A turnover mechanism suitable for thin workpieces

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of turnover mechanism suitable for thin workpiece, belong to automation equipment field, including first suction cup subassembly, second suction cup subassembly and displacement drive assembly, the displacement of two suction cup subassembly is driven in two displacement units in displacement drive assembly, so that the suction cup of two suction cup subassembly can switch between first state and second state, and then realize the material taking, aerial exchange and turnover of thin workpiece to be turned over, discharge.The turnover mechanism in the utility model, its mechanism is simple, compact structure, can be under the action of displacement drive assembly, in the same operation station, continuously complete the material taking, aerial exchange and turnover of thin workpiece discharge process, fully simplify the process carried out by thin workpiece needing turnover discharge, improve the efficiency and precision of thin workpiece operation processing, satisfy the demand of high rhythm operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of automation equipment, and specifically relates to a flipping mechanism suitable for thin workpieces. Background Technology

[0002] In many processing fields, such as solar cell manufacturing, there is a frequent need for transporting and flipping thin workpieces. For thin workpieces, such as solar cells, which have adhesive dots or raised structures on one side, the side with these dots or structures must face upwards before reaching the workstation. However, for workpieces like solar cells, there is a requirement to place the side with the adhesive dots or raised structures onto a specific object to be carried. Therefore, flipping the thin workpiece is necessary.

[0003] For flipping thin workpieces, the conventional approach is to first flip the workpiece using a pneumatic or electric flipping mechanism, and then use another pneumatic or electric pick-and-place mechanism to transport the thin workpiece to the designated position for placement and application using vacuum suction. While this method is suitable to some extent for low-cycle operating environments, it becomes insufficient when the cycle time is relatively high, failing to fully meet the processing needs of mass production. Even if multiple pieces are used to balance the cycle time, this results in a large and cumbersome mechanism, significantly limiting its application. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of one or more of the above-mentioned defects or improvement needs of the prior art, this utility model provides a flipping mechanism suitable for thin workpieces, which can quickly realize the picking, flipping and unloading of thin workpieces to be flipped, meet the high-speed flipping operation requirements of thin workpieces, and simplify the flipping operation process of thin workpieces.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a flipping mechanism suitable for thin workpieces, including a first suction cup assembly and a second suction cup assembly spaced apart in a first direction, and a displacement driving assembly disposed between the first suction cup assembly and the second suction cup assembly; wherein, the first direction is the feeding direction of the thin workpiece;

[0006] Both the first suction cup assembly and the second suction cup assembly include a frame, a swing frame, and a suction cup mechanism for picking up and dropping thin workpieces; one end of the swing frame of the first suction cup assembly and the swing frame of the second suction cup assembly are connected to the corresponding suction cup mechanism, and the other end is respectively hinged to the corresponding frame through a linear guide rail, so that the swing frame can be deflected and linearly displaced relative to the corresponding frame.

[0007] The displacement driving assembly includes a driving mechanism, a first displacement unit and a second displacement unit connected to the driving mechanism; the first displacement unit and the second displacement unit can be linked and controlled under the drive of the driving mechanism; and the first displacement unit is connected to the swing frame of the first suction cup assembly, and the second displacement unit is connected to the swing frame of the second suction cup assembly, so that the first displacement unit and the second displacement unit can drive the swing frame of the first suction cup assembly and the second suction cup assembly to switch between a first state and a second state under the control of the driving mechanism;

[0008] In the first state, the suction surfaces of the suction cup mechanisms of the first suction cup assembly and the second suction cup assembly are both facing downwards, used for picking up thin workpieces before flipping or unloading thin workpieces after flipping; and in the second state, the suction surfaces of the suction cup mechanisms of the first suction cup assembly and the second suction cup assembly are aligned with each other and the thin workpiece to be flipped is clamped between the two suction surfaces.

