Sorting and discharging device and testing equipment

Abstract

The utility model relates to a sorting and blanking device and test equipment, the sorting and blanking device comprises a rack, a first material taking mechanism, a transfer mechanism, a second material taking mechanism and a plurality of cache mechanisms, and the transfer mechanism comprises a transfer assembly and a bearing table. The first material taking mechanism can firstly transfer tested materials to the bearing table located at the first position, then the transferring assembly drives the bearing table to move to the second position, and finally the second material taking mechanism obtains the materials on the bearing table and places the materials in the stock bins of the corresponding caching mechanisms according to the testing result. When a certain stock bin is full of materials, the stock bin can be replaced or the materials in the stock bin can be taken away. In the process, the first material taking mechanism can take materials as usual, and the bearing table can also normally move between the first position and the second position, so that the tested materials are transferred to the second position. Therefore, after the stock bin is full of materials, the sorting and discharging device does not need to be shut down, and therefore the sorting efficiency can be remarkably improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automation equipment technology, and in particular to a sorting and unloading device and a testing device. Background Technology

[0002] In the production process, materials are frequently tested, and then sorted and unloaded based on the test results. For example, in the semiconductor industry, power modules undergo a series of tests, including reliability and appearance defect testing, before entering the next process. After testing, they are buffered according to different types. Common sorting and unloading mechanisms typically use robotic arms to grab materials from the testing station and transfer them directly to the buffering station. When the buffering station is full, the machine needs to be stopped to replace the material box or remove the material, resulting in low sorting efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a sorting and unloading device and testing equipment that can improve sorting efficiency in response to the above problems.

[0004] A sorting and unloading device includes a frame, a first picking mechanism, a transfer mechanism, a second picking mechanism, and multiple buffer mechanisms. The transfer mechanism includes a transfer component and a carrier platform, which can switch between a first position and a second position under the drive of the transfer component. Each buffer mechanism includes a hopper. The first picking mechanism can transfer materials to the carrier platform located at the first position, and the second picking mechanism can pick up the materials located on the carrier platform at the second position and place the picked-up materials into any of the hoppers.

[0005] In one embodiment, the support platform is detachably mounted to the drive end of the transfer assembly.

[0006] In one embodiment, the buffer mechanism further includes a mounting plate on which the hopper is detachably mounted, and the mounting plate is movably mounted to the frame.

[0007] In one embodiment, the mounting plate is provided with a pin, and the hopper is provided with a corresponding positioning hole. The pin is inserted into the positioning hole so that the hopper can be detachably mounted on the mounting plate.

[0008] In one embodiment, the buffer mechanism further includes a locking member having a locked state that prevents the mounting plate from sliding and an unlocked state that allows the mounting plate to slide.

[0009] In one embodiment, the locking element includes an electromagnet disposed on the mounting plate, which, when energized, can be attracted to the frame to switch the locking element to a locked state.

[0010] In one embodiment, a receiving space is formed inside the rack, the first picking mechanism is disposed at the top of the rack, the second picking mechanism and the buffer mechanism are both disposed within the receiving space, the first position is located at the top of the rack, and the second position is located within the receiving space.

[0011] In one embodiment, each of the hoppers is slidable relative to the frame, the frame having a side window on one side, and each of the hoppers is slidable through the side window to the outside of the receiving space.

[0012] In one embodiment, a sensor is provided at the edge of the side window, which can be triggered when any of the hoppers passes through the side window.

[0013] A testing device includes a sorting and unloading device as described in any of the preferred embodiments above.

[0014] The aforementioned sorting and unloading device and testing equipment: the first picking mechanism transfers the tested material to a support platform at a first position, then the transfer component drives the support platform to a second position. Finally, the second picking mechanism retrieves the material from the support platform and places it into the corresponding hopper based on the test results. When a hopper is full, the hopper can be replaced or the material in the hopper can be removed. During this process, the first picking mechanism can continue to pick up material as usual, and the support platform can move normally between the first and second positions, thus continuing to transfer the tested material to the second position. Therefore, the sorting and unloading device does not need to stop when a hopper is full, significantly improving sorting efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art 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.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the sorting and unloading device in a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The diagram shows a partial structure of the sorting and unloading device after omitting the frame.

