An FPC automatic guiding test device

Abstract

The application provides an FPC automatic guiding test device, a connector of a to-be-tested FPC is welded and extends outside a carrier contour, the FPC automatic guiding test device comprises at least one test flow line, the test flow line comprises a test station, a jacking mechanism, a correction mechanism, a suction mechanism and a first visual positioning test mechanism; the jacking mechanism is arranged below the test station and is used for jacking the carrier flowing into the test station; the correction mechanism is arranged on the side of the test station and is used for lifting the connector; the suction mechanism is arranged above the test station and is used for adsorbing and fixing the connector; and the first visual positioning test mechanism is arranged below the test station and is used for testing in connection with the connector. Through the arrangement of the correction mechanism, the connector can be lifted, and the adsorption and fixing are performed in cooperation with the suction mechanism, so that the precision of pin model alignment is improved, and the detection effect is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of circuit board production and testing, and in particular to an FPC automatic boot test device. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of the electronic information industry, flexible printed circuit boards (FPCs) have been widely used in many fields such as consumer electronics, medical devices, automotive electronics, and aerospace, thanks to their advantages such as being flexible, foldable, and lightweight, using flexible insulating materials such as polyimide and polyester film as substrates.

[0003] However, functional testing in the FPC production process faces numerous challenges. Due to the high precision requirements and flexible nature of FPCs, existing automated testing equipment is difficult to adapt, and most tests are conducted offline manually in a semi-automatic manner. This approach has significant drawbacks: firstly, testing efficiency is low, consuming significant human and material resources, making it difficult to meet the needs of large-scale production; secondly, improper manual operation can easily lead to FPC damage, affecting product quality and production costs.

[0004] The pin-to-pin test for FPCs is an electrical performance testing method for FPC circuit boards, primarily used to verify the continuity, short-circuit conditions, and connection reliability of the circuits on the board. This test involves using specially designed probes to contact test points (Pads) on the FPC, forming an electrical connection to check whether the circuit meets design requirements.

[0005] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, a connector is soldered to the tail of the FPC product. This connector connects to the flexible components of the FPC, and the pin-to-pin test is performed by connecting the connector. However, because the connector extends beyond the carrier contour, the flexible and bendable nature of the FPC product itself makes the connector's position uncertain, which in turn leads to various factors interfering with the pin-to-pin test.

[0006] Therefore, ensuring that the connector is in a relatively fixed position during testing has become an urgent problem to be solved. Utility Model Content

[0007] This application provides an automatic FPC guidance test device, the purpose of which is to solve the problem of automatic guidance and positioning in the FPC testing process.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides an automated guided testing device for FPCs. The FPC under test has a connector welded onto it, extending beyond the outline of the carrier. The automated guided testing device includes at least one test flow line, comprising: a test station; a lifting mechanism disposed below the test station for lifting the carrier flowing into the test station; a calibration mechanism disposed on the side of the test station, the calibration mechanism including a calibration component and a drive assembly, the calibration component being configured to move under the drive assembly to below the connector and lift the connector; an adsorption mechanism disposed above the test station for adsorbing and fixing the connector; and a first visual positioning testing mechanism disposed below the test station for connecting with the connector for testing.

[0009] In one embodiment, the driving assembly includes a vertical driving unit and a horizontal driving unit, the corrector is connected to the driving end of the vertical driving unit, and the vertical driving unit is connected to the driving end of the horizontal driving unit.

[0010] In one embodiment, the calibration component includes an integral connecting portion and a lifting portion, the connecting portion being connected to the driving end of the vertical drive unit, and the lifting portion extending toward the test station.

[0011] In one embodiment, the lifting part is frame-shaped, and the width of the frame of the lifting part on the side near the inspection station does not exceed the distance from the connection point of the connector to the edge of the carrier.

[0012] In one embodiment, the thickness of the connecting portion near the vertical drive unit is greater than the thickness near the lifting portion.

[0013] In one embodiment, the test flow line further includes an upper frame plate located above the test station, and the adsorption mechanism is disposed on the upper frame plate and connected to a vacuum source.

[0014] In one embodiment, the detection flow line further includes a second visual positioning detection mechanism, wherein a detection hole is provided in the middle of the upper frame plate, and the second visual positioning detection mechanism is located above the detection hole.

[0015] In one embodiment, the first visual positioning testing mechanism includes a test needle mold, a camera, and a driving module. The test needle mold and the camera are both disposed on the driving module. The camera is used to determine the test position, and the test needle mold is configured to move to the test position under the drive of the driving module.

[0016] In one embodiment, the test flow line further includes a barcode scanning station located in front of the test station, and a barcode scanning mechanism is provided above the barcode scanning station.

[0017] In one embodiment, the FPC automated guided test equipment includes two test pipelines, which are configured in parallel.

[0018] Compared with existing technologies, the FPC automatic boot testing equipment provided in this application has the following advantages: By setting up a calibration mechanism, the drooping connector can be lifted and fixed by an adsorption mechanism, thereby ensuring the positional accuracy of the connector during the testing process, improving the accuracy of the needle mold alignment, and ensuring the testing effect. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying 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, wherein: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of an embodiment of this application (external rack is hidden). Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Corresponding side view; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the cooperation process between the calibration mechanism and the adsorption mechanism; Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Enlarged view of part A in the image; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the calibration mechanism and the adsorption mechanism; Figure 7 This is a top view of the vehicle at the barcode scanning station; Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A magnified view of part B in the image; Figure 9 yes Figure 1 A magnified view of a portion of C in the image.

[0020] Among them: 100-FPC automatic guided testing equipment; 110-scanning station; 111-scanning mechanism; 120-testing station; 130-lifting mechanism; 140-calibration mechanism; 141-calibration component; 1411-connecting part; 1412-lifting part; 1412a-frame; 142-vertical drive unit; 143-horizontal drive unit; 150-adsorption mechanism; 151-upper frame plate; 152-adsorption end; 160-first vision positioning testing mechanism; 170-second vision positioning detection mechanism; 200-carrier; 210-connector. Detailed Implementation

[0021] 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 a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0022] It should be noted that all directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in the embodiments of this application are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of each component in a certain specific posture (as shown in the figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indicator will also change accordingly.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, this application embodiment provides an FPC automatic boot testing device 100. For example... Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, a connector 210 protruding beyond the outline of the carrier 200 is soldered onto the FPC under test. In this embodiment, the FPC automated guided testing equipment includes two test flow lines, namely... Figure 1 Test flow lines a and b are provided. Both test flow lines use the same layout structure. It should be noted that the number of test flow lines can be determined according to actual needs to adapt to the production cycle time. Figure 1 The arrows on the test flow lines indicate the transport direction of the vehicle.

[0024] Figure 2 and Figure 3 The structural layout of the test flow is shown more clearly, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, each test flow line includes a scanning station 110 and a test station 120. After the product is scanned by the scanning mechanism 111 at the scanning station 110, it is transported to the test station 120 by the conveyor belt. A lifting mechanism 130 is provided below the test station 120 to lift the carrier flowing into the test station 120.

[0025] like Figure 4 As shown, a correction mechanism 140 is provided on the side of the test station 120 for lifting the drooping connector 210. Figure 2 As shown, the adsorption mechanism 150 is positioned above the test station 120 and is used to adsorb and fix the lifted connector 210; the first visual positioning test mechanism 160 is positioned below the test station 120 and is used to perform connection tests with the adsorbed and fixed connector 210.

[0026] The working process of the above-mentioned test flow is as follows: After the carrier 200 equipped with FPC enters the barcode scanning station 110 for barcode scanning, it flows into the test station 120. The lifting mechanism 130 lifts the carrier 200; the calibration mechanism 140 moves into the working position and then vertically lifts the connector 210. The adsorption mechanism 150 adsorbs and fixes the connector 210; then the calibration mechanism 140 moves away, and the first vision positioning test mechanism 160 performs positioning and connection tests; after the test is OK, the lifting mechanism 130 lowers and puts the carrier 200 into the flow line to enter the next process.

[0027] See Figure 4 and Figure 5 In this embodiment, the calibration mechanism 140 includes a calibration element 141, a vertical drive unit 142, and a horizontal drive unit 143. The calibration element 141 is connected to the drive end of the vertical drive unit 142, and the vertical drive unit 142 is connected to the drive end of the horizontal drive unit 143. When no position calibration is required, the horizontal drive unit 143 drives the calibration element 141 to the side of the working position. When calibration is required, the horizontal drive unit 143 first moves the calibration element 141 to below the connector 210, and then the vertical drive unit 142 lifts the calibration element 141. After adsorption is completed, the vertical drive unit 142 first lowers the calibration element, and then the horizontal drive unit 143 removes the calibration element from the working position to make way for the detection first visual positioning test mechanism 160.

[0028] It should be noted that the aforementioned lateral drive unit 143 can be configured according to... Figure 4 The arrangement can be either perpendicular to the direction of transport (i.e., along the transport direction of the carrier 200) or in the direction of transport, both of which can achieve the desired space-saving effect. The arrangement in this embodiment saves more equipment space.

[0029] join Figure 5 The calibration component 141 includes a connecting part 1411 and a lifting part 1412, which can be an integral structure to ensure strength. The connecting part 1411 is connected to the drive end of the vertical drive unit 142, and the lifting part 1412 extends toward the test station 120.

[0030] In this embodiment, the lifting part 1412 is frame-shaped. The width of the frame 1412a of the lifting part 1412 near the detection station should not exceed the distance from the connection point of the connector 210 to the edge of the carrier 200. Thus, during the calibration lifting process, the frame 1412a and the adsorption mechanism 150 will not squeeze the detection point of the connector 210.