[0009] As a further improvement of this utility model, the displacement driving assembly is a cam driving mechanism, the driving mechanism including a driving actuator and a transmission shaft; the first displacement unit includes a first base, a first cam and a first swing arm; the second displacement unit includes a second base, a second cam and a second swing arm;

[0010] The first cam and the second cam are spaced apart and sleeved on the transmission shaft. The two ends of the transmission shaft are rotatably connected to the first base and the second base, respectively, and one end of the transmission shaft is connected to the drive actuator, so that the drive actuator can drive the first cam and the second cam to rotate simultaneously.

[0011] One end of the first swing arm is hinged to the first base, and the other end is hinged to the middle of the first suction cup assembly frame. One end of the second swing arm is hinged to the second base, and the other end is hinged to the middle of the second suction cup assembly frame. Furthermore, the outer edge of the first cam abuts against the middle of the first swing arm, and the outer edge of the second cam abuts against the middle of the second swing arm, so that when the first cam and the second cam rotate, they can drive the first swing arm and the second swing arm to swing and drive the frame of the first suction cup assembly and the second suction cup assembly to switch between the first state and the second state.

[0012] As a further improvement of this utility model, the outer periphery of the first cam and the second cam are respectively provided with a first variable diameter profile line with an increasing outer diameter, a first equal diameter profile line, a second variable diameter profile line with an decreasing outer diameter, and a second equal diameter profile line in the opposite direction of the cam rotation direction.

[0013] Specifically, the first cam and the second cam switch their respective positions with the swing frame from the small diameter end to the large diameter end of the first variable diameter contour line, and the first suction cup assembly and the second suction cup assembly switch from a first state to a second state; the first cam and the second cam switch their respective positions with the swing frame from one end to the other end of the equal diameter contour line, and the first suction cup assembly and the second suction cup assembly remain in either the first state or the second state; the first cam and the second cam switch their respective positions with the swing frame from the large diameter end to the small diameter end of the second variable diameter contour line, and the first suction cup assembly and the second suction cup assembly switch from the second state back to the first state.

[0014] As a further improvement of this utility model, the starting point of the small diameter end of the first diameter change profile of the first cam and the second cam simultaneously acts on their respective corresponding swing arms, and the angle between the first diameter change profile of the first cam is greater than the angle between the first diameter change profile of the second cam, so that the second suction cup assembly used to pick up thin workpieces to be flipped in the air can switch to the second state before the first suction cup assembly.

[0015] As a further improvement of this utility model, the sum of the angles between the first variable diameter profile line and the first equal diameter profile line of the first cam is equal to the sum of the angles between the first variable diameter profile line and the first equal diameter profile line of the second cam.

[0016] As a further improvement of this utility model, the angle between the second variable diameter profile of the first cam and the second variable diameter profile of the second cam is equal, or the angle between the second constant diameter profile of the first cam and the second constant diameter profile of the second cam is equal.

[0017] As a further improvement of this utility model, the frame of both the first suction cup assembly and the second suction cup assembly includes two columns spaced apart in the second direction; and the swing frame of both the first suction cup assembly and the second suction cup assembly includes two swing rods spaced apart in the second direction; one end of each swing rod is hinged to the corresponding column via a linear guide rail, and the other end is connected to the suction cup mechanism, and the ends of the two swing rods away from the suction cup mechanism are respectively connected to the two ends of a connecting rod extending in the second direction, and the connecting rod is located between the two swing rods;

[0018] The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0019] As a further improvement of this utility model, the middle part of the swing arm of the first suction cup assembly and the second suction cup assembly are both connected to a contact wheel. The outer edges of the first cam and the second cam are abutted and engaged with the middle part of their corresponding swing arms through the contact wheel. The outer edge of the contact wheel is always in contact with the outer contour of the corresponding cam.

[0020] As a further improvement of this utility model, the suction cup mechanism of both the first suction cup assembly and the second suction cup assembly includes multiple suction cup units, and each suction cup unit is used for the suction and release of a single thin workpiece.