[0018] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A front view of a portion of the structure of the sorting and unloading device shown.

[0019] Figure 4 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of the buffer mechanism in the sorting and unloading device. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this utility model 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 full understanding of this utility model. However, this utility model can be implemented 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 this utility model. Therefore, this utility model is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0021] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and are not intended to 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.

[0022] 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 indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this utility model, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0023] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," 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 utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0024] In this utility model, 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," "on top of," and "over" 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] Please see Figure 1 This utility model provides a sorting and unloading device 10 and a testing device (not shown in the figure). The testing device includes the sorting and unloading device 10.

[0027] The aforementioned testing equipment can test materials such as semiconductor devices. The sorting and unloading device 10 sorts the materials according to the test results, placing them in different areas for classification and buffering. Typically, the testing equipment has multiple testing stations, through which materials can sequentially pass to perform a series of tests, including electrical performance, mechanical performance, and appearance testing. After testing, the materials can be divided into OK materials (qualified products) and NG materials (unqualified products), with NG materials further categorized into several types based on the type of defect.

[0028] For example, in the power module testing equipment, power modules that pass the test, i.e. OK materials, are generally directly transferred to the next process and are not sorted by the sorting and unloading device 10. Power modules that fail the test, i.e. NG materials, are sorted by the sorting and unloading device 100 and buffered according to the difference in defect type (electrical defects, mechanical defects, and appearance defects, etc.).

[0029] Please refer to the following: Figure 2 and Figure 3 In one embodiment of the present invention, the sorting and unloading device 10 includes a frame 100, a first picking mechanism 200, a transfer mechanism 300, a second picking mechanism 400, and a buffer mechanism 500.

[0030] The frame 100 supports the first picking mechanism 200, the transfer mechanism 300, the second picking mechanism 400, and the buffer mechanism 500, and is generally made of metal. Multiple buffer mechanisms 500 are provided, each capable of buffering one type of material. For example, in this embodiment, four buffer mechanisms 500 are provided, enabling the buffering of four different types of materials; that is, the sorting and unloading device 10 can sort four different types of materials. It is understood that multiple buffer mechanisms 500 can also buffer the same type of material, and this application does not impose any limitation on this. It should be noted that when the type and quantity of materials to be sorted change, the number of buffer mechanisms 500 can be increased or decreased accordingly.

[0031] The first material handling mechanism 200 can acquire the material that has completed the test and transfer the material to the transfer mechanism 300. The transfer mechanism 300 can then transfer the material to the location that the second material handling mechanism 400 can acquire. The second material handling mechanism 400 can acquire the material on the transfer mechanism 300 and transfer it to the corresponding buffer mechanism 500 for buffering according to the test results.

[0032] The first material handling mechanism 200 and the second material handling mechanism 400 acquire materials using grippers, suction cups, or other methods. Specifically, in this embodiment, the first material handling mechanism 200 employs a multi-axis robotic arm with a suction cup at its end for picking up materials. The second material handling mechanism 400 includes an X-axis linear module, a Y-axis linear module, and an electric gripper. The X-axis and Y-axis linear modules are driven in two mutually perpendicular directions, i.e., the X-axis and Y-axis directions. The Y-axis linear module is mounted on the moving end of the X-axis linear module, and the electric gripper is located on the moving end of the Y-axis linear module. Under the combined drive of the X-axis and Y-axis linear modules, the electric gripper can smoothly acquire materials from the transfer mechanism 300 and place them on the corresponding buffer mechanism 500.

[0033] It should be noted that in other embodiments, the first material handling mechanism 200 and the second material handling mechanism 400 may also adopt the same structure, and the structure of the first material handling mechanism 200 and the second material handling mechanism 400 is not limited to this.

[0034] The transfer mechanism 300 includes a transfer component 310 and a support platform 320. The support platform 320 is installed on the moving end of the transfer component 310 and is used to carry materials. When transferring materials, the first picking mechanism 200 first transfers the materials to the support platform 320, and then the second picking mechanism 400 removes the materials from the support platform 320. Specifically, the support platform 320 is generally designed to conform to the size and shape of the materials, and can adapt well to the contours of the materials. Therefore, the support platform 320 can be well compatible with irregularly shaped or small-sized materials.

