Tray cable tie removal mechanism

Abstract

Provide a tray tie band removal mechanism. [Solution] A tray tie removal mechanism for removing two cable ties 8 binding a tray set 81, comprising two pressing modules 3 and two removing modules 4 spaced apart along a first direction X, each pressing module 3 comprising a pressing plate 31 that can abut against the tray set 81 in unison in a second direction Y, each removing module 4 comprising a drive unit 41 spaced apart from the respective pressing module 3, and two removing units 42 connected to the drive unit 41 so as to be spaced apart from each other along the second direction Y, the removing units 42 being movable between a standby position and a removing position along the second direction Y, and when the removing unit 42 is positioned at the removing position, the two removing units 42 of each removing module 4 are driven by the drive unit 41 to push the cable ties 8 away from each other along the second direction Y.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to equipment used in semiconductor manufacturing, and more particularly to a tray cable tie removal mechanism. [Background technology]

[0002] With the rapid advancement of science and technology, Taiwan's semiconductor industry plays an important role in related industries around the world, and in particular in terms of advanced packaging technology, it accounts for a certain proportion of the world's top ten packaging companies.

[0003] In a conventional semiconductor packaging process, multiple chips cut from a wafer are placed in trays, typically made of polypropylene, to facilitate transport of the chips along the production line. To transport more chips simultaneously along the production line, these trays are stacked and transported as tray sets.

[0004] To prevent trays from falling off or becoming separated during transportation of the tray set, cable ties are generally used to bind the tray set together to secure the trays, and the cable ties must be removed to remove the chips from the trays before proceeding to the next process.

[0005] The conventional method of manually removing cable ties can be prone to human error, and the operation can be complex and labor-intensive.

[0006] In view of this, Patent Document 1 discloses a cable tie removal device that is applied to the manufacturing of semiconductors.

[0007] As shown in Figure 1, the cable tie removal equipment includes a removal device 9 for removing two cable ties 8, and the removal device 9 includes a plurality of operating parts 91 installed at intervals from each other for pushing the two cable ties 8, a plurality of stoppers 92 installed corresponding to the plurality of operating parts 91, and two storage parts 93 that define two storage spaces 94 and abut against the plurality of stoppers 92.

[0008] When in use, the removal device 9 is operated using an automated mechanical arm, and multiple operating parts 91 push the two cable ties 8 that bind the tray set to the left and right (the right cable tie 8 to the right and the left cable tie 8 to the left).

[0009] When the two cable ties 8 are pushed up to the upper area of ​​the storage section 93, the operation of the multiple operating sections 91 is stopped by the multiple stoppers 92, and therefore the action of pushing the two cable ties 8 is stopped.

[0010] In the process, the two cable ties 8 are removed from the tray set and fall into the respective storage spaces 94 of the storage section 93, completing the process of removing the cable ties 8. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] Taiwan Patent No. I637893 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] However, during the process of removing cable ties using this cable tie removal equipment, uneven application of force or inaccurate position detection can lead to situations that adversely affect subsequent production processes, such as causing trays to shift position within a tray set or become disorganized, so there is room for improvement in conventional equipment.

[0013] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a tray cable tie removal mechanism that ensures the integrity of the tray stack while performing the cable tie removal operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] The present invention provides a tray tie band removal mechanism for removing two tie bands that bundle a tray set in which multiple trays are stacked, comprising: a bottom plate on which the tray set is placed; two pressing modules mounted on the bottom plate so as to be spaced apart from each other along a first direction; two removal modules mounted on the bottom plate to be spaced apart from each other along the first direction; Each of the pressing modules includes a pressing plate configured to be able to abut against the tray set in a aligned manner in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; Each of the removing modules includes a driving unit spaced apart from each of the pressing modules, and two removing units connected to the driving unit so as to be spaced apart from each other along the second direction; the removal unit is movable along the second direction between a standby position and a removal position; A tray cable tie removal mechanism is provided, characterized in that, during the process of the removal unit moving to the removal position, the two removal units of each removal module are driven by the drive unit to push the cable tie while moving away from each other along the second direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the tray cable tie removal mechanism of the present invention, the pressure plate of each pressing module abuts against the tray set and the removal portion of the removal module moves between the standby position and the removal position, thereby pressing the cable tie and simultaneously fixing each tray in the tray set in a predetermined position with the pressure plate, thereby preventing the arrangement of each tray in the tray set from being disrupted or shifted in position during the process until the cable tie is securely removed from the tray set. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 10 is a top view showing a conventional tray binding band removal mechanism. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a top view showing an embodiment of the tray cable tie removal mechanism of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a top view showing two pressing modules and two removing modules of the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a top view showing the removal unit of the embodiment in a standby position. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a top view showing the recovery unit of the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the release part of the embodiment in the release position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] In order to more clearly describe the objectives, technical means, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention, the following will clearly describe the technical means in the embodiments of the present invention in combination with the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. It should be apparent that the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Generally, the components of the embodiments of the present invention depicted and shown in the accompanying drawings can be arranged and designed in various different configurations. Therefore, the detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided below in the accompanying drawings does not constitute any limitation on the protection scope of the present invention, but merely represents selected embodiments of the present invention.

[0018] Before describing the present invention in more detail, it should be noted that, where considered appropriate, reference numerals or terminal portions of reference numerals have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements, which may optionally have similar characteristics.

[0019] In describing the present invention, terms indicating orientations or positional relationships such as "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," "left," "right," "front," and "rear" are used based on the orientations and positional relationships shown in the drawings or the orientations and positional relationships customarily assumed when using the product of the present invention, for the purpose of easier and clearer explanation, and are not intended to teach or suggest that the corresponding apparatus or device has a specific orientation, structure, operation, etc. in a specific orientation, and are not intended to be a limitation on the present invention.

[0020] Also, in describing the present invention, terms such as "first", "second", etc. are used for distinction purposes only and do not teach or imply relative importance.

[0021] The present invention will be described in detail below.

[0022] 2, one embodiment of the tray tie band removal mechanism of the present invention is for removing two tie bands 8 that bind a tray set 81 made up of a plurality of stacked trays 80. That is, one embodiment of the tray tie band removal mechanism of the present invention is applied to two spaced-apart tie bands 8 that bind a tray set 81 made up of a plurality of stacked trays 80, and performs the work of removing and collecting the tie bands 8.

[0023] 2, the left-right direction of the drawing is defined as a first direction X, and the direction perpendicular to the left-right direction is defined as a second direction Y (i.e., the second direction Y is perpendicular to the first direction X). Operation of this embodiment will be described in terms of movement along the first direction X or the second direction Y.

[0024] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, one embodiment of the tray tie band removal mechanism of the present invention includes: a bottom plate 1 on which a tray set 81 is installed; two fixing jigs 2 installed on the bottom plate 1 and configured to abut against the tray set 81 so as to be arranged at intervals along a first direction X; two sensors A installed on the bottom plate 1 so as to be spaced apart from each other along the first direction X; two pressing modules 3 installed on the bottom plate 1 so as to be spaced apart from each other along the first direction X; two removal modules 4 extending in a direction parallel to the second direction Y and installed on the bottom plate 1 so as to be spaced apart from each other along the first direction X; two recovery units 5 installed near opposite sides of the tray set 81 so as to be spaced apart from each other along the second direction Y; two position judgment units 6 installed above the bottom plate 1 so as to be spaced apart from each other along the second direction Y; and a visual inspection module 7 installed above the bottom plate 1 and for photographing the tray set 81 from a higher height than the tray set 81.

[0025] In this embodiment, the two sensors A employ an optical sensing mechanism and together define a sensing line A0 that passes through the tray set 81 along the first direction X, thereby determining whether the tray set 81 is fixed to the fixture 2.

[0026] In FIG. 3, the visual inspection module 7 is not shown in order to explain the operation of the pressing module 3 and the removal module 4.

[0027] Each pressing module 3 includes a pressing plate 31 configured to be able to abut against the tray set 81 in the second direction Y in unison.

[0028] Each pressing plate 31 has a plate body 311 configured to be able to abut against the tray set 81 in unison in the second direction Y, and two connection parts 312 extending along the first direction X and connected to the plate body 311 so as to be spaced apart from each other in the second direction Y, and for equalizing the force received when the plate body 311 is pressed.

[0029] Specifically, in this embodiment, the trays 80 can be stacked in 3 to 13 layers, so the vertical height of the plate body 311 of each pressing plate 31 must be greater than the vertical height of at least 13 layers of trays, and the surface of the plate body 311 that abuts against the tray set 81 is a plane that is along the second direction Y and perpendicular to the first direction X, so that when the plate body 311 abuts against the tray set 81 as shown in Figure 5, the trays 80 of each layer in the tray set 81 are aligned and do not shift position, with each of the edges on both sides in the first direction X (i.e., the left and right sides in Figure 5) lying on a single plane in the second direction Y.

[0030] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, each removal module 4 includes a drive unit 41 spaced apart from each pressing module 3, and two removal units 42 connected to the drive unit 41 so as to be spaced apart from each other along the second direction Y.