[0021] As a further improvement of this utility model, a workpiece conveying mechanism is provided below the first suction cup assembly for conveying thin workpieces to be flipped to the first suction cup assembly.

[0022] and / or

[0023] Below the second suction cup assembly is a feeding mechanism or a conveying mechanism for transporting thin workpieces to be covered, so that the flipped thin workpieces can be accurately fed or fed and covered onto the corresponding objects.

[0024] The aforementioned improved technical features can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0025] In summary, the beneficial effects of the above-described technical solutions conceived by this utility model compared with the prior art include:

[0026] This invention relates to a flipping mechanism for thin workpieces, comprising a first suction cup assembly, a second suction cup assembly, and a displacement drive assembly. The displacement drive assembly utilizes two displacement units to drive the two suction cup assemblies, allowing the suction cups to switch between a first state and a second state. This enables the picking up, mid-air exchange, and flipping / unloading of the thin workpiece to be flipped. The flipping mechanism of this invention is simple and compact, and under the action of the displacement drive assembly, it can continuously complete the picking up, mid-air exchange, and flipping / unloading processes of thin workpieces at the same workstation. This significantly simplifies the flipping / unloading procedures for thin workpieces, improves the efficiency and accuracy of thin workpiece processing, and meets the needs of high-cycle operations. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the mechanism state when the flipping mechanism picks up a thin workpiece in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the flipping mechanism in this embodiment of the present invention for the aerial alignment and exchange of thin workpieces;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the outline distribution of the first cam of the flipping mechanism in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the outline distribution of the second cam of the flipping mechanism in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0032] In all the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same technical features, specifically:

[0033] 1. First suction cup assembly; 2. Second suction cup assembly; 3. Displacement drive assembly; 4. Thin workpiece;

[0034] 101. First suction cup mechanism; 102. First swing frame; 103. First linear guide rail; 104. First frame; 201. Second suction cup mechanism; 202. Second swing frame; 203. Second linear guide rail; 204. Second frame; 301. First cam; 302. Second cam; 303. First base; 304. Second base; 305. First swing arm; 306. Second swing arm; 307. Drive motor; 308. Transmission shaft; 309. Contact wheel. Detailed Implementation

[0035] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for explaining the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model. Furthermore, the technical features involved in the various embodiments of the present utility model described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0036] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "center," "longitudinal," "transverse," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0037] Furthermore, unless otherwise expressly defined, 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 expressly and specifically defined.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] Below, for reference Figures 1-4 This invention describes a flipping mechanism suitable for thin workpieces according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] For the thin workpiece 4 in the preferred embodiment, it is preferably a workpiece in the field of solar cell processing technology, such as a solar cell. The thin workpiece 4 preferably has a first surface coated with adhesive or provided with protrusions, and a second surface facing away from the first surface. To ensure the reliability of the adhesive or protrusions, the thin workpiece 4 needs to be supported / contacted on a transport mechanism (e.g., a conveyor belt) with the second surface during transport to complete the transport operation. After completing the transport operation and reaching the subsequent workstation, the thin workpiece 4 needs to be flipped so that its first surface can be used to cover or match the corresponding workpiece or object. The flipping mechanism in the preferred embodiment is designed to complete the above-mentioned flipping and material handling processes.

[0042] Of course, it is understood that, in addition to the aforementioned applications in the field of solar cell processing technology, the flipping mechanism in the preferred embodiment can also be used for flipping, picking up and unloading materials in other scenarios, which will not be elaborated here.

[0043] Specifically, in such Figures 1-2 In the preferred embodiment shown, the flipping mechanism for the thin workpiece 4 includes a first suction cup assembly 1 and a second suction cup assembly 2 spaced apart in a first direction, and a displacement driving assembly 3 is disposed between the first suction cup assembly 1 and the second suction cup assembly 2. The aforementioned first direction is preferably the feeding direction of the thin workpiece 4.

[0044] More specifically, both the first suction cup assembly 1 and the second suction cup assembly 2 include a frame, a swing arm, and a suction cup mechanism; Figure 1 Taking the structure shown as an example, the first suction cup assembly 1 includes a first suction cup mechanism 101, a first swing frame 102 and a first frame 104; the second suction cup assembly 2 includes a second suction cup mechanism 201, a second swing frame 202 and a second frame 204. The first suction cup mechanism 101 and the second suction cup mechanism 201 are used for suction and release operations of thin workpieces 4.

[0045] Both the first suction cup assembly 1 and the second suction cup assembly 2 have their respective suction cup mechanisms connected to one end at each end, and their respective frames hinged to their corresponding frames via linear guides, allowing the frames to rotate and move linearly relative to their respective frames. More specifically, one end of the first frame 102 is connected to the first suction cup mechanism 101, and the other end is hinged to the first frame 104 via a linear guide; one end of the second frame 202 is connected to the second suction cup mechanism 201, and the other end is hinged to the second frame 204 via a linear guide. Because the frames of the two suction cup assemblies are hinged to their respective frames via linear guides, they can rotate and move linearly during operation. This allows the suction cup mechanisms to be in a "retracted" state before extending during the process of vertically picking up material and then horizontally. This ensures that the workpiece conveying mechanism below the suction cup assembly will not be swept during rotation after picking up material, and also prevents the first suction cup mechanism 101 and the second suction cup mechanism 201 from colliding with each other during operation.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, a linear guide rail is disposed at one end of the swing frame, and the axis of the linear guide rail is preferably parallel to the axis of the swing frame. In actual installation, the first suction cup assembly 1 and the second suction cup assembly 2 preferably have the same structural form.

[0047] Preferably, the frames of the first suction cup assembly 1 and the second suction cup assembly 2 each include two columns spaced apart in the second direction; and the swing frames of the first suction cup assembly 1 and the second suction cup assembly 2 each include two swing rods spaced apart in the second direction; one end of the swing rod is hinged to the corresponding column through a linear guide rail, and the other end is connected to the suction cup mechanism, and the ends of the two swing rods away from the suction cup mechanism are respectively connected to the two ends of a connecting rod extending along the second direction, and the connecting rod is located between the two corresponding swing rods; wherein, the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0048] The following is a further detailed description of the structure of the suction cup assembly, taking the first suction cup assembly 1 as an example.

[0049] like Figure 1 As shown, in the preferred embodiment, the first frame 104 includes two columns spaced apart in the second direction, with the two columns arranged vertically.

[0050] Meanwhile, in the preferred embodiment, the first suction cup assembly 1 includes a first swing frame 102 with a rectangular frame structure. The first swing frame 102 includes two swing rods spaced apart in a second direction. One end of each swing rod is connected to the first suction cup mechanism 101, and the other end is hinged to the top of the corresponding column via a first linear guide rail 103. The second direction is a horizontal direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0051] In actual installation, the first linear guide rail 103 is located on the outer side of one end of the two swing arms (the side where the two swing arms are facing away from each other). It includes a slide rail extending coaxially with the swing arms and a slider slidably mounted on the slide rail. The slider is hinged to the top of the column. At the same time, the ends of the two swing arms facing away from the first suction cup mechanism 101 are respectively connected to the two ends of a connecting rod extending along the second direction, so that the first swing frame 102 forms a "gate-shaped" frame structure and can rotate around the axis relative to the two columns.

[0052] More specifically, the slider on the first linear guide 103 is a circular slider, which is embedded in a circular hole at the top of the column and can rotate relative to the hole. Alternatively, the aforementioned slider is fixedly connected to a bearing seat via a connector, and the bearing seat is connected to the top of the column. The bearing seat provides rotational freedom, and the first linear guide 103 provides linear motion freedom. In this way, the first pendulum frame 102 can reciprocate relative to the first frame 104 along the axial direction of the first linear guide 103 under the guidance of the first linear guide 103; it can also achieve rotational yaw of the first pendulum frame 102 relative to the first frame 104 by the rotation of the slider relative to the column, thereby achieving deflection displacement and linear displacement of the first pendulum frame 102 relative to the first frame 104.

[0053] Similarly, the second suction cup assembly 2 includes a second suction cup mechanism 201, a second swing frame 202, a second linear guide rail 203, and a second frame 204. The arrangement and movement of each component are also set with reference to the first suction cup assembly 1. However, the swing direction of the second swing frame 202 is always opposite to the swing direction of the first swing frame 102, thereby realizing the two swing frames to swing towards each other and swing away from each other, completing the switching between the two suction cup assemblies in the first state and the second state.

[0054] For the first suction cup assembly 1 and the second suction cup assembly 2 in the preferred embodiment, in the first state, the suction surfaces of the first suction cup mechanism 101 and the second suction cup mechanism 201 face downwards, used to pick up the thin workpiece 4 before flipping through the first suction cup mechanism 101 or to unload the thin workpiece 4 after flipping through the second suction cup mechanism 201. In the second state, the first swing frame 102 and the second swing frame 202 are deflected 90° towards each other, so that the suction surfaces of the first suction cup mechanism 101 and the second suction cup mechanism 201 are aligned with each other and the thin workpiece 4 to be flipped is clamped between the two suction surfaces; at this time, the first surface of the thin workpiece 4 abuts against the first suction cup mechanism 101, and the second surface of the thin workpiece 4 abuts against the second suction cup mechanism 201. By switching the working state of the first suction cup mechanism 101 and the second suction cup mechanism 201 (turning off the first suction cup mechanism 101), the thin workpiece 4 can be flipped. By activating the second suction cup mechanism 201, the thin workpiece 4 can be exchanged in mid-air between the first suction cup mechanism 101 and the second suction cup mechanism 201. Then, with the first swing frame 102 and the second swing frame 202 swinging back to the first state, the thin workpiece 4 can be flipped over. This allows the thin workpiece 4 on the second suction cup mechanism 201 to swing to the first state position of the second suction cup assembly 2 with the first surface facing down. Finally, the second suction cup mechanism 201 completes the unloading process of the flipped thin workpiece 4.

[0055] Furthermore, to achieve accurate switching between the first suction cup assembly 1 and the second suction cup assembly 2 in the first and second states, a displacement driving assembly 3 is also provided for the first suction cup assembly 1 and the second suction cup assembly 2. The displacement driving assembly 3 includes a driving mechanism, a first displacement unit, and a second displacement unit connected to the driving mechanism; the first and second displacement units can be linked and controlled under the drive of the driving mechanism. For the assembly connection between the first and second displacement units and the driving mechanism, the first and second displacement units can be simultaneously matched with the same driving mechanism to achieve simultaneous driving of the two displacement units, or the driving mechanism can be matched with one of the displacement units, and the two displacement units can be assembled through a linkage mechanism, with the linkage mechanism completing the linkage control of the two displacement units, thereby achieving displacement control of the two swing arms. It can be understood that as long as accurate control of the two suction cup assemblies can be achieved, it meets the requirements for the displacement driving assembly 3 in the preferred embodiment.

[0056] The first displacement unit is connected to the swing frame of the first suction cup assembly 1, and the second displacement unit is connected to the swing frame of the second suction cup assembly 2, so that the first displacement unit and the second displacement unit can drive the swing frames of the first suction cup assembly 1 and the second suction cup assembly 2 to switch between the first state and the second state described above under the control of the drive mechanism.

[0057] The displacement drive component 3 in the preferred embodiment will be further illustrated below, taking an indirect linkage control configuration as an example.