[0035] Specifically, in this embodiment, the carrier platform 320 is detachably installed on the drive end of the transfer assembly 310, thus facilitating the replacement of the carrier platform 320. When the tested material changes, the original carrier platform 320 can be removed from the transfer assembly 310 first, and then replaced with a carrier platform 320 compatible with the changed material. In this way, the compatibility of the sorting and unloading device 10 can be improved, avoiding the need to replace the entire sorting and unloading device 10 when the material changes, effectively saving costs.

[0036] The transfer assembly 310 can drive the carrier platform 320 to switch between a first position and a second position. Specifically, the transfer assembly 310 can be composed of a servo motor and a lead screw module, which can smoothly drive the carrier platform 320 to move. Of course, the transfer assembly 310 can also use a linear motor, cylinder, etc. to drive the carrier platform 320, and its specific form is not limited. Among them, the first position is closer to the first picking mechanism 200 than the second position, so it is convenient for the first picking mechanism 200 to transfer materials smoothly onto the carrier platform 320; while the second position is closer to the second picking mechanism 400 than the first position, so it is convenient for the second picking mechanism 400 to pick up materials smoothly from the carrier platform 320.

[0037] Please refer to it again. Figure 1 In this embodiment, a receiving space is formed inside the frame 100. The first picking mechanism 200 is disposed at the top of the frame 100, and the second picking mechanism 400 and the buffer mechanism 500 are both disposed within the receiving space. Moreover, the first position is located at the top of the frame 100, and the second position is located within the receiving space. That is, the first position is located above the second position.

[0038] The transfer assembly 310 can drive the support platform 320 to move in the vertical direction, i.e., the Z-axis direction, so that the support platform 320 can switch between a first position and a second position. When the support platform 320 moves to the top of the frame 100, it is closer to the first material handling mechanism 200, so it is convenient to receive materials; when the support platform 320 moves to the accommodating space, it is closer to the second material handling mechanism 400, so it is convenient for the second material handling mechanism 400 to pick up materials.

[0039] Specifically, the frame 100 can be constructed using rods as a framework, with plates surrounding the frame to create an accommodating space. The first material handling mechanism 200 is located at the top of the frame 100, allowing for easy movement of the first material handling mechanism 200 to smoothly acquire the tested materials. The second material handling mechanism 400 is located below the first material handling mechanism 200; their operating trajectories do not overlap, thus minimizing mutual interference. Furthermore, the various parts of the sorting and unloading device 10 are arranged in a stacked configuration, making efficient use of the internal space of the frame 100, resulting in a simpler and more compact structural layout.

[0040] Please refer to the following: Figure 4 Each buffer mechanism 500 includes a hopper 510; the second material handling mechanism 400 can place the acquired material into any hopper 510. The hopper 510 can hold the material and is used for material buffering. Specifically, the hopper 510 can adopt a structure similar to the support platform 320, and can be designed to conform to the size and shape of the material to better fit its contour. Therefore, the hopper 510 can better accommodate irregularly shaped or small-sized materials. Furthermore, the hopper 510 is detachable, facilitating replacement for different materials.

[0041] The sorting and unloading device 10 described above performs the following process for sorting materials:

[0042] Driven by the transfer component 310, the carrier platform 320 moves to the first position. The first picking mechanism 200 transfers the tested materials from other workstations to the carrier platform 320 at the first position. The transfer component 310 drives the carrier platform 320 from the first position to the second position, whereby the second picking mechanism 400 picks up the materials from the carrier platform 320. Based on the test results, the second picking mechanism 400 places the materials into the corresponding hopper 510. The carrier platform 320 then returns to the first position under the drive of the transfer component 310, ready to receive the next material. By repeating the above process, the tested materials can be sequentially sorted into the corresponding hoppers 510 until a hopper 510 is full. At this point, the full hopper 510 can be replaced, or the materials in the hopper 510 can be removed.

[0043] During the process of changing the hopper 510 or removing materials, the first material handling mechanism 200 can continue to handle materials as usual, and the carrying platform 320 can also move normally between the first and second positions. In other words, after the hopper 510 is full, the first material handling mechanism 200 and the transfer mechanism 300 can continue to transfer materials to the second position during the time it takes to change the hopper 510 or remove materials, without requiring the entire sorting and unloading device 10 to be shut down. Therefore, the sorting efficiency of the sorting and unloading device 10 can be significantly improved.

