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Title:
BOARD TURNOVER MACHINE ASSEMBLY AND BOARD TURNOVER MACHINE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2019/160855
Kind Code:
A9
Abstract:
The present application provides a board turnover machine assembly, comprising: a pair of annular upper conveyor belts, a pair of annular lower conveyor belts and a pair of board stopping assemblies. The pair of annular upper conveyor belts comprises a first side upper conveyor belt and a second side upper conveyor belt disposed opposite one another; the pair of annular lower conveyor belts comprises a first side lower conveyor belt and a second side lower conveyor belt disposed opposite one another; a first side conveying channel is formed between the first side upper conveyor belt and the first side lower conveyor belt, and a second side conveying channel is formed between the second side upper conveyor belt and the second side lower conveyor belt; the pair of board stopping assemblies comprises a pair of board stopping barrier plates and a pair of board stopping drive components, wherein each of the pair of board stopping barrier plates is able to move up and down in a direction perpendicular to the first side conveying channel or the second side conveying channel; the pair of board stopping drive components are located below the pair of annular upper conveyor belts and the pair of annular lower conveyor belts. The board stopