conveying device

Abstract

This application relates to the fields of photovoltaic and semiconductor technology, and in particular to a handling device to solve the problem of property loss and safety risks caused by the failure of vertical braking force of an electric motor. It includes: a handling frame; a handling arm mounted on the handling frame, the handling arm having a carrier fixing position; a drive assembly drivenly connected to the handling arm; and a braking assembly including a movable member movably mounted on the handling arm. The braking assembly has a locked state and an unlocked state. When the braking assembly is locked, the movable member is limited and engaged with the handling frame, and the handling arm is stationary relative to the handling frame. When the braking assembly is unlocked, the movable member is separated from the handling frame, and the drive assembly can drive the handling arm to move vertically. By adding a braking assembly to the existing electric motor power system to achieve locking, even if the electric motor power fails, the carrier and silicon wafers will not fall, improving safety performance and ensuring property safety.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the fields of photovoltaic and semiconductor technology, and in particular to a conveying device. Background Technology

[0002] A photovoltaic cell is a semiconductor device that converts solar energy into electrical energy. Its working principle is based on the photoelectric effect. When sunlight shines on the surface of a semiconductor material, the energy of the photons is absorbed by the electrons in the semiconductor. If the energy of the photons is large enough, it can cause electrons in the valence band to jump to the conduction band, creating electron-hole pairs in the semiconductor. The electrons and holes separate and move under the influence of an electric field, forming an electric current.

[0003] In related technologies, during the manufacturing process of photovoltaic devices, silicon wafers are typically transported in batches using carriers made of various materials such as quartz, silicon carbide, and metal. Based on the arrangement of the handling equipment, the silicon wafer carriers usually need to be moved in multiple directions, both horizontally and vertically. Current handling equipment typically only uses the brakes integrated into the lifting motor to provide vertical braking force and prevent falls.

[0004] However, since the combined weight of silicon wafers and carriers typically reaches tens or even hundreds of kilograms, a motor malfunction can cause the vertical braking force provided by the motor to fail. In this case, the silicon wafers and carriers will fall and be damaged, resulting not only in property loss but also posing a safety risk to the workers. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of this, embodiments of this application provide a handling device to solve the problem of property damage and safety risks caused by the failure of the vertical braking force of the motor.

[0006] In a first aspect, one embodiment of this application provides a handling device, including: a handling frame; a handling arm disposed on the handling frame, the handling arm having a carrier fixing position; a drive assembly drivenly connected to the handling arm; and a brake assembly including a movable member movably disposed on the handling arm; wherein the brake assembly has a locked state and an unlocked state, when the brake assembly is in the locked state, the movable member is limitedly engaged with the handling frame, and the handling arm is stationary relative to the handling frame; when the brake assembly is in the unlocked state, the movable member is separated from the handling frame, and the drive assembly can drive the handling arm to move in a vertical direction.

[0007] In conjunction with the first aspect, the braking assembly also includes: an energy storage element disposed on the transport arm, the energy storage element being capable of driving the movable element to move along a first horizontal direction, so that the movable element engages with or separates from the transport frame.

[0008] In conjunction with the first aspect, the brake assembly also includes: a fixing member disposed on the transport arm, the fixing member having a receiving groove extending along a first horizontal direction, an energy storage member and a movable member both disposed within the receiving groove, when the brake assembly is in the locked state, the energy storage member drives the movable member to pass through the receiving groove and fit against the transport frame, and when the brake assembly is in the unlocked state, the energy storage member drives the movable member to retract into the receiving groove.

[0009] In conjunction with the first aspect, the energy storage component includes a compressed spring, the two ends of which abut against the wall of the receiving groove and the movable component, respectively. The fixed component is also provided with a connecting groove, the two ends of which are connected to the receiving groove and the compressed air source, respectively. When the brake assembly is in the unlocked state, the compressed air source drives the spring to retract into the receiving groove through the connecting groove and the receiving groove.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect, the transport frame includes: a frame body; a guide member, which is mounted on the frame body and extends vertically, and the transport arm is guided and engaged with the guide member. When the brake assembly is in the locked state, the movable part is limited and engaged with the guide member.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, the handling arm is equipped with mating parts, guide parts and mating parts guide and mate, and mating parts and moving parts are arranged at intervals along the vertical direction.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect, the transport arm includes: a drive unit, a drive assembly connected to the drive unit, and the drive assembly being able to drive the drive unit to move vertically when the brake assembly is in the unlocked state; and a mounting unit connected to the drive unit, with movable parts disposed on the mounting unit. The drive unit and the mounting unit are respectively disposed on different side walls of the transport frame.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, the drive assembly includes: a drive element; a transmission assembly including a synchronous belt and a synchronous pulley, wherein the drive element is driven to the synchronous pulley to rotate around its own axis, the synchronous belt is sleeved on the synchronous pulley, the synchronous belt is vertically mounted on the transport frame, and the transport arm is connected to the synchronous belt.

[0014] In conjunction with the first aspect, the transport frame includes: two frames, which are spaced apart along a second horizontal direction, each frame is equipped with a transport arm, and each of the two transport arms has a carrier fixing position on one side opposite to the other. There are two transmission components, and the driving components are respectively connected to the two transport arms through the synchronous belts of the corresponding transmission components.

[0015] In conjunction with the first aspect, the drive assembly also includes: two drive shafts, with the drive component drivingly connected to the two drive shafts respectively to make the drive shafts rotate around their own axes, and the two drive shafts drivingly connected to corresponding synchronous pulleys respectively.

[0016] By applying the technical solution of this application, a silicon wafer is placed in a carrier, and the carrier is positioned at the carrier fixing position on the transport arm to secure the carrier to the transport arm. By moving the movable part relative to the transport arm, the movable part can be separated from the transport frame, thereby switching the brake assembly to the unlocked state. At this time, the drive assembly can drive the transport arm to move vertically, moving the carrier to a suitable position. By moving the movable part relative to the transport arm, the movable part can be limited to the transport frame, thereby switching the brake assembly to the locked state. At this time, the transport arm is stationary relative to the transport frame, and the locking of the transport arm and transport frame is achieved through the limited cooperation between the movable part and the transport frame. By adding a brake assembly to the existing electric motor power system to achieve locking, even if the electric motor power fails, the carrier and silicon wafer will not fall, improving safety performance and ensuring property safety. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of this application will become more apparent from the more detailed description of the embodiments of this application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings are provided to further illustrate the embodiments of this application and form part of the specification. They are used together with the embodiments of this application to explain this application and do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings, the same reference numerals generally represent the same components or steps.

[0018] Figure 1 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of a conveying device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0019] Figure 2 As shown Figure 1 A magnified view of a portion of point A in the middle.

[0020] Figure 3 The image shown is a cross-sectional view of a brake assembly of a conveying device according to an embodiment of this application.

[0021] Figure 4 The diagram shown is yet another structural schematic of a conveying device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0022] Figure 5 As shown Figure 4 A magnified view of a section at point B in the middle.

[0023] Figure 6 The image shown is a front view of a conveying device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0024] Figure 7 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of the transmission assembly of a conveying device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0025] Figure label:

[0026] 1. Vehicle;

[0027] 10. Handling rack; 11. Frame; 12. Guide components;

[0028] 20. Handling arm; 21. Mating component; 22. Drive unit; 23. Mounting unit;

[0029] 30. Drive assembly; 31. Drive component; 32. Transmission assembly; 321. Synchronous belt; 322. Synchronous pulley; 33. Drive shaft;

[0030] 40. Brake assembly; 41. Moving part; 42. Energy storage component; 43. Fixed part; 431. Receiving groove; 432. Connecting groove;

[0031] X, first horizontal direction; Y, second horizontal direction; Z, vertical direction. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0033] For example, such as Figures 1 to 6 As shown, one embodiment of this application provides a handling device, which includes a handling frame 10, a handling arm 20, a drive assembly 30, and a brake assembly 40. The handling arm 20 is disposed on the handling frame 10 and has a carrier fixing position. The drive assembly 30 is drivenly connected to the handling arm 20. The brake assembly 40 includes a movable member 41, which is movably disposed on the handling arm 20. The brake assembly 40 has a locked state and an unlocked state. When the brake assembly 40 is in the locked state, the movable member 41 is limited to the handling frame 10, and the handling arm 20 is stationary relative to the handling frame 10. When the brake assembly 40 is in the unlocked state, the movable member 41 is separated from the handling frame 10, and the drive assembly 30 can drive the handling arm 20 to move in the vertical direction Z.

[0034] Applying the technical solution of this application, a silicon wafer is placed in a carrier 1, and the carrier 1 is placed at the carrier fixing position of the transport arm 20 to fix the carrier 1 onto the transport arm 20. By moving the movable member 41 relative to the transport arm 20, the movable member 41 can be separated from the transport frame 10, thereby switching the brake assembly 40 to the unlocked state. At this time, the drive assembly 30 can drive the transport arm 20 to move in the vertical direction Z to move the carrier 1 to a suitable position. By moving the movable member 41 relative to the transport arm 20, the movable member 41 can be limited to the transport frame 10, thereby switching the brake assembly 40 to the locked state. At this time, the transport arm 20 is stationary relative to the transport frame 10, and the locking of the transport arm 20 and the transport frame 10 is achieved through the limited cooperation between the movable member 41 and the transport frame 10. Based on the existing electric motor power, the addition of the brake assembly 40 to achieve locking ensures that even if the electric motor power fails, the carrier 1 and the silicon wafer will not fall, improving safety performance and ensuring property safety.

[0035] When the brake assembly 40 is locked, the movable part 41 is engaged with the transport frame 10 in a limiting manner, which can be achieved in the following ways: First, the movable part 41 and the transport frame 10 are limited through frictional engagement. The movable part 41 abuts against the transport frame 10 with a horizontal force, thereby forming a vertical Z-force of friction with the transport frame 10, which locks the transport arm 20. Second, the movable part 41 and the transport frame 10 are limited through a horizontal insertion engagement, which locks the transport arm 20. Alternatively, the transport arm 20 can be locked in other ways, as long as it can be locked onto the transport frame 10.

[0036] In some embodiments, the movable member 41 can contact and separate from the transport frame 10 by moving horizontally. In other embodiments, the movable member 41 can also contact and separate from the transport frame 10 by rotating about an axis. Regardless of the movement of the movable member 41, as long as the relative locking and unlocking of the transport arm 20 and the transport frame 10 can be achieved, it is acceptable.

[0037] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the brake assembly 40 also includes an energy storage element 42, which is disposed on the transport arm 20. The energy storage element 42 can drive the movable element 41 to move along the first horizontal direction X, so that the movable element 41 is engaged with or separated from the transport frame 10. Using the energy stored in the energy storage element 42 to drive the movable element 41 to move along the first horizontal direction X has the advantages of simple structure and low cost.

[0038] In some embodiments, the energy storage element 42 can be a spring, which drives the movable element 41 to move through its own elastic force. In other embodiments, the energy storage element 42 can be an electromagnet, which moves the movable element 41 by energizing and de-energizing the electromagnet. In other embodiments, the energy storage element 42 can also be a magnet, which uses the principle of like poles repulsion to move the movable element 41.

[0039] When the movable part 41 rotates around the axis, the energy storage element 42 can be set as a torsion spring.

[0040] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the brake assembly 40 also includes a fixing member 43, which is disposed on the transport arm 20. The fixing member 43 has a receiving groove 431 extending along a first horizontal direction X. The energy storage member 42 and the movable member 41 are both disposed within the receiving groove 431. When the brake assembly 40 is in the locked state, the energy storage member 42 drives the movable member 41 to extend out of the receiving groove 431 and fit against the transport frame 10. When the brake assembly 40 is in the unlocked state, the energy storage member 42 drives the movable member 41 to retract into the receiving groove 431. By disposing of both the energy storage member 42 and the movable member 41 within the fixing member 43, the brake assembly 40 can be modularized, which facilitates the assembly and adjustment of the brake assembly 40.