[0031] The release portion 42 is movable along the second direction Y between a standby position and a release position.

[0032] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the removal units 42 positioned at the standby position. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4, when the removal units 42 are positioned at the standby position, each removal unit 42 is configured to be positioned inside the cable tie 8. That is, the upper removal unit 42 in the drawing is positioned below the upper cable tie 8, and the lower removal unit 42 in the drawing is positioned above the lower cable tie 8.

[0033] 5 and 6 are diagrams showing the removal unit 42 positioned at the removal position. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, during the process of the removal unit 42 moving to the removal position, the drive unit 41 drives the plate body 311 to abut against the tray set 81, while the two removal units 42 of each removal module 4 are driven by the drive unit 41 to move away from each other along the second direction Y and push the cable tie 8 until the cable tie 8 is completely removed from the tray set 81 and falls into the collection unit 5. That is, when the removal units 42 are positioned at the removal position, the upper removal unit 42 in FIG. 5 is positioned so that it can push the upper cable tie 8 upward until it falls into the upper collection unit 5, and the lower removal unit 42 in FIG. 5 is positioned so that it can push the lower cable tie 8 downward until it falls into the lower collection unit 5.

[0034] In this embodiment, the drive unit 41 of the removal module 4 drives the movement of the removal unit 42 using a cylinder drive method, but the removal unit 42 can also be driven by a motor, and the drive method is not limited to the above example.

[0035] In addition, the driving unit 41, in addition to being able to drive the removing unit 42, is connected to the pressing module 3, and uses gas pressure to adjust and drive the plate body 311 of the pressing plate 31 to press it against the tray set 81.

[0036] That is, the driving unit 41 can change the pressing force by adjusting the gas pressure to obtain the optimum fixing effect according to the type of the tray set 81 or the number of trays 80.

[0037] The recovery units 5 are for recovering the removed cable ties 8, and as shown in Figure 6, each recovery unit 5 includes a recovery member 51 defining a recovery space 50 and at least one set of full detectors 52 installed in the recovery space 50.

[0038] The collection member 51 is specifically a cable tie storage box, and the fullness sensor 52 is for detecting whether the collected cable ties 8 have overflowed from the collection space 50. In this embodiment, the fullness sensor 52 employs an optical sensing mechanism to detect whether the collected cable ties 8 have exceeded the capacity of the collection space 50.

[0039] Depending on the needs of the site, in some embodiments, each collection unit 5 may have multiple full detectors 52, and the multiple full detectors 52 may be arranged horizontally at equal distances from each other along the first direction X to form a light curtain, detecting situations in which cable ties 8 fall into the collection space 50 and pile up irregularly.

[0040] The position determination units 6 are for determining whether the cable ties 8 have come off the tray set 81, and as shown in FIG. 3, each position determination unit 6 includes two position determination sections 61 arranged at an interval from each other along the first direction X.

[0041] Each position determination unit 61 is a photoelectric sensor that emits light along the first direction X so that a virtual sensing line 60 is formed at the opening that receives the cable tie 8 of the collection unit 5 on the same side.

[0042] In this embodiment, the virtual sensing line 60 is formed by emitting infrared light and can sense whether the cable tie 8 has fallen off.

[0043] In this embodiment, the position determination part 61 of each position determination unit 6 is a photoelectric sensor, and the emitted infrared rays form a virtual sensing line 60. Therefore, when the removal module 4 is activated and the cable tie 8 is pushed to the position of the virtual sensing line 60, the infrared rays on the virtual sensing line 60 are blocked. Then, when the cable tie 8 falls into the collection space 50 of the collection member 51 due to gravity, the infrared rays on the virtual sensing line 60 are no longer blocked.

[0044] Therefore, it is possible to determine whether the binding band 8 has definitely fallen off based on the condition of whether or not there is a signal indicating the blocking of infrared rays on the virtual sensing line 60.

[0045] Also referring to FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the visual inspection module 7 mainly uses a CCD visual inspection system to support inspection.

[0046] When the tray set 81 is placed on the bottom plate 1 and abutted against the two fixing jigs 2 to be fixed, the visual inspection module 7 can read the barcode or two-dimensional code above the tray set 81, and then perform the necessary processing or adjustment according to the important data written on the barcode or two-dimensional code.

[0047] In addition, when the tray set 81 is abutted against and fixed to the two fixing jigs 2, the visual inspection module 7 can be used to check whether the tray set 81 is securely installed on the bottom plate 1, and at the same time, it can also be used to check whether the cable ties 8 are attached to the tray set 81.

[0048] In addition, the visual inspection module 7 can be further combined with the position determination unit 61 to confirm whether the cable tie 8 has been securely removed, thereby enabling a mechanism to confirm whether the tray cable tie removal mechanism of this embodiment is operating normally.

[0049] According to the above configuration, in one embodiment of the tray cable tie removal mechanism of the present invention, when the tray set 81 is securely fixed to the fixing jig 2, the removal section 42 of the removal module 4 presses the cable tie 8, and at the same time, the pressure plate 31 fixes each tray 80 of the tray set 81 in a predetermined position, thereby preventing the arrangement of each tray 80 in the tray set 81 from being disrupted or shifted in position during the process of the cable tie 8 being securely removed from the tray set 81 and falling into the recovery unit 5.

[0050] In addition, the position determination unit 6 and the visual inspection module 7 can be used to more accurately check the removal status of the cable ties 8, and the fullness detector 52 can be used to detect whether the collection space 50 is full, thereby ensuring the normal operation of the production line.

[0051] Therefore, the object of the present invention can be reliably achieved.

[0052] The above-described embodiments are illustrative for explaining the principles and effects of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art may make slight changes or modifications to the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all changes and modifications made by those skilled in the art without departing from the gist of the present invention should be considered to fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0053] The tray tie removal mechanism of the present invention is adapted to remove tie bands while simultaneously ensuring the integrity of the tray stack. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1 Bottom plate 2 Fixture 3 Pressing Module 31 Pressure plate 311 Board body 312 Connection 4 Removal module 41 Drive unit 42 Removal part 5 Recovery Unit 50 Recovery Space 51 Recoverable materials 52 Full detector 6 Position Determination Unit 60 Virtual sensing line 61 Position judgment part 7 Visual Inspection Module 8 cable ties 80 trays 81 Tray Set A sensor A0 sensing line X first direction Y Second direction

Claims

1. A tray tie band removal mechanism for removing two tie bands that bundle a tray set in which multiple trays are stacked, comprising: a bottom plate on which the tray set is placed; two pressing modules mounted on the bottom plate so as to be spaced apart from each other along a first direction; two removal modules mounted on the bottom plate to be spaced apart from each other along the first direction; Each of the pressing modules includes a pressing plate configured to be able to abut against the tray set in alignment in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, Each of the removing modules includes a driving unit spaced apart from each of the pressing modules, and two removing units connected to the driving unit so as to be spaced apart from each other along the second direction; the release unit is movable along the second direction between a standby position and a release position; A tray cable tie removal mechanism, characterized in that, during the process of the removal unit moving to the removal position, the two removal units of each removal module are driven by the drive unit to push the cable tie while moving away from each other along the second direction.

2. 2. The tray cable tie removal mechanism of claim 1, further comprising two recovery units installed near opposite sides of the tray set so as to be spaced apart from each other along the second direction, and for recovering the removed cable ties.

3. 2. The tray cable tie removal mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising two fixing jigs installed on the bottom plate and configured to abut against the tray set so as to be spaced apart from each other along the first direction.

4. 4. The tray tie band removal mechanism of claim 3, further comprising two sensors spaced apart from each other along the first direction so as to together define a sensing line for determining whether the tray set is secured to the fixture.

5. The tray cable tie removal mechanism of claim 1, further comprising two position determination units installed above the bottom plate so as to be spaced apart from each other along the second direction, for detecting whether the cable tie has come off the tray set.

6. two recovery units disposed adjacent to opposite sides of the tray set to be spaced apart from each other along the second direction, and configured to recover the removed cable ties; each of the position determination units includes two position determination sections arranged at an interval along the first direction; 6. The tray cable tie removal mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the two position determination sections of each of the position determination units are photoelectric sensors that emit light along the first direction so that a virtual sensing line is formed at the opening for receiving the cable tie of the recovery unit on the same side.

7. 3. The tray cable tie removal mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the recovery unit includes a recovery member defining a recovery space, and at least one fullness detector installed in the recovery space for detecting whether the recovered cable ties have overflowed.

8. The tray cable tie removal mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a visual inspection module installed above the bottom plate and adapted to photograph the tray set from a higher height than the tray set.

9. Each of the pressing plates has a plate body configured to be able to abut against the tray set in unison in the second direction; The tray tie band removal mechanism of claim 1, characterized in that it has two connection portions that extend along the first direction and are connected to the plate body so as to be spaced apart from each other in the second direction, and that uniformly distribute the force received when the plate body is pressed.

10. The tray tie band removal mechanism according to claim 1, wherein each of the driving units of the removing module is connected to the pressing module and drives each of the pressing plates of the pressing module to press against the tray set.

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