A thin glass processing apparatus

Abstract

The application provides a thin glass processing device, which comprises a feeding unit, a processing unit and a discharging unit arranged in sequence along a glass conveying direction, and a carrying module and a tray. The glass is conveyed on the tray and is adsorbed and fixed by the feeding unit and the discharging unit, so that the glass can be prevented from being damaged and polluted. The carrying module comprises a driving mechanism and a suction cup. The driving mechanism drives the suction cup to move between the feeding unit, the processing unit and the discharging unit and drives the suction cup to ascend and descend. In the process that the suction cup sucks the glass at the feeding unit and sucks the glass at the processing unit, the suction cup moves above the glass, and a preset interval exists between the suction cup and the glass. Then, an upward force is applied to the glass from below the glass, and uniform upward suction force is applied to the glass by the suction cup, so that the glass can be adsorbed and fixed on the suction cup without contact between the suction cup and the glass. In this way, the glass can be effectively prevented from being broken in the process that the suction cup sucks the glass.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of glass processing technology, specifically, it relates to a thin glass processing apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, glass through-hole processing equipment often uses magnetic wheel conveyor lines for loading and unloading glass, which can easily damage and contaminate the glass. To avoid these problems, a circular magnetic track can be used for loading and unloading glass. However, this method is expensive and has insufficient buffer stations, making it unsuitable for large-scale, high-cycle production environments.

[0003] Furthermore, during the glass through-hole processing, the glass needs to be transported from the loading station to the processing station for processing, and then the processed glass is transported from the processing station to the unloading station. Currently, Bernoulli suction cups are commonly used to transport the glass between the various stations. During the process of picking up the glass, the Bernoulli suction cup is usually lowered to a position approximately 1mm away from the glass before picking it up. If the glass is thin, such as 0.05–1.5mm thick, the uneven suction force generated by the Bernoulli suction cup will cause uneven suction on the thin glass during the process, making it prone to breakage. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, this application provides a thin glass processing apparatus that can prevent glass breakage during the glass pick-up and drop process using a suction cup, and can also prevent glass damage and contamination during loading and unloading.

[0005] A thin glass processing apparatus includes a loading unit, a processing unit, and an unloading unit arranged sequentially along the glass conveying direction, as well as a transport module and a tray. The glass is conveyed by being adsorbed and fixed on the tray in the loading and unloading units. The processing unit includes a support table, and the glass is adsorbed and fixed on the support table during processing.

[0006] The transport module includes a drive mechanism and a suction cup. The drive mechanism drives the suction cup to move between the loading unit, the processing unit and the unloading unit, and drives the suction cup to rise and fall, so as to transport the glass at the loading unit to the processing unit and the glass at the processing unit to the unloading unit.

[0007] During the process of the suction cup picking up the glass at the loading unit, when the suction cup moves above the glass and the distance between the suction cup and the glass is within the preset distance, the air pressure generated by the tray changes from negative pressure to positive pressure to exert an upward force on the glass. At the same time, the suction cup generates negative pressure to exert a uniform upward suction force on the glass, so that the glass is detached from the tray and adsorbed and fixed on the suction cup.

[0008] During the process of the suction cup picking up the glass at the processing unit, when the suction cup moves above the glass and the distance between the suction cup and the glass is within the preset distance, the air pressure generated by the support table changes from negative pressure to positive pressure and applies an upward force to the glass. At the same time, the suction cup generates negative pressure and applies a uniform upward suction force to the glass, causing the glass to detach from the support table and be adsorbed and fixed on the suction cup.

[0009] Preferably, at the processing unit, during the process of placing the glass on the support table, when the distance between the glass held by the suction cup and the support table is within a preset distance, the glass detaches from the suction cup and is placed on the support table.

[0010] During the process of placing the glass on the tray at the unloading unit, when the distance between the glass picked up by the suction cup and the tray is within the preset distance, the glass detaches from the suction cup and is placed on the tray.

[0011] Preferably, the preset spacing is 0.1 to 0.5 mm.

[0012] Preferably, the driving mechanism includes a first lateral movement driving component and a lifting driving component. The lifting driving component is mounted on the first lateral movement driving component, and the suction cup is mounted on the power output end of the lifting driving component. The first lateral movement driving component drives the suction cup to move back and forth between the loading unit, the processing unit, and the unloading unit, and the lifting driving component drives the suction cup to lift up and down.

[0013] Preferably, the processing unit further includes a laser processing module and an air-floating motion platform. The support platform is set on the air-floating motion platform, and the air-floating motion platform drives the support platform to move below the laser processing module. The laser processing module emits a laser beam to process the glass on the support platform.

[0014] Preferably, both the loading unit and the unloading unit include a frame and a conveying mechanism. The conveying mechanism includes a second transverse drive component mounted on the frame and a support plate mounted on the second transverse drive component. The second transverse drive component drives the support plate to move back and forth along the glass conveying direction. After the tray is placed on the support plate, the glass is then placed on the tray.

[0015] Preferably, the second transverse drive unit at the loading unit and the second transverse drive unit at the unloading unit are both provided with limiting mechanisms at one end near the support table and at the support table, and the suction cup is provided with a limiting sensor.

[0016] Preferably, both the loading unit and the unloading unit further include a first buffer mechanism and a second buffer mechanism arranged sequentially along the glass conveying direction. The first buffer mechanism is used to buffer several trays, and the second buffer mechanism is used to buffer several trays containing glass.

[0017] During the feeding process, at the feeding unit, the tray on the first buffer mechanism is fixed to the carrier plate, and then the glass is adsorbed and fixed on the tray. Subsequently, the carrier plate moves along the glass conveying direction to the second buffer mechanism, and the tray containing the glass is buffered in the second buffer mechanism.

[0018] During the unloading process, at the unloading unit, the tray on the first buffer mechanism is fixed to the carrier plate, and then the processed glass is adsorbed and fixed on the tray. Subsequently, the carrier plate moves along the glass conveying direction to the second buffer mechanism, and the tray containing the glass is buffered in the second buffer mechanism.