[0041] It should be noted that when the energy storage element 42 is a spring, the spring can only drive the movable element 41 to either pass through the receiving groove 431 or retract into the receiving groove 431. An additional driving force is required to enable the spring to drive the movable element 41 to achieve the other scenario. This additional driving force can be achieved through hydraulic drive, pneumatic drive, or electric drive.

[0042] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the energy storage component 42 includes a compressed spring, with both ends of the spring abutting against the wall of the receiving groove 431 and the movable component 41, respectively. The fixed component 43 also has a connecting groove 432, with both ends connected to the receiving groove 431 and a compressed air source, respectively. When the brake assembly 40 is in the unlocked state, the compressed air source drives the spring to retract into the receiving groove 431 through the connecting groove 432 and the receiving groove 431. Since the spring is initially compressed within the receiving groove 431, the movable component 41 can extend out of the receiving groove 431 under the compression force of the spring and contact the transport frame 10. The friction between the movable component 41 and the transport frame 10 locks the transport arm 20 and the transport frame 10. When the compressed air source drives the spring to retract into the receiving groove 431 through the connecting groove 432 and the receiving groove 431, the spring can cause the movable component 41 to separate from the transport frame 10, allowing the transport arm 20 to move relative to the transport frame 10.

[0043] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the transport frame 10 includes a frame body 11 and a guide member 12. The guide member 12 is mounted on the frame body 11 and extends vertically in the Z direction. The transport arm 20 is guided and engaged with the guide member 12. When the brake assembly 40 is in the locked state, the movable member 41 is limited and engaged with the guide member 12. The guide member 12 enables the transport frame 10 and the transport arm 20 to be guided and engaged, and also enables the transport frame 10 and the transport arm 20 to be locked and unlocked, achieving multiple uses from a single device.

[0044] In this embodiment, the brake assembly 40 is modularly mounted on the transport arm 20. When the brake assembly 40 is in the unlocked state, the movable part 41 of the brake assembly 40 is separated from the transport frame 10. Through the guiding cooperation between the transport arm 20 and the guide member 12, the transport arm 20 can move vertically in the Z direction. When the brake assembly 40 is in the locked state, the movable part 41 contacts and is limited to the transport frame 10, and the transport arm 20 and the guide member 12 are locked together.

[0045] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the conveying arm 20 is equipped with a mating component 21, and the guide component 12 and the mating component 21 are guided and engaged. The mating component 21 and the movable component 41 are spaced apart along the vertical direction Z. By utilizing the space in the vertical direction Z of the conveying arm 20, the mating component 21 and the movable component 41 are arranged so that the mating component 21 is guided and engaged with the guide component 12, and the movable component 41 can contact the guide component 12 and form a locking engagement. This achieves structural optimization and maximizes the use of space.

[0046] In this embodiment, the modular brake assembly 40 is located below the mating member 21.

[0047] In some embodiments, one of the guide member 12 and the mating member 21 includes a guide rail, and the other of the guide member 12 and the mating member 21 includes a guide groove, with the guide rail located within the guide groove and guidingly engaging with it. The guiding structure employing the guide rail and guide groove has the advantages of simple structure and ease of design.

[0048] In this embodiment, the guide rail is mounted on the transport frame 10, and the guide groove is mounted on the transport arm 20. When the brake assembly 40 is in the locked state, the movable member 41 contacts and frictionally engages with the side wall of the guide rail.

[0049] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 as well as Figure 5As shown, the transport arm 20 includes a drive unit 22 and a mounting unit 23. A drive assembly 30 is drivenly connected to the drive unit 22. When the brake assembly 40 is unlocked, the drive assembly 30 can drive the drive unit 22 to move vertically in the Z direction. The mounting unit 23 is connected to the drive unit 22, and a movable part 41 is disposed on the mounting unit 23. The drive unit 22 and the mounting unit 23 are respectively disposed on different side walls of the transport frame 10. By adopting the above arrangement, and by having the drive unit 22 and the mounting unit 23 respectively correspond to different side walls of the transport frame 10, the power transmission between the transport frame 10 and the transport arm 20, and the mutual locking between the transport arm 20 and the transport frame 10, are achieved using different spaces. This facilitates the arrangement of the transport device and avoids interference between components.