[0058] like Figures 1-2 As shown, in the preferred embodiment, the displacement drive component 3 is a cam drive mechanism. In this cam drive mechanism, the first displacement unit is a first cam module, which includes a first base 303, a first cam 301, and a first swing arm 305; the second displacement unit is a second cam module, which includes a second base 304, a second cam 302, and a second swing arm 306. Simultaneously, the drive mechanism in the cam drive mechanism includes a drive actuator and a transmission shaft 308. Specifically, the first cam 301 and the second cam 302 are spaced apart and sleeved on the transmission shaft 308 near their respective ends. The two ends of the transmission shaft 308 are rotatably assembled with the first base 303 and the second base 304, respectively, and one end of the transmission shaft 308 is connected to the drive actuator (e.g., the output shaft of a motor), so that the drive actuator can simultaneously drive the first cam 301 and the second cam 302 to rotate.

[0059] As an example, the drive actuator is preferably a drive motor 307, whose output shaft is preferably assembled and connected to one end of the transmission shaft 308 on which the first cam 301 is mounted.

[0060] More specifically, one end of the first swing arm 305 is hinged to the first base 303, and the other end is hinged to the middle of the first suction cup assembly 1 swing frame (first swing frame 102). One end of the second swing arm 306 is hinged to the second base 304, and the other end is hinged to the middle of the second suction cup assembly 2 swing frame (second swing frame 202). Furthermore, the outer edge of the first cam 301 abuts against the middle of the first swing arm 305, and the outer edge of the second cam 302 abuts against the middle of the second swing arm 306, so that when the first cam 301 and the second cam 302 rotate, they can drive the first swing arm 305 and the second swing arm 306 to swing and drive the swing frames of the first suction cup assembly 1 and the second suction cup assembly 2 to switch between the first state and the second state.

[0061] Obviously, by designing the outer contour lines of the first cam 301 and the second cam 302, the switching control of the swing position of the two swing arms can be completed, thereby realizing the switching between the first suction cup mechanism 101 and the second suction cup mechanism 201 in the first state and the second state.

[0062] Specifically, for the first cam 301 and the second cam 302 in the preferred embodiment, the outer periphery of the first cam 301 and the second cam 302 are sequentially provided with a first variable diameter profile line, a first equal diameter profile line, a second variable diameter profile line, and a second equal diameter profile line, with the outer diameter increasing sequentially, in the opposite direction of the cam rotation direction. For example, in the preferred embodiment, the first cam 301 and the second cam 302 rotate clockwise, and in the counterclockwise direction of the outer periphery of each cam, the first variable diameter profile line A1 / A2, the first equal diameter profile line B1 / B2, the second variable diameter profile line C1 / C2, and the second equal diameter profile line D1 / D2, with the outer diameter increasing sequentially, are sequentially provided. Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown in the image.

[0063] Specifically, the first cam 301 and the second cam 302 switch their respective positions with the swing frame from the small diameter end to the large diameter end of the first variable diameter contour line, and the first suction cup assembly 1 and the second suction cup assembly 2 switch from the first state to the second state; the first cam 301 and the second cam 302 switch their respective positions with the swing frame from one end of the equal diameter contour line (the second equal diameter contour line or the first equal diameter contour line) to the other end, and the first suction cup assembly 1 and the second suction cup assembly 2 remain in the first state or the second state; the first cam 301 and the second cam 302 switch their respective positions with the swing frame from the large diameter end to the small diameter end of the second variable diameter contour line, and the first suction cup assembly 1 and the second suction cup assembly 2 switch from the second state back to the first state.

[0064] During the process of switching between the first suction cup assembly 1 and the second suction cup assembly 2 in the swing state, the distance between the hinge position of the swing arm and the swing frame of the first suction cup assembly 1 and the second suction cup assembly 2 and the hinge position of their respective swing frame and frame changes continuously. At this time, the first swing frame 102 and the second swing frame 202 adapt to the rotational swing of the first swing arm 305 and the second swing arm 306 by the linear displacement of the slider on the linear guide rail.