[0019] Preferably, the first buffer mechanism includes a first driving member and a first buffer frame. The first buffer frames are provided on both sides of the frame in a direction perpendicular to the glass conveying direction in the same plane. Each first buffer frame is provided with a number of first buffer platforms arranged at intervals in the vertical direction. The first driving member drives each first buffer platform to move simultaneously in the vertical direction. The first buffer platforms on the first buffer frames on both sides of the frame located in the same plane cooperate with each other to buffer a tray.

[0020] The second buffer mechanism includes a second drive unit and a second buffer frame. The second buffer frames are provided on both sides of the frame in a direction perpendicular to the glass conveying direction in the same plane. Each second buffer frame is provided with several second buffer platforms arranged at intervals in the vertical direction. The second drive unit drives each second buffer platform to move simultaneously in the vertical direction. The second buffer platforms on the second buffer frames on both sides of the frame, located in the same plane, cooperate with each other to buffer a tray containing glass.

[0021] Preferably, in the same plane perpendicular to the glass conveying direction, the width of the support plate is less than the first spacing, and the width of the tray is greater than the first spacing and less than the second spacing; wherein,

[0022] The first spacing is the straight-line spacing between the inner sides of the two first buffer platforms in the same plane on both sides of the rack. The straight-line spacing between the inner sides of the two first buffer platforms in the same plane on both sides of the rack is the same as the straight-line spacing between the inner sides of the two second buffer platforms in the same plane on both sides of the rack.

[0023] The second spacing is the straight-line spacing between the outer sides of the two first buffer platforms in the same plane on both sides of the rack. The straight-line spacing between the outer sides of the two first buffer platforms in the same plane on both sides of the rack is the same as the straight-line spacing between the outer sides of the two second buffer platforms in the same plane on both sides of the rack.

[0024] Preferably, the tray has a first cavity and a second cavity that are not interconnected, and the bottom has a first connecting hole that communicates with the first cavity and a second connecting hole that communicates with the second cavity. The upper surface of the tray is provided with a first adsorption groove that communicates with the first cavity and a second adsorption groove that communicates with the second cavity, and the first adsorption groove is located outside the second adsorption groove.

[0025] Each second buffer station is provided with an air passage that can communicate with the first connecting hole, and the support plates at the loading unit and unloading unit are provided with negative pressure adsorption holes that can communicate with the second connecting hole.

[0026] Preferably, the support plate is provided with a positioning pin, and the tray is provided with a positioning hole, so that when the tray is placed on the support plate, the positioning pin is inserted into the positioning hole; and / or,

[0027] The tray is provided with a plurality of first magnets, and the support plate and each first buffer platform and each second buffer platform are provided with second magnets. The first magnets and the second magnets have opposite magnetic properties. When the tray is placed on the support plate, the second magnet on the support plate attracts the first magnet on the tray above it. When the tray is placed on the first buffer platform or the second buffer platform, the second magnet on the first buffer platform or the second buffer platform attracts the first magnet on the tray above it.

[0028] The beneficial effects of this application are: the glass is always adsorbed and fixed on the tray during the conveying process between the loading unit and the unloading unit, which can prevent the glass from being damaged or contaminated;

[0029] During the process of the suction cup picking up glass from the loading unit and the processing unit, the suction cup moves above the glass with a preset distance between it and the glass. Then, an upward force is applied to the glass from below. Combined with the uniform upward suction applied by the suction cup, the glass is adhered and fixed to the suction cup, which can effectively prevent the glass from breaking during the suction process. Attached Figure Description

[0030] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or related technologies, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0031] The structures, proportions, sizes, etc., shown in the accompanying drawings are only for the purpose of assisting those skilled in the art in understanding and reading the content disclosed in the specification, and are not intended to limit the implementation conditions of this application. Therefore, they have no substantial technical significance. Any modifications to the structure, changes in the proportions, or adjustments to the size should still fall within the scope of the technical content disclosed in this application, provided that they do not affect the effects and purposes that this application can produce.

[0032] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the thin glass processing apparatus provided in this application;

[0033] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the medium-sized transport module;

[0034] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the middle loading unit;

[0035] Figure 4 This is another structural diagram of the feeding unit;

[0036] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the suction cup structure.

[0037] In the diagram: 1-Feeding unit; 2-Processing unit; 21-Bearing platform; 22-Laser processing module; 23-Air-floating motion platform; 3-Unloading unit; 4-Transporting module; 41-Drive mechanism; 411-First transverse drive; 412-Lifting drive; 42-Suction cup; 43-Limit sensor; 44-Diffuse reflection sensor; 5-Tray; 51-First adsorption tank; 52-Second adsorption tank; 53-Positioning hole; 54-Allowing slot; 55-Observation port; 6-Frame; 7-Transfer mechanism; 71-Second transverse drive; 72-Bearing plate; 73-Negative pressure adsorption hole; 74-Positioning pin; 75-Second magnet; 76-Rotation drive; 8-Limiting mechanism; 9-First buffer mechanism; 91-First buffer rack; 92-First buffer platform; 10-Second buffer mechanism; 101-Second buffer rack; 102-Second buffer platform. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The embodiments of this application will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0039] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0040] This application provides a thin glass processing apparatus, with reference to... Figures 1-5 The system includes a loading unit 1, a processing unit 2, and a unloading unit 3 arranged sequentially along the glass conveying direction, as well as a transport module 4 and a tray 5. The glass is conveyed by being attracted and fixed on the tray 5 in the loading unit 1 and the unloading unit 3. The processing unit 2 includes a support table 21, and the glass is attracted and fixed on the support table 21 during processing.

[0041] The conveying module 4 includes a drive mechanism 41 and a suction cup 42. The drive mechanism 41 drives the suction cup 42 to move between the loading unit 1, the processing unit 2 and the unloading unit 3, and drives the suction cup 42 to rise and fall, so as to convey the glass at the loading unit 1 to the processing unit 2 and the glass at the processing unit 2 to the unloading unit 3.