[0050] In order to achieve lightweighting of the handling device, both the drive unit 22 and the mounting unit 23 are plate-shaped structures, and the two are connected by bolts.

[0051] In some embodiments, the mounting part 23 is arranged on the side walls of the two frames 11 that are opposite each other, making full use of the space between the two frames 11 and achieving efficient use of space.

[0052] like Figure 1 and Figure 7 As shown, the drive assembly 30 includes a drive member 31 and a transmission assembly 32. The transmission assembly 32 includes a synchronous belt 321 and a synchronous pulley 322. The drive member 31 is driven to rotate around the synchronous pulley 322. The synchronous belt 321 is fitted onto the synchronous pulley 322 and is mounted on the transport frame 10 in the vertical direction Z. The transport arm 20 is connected to the synchronous belt 321. The drive member 31 drives the synchronous pulley 322 to rotate, which in turn drives the synchronous pulley 322 to rotate. The synchronous belt 321 drives the transport arm 20 to move via the drive unit 22, thus realizing the movement of the carrier 1 in the vertical direction Z.

[0053] like Figure 1 , Figure 4 as well as Figure 6 As shown, the transport frame 10 includes two frame bodies 11, which are spaced apart along the second horizontal direction Y. Each frame body 11 is equipped with a transport arm 20. Each transport arm 20 has a carrier fixing position on its opposite side. Two transmission components 32 are included, and drive components 31 are respectively connected to the two transport arms 20 via synchronous belts 321 of the corresponding transmission components 32. Using this structure, by setting two frame bodies 11, both ends of the carrier 1 can be fixed simultaneously, and the transport arms 20 on the two frame bodies 11 can be moved by the drive components 30 respectively, improving the safety and stability of the carrier 1.

[0054] In some embodiments, the drive assembly 30 further includes two drive shafts 33, and the drive member 31 is driven to the two drive shafts 33 respectively, so that the drive shafts 33 rotate around their own axes, and the two drive shafts 33 are driven to the corresponding synchronous pulleys 322 respectively.

[0055] In some embodiments, the drive shaft 33 extends along the second horizontal direction Y, and the drive assembly 30 further includes a first reducer and a second reducer. The drive member 31 can drive the drive shaft 33 to rotate around its own axis through the first reducer, and the drive shaft 33 drives the synchronous pulley 322 to rotate through the second reducer.

[0056] The drive component 31 includes a drive motor, which is arranged between two frames 11. The drive shaft 33, the first reducer, and the second reducer are all symmetrically arranged. The drive motor drives the two drive shafts 33 to rotate through the two first reducers. Each drive shaft 33 drives the corresponding synchronous pulley 322 to rotate through the corresponding second reducer, thereby realizing the rotation of the corresponding synchronous belt 321.

[0057] In the attached diagram, the first horizontal direction is the X direction, the second horizontal direction is the Y direction, and the vertical direction is the Z direction.

[0058] The basic principles of this application have been described above with reference to specific embodiments. However, it should be noted that the advantages, benefits, and effects mentioned in this application are merely examples and not limitations, and should not be considered as essential features of each embodiment of this application. Furthermore, the specific details disclosed above are for illustrative and facilitative purposes only, and are not limitations. These details do not limit the application to the necessity of employing the aforementioned specific details for implementation.

[0059] The block diagrams of devices, apparatuses, devices, and systems involved in this application are merely illustrative examples and are not intended to require or imply that they must be connected, arranged, or configured in the manner shown in the block diagrams. As those skilled in the art will recognize, these devices, apparatuses, devices, and systems can be connected, arranged, and configured in any manner. Words such as “comprising,” “including,” “having,” etc., are open-ended terms meaning “including but not limited to,” and are used interchangeably with them. The terms “or” and “and” as used herein refer to the terms “and / or,” and are used interchangeably with them unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term “such as” as used herein refers to the phrase “such as but not limited to,” and is used interchangeably with it.