[0065] In actual setup, the small-diameter ends of the first variable-diameter contour lines of the first cam 301 and the second cam 302 simultaneously act on their respective corresponding swing arms (first swing arm 305 and second swing arm 306), and the angle between the first variable-diameter contour line A1 of the first cam 301 and the angle between the first variable-diameter contour line A2 of the second cam 302 is greater. This allows the second suction cup assembly 2, used for air-lifting the thin workpiece 4 to be flipped, to switch to the second state before the first suction cup assembly 1. Thus, through timing planning, the second suction cup mechanism 201 of the second suction cup assembly 2 can reach the vertical endpoint before the first suction cup mechanism 101; that is, the second suction cup mechanism 201 is already in a waiting state before the first suction cup mechanism 101 reaches the vertical endpoint. This design also helps to avoid interference between the two suction cups during their opposing deflection movements, ensuring the reliability of the mechanism's operation.

[0066] More specifically, for the first cam 301 and the second cam 302 in the preferred embodiment, the sum of the angles between the first variable-diameter profile line and the first equal-diameter profile line of the first cam 301 is equal to the sum of the angles between the first variable-diameter profile line and the first equal-diameter profile line of the second cam 302, that is, the angle A1+B1 is equal to the angle A2+B2. This ensures that after the first suction cup mechanism 101 and the second suction cup mechanism 201 complete the air exchange of the thin workpiece 4, they simultaneously switch from the second state to the first state. By utilizing the correspondence of the two first equal-diameter profile lines B1 / B2, it can be ensured that the first suction cup mechanism 101 and the second suction cup mechanism 201 remain relatively stationary during the air exchange of the thin workpiece 4, guaranteeing the reliability of the thin workpiece 4's exchange and adsorption on the first suction cup mechanism 101 and the second suction cup mechanism 201.

[0067] More preferably, on the first cam 301 and the second cam 302, the angle between the second variable diameter profile lines of the first cam 301 and the second variable diameter profile lines of the second cam 302 is equal, that is, the angle between the two second variable diameter profile lines C1 / C2 is equal; or, the angle between the second equal diameter profile lines of the first cam 301 and the second equal diameter profile lines of the second cam 302 is equal, that is, the angle between the two second equal diameter profile lines D1 / D2 is equal.

[0068] Of course, the angles between the contour lines can be adjusted according to the actual control requirements of the working sequence of the first cam 301 and the second cam 302, which will not be elaborated here.

[0069] Furthermore, to ensure the reliability of the first rocker arm 305 and the second rocker arm 306 in contact and assembly with the first cam 301 and the second cam 302 respectively, it is preferable that contact wheels 309 are connected to the middle of the two rocker arms of the first suction cup assembly 1 and the second suction cup assembly, which are more preferably rubber wheels. The outer edges of the first cam 301 and the second cam 302 respectively abut against the middle of their corresponding rocker arms through the contact wheels 309, and the outer edge of the contact wheel 309 always contacts the outer contour of the corresponding cam. Figures 1-2 As shown in the image.

[0070] Furthermore, to improve the efficiency of flipping and placing thin workpieces 4, in the preferred embodiment, the suction cup mechanisms of both the first suction cup assembly 1 and the second suction cup assembly 2 include multiple suction cup units for simultaneously picking up, exchanging, and flipping multiple thin workpieces 4, adapting to the working scenario of multiple thin workpieces 4 and improving work efficiency. Each suction cup unit is used for picking up and placing a single thin workpiece 4 (e.g., a battery cell). Additionally, for each suction cup unit, its adsorption surface preferably has multiple adsorption holes or multiple suction nozzles, for example, four located at the four corners of the adsorption surface, to ensure that a single thin workpiece 4 can be adsorbed at multiple points.

[0071] As an example, in Figure 1 In the preferred embodiment shown, the first suction cup mechanism 101 can be used to pick up two rows of thin workpieces 4 in the first direction, and each row of thin workpieces 4 includes a plurality of them spaced apart in the second direction.