[0042] During the process of suction cup 42 picking up the glass at the loading unit 1, when suction cup 42 moves above the glass and the distance between suction cup 42 and the glass is within the preset distance, the air pressure generated by tray 42 changes from negative pressure to positive pressure to apply an upward force to the glass. At the same time, suction cup 42 generates negative pressure to apply a uniform upward suction force to the glass, so that the glass is detached from tray 5 and is adsorbed and fixed on suction cup 42.

[0043] During the process of suction cup 42 picking up the glass at processing unit 2, when suction cup 42 moves above the glass and the distance between suction cup 42 and the glass is within the preset distance, the air pressure generated by the support table 21 changes from negative pressure to positive pressure and applies an upward force to the glass. At the same time, suction cup 42 generates negative pressure and applies a uniform upward suction force to the glass, so that the glass is detached from the support table 21 and is adsorbed and fixed on suction cup 42.

[0044] In this embodiment, glass (referring to thin glass with a thickness of 0.05 to 1.5 mm) is placed on a tray 5 at the end of the feeding unit 1 away from the processing unit 2, and the glass is adsorbed and fixed on the tray 5. The tray 5 carries the glass from the end of the feeding unit 1 away from the processing unit 2 to the end closer to the processing unit 2.

[0045] Then the drive mechanism 41 drives the suction cup 42 to move above the glass at the loading unit 1, and drives the suction cup 42 to move downward until the distance between the suction cup 42 and the glass stops after the preset distance. At this time, the air pressure generated by the tray 5 changes from negative pressure to positive pressure and applies an upward force to the glass. At the same time, the suction cup 42 generates negative pressure and applies a uniform upward suction force to the glass, so that the glass is detached from the tray 5 and is adsorbed and fixed on the suction cup 42.

[0046] After the suction cup 42 picks up the glass from the loading unit 1, the drive mechanism 41 drives the suction cup 42 to move upward and from the loading unit 1 to above the support table 21. Then the drive mechanism 41 drives the suction cup 42 to move downward. The suction cup 42 closes under negative pressure and places the glass on the support table 21. After the glass is adsorbed and fixed on the support table 21, the glass is processed.

[0047] After the glass processing is completed, the suction cup 42 moves above the processed glass and moves downward until the distance between the suction cup 42 and the glass is at the preset distance. At this time, the negative pressure generated by the support table 21 turns into positive pressure and applies a uniform upward force to the glass. At the same time, the suction cup 42 generates negative pressure and applies an upward suction force to the glass, so that the glass is separated from the support table 21 and is adsorbed and fixed on the suction cup 42.

[0048] After the suction cup 42 picks up the processed glass, it moves to the tray 5 above the unloading unit 3 and moves downward. The suction cup 42 closes the negative pressure and places the glass on the tray 5, and the processed glass is adsorbed and fixed on the tray 5. The tray 5 carries the processed glass and moves to the end of the unloading unit 3 away from the processing unit 2 to unload the processed glass.

[0049] It is understandable that, in order to generate negative pressure on the tray 5, the support platform 21, and the suction cup 42, all three are connected to a corresponding vacuum generator (not shown in the figure). When negative pressure is needed, a vacuum is created by using the vacuum generator. During the process of the suction cup 42 picking up the glass from the loading unit 1, the air pressure generated by the tray 5 changes from negative to positive, and during the process of the suction cup 42 picking up the glass from the support platform 21, the air pressure generated by the support platform 21 changes from negative to positive. These changes are both achievable by the vacuum generator itself, and this technical implementation process is existing technology, so it will not be described in detail. Furthermore, this application does not specifically limit the upward force exerted on the glass by the positive pressure generated by the tray 5 or the support platform 21 during the process of adsorbing and fixing the glass onto the suction cup 42, nor the upward suction force exerted on the glass by the negative pressure generated by the suction cup 42, as long as the glass can be adsorbed and fixed onto the suction cup 42 without damaging the glass.

[0050] In order to enable the suction cup 42 to generate negative pressure and apply a uniform upward suction force to the glass, a number of densely packed, evenly spaced suction holes can be provided on the side of the suction cup 42 facing the glass. This embodiment does not impose a specific limitation on the spacing between the suction holes, as long as it can apply a uniform upward suction force to the glass.

[0051] Compared to conveying glass directly from one end of the loading unit 1 to the other, and from one end of the unloading unit 3 to the other, attaching the glass to the tray 5 for conveying can avoid damage and contamination of the glass.

[0052] In this embodiment, the positive pressure generated by the tray 5 or the supporting platform 21 applies an upward force to the glass, and the negative pressure generated by the suction cup 42 applies a uniform upward suction force to the glass. The glass, which is at a preset distance from the suction cup 42, is picked up and fixed on the suction cup 42, which can effectively prevent the glass from breaking during the glass picking process.

[0053] In a further preferred embodiment, at processing unit 2, during the process of placing the glass on the support platform 21, when the distance between the glass picked up by the suction cup 42 and the support platform 21 is within a preset distance, the glass detaches from the suction cup 42 and is placed on the support platform 21.

[0054] During the process of placing the glass on the tray 5 at the unloading unit 3, when the distance between the glass picked up by the suction cup 42 and the tray 5 is within the preset distance, the glass is detached from the suction cup 42 and placed on the tray 5.

[0055] To further prevent glass breakage during placement, a preset gap is maintained between the glass and the support platform 21 or the tray 5 at the unloading unit 3 when placing the glass. Then, the negative pressure of the suction cup 42 is turned off, causing the glass to detach from the suction cup 42 and be placed on the support platform 21 or the tray 5, thereby preventing the glass from breaking due to the suction cup 42 pressing the glass onto the support platform 21 or the tray 5.

[0056] It is understandable that the preset distance between the suction cup 42 and the glass during the glass-lifting process, as well as the preset distance between the glass and the support platform 21 or tray 5 during the glass-placing process, need to be set within a suitable range. If the preset distance is too large, the suction force generated by the suction cup 42, combined with the positive pressure generated by the tray 5 or support platform 21, will not be able to lift the glass onto the suction cup 42, and the glass will be broken when it falls onto the support platform 21 or tray 5.

[0057] To avoid the above situation, the preset spacing in this embodiment is 0.1 to 0.5 mm, which can ensure that the suction cup 42 can pick up the glass smoothly without damaging it, and the glass can be placed intact on the support platform 21 or the tray 5.

[0058] refer to Figure 2 The drive mechanism 41 includes a first transverse drive 411 and a lifting drive 412. The lifting drive 412 is mounted on the first transverse drive 411, and the suction cup 42 is mounted on the power output end of the lifting drive 412. The first transverse drive 411 drives the suction cup 42 to move back and forth between the loading unit 1, the processing unit 2 and the unloading unit 3, and the lifting drive 412 drives the suction cup 42 to rise and fall.

[0059] The first transverse drive 411 drives the lifting drive 412 in the glass conveying direction (i.e., Figure 1 The first transverse drive 411 moves back and forth in the x direction. One end of the first transverse drive 411 is located at the end of the loading unit 1 near the processing unit 2, and the other end is located at the end of the unloading unit 3 near the processing unit 2, so that the first transverse drive 411 can drive the suction cup 42 installed on the lifting drive 412 to move back and forth between the loading unit 1, the processing unit 2 and the unloading unit 3.

[0060] The lifting drive component 412 drives the suction cup 42 to rise and fall, and works with the first transverse drive component 411 to complete the process of picking up glass, transferring glass and placing glass.

[0061] This embodiment does not impose specific limitations on the specific structures of the first transverse drive 411 and the lifting drive 412, as long as they enable the suction cup 42 to move back and forth between the loading unit 1, the processing unit 2, and the unloading unit 3, and the suction cup 42 to rise and fall. For example, the first transverse drive 411 can be a linear motor module, and the lifting drive 412 can be a cylinder. The linear motor module drives the cylinder to move in the glass conveying direction, and the power output end of the cylinder is connected to the suction cup 42, thereby driving the suction cup 42 to rise and fall through the cylinder.

[0062] In a further preferred embodiment, refer to Figure 1 The processing unit 2 also includes a laser processing module 22 and an air-floating motion platform 23. The support platform 21 is set on the air-floating motion platform 23. The air-floating motion platform 23 drives the support platform 21 to move below the laser processing module 22. The laser processing module 22 emits a laser beam to process the glass on the support platform 21.

[0063] The structure of the air-floating motion platform 23 is existing technology and will not be described in detail here.

[0064] Preferably, the air-floating motion platform 23 can drive the support platform 21 to move back and forth in the glass conveying direction, and can also drive the support platform 21 in a direction perpendicular to the glass conveying direction (i.e., Figure 1 It moves back and forth in the y-direction.

[0065] The laser processing module 22 emits a laser beam to process the glass on the support platform 21, which can be to drill holes, cut, or mark the glass, etc. This embodiment does not make specific limitations.

[0066] During the process of transporting the glass from the loading unit 1 to the support platform 21, as the suction cup 42 moves above the glass at the loading unit 1, the air-floating motion platform 23 can drive the support platform 21 to move closer to the loading unit 1. Then, the suction cup 42 transports the glass from the loading unit 1 to the support platform 21, where the glass is adsorbed and fixed. The air-floating motion platform 23 then drives the support platform 21, which carries the glass, to move below the laser processing module 22 for laser processing. After processing, the support platform 21, carrying the processed glass, moves closer to the unloading unit 3, and then the suction cup 42 transports the processed glass to the tray 5 at the unloading unit 3.

[0067] To avoid the transport module 4 blocking the laser, the laser processing module 22 and the transport module 4 can be arranged side by side in the y direction, and the support platform 21 can be moved in the x and y directions by the air-floating motion platform 23.

[0068] In a further preferred embodiment, refer to Figure 4 Both the loading unit 1 and the unloading unit 3 include a frame 6 and a conveying mechanism 7. The conveying mechanism 7 includes a second transverse drive 71 mounted on the frame 6 and a support plate 72 mounted on the second transverse drive 71. The second transverse drive 71 drives the support plate 72 to move back and forth along the glass conveying direction. After the tray 5 is placed on the support plate 72, the glass is then placed on the tray 5.

[0069] At the loading unit 1, the second lateral drive 71 drives the carrier plate 72 to move to the pallet unloading area to fix the pallet 5 onto the carrier plate 72. Then, it moves to the glass unloading area to place the glass onto the pallet 5. After the glass is adsorbed and fixed onto the pallet 5, the carrier plate 72 moves to one end of the second lateral drive 71 near the processing unit 2. The second lateral drive 71 drives the carrier plate 72 to move to complete the loading of the pallet 5 and the glass. During the movement, the glass is always adsorbed and fixed onto the pallet 5, thereby avoiding damage or contamination of the glass during the movement process.

[0070] Similar to the loading unit 1, the unloading unit 3 drives the bearing plate 72 to move to the pallet unloading position and fix the pallet 5 on the bearing plate 72. Then it moves to the position close to the processing unit 2 and places the processed glass on the pallet 5. After the glass is adsorbed and fixed on the pallet 5, the bearing plate 72 moves to the end of the second lateral drive 71 away from the processing unit 2 for unloading.

[0071] This embodiment does not limit the specific structure of the second transverse drive 71, as long as it can drive the carrier plate 72 to move back and forth in the glass conveying direction. For example, the second transverse drive 71 can be a linear motor module.

[0072] refer to Figures 1-3 The second transverse drive 71 at the feeding unit 1 and the second transverse drive 71 at the unloading unit 3 are both equipped with a limiting mechanism 8 at one end near the bearing platform 21 and at the bearing platform 21. The suction cup 42 is equipped with a limiting sensor 43.

