Rotating Support Bar Conveyor for Wide PCB Reflow Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Circuit boards with large widths are susceptible to sagging and deformation during reflow soldering due to the increased width of the transport device, affecting the yield of the process.
Innovation Solution
A transport device with a first rail device featuring a first guide rail and conveying belt, where support bars can switch between two states to accommodate circuit boards of varying widths, ensuring stable support and minimizing deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the width of the transport device is increased to accommodate large-width circuit boards, then the circuit board can be transported, but the circuit board is susceptible to local sagging and deformation due to heating
Solution Approach 1:
The transport device is divided into multiple support bars (first support bar, second support bar, third support bar, fourth support bar) that are distributed across the width of the circuit board. Each support bar can independently adjust its height, providing segmented support points that prevent sagging and deformation of large-width circuit boards during heating without requiring a uniformly increased transport device width.
Solution Approach 2:
The support bars are designed with adjustable height capabilities, allowing them to dynamically adapt to the circuit board's shape changes during the heating process. The support bars can be raised or lowered to maintain optimal contact with the circuit board surface, preventing deformation while accommodating thermal expansion and sagging.
2Reliability
If the support bars are kept in the first state (higher position) throughout the entire transport cycle, then circuit board support is maintained, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support bars periodically switch between the first state (higher position for support) and the second state (lower position for compactness) based on the transport cycle phase. During heating zones where circuit board support is critical, the support bars are in the first state; during transport zones where support is less critical, the support bars transition to the second state, reducing device complexity and space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system pre-positions the support bars in the first state before entering heating zones where circuit board support is needed, and transitions them to the second state after passing through these zones. This preliminary action ensures optimal support is available when needed while minimizing device complexity during transport phases.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively prevents sagging and deformation of large circuit boards during reflow soldering by dynamically adjusting the support mechanism, enhancing process yield.
Implementation Method 1
each of the support bars rotatable to a first state and a second state, and a distance from the top of the support bar in the second state to the chain is less than that from the top of the support bar in the first state to the chain
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a transport device and a reflow oven comprising the same. The transport device includes a first rail device. The first rail device includes a first guide rail and a first conveying belt. The first conveying belt includes a chain and a plurality of support bars, with the plurality of support bars arranged in a length direction, and each of the support bars rotatably connected to the chain, where each of the support bars is rotatable to a first state and a second state, and a distance from the top of the support bar in the second state to the chain is less than that from the top of the support bar in the first state to the chain. The support bars in the first state can support an element to be processed, and the support bars in the second state do not support the element to be processed, thereby reducing the occupied space. With the arrangement of the rotatable support bars, the first conveying belt of the first rail device can always travel in the length direction, enabling a lifting function of the support bars, without the need to move the position of the first conveying belt.