effectively expanding the adsorption force field of the suction cup 230. In addition, the suction cup 230 is mounted on the robotic arm 110 via a ball joint 400, allowing the suction cup 230 to automatically adjust its angle when contacting the curved screen 300, so that the edge of the suction cup 230 fits snugly against the curved screen 300, reducing air leakage and thus preventing the curved screen 300 from falling off.

[0048] In the description of the embodiments of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0049] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships, are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model 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, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model. Furthermore, terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms used herein do not imply order or sequence unless expressly indicated herein. Therefore, without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments, the first element, component, region, layer, or segment discussed above may be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer, or segment.

[0050] Spatially relative terms, such as “inside,” “outside,” “below,” “below,” “down,” “above,” “up,” etc., may be used herein to describe the relationship between one element or feature illustrated in the figures and another element or feature. In addition to the orientations depicted in the figures, spatially relative terms may be intended to cover different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device in the figure is flipped, an element described as “below” or “below” other elements or features would be oriented as “above” other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can cover both above and below orientations. The device may be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptors used herein are interpreted accordingly.

[0051] In the above discussion, unless otherwise stated, when used to describe numerical values, the terms “about,” “approximately,” “basically,” etc., indicate a change of + / - 10% in that value.

[0052] Based on the above-described preferred embodiments of this utility model, and through the foregoing description, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the technical concept of this utility model. The technical scope of this utility model is not limited to the contents of the specification, but must be determined according to the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A robotic arm for grasping liquid crystal displays, characterized in that, include: Support (100), on which at least one robotic arm (110) is mounted. A suction cup assembly (200) is disposed at the end of the robotic arm (110). The suction cup assembly includes a plurality of suction cups (230) for adsorbing the curved screen (300). The suction cups (230) are all assembled at the end of the robotic arm (110) via ball joints (400). Several air holes (210) are provided at the bottom of the suction cup (230), and all air holes (210) are connected to a negative pressure air source; The air vent (210) includes a central air vent (211) and surrounding air vents (212). The central air vent (211) is located at the center of the bottom of the suction cup (230), and the surrounding air vents (212) are uniformly arranged in a circular shape around the central air vent (211).

2. The robotic arm as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The central vent (211) and the surrounding vent (212) are connected to a negative pressure air source through an independent air passage, and the negative pressure value of the central vent (211) is higher than that of the surrounding vent (212).

3. The robotic arm as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The suction cup (230) has a groove (220) on its inner edge.

4. The robotic arm as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The number of suction cups (230) decreases from top to bottom.

5. A negative pressure adsorption component, characterized in that, include: Several suction cups (230) are attached to the end of the robotic arm (110) via ball joints (400); Several air holes (210) are provided at the bottom of the suction cup (230), and all air holes (210) are connected to a negative pressure air source; The air vent (210) includes a central air vent (211) and surrounding air vents (212). The central air vent (211) is located at the center of the bottom of the suction cup (230), and the surrounding air vents (212) are uniformly arranged in a circular shape around the central air vent (211).

6. The negative pressure adsorption component as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The central vent (211) and the surrounding vent (212) are connected to a negative pressure air source through an independent air passage, and the negative pressure value of the central vent (211) is higher than that of the surrounding vent (212).

7. The negative pressure adsorption component as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The suction cup (230) has a groove (220) on its inner edge.

8. The negative pressure adsorption component as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The number of suction cups (230) decreases from top to bottom.

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