[0073] During the process of suction cup 42 picking up glass from tray 5 at loading unit 1, picking up glass from carrying platform 21, placing glass on carrying platform 21, and placing glass on tray 5 at unloading unit 3, after limit sensor 43 detects limit mechanism 8 below suction cup 42, suction cup 42 stops moving downward to ensure that the preset spacing is 0.1 to 0.5 mm when picking up and placing glass.

[0074] If the second transverse drive 71 is a linear motor module, the limiting mechanism 8 can be mounted on the base of the linear motor. Furthermore, the support platform 21 is typically much larger than the glass, so the limiting mechanism 8 on the support platform 21 can be positioned next to the area where the glass is adsorbed, as long as it does not affect the adsorption of the glass or laser processing.

[0075] This embodiment does not impose specific limitations on the structure of the limiting mechanism 8 and the limiting sensor 43, as long as the cooperation between the two ensures that the preset distance when picking up and placing the glass is between 0.1 and 0.5 mm.

[0076] At the loading unit 1, after the tray 5 is fixed on the support plate 72 and the glass is adsorbed and fixed on the tray 5, the second lateral drive 71 drives the support plate 72 to move above the limiting mechanism 8. The suction cup 42 moves above the support plate 72 at the loading unit 1 and moves downward until the limiting sensor 8 detects the limiting mechanism 8 below the support plate 72, and then picks up the glass. Similarly, the process of the suction cup 42 picking up the glass on the support table 21, placing the glass on the support table 21, and placing the glass on the tray 5 at the unloading unit 3 is similar and will not be described further here.

[0077] In a further preferred embodiment, refer to Figure 1 Both the loading unit 1 and the unloading unit 3 further include a first buffer mechanism 9 and a second buffer mechanism 10 arranged sequentially along the glass conveying direction. The first buffer mechanism 9 is used to buffer several trays 5, and the second buffer mechanism 10 is used to buffer several trays 5 containing glass.

[0078] During feeding, at feeding unit 1, the tray 5 on the first buffer mechanism 9 is fixed on the support plate 72, and then the glass is adsorbed and fixed on the tray 5. Subsequently, the support plate 72 moves along the glass conveying direction to the second buffer mechanism 10, and the tray 5 containing the glass is buffered in the second buffer mechanism 10.

[0079] During unloading, at unloading unit 3, the tray 5 on the first buffer mechanism 9 is fixed on the support plate 72, and then the processed glass is adsorbed and fixed on the tray 5. Subsequently, the support plate 72 moves along the glass conveying direction to the second buffer mechanism 10, and the tray 5 containing the glass is buffered in the second buffer mechanism 10.

[0080] During the feeding process, at the feeding unit 1, several trays 5 are first buffered at the first buffer mechanism 9. The first buffer mechanism 9 releases its buffered trays 5 one by one, and the trays 5 are conveyed to the glass unloading area, where the glass is adsorbed and fixed onto the trays 5. Then, they are all conveyed to the second buffer mechanism 10 for buffering. It can be understood that the second buffer mechanism 10 can buffer multiple trays 5 containing glass. Setting up the first buffer mechanism 9 and the second buffer mechanism 10 at the feeding unit 1 allows feeding (adsorbing and fixing the glass onto the trays) to be carried out simultaneously with glass processing, thereby reducing the standby time of the processing unit 2 and improving production efficiency.

[0081] During the unloading process, at the unloading unit 3, several trays 5 are first buffered at the first buffer mechanism 9. The first buffer mechanism 9 releases its buffered trays 5 one by one. The trays 5 move to the end of the unloading unit 3 near the processing unit 2, where the glass processed by the processing unit 2 is adsorbed and fixed onto the trays 5, and then they are conveyed together to the second buffer mechanism 10 for buffering. Similarly, the second buffer mechanism 10 at the unloading unit 3 can also buffer multiple trays 5 containing glass. Setting up the first buffer mechanism 9 and the second buffer mechanism 10 at the unloading unit 3 can reduce the standby time of downstream equipment and improve production efficiency.

[0082] In one specific implementation, reference Figure 3 The first buffer mechanism 9 includes a first driving component (not shown in the figure) and a first buffer frame 91. The first buffer frame 91 is provided on both sides of the frame 6 in a direction perpendicular to the glass conveying direction in the same plane. Each first buffer frame 91 is provided with a number of first buffer platforms 92 arranged at intervals in the vertical direction. The first driving component drives each first buffer platform 92 to move simultaneously in the vertical direction (for example, each first buffer platform 92 is mounted on the same mounting plate, and the first driving component drives the mounting plate to move up and down). The first buffer platforms 92 located in the same plane on the first buffer frames 91 on both sides of the frame 6 cooperate to buffer a tray 5.

[0083] The second buffer mechanism 10 includes a second driving member (not shown in the figure) and a second buffer rack 101. The second buffer rack 101 is provided on both sides of the frame 6 in a direction perpendicular to the glass conveying direction in the same plane. Each second buffer rack 101 is provided with a number of spaced second buffer platforms 102 in the vertical direction. The second driving member drives each second buffer platform 102 to move simultaneously in the vertical direction. The second buffer platforms 102 located in the same plane on the second buffer rack 101 on both sides of the frame 6 cooperate with each other to buffer a tray 5 containing glass.

[0084] To allow the empty tray 5 to be placed on the first buffer platform 92, the tray 5 containing glass can be placed on the second buffer platform 102, and the support plate 72 can move back and forth in the glass conveying direction. In the same plane, perpendicular to the glass conveying direction, the width of the support plate 72 is less than the first spacing, and the width of the tray 5 is greater than the first spacing and less than the second spacing; wherein...

[0085] The first spacing is the straight-line spacing between the inner sides of the two first buffer platforms 92 on the same horizontal plane on both sides of the rack 6. The straight-line spacing between the inner sides of the two first buffer platforms 92 on the same plane on both sides of the rack 6 is the same as the straight-line spacing between the inner sides of the two second buffer platforms 102 on the same plane on both sides of the rack 6.

[0086] The second spacing is the straight-line spacing between the outer sides of the two first buffer platforms 92 on the same horizontal plane on both sides of the rack 6. The straight-line spacing between the outer sides of the two first buffer platforms 92 on the same plane on both sides of the rack 6 is the same as the straight-line spacing between the outer sides of the two second buffer platforms 102 on the same plane on both sides of the rack 6.

[0087] The inner side of the first buffer station 92 and the inner side of the second buffer station 102 refer to the side closer to the other rack 6, while the outer side of the first buffer station 92 and the outer side of the second buffer station 102 refer to the side farther away from the other rack 6.

[0088] The specific loading process at the loading unit 1 is explained in detail using the following example. The support plate 72 moves to the end of the second transverse drive 71 away from the processing unit 2. The pallet 5 is placed on the support plate 72 by manual labor or a robotic arm. The support plate 72 carries the pallet 5 and moves it between the two first buffer racks 91. One end of the pallet 5 is located between two adjacent first buffer platforms 92 in the height direction of one of the first buffer racks 91, and the other end is located between two adjacent first buffer platforms 92 in the height direction of the other first buffer rack 91. The first drive drives the first buffer platform 92 to move upward, so that the pallet 5 is separated from the support plate 72, and the two ends of the pallet 5 are placed on the corresponding first buffer platforms 92. The support plate 72 then moves to the end of the second transverse drive 71 away from the processing unit 2 to receive another pallet 5. Then the above actions are repeated to buffer the next pallet 5 on the first buffer platform 92 below the first buffer platform 92, until multiple pallets 5 are buffered on the first buffer rack 91.

[0089] During loading, the support plate 72 moves between the two first buffer racks 91, and the first drive unit drives the first buffer platform 92 to move downward until the tray 5 on the first buffer platform 92 contacts the support plate 72 and is fixed on the support plate 72, and the tray 5 separates from the first buffer platform 92; then the support plate 72 carrying the tray 5 moves to the end of the second lateral drive unit 71 away from the processing unit 2, and the robot arm places the glass to be processed on the tray 5. After the glass is adsorbed and fixed on the tray 5, the support plate 72 moves between the two second buffer racks 101, with one end of the tray 5 located at... One of the second buffer racks 101 is located between two adjacent second buffer platforms 102 in the height direction, and the other end is located between two adjacent second buffer platforms 102 in the height direction of another second buffer rack 101. The second driving member drives the second buffer platform 102 to move upward, so that the tray 5 is separated from the support plate 72, and the two ends of the tray 5 are respectively placed on the corresponding second buffer platform 102. The support plate 72 then moves between two first buffer racks 91, and then repeats the above action to buffer the next tray 5 on the second buffer platform 102 below the second buffer platform 102.

[0090] When it is necessary to move the glass on the second buffer mechanism 10 to the support platform 21, the support plate 72 moves between the two second buffer racks 101, and the second drive unit drives the second buffer platform 102 to move downward until the tray 5 on the second buffer platform 102 contacts the support plate 72 and is fixed on the support plate 72, and the tray 5 is separated from the second buffer platform 102; then the support plate 72 moves to one end of the second lateral drive unit 71 near the processing unit 2, and the suction cup 42 picks up the glass on the tray 5.

[0091] The unloading process at unloading unit 3 is similar to the loading process, and will not be described in detail here.

[0092] Both the first buffer mechanism 9 and the second buffer mechanism 10 place trays 5 on each buffer platform from top to bottom, and then place the trays 5 on each buffer platform onto the support plate 72 from bottom to top. Before glass processing, a certain number of trays 5 can be pre-buried at the first buffer mechanism 9 at the feeding unit 1, and a certain number of trays 5 containing glass to be processed can be pre-buried at the second buffer mechanism 10 to ensure that glass processing at the processing unit 2 can proceed continuously.

[0093] In a preferred embodiment, refer to Figure 5The tray 5 has a first cavity (not shown in the figure) and a second cavity (not shown in the figure) that are not connected to each other. The bottom has a first connecting hole (not shown in the figure) that communicates with the first cavity and a second connecting hole (not shown in the figure) that communicates with the second cavity. The upper surface of the tray 5 is provided with a first adsorption groove 51 that communicates with the first cavity and a second adsorption groove 52 that communicates with the second cavity. The first adsorption groove 51 is located outside the second adsorption groove 52.

[0094] Each second buffer platform 102 is provided with an air passage (not shown in the figure) communicating with the first connecting hole, and the bearing plate 72 at the feeding unit 1 and the unloading unit 3 is provided with a negative pressure adsorption hole 73 communicating with the second connecting hole.

[0095] Both the air passage and the negative pressure adsorption hole 73 are connected to the vacuum generator. When the tray 5 is placed on the support plate 72, the second connecting hole is connected to the negative pressure adsorption hole 73, and the glass is placed on the tray 5, the vacuum generator evacuates the second cavity by moving the support plate 72 to transfer the glass, and the second adsorption tank 52 generates negative pressure to adsorb and fix the glass on the tray 5; when the tray 5 with glass is separated from the support plate 72 and placed on the corresponding second buffer platform 102, the first connecting hole is connected to the air passage on the second buffer platform 102, the vacuum generator stops evacuating the second cavity, and at the same time, the vacuum generator evacuates the first cavity, so that the second adsorption tank 52 no longer generates negative pressure, and the first adsorption tank 51 generates negative pressure, so that when the tray 5 with glass is placed on the second buffer platform 102, the glass is still adsorbed and fixed on the tray 5.

[0096] Through the above design, the glass can be always adsorbed and fixed on the tray 5 during the process of conveying glass and buffer glass in the feeding unit 1 and the unloading unit 3.

[0097] The air passage and negative pressure adsorption hole 73 can be connected to the same vacuum generator or to different vacuum generators. This embodiment does not make specific limitations on them.