[0031] Preferably, depending on the force on the corrector 141 during the lifting process, the connecting part 1411 experiences greater force on the side closer to the vertical drive unit 142 and less force on the side closer to the lifting part 1412. Therefore, the thickness of the connecting part 1411 on the drive end side closer to the vertical drive unit 142 can be increased to ensure the structural strength of the area with greater force.

[0032] like Figure 2 and Figure 8 As shown, the test flow also includes an upper frame plate 151, which is fixedly mounted above the test station 120. The adsorption mechanism 150 includes an adsorption end 152 mounted on the upper frame plate 151, which is connected to a vacuum source (not shown in the figure). The height of the adsorption end 152 should be configured such that when the lifting mechanism 130 lifts the carrier 200, the lower surface of the adsorption end 152 is basically flush with the upper surface of the carrier 200, so that the adsorption end can perform adsorption without lifting, simplifying the operation process.

[0033] Figure 6 The positional relationship between the calibration mechanism 140 and the adsorption mechanism 150 is shown. In this embodiment, the calibration mechanism 140 can be mounted on the frame via a connecting plate. The calibration member 141 is substantially directly below the adsorption end 152, and the calibration member 141 can move horizontally via the lateral drive unit 143 (a cylinder in this embodiment).

[0034] In this embodiment, the detection flow line also includes a second visual positioning detection mechanism 170. A detection hole is provided in the middle of the upper frame plate 151, and the second visual positioning detection mechanism 170 is located above the detection hole, so that it can pass through the upper frame plate 151 to detect the product, thereby reducing the overall size of the equipment.

[0035] The specific structures of the first visual positioning testing mechanism 160 and the second visual positioning detection mechanism 170 can be determined according to the detection needs. In a possible embodiment, the first visual positioning testing mechanism 160 may include a test needle mold, a camera, and a driving module. Both the test needle mold and the camera are disposed on the driving module. The camera is used to determine the test position, and the test needle mold is configured to move to the test position under the drive of the driving module.

[0036] In summary, the FPC automatic guidance testing equipment provided in this application embodiment can achieve connector positioning through the cooperation of the calibration mechanism and the adsorption mechanism, thereby improving the alignment accuracy during the testing process. Furthermore, by setting up dual test flow lines, tests can be performed simultaneously, improving testing efficiency and meeting the production line capacity requirements.

[0037] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make improvements without departing from the inventive concept of this application, but these improvements all fall within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. An automatic guided testing device for FPCs, wherein a connector (210) protruding beyond the outline of a carrier (200) is soldered onto the FPC under test, characterized in that, The FPC automated guided test equipment includes at least one test flow line, which includes: Test station (120); A lifting mechanism (130) is provided below the test station (120) for lifting the carrier (200) flowing into the test station (120); A calibration mechanism (140) is disposed on the side of the test station (120). The calibration mechanism (140) includes a calibration component (141) and a drive assembly. The calibration component (141) is configured to move under the drive of the drive assembly and lift the connector (210). An adsorption mechanism (150) is disposed above the test station (120) and is used to adsorb and fix the connector (210); The first visual positioning test mechanism (160) is located below the test station (120) and is used to connect with the connector (210) for testing.

2. The FPC automatic guidance test equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drive assembly includes a vertical drive unit (142) and a horizontal drive unit (143). The correction element (141) is connected to the drive end of the vertical drive unit (142), and the vertical drive unit (142) is connected to the drive end of the horizontal drive unit (143).

3. The FPC automatic guidance test equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that: The calibration component (141) includes an integral connecting part (1411) and a lifting part (1412). The connecting part (1411) is connected to the driving end of the vertical drive unit (142), and the lifting part (1412) extends toward the test station (120).

4. The FPC automatic guidance test equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that: The lifting part (1412) is frame-shaped, and the width of the side frame (1412a) of the lifting part (1412) near the test station (120) does not exceed the distance from the connection point of the connector (210) to the edge of the carrier (200).

5. The FPC automatic guidance test equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that: The thickness of the connecting part (1411) near the vertical drive unit (142) is greater than the thickness of the side near the lifting part (1412).

6. The FPC automatic guidance test equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The test flow line also includes an upper frame plate (151), which is located above the test station (120). The adsorption mechanism (150) is disposed on the upper frame plate (151) and is connected to a vacuum source.

7. The FPC automatic guidance test equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that: The test flow line also includes a second visual positioning detection mechanism (170), and a detection hole is provided in the middle of the upper frame plate (151), with the second visual positioning detection mechanism (170) located above the detection hole.

8. The FPC automatic guidance test equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first visual positioning testing mechanism (160) includes a test needle mold, a camera, and a driving module. The test needle mold and the camera are both disposed on the driving module. The camera is used to determine the test position, and the test needle mold is configured to move to the test position under the drive of the driving module.

9. The FPC automatic guidance test equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The test flow also includes a barcode scanning station (110), which is located in front of the test station (120), and a barcode scanning mechanism (111) is provided above the barcode scanning station (110).

10. The FPC automatic guidance test equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The FPC automated guided test equipment includes two test pipelines, which are set up in parallel.

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