[0060] It should also be noted that in the apparatus, equipment, and methods of this application, the components or steps can be disassembled and / or recombined. These disassemblies and / or recombinations should be considered as equivalent solutions of this application.

[0061] The above description of the disclosed aspects is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use this application. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other aspects without departing from the scope of this application. Therefore, this application is not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but rather to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

[0062] The above description has been given for purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, this description is not intended to limit the embodiments of this application to the forms disclosed herein. Although numerous exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those skilled in the art will recognize certain variations, modifications, alterations, additions, and sub-combinations thereof.

Claims

1. A handling device, characterized in that include: Transport rack; A transport arm is mounted on the transport frame, and the transport arm has a carrier fixing position; The drive assembly is connected to the drive of the transport arm; A braking assembly includes a movable member movably disposed on the transport arm; The brake assembly has a locked state and an unlocked state. When the brake assembly is in the locked state, the movable part is limited to the transport frame, and the transport arm is stationary relative to the transport frame. When the brake assembly is in the unlocked state, the movable part is separated from the transport frame, and the drive assembly can drive the transport arm to move in the vertical direction.

2. The handling device of claim 1, wherein The braking assembly also includes: An energy storage component is disposed on the transport arm. The energy storage component can drive the movable component to move along a first horizontal direction so that the movable component can be engaged with or separated from the transport frame.

3. The handling device of claim 2, wherein, The braking assembly also includes: A fixing member is provided on the transport arm. The fixing member has a receiving groove that extends along the first horizontal direction. The energy storage member and the movable member are both disposed in the receiving groove. When the brake assembly is in the locked state, the energy storage member drives the movable member to pass through the receiving groove and fit against the transport frame. When the brake assembly is in the unlocked state, the energy storage member drives the movable member to retract into the receiving groove.

4. The handling device of claim 3, wherein The energy storage device includes: A compressed spring is provided, with its two ends abutting against the wall of the receiving groove and the movable part, respectively. The fixed part is also provided with a connecting groove, with its two ends connected to the receiving groove and the compressed air source, respectively. When the brake assembly is in the unlocked state, the compressed air source drives the spring to retract into the receiving groove through the connecting groove and the receiving groove.

5. The handling device of claim 1, wherein The transport rack includes: Frame; A guide member is disposed on the frame and extends along the vertical direction. The transport arm is guided and engaged with the guide member. When the brake assembly is in the locked state, the movable member is limited and engaged with the guide member.

6. The handling device of claim 5, wherein, The transport arm is provided with a mating component, the guide component and the mating component are guided and mated, and the mating component and the movable component are spaced apart along the vertical direction.

7. The handling device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The transport arm includes: The drive unit is driven by the drive assembly, which is driven to the drive unit. When the brake assembly is in the unlocked state, the drive assembly can drive the drive unit to move along the vertical direction. The mounting part is connected to the drive part, and the movable part is disposed on the mounting part. The drive part and the mounting part are respectively disposed on different side walls of the transport frame.

8. The handling device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The driving component includes: Drive components; The transmission assembly includes a timing belt and a timing pulley. The driving component is driven to the timing pulley so that the timing pulley rotates around its own axis. The timing belt is sleeved on the timing pulley and is arranged on the transport frame along the vertical direction. The transport arm is connected to the timing belt.

9. The handling device of claim 8, wherein, The transport rack includes: Two frames are arranged at intervals along a second horizontal direction. Each frame is equipped with a transport arm. Each of the two transport arms has a carrier fixing position on one side opposite to the other. There are two transmission components. The drive components are respectively driven to the two transport arms through the synchronous belts of the corresponding transmission components.

10. The handling device of claim 9, wherein, The driving component also includes: Two drive shafts are provided, and the driving component is driven to drive the two drive shafts respectively, so that the drive shafts rotate around their own axes. The two drive shafts are driven to drive the corresponding synchronous pulleys respectively.

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