[0098] In a further preferred embodiment, refer to Figures 4-5 The support plate 72 is provided with a positioning pin 74, and the tray 5 is provided with a positioning hole 53. When the tray 5 is placed on the support plate 72, the positioning pin is inserted into the positioning hole 53; and / or, the tray 5 is provided with a plurality of first magnets (not shown in the figure), and the support plate 72 and each first buffer platform 92 and each second buffer platform 102 are provided with a second magnet 75. The first magnets and the second magnets have opposite magnetic properties; when the tray 5 is placed on the support plate 72, the second magnet 75 on the support plate 72 attracts the first magnet on the tray 5 above it; when the tray 5 is placed on the first buffer platform 92 or the second buffer platform 102, the second magnet on the first buffer platform 93 or the second buffer platform 102 attracts the first magnet on the tray 5 above it.

[0099] When the tray 5 is placed on the support plate 72, during the process of moving the tray 5 by moving the support plate 72, the positioning pin is inserted into the positioning hole 53, and the magnetic force generated by the first magnet on the tray 5 and the second magnet 75 on the support plate 72 attracts the tray 5 to the support plate 72, ensuring that the position of the tray 5 on the support plate 72 remains unchanged during the movement.

[0100] When the tray 5 is placed on the first buffer platform 92 or the second buffer platform 102, the magnetic force generated by the corresponding first magnet on the tray 5 and the second magnet on the first buffer platform 92 or the second buffer platform 102 will fix the tray 5 on the corresponding first buffer platform 92 or the second buffer platform 102 to prevent the position of the tray 5 from moving after it is placed on the first buffer platform 92 or the second buffer platform 102.

[0101] The support plate 72 carries the tray 5 to the first buffer mechanism 9. The corresponding first magnet on the tray 5 and the second magnet on the first buffer platform 92 below it attract each other. The first driving member drives the first buffer platform 92 to move upward, overcoming the magnetic force between the second magnet 75 on the support plate 72 and the corresponding first magnet on the tray 5, so that the tray 5 is fixed on the corresponding first buffer platform 92 and separated from the support plate 72, so that the support plate 72 can move to the tray loading point to carry another tray 5.

[0102] When the tray 5 at the first buffer mechanism 9 needs to be placed on the support plate 72 to support the glass to be processed, the support plate 72 moves to the first buffer mechanism 9, and the second magnet 75 on the support plate 72 attracts the tray 5 above it. The first driving member drives the first buffer platform 92 to move downward, so that the tray 5 separates from the first buffer platform 92 below it, and overcomes the magnetic force between the corresponding first magnet on the tray 5 and the second magnet on the first buffer platform 92, so that the tray 5 is detached from the first buffer platform 92 and fixed on the support plate 72.

[0103] Similarly, the process of placing the tray 5 at the second buffer mechanism 10 and placing the tray 5 at the second buffer mechanism 10 on the support plate 72 is similar to that described above, and will not be described further here.

[0104] In a further preferred embodiment, continue to refer to Figure 5 The upper surface of the tray 5 is provided with a clearance groove 54. During the process of placing glass on the tray 5, the glass is placed on a robotic arm, which supports the glass and moves it above the tray 5. Then, the robotic arm moves down into the clearance groove 54, where the glass is adsorbed and fixed onto the tray 5. After that, the robotic arm moves laterally along the clearance groove 54 to separate from the tray 5 and then moves to support the next piece of glass. This method can avoid damaging the glass during the process of placing it on the tray 5.

[0105] like Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, a rotary drive 76 (such as a DD motor) can also be provided between the carrier plate 72 and the second transverse drive 71. That is, the rotary drive 76 is installed on the second transverse drive 71, the carrier plate 72 is installed on the rotary drive 76, and the carrier plate 72 is driven to rotate by the rotary drive 76 to adjust the angle of the glass placed on the tray 5 on the carrier plate 72.

[0106] In addition, such as Figure 2 As shown, a diffuse reflection sensor 44 can also be set on the suction cup 42 to detect whether the glass falls off the suction cup 42 during the glass handling process after the suction cup 42 picks up the glass.

[0107] refer to Figures 4-5 An observation port 55 can also be provided on the tray 5. A diffuse reflection sensor 44 is provided on the rack 6 at the first buffer mechanism 9 and the second buffer mechanism 10. When the tray 5 is conveyed to the first buffer mechanism 9 or the second buffer mechanism 10, the diffuse reflection sensor 44 on the rack 6 detects whether there is glass on the tray 5 through the observation port 55.

[0108] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive, parallel, or combined manner. Each embodiment focuses on its differences from other embodiments, and similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to interchangeably. For the apparatuses disclosed in the embodiments, since they correspond to the methods disclosed in the embodiments, the descriptions are relatively simple, and relevant parts can be referred to the method section.

[0109] It should be noted that, in the description of this application, the terms "upper," "lower," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. When a component is considered to be "connected" to another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be a component centrally located at the same time.

[0110] It should also be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that an article or apparatus comprising a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such an article or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the article or apparatus that includes the aforementioned element.

[0111] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use this application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this application. Therefore, this application is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A thin glass processing apparatus, characterized in that, It includes a loading unit, a processing unit, and a unloading unit arranged sequentially along the glass conveying direction, as well as a handling module and a tray. The glass is conveyed by being attracted and fixed on the tray in the loading and unloading units. The processing unit includes a support table, and the glass is attracted and fixed on the support table during processing. The transport module includes a drive mechanism and a suction cup. The drive mechanism drives the suction cup to move between the loading unit, the processing unit and the unloading unit, and drives the suction cup to rise and fall, so as to transport the glass at the loading unit to the processing unit and the glass at the processing unit to the unloading unit. During the process of the suction cup picking up the glass at the loading unit, when the suction cup moves above the glass and the distance between the suction cup and the glass is within the preset distance, the air pressure generated by the tray changes from negative pressure to positive pressure to exert an upward force on the glass. At the same time, the suction cup generates negative pressure to exert a uniform upward suction force on the glass, so that the glass is detached from the tray and adsorbed and fixed on the suction cup. During the process of the suction cup picking up the glass at the processing unit, when the suction cup moves above the glass and the distance between the suction cup and the glass is within the preset distance, the air pressure generated by the support table changes from negative pressure to positive pressure and applies an upward force to the glass. At the same time, the suction cup generates negative pressure and applies a uniform upward suction force to the glass, causing the glass to detach from the support table and be adsorbed and fixed on the suction cup.