[0044] In addition, please refer to again Figure 1 In this embodiment, each hopper 510 is slidable relative to the frame 100. A side window 101 is provided on one side of the frame 100, and each hopper 510 can slide to the outside of the receiving space via the side window 101. In other embodiments, the hopper 510 is rotatable relative to the frame 100. For example, it can rotate about the Z-axis in the XY plane, rotating from inside the receiving space to outside via the side window 101; or, it can rotate about the X-axis in the YZ plane, rotating from inside the receiving space to outside via the side window 101. The hopper 510 can also move relative to the frame 100 in other similar ways.

[0045] Once the hopper 510 is full, the operator can pull it out of the receiving space to facilitate replacement or material removal. After replacement or removal, the hopper 510 can be pushed back into the receiving space. This allows the operator to easily replace or remove materials without opening the frame 100, avoiding operational inconvenience caused by obstruction from the frame 100.

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a sensor (not shown) is provided on the edge of the side window 101, which can be triggered when any hopper 510 passes through the side window 101. Specifically, the sensor can be a grating. After being triggered, the sensor can control the second material handling mechanism 400 to stop working, thereby avoiding interference between the second material handling mechanism 400 and the moving hopper 510, and preventing safety hazards caused by collision between the two.

[0047] Please refer to it again. Figure 4 In this embodiment, the buffer mechanism 500 further includes a mounting plate 520, the hopper 510 is detachably mounted on the mounting plate 520, and the mounting plate 520 is movably mounted on the frame 100.

[0048] In this embodiment, specifically, the mounting plate 520 is slidably mounted on the frame 100. The mounting plate 520 is mounted on the frame 100 via a guide rail 530, and sliding the mounting plate 520 along the guide rail 530 can cause the hopper 510 to slide relative to the frame 100. When a hopper 510 is full, dragging the mounting plate 520 containing that hopper 510 will cause the hopper 510 to slide out of the accommodating space, facilitating the replacement of the hopper 510 or the removal of materials. To facilitate the movement of the mounting plate 520, a handle 521 for gripping is also provided on one side of the mounting plate 520.

[0049] When the tested material changes, the raw material bin 510 can be removed from the mounting plate 520 and replaced with a bin 510 that is compatible with the changed material. This improves the compatibility of the sorting and feeding device 10, avoids the need to replace the entire sorting and feeding device 10 when the material changes, and effectively saves costs.

[0050] Specifically, in this embodiment, the mounting plate 520 is provided with a pin (not shown), and the hopper 510 is provided with a corresponding positioning hole (not shown). The pin is inserted into the positioning hole to allow the hopper 510 to be detachably mounted on the mounting plate 520. The pin extends vertically, i.e., along the Z-axis, and can limit the hopper 510 along the X-axis and Y-axis. When installing the hopper 510, simply align the positioning hole on the hopper 510 with the pin and insert it. When disassembling the hopper 510, simply pull it out along the Z-axis, making disassembly and assembly more convenient.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the buffer mechanism 500 also includes a locking member 540, which has a locked state and an unlocked state. When the locking member 540 is in the locked state, it can prevent the mounting plate 520 from sliding; while when the locking member 540 is in the unlocked state, it allows the mounting plate 520 to slide.

[0052] The locking element 540 can be installed on the frame 100 and / or the mounting plate 520. Before the hopper 510 is full, the locking element 540 is usually in the locked state, which can prevent the mounting plate 520 from sliding and thus keep the position of the hopper 510 stable, so as to facilitate the accurate placement of materials by the second material handling mechanism 400. When the hopper 510 is full, the locking element 540 switches to the unlocked state, so the mounting plate 520 can be pulled and the hopper 510 can be moved out of the receiving space of the frame 100, so as to facilitate the replacement of the hopper 510 or the removal of materials.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the locking member 540 includes an electromagnet disposed on the mounting plate 520. When energized, the electromagnet can attract the frame 100, thus switching the locking member 540 to a locked state. The energized electromagnet generates magnetic force, thereby attracting the mounting plate 520 to the frame 100 to prevent the mounting plate 520 from sliding. When it is necessary to switch the locking member 540 to an unlocked state, simply de-energize the electromagnet. Therefore, using an electromagnet for locking and unlocking makes the control of the locking member 540's state more convenient and easier to automate. The electromagnet can also be disposed solely on the frame 100, attracting the mounting plate 520 when energized, or electromagnets can be disposed on both the mounting plate 520 and the frame 100, attracting each other when energized.