[0072] It is understandable that for a suction cup that simultaneously picks up and places multiple thin workpieces 4, it extends a certain length in the second direction and has a certain width in the first direction. The differential setting of the angle between the two first variable diameter contour lines A1 / A2 causes the timing of the first suction cup mechanism 101 and the second suction cup mechanism 201 switching from the first state to the second state to be different (the second cam 302 is faster than the first cam 301). This design can greatly avoid the interference between the first suction cup mechanism 101 and the second suction cup mechanism 201 in the yaw motion, thereby improving the efficiency of the mechanism in picking up, exchanging in mid-air, and flipping and unloading thin workpieces 4 while ensuring the reliability of the mechanism operation.

[0073] In addition, in actual installation, it is preferable to provide a workpiece conveying mechanism below the first suction cup assembly 1 to convey the thin workpiece 4 to the area below the first suction cup mechanism 101 in the first state. And / or, a feeding mechanism or a conveying mechanism for conveying the thin workpiece 4 to be covered is provided below the second suction cup assembly 2 to ensure that the flipped thin workpiece 4 can be accurately fed or fed and covered onto the corresponding object.

[0074] For the flipping mechanism driven by the cam drive mechanism in the preferred embodiment, its working process is preferably as follows:

[0075] Several thin workpieces 4 to be flipped are transferred to the area below the first suction cup mechanism 101 in the first state; the first suction cup mechanism 101 is controlled to work, adsorbing the first surface of each thin workpiece 4, completing the material picking of the thin workpieces 4 to be flipped; the drive motor 307 is controlled to work, and the contact positions of the two cams and the two swing arms move from the small diameter end to the large diameter end of the first variable diameter contour line A1 / A2, respectively, and the two swing arms swing towards each other, driving the two swing frames to deflect towards each other. Among them, the second swing frame 202 drives the second suction cup mechanism 201 to reach the second state and be in the waiting position before the first swing frame 102, which is equivalent to the second cam 302 switching to the first equal diameter contour line before the first cam 301; after the first swing frame 102 drives the first suction cup mechanism 101 to reach the second state, the two suction cups are horizontally aligned. The first suction cup mechanism 101 is in close contact with the second surface of each thin workpiece 4 by the second suction cup mechanism 201. During the contact between the two swing arms and the first equal diameter contour lines B1 / B2 of the two cams, the first suction cup mechanism 101 releases the suction of the thin workpiece 4, and the second suction cup mechanism 201 suctions the second surface of the thin workpiece 4, thereby completing the air exchange of each thin workpiece 4 on the two suction cups. The two cams continue to move, and the contact position between the two swing arms and the two cams switches from the large diameter end of the second variable diameter contour line C1 / C2 to the small diameter end. The two suction cups are released from alignment and move away from each other until the two suction cups return to the first state. At this time, both suction cups are in a vertically downward state. The first suction cup mechanism 101 can carry out the next round of picking up the thin workpiece 4, and the second suction cup mechanism 201 can carry out the unloading process of each thin workpiece 4 after flipping. In this way, by controlling the continuous operation of the cam drive mechanism, the high-speed flipping operation of the thin workpiece 4 can be realized. The processes of picking up, exchanging in mid-air, and flipping and unloading of the thin workpiece 4 to be flipped can be realized at the same work station, which can greatly improve the efficiency of the flipping operation of the thin workpiece 4.

[0076] This utility model discloses a flipping mechanism suitable for thin workpieces. Its mechanism is simple and compact, enabling continuous completion of the material handling, air exchange, and flipping / unloading processes for thin workpieces 4 under the action of a single mechanism. This significantly simplifies the flipping / unloading steps for thin workpieces 4, improving processing efficiency and precision. In particular, the introduction of the cam-driven mechanism makes the timing control of the two suction cup assemblies simpler and more precise, meeting the requirements of high-speed operation. It also allows for flexible adjustment of the operation time for each sequence according to operational needs, fully ensuring the smoothness of the flipping operation for thin workpieces 4.

[0077] Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Images