2. The thin glass processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, At the processing unit, during the process of placing the glass on the support table, when the distance between the glass picked up by the suction cup and the support table is within a preset distance, the glass detaches from the suction cup and rests on the support table. During the process of placing the glass on the tray at the unloading unit, when the distance between the glass picked up by the suction cup and the tray is within the preset distance, the glass detaches from the suction cup and is placed on the tray.

3. The thin glass processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The preset spacing is 0.1 to 0.5 mm.

4. The thin glass processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driving mechanism includes a first transverse drive and a lifting drive. The lifting drive is mounted on the first transverse drive, and the suction cup is mounted on the power output end of the lifting drive. The first transverse drive drives the suction cup to move back and forth between the loading unit, the processing unit, and the unloading unit, and the lifting drive drives the suction cup to move up and down.

5. The thin glass processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The processing unit also includes a laser processing module and an air-floating motion platform. The support platform is set on the air-floating motion platform, and the air-floating motion platform drives the support platform to move below the laser processing module. The laser processing module emits a laser beam to process the glass on the support platform.

6. The thin glass processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1-2 and 4-5, characterized in that, Both the loading unit and the unloading unit include a frame and a conveying mechanism. The conveying mechanism includes a second transverse drive component mounted on the frame and a support plate mounted on the second transverse drive component. The second transverse drive component drives the support plate to move back and forth along the glass conveying direction. After the tray is placed on the support plate, the glass is then placed on the tray.

7. The thin glass processing apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The second transverse drive unit at the loading unit and the second transverse drive unit at the unloading unit are equipped with limiting mechanisms at one end near the support table and at the support table, and the suction cup is equipped with a limit sensor.

8. The thin glass processing apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, Both the loading unit and the unloading unit further include a first buffer mechanism and a second buffer mechanism arranged sequentially along the glass conveying direction. The first buffer mechanism is used to buffer several trays, and the second buffer mechanism is used to buffer several trays containing glass. During the feeding process, at the feeding unit, the tray on the first buffer mechanism is fixed to the carrier plate, and then the glass is adsorbed and fixed on the tray. Subsequently, the carrier plate moves along the glass conveying direction to the second buffer mechanism, and the tray containing the glass is buffered in the second buffer mechanism. During the unloading process, at the unloading unit, the tray on the first buffer mechanism is fixed to the carrier plate, and then the processed glass is adsorbed and fixed on the tray. Subsequently, the carrier plate moves along the glass conveying direction to the second buffer mechanism, and the tray containing the glass is buffered in the second buffer mechanism.

9. The thin glass processing apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first buffer mechanism includes a first driving component and a first buffer frame. The first buffer frames are provided on both sides of the frame in a direction perpendicular to the glass conveying direction in the same plane. Each first buffer frame is provided with a number of first buffer platforms arranged at intervals in the vertical direction. The first driving component drives each first buffer platform to move simultaneously in the vertical direction. The first buffer platforms on the first buffer frames on both sides of the frame located in the same plane cooperate with each other to buffer a tray. The second buffer mechanism includes a second drive unit and a second buffer frame. The second buffer frames are provided on both sides of the frame in a direction perpendicular to the glass conveying direction in the same plane. Each second buffer frame is provided with several second buffer platforms arranged at intervals in the vertical direction. The second drive unit drives each second buffer platform to move simultaneously in the vertical direction. The second buffer platforms on the second buffer frames on both sides of the frame, located in the same plane, cooperate with each other to buffer a tray containing glass.

10. The thin glass processing apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, In the same plane, perpendicular to the glass conveying direction, the width of the support plate is less than the first spacing, and the width of the tray is greater than the first spacing and less than the second spacing; wherein, The first spacing is the straight-line spacing between the inner sides of the two first buffer platforms in the same plane on both sides of the rack. The straight-line spacing between the inner sides of the two first buffer platforms in the same plane on both sides of the rack is the same as the straight-line spacing between the inner sides of the two second buffer platforms in the same plane on both sides of the rack. The second spacing is the straight-line spacing between the outer sides of the two first buffer platforms in the same plane on both sides of the rack. The straight-line spacing between the outer sides of the two first buffer platforms in the same plane on both sides of the rack is the same as the straight-line spacing between the outer sides of the two second buffer platforms in the same plane on both sides of the rack.

11. The thin glass processing apparatus according to any one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that, The tray has a first cavity and a second cavity that are not connected to each other. The bottom has a first connecting hole that communicates with the first cavity and a second connecting hole that communicates with the second cavity. The upper surface of the tray is provided with a first adsorption groove that communicates with the first cavity and a second adsorption groove that communicates with the second cavity. The first adsorption groove is located outside the second adsorption groove. Each second buffer station is provided with an air passage that can communicate with the first connecting hole, and the support plates at the feeding unit and the unloading unit are provided with negative pressure adsorption holes that can communicate with the second connecting hole.

12. The thin glass processing apparatus according to any one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that, The support plate is provided with positioning pins, and the tray is provided with positioning holes. When the tray is placed on the support plate, the positioning pins are inserted into the positioning holes; and / or, The tray is provided with a plurality of first magnets, and the support plate and each first buffer platform and each second buffer platform are provided with second magnets. The first magnets and the second magnets have opposite magnetic properties. When the tray is placed on the support plate, the second magnet on the support plate attracts the first magnet on the tray above it. When the tray is placed on the first buffer platform or the second buffer platform, the second magnet on the first buffer platform or the second buffer platform attracts the first magnet on the tray above it.

Images