[0054] It should be noted that in other embodiments, the locking member 540 may employ other methods. For example, the locking member 540 includes a snap-fit ​​disposed on the mounting plate 520, and a slot is provided on the frame 100. The snap-fit ​​can be inserted into the slot and interference-fitted with the slot to lock the locking member 500; and when switching the locking member 500 to the unlocked state, it is only necessary to pull out the snap-fit ​​forcefully.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the buffer mechanism 500 also includes a material sensor 550, which is disposed below the hopper 510. When the hopper 510 is filled with material, the material sensor 550 is triggered by being obscured. Therefore, the material sensor 550 can sense whether there is material in the hopper 510, so as to provide a timely prompt when it is full.

[0056] The sorting and unloading device 10 and testing equipment described above, in which the first picking mechanism 200 first transfers the tested material to the carrier platform 320 located at the first position, and then the transfer component 310 drives the carrier platform 320 to move to the second position. Finally, the second picking mechanism 400 picks up the material on the carrier platform 320 and places the material into the corresponding hopper 510 according to the test results. When a hopper 510 is full, the hopper 510 can be replaced or the material in the hopper 510 can be removed. During this process, the first picking mechanism 200 can pick up material as usual, and the carrier platform 320 can also move normally between the first and second positions, so as to continue to transfer the tested material to the second position. It can be seen that the sorting and unloading device 10 does not need to be stopped after the hopper 510 is full, thus significantly improving sorting efficiency.

[0057] 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.

[0058] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of this utility model, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the utility model patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this utility model, and these all fall within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A sorting and unloading device (10), characterized in that, The system includes a frame (100), a first material handling mechanism (200), a transfer mechanism (300), a second material handling mechanism (400), and multiple buffer mechanisms (500). The transfer mechanism (300) includes a transfer component (310) and a support platform (320), which can switch between a first position and a second position under the drive of the transfer component (310). Each buffer mechanism (500) includes a hopper (510). The first material handling mechanism (200) can transfer materials to the support platform (320) located at the first position, and the second material handling mechanism (400) can acquire materials located on the support platform (320) located at the second position and place the acquired materials into any of the hoppers (510).

2. The sorting and unloading device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support platform (320) is detachably mounted on the drive end of the transfer assembly (310).

3. The sorting and unloading device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The buffer mechanism (500) further includes a mounting plate (520), the hopper (510) is detachably mounted on the mounting plate (520), and the mounting plate (520) is movably mounted on the frame (100).

4. The sorting and unloading device (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The mounting plate (520) is provided with a pin, and the hopper (510) is provided with a corresponding positioning hole. The pin is inserted into the positioning hole so that the hopper (510) can be detachably installed on the mounting plate (520).

5. The sorting and unloading device (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The buffer mechanism (500) further includes a locking member (540) having a locked state that prevents the mounting plate (520) from sliding and an unlocked state that allows the mounting plate (520) to slide.

6. The sorting and unloading device (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The locking member (540) includes an electromagnet disposed on the mounting plate (520). When the electromagnet is energized, it can be attracted to the frame (100) so that the locking member (540) is switched to the locked state.

7. The sorting and unloading device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The frame (100) has an internal accommodating space. The first material handling mechanism (200) is located at the top of the frame (100). The second material handling mechanism (400) and the buffer mechanism (500) are both located within the accommodating space. The first position is located at the top of the frame (100), and the second position is located within the accommodating space.

8. The sorting and unloading device (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that, Each of the hoppers (510) is slidable relative to the frame (100), which has a side window (101) on one side, and each of the hoppers (510) is slidable through the side window (101) to the outside of the accommodating space.

9. The sorting and unloading device (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that, Sensors are provided on the edge of the side window (101), and any of the hoppers (510) can trigger the sensors when passing through the side window (101).

10. A testing device, characterized in that, Includes the sorting and unloading device (10) as described in any one of claims 1 to 9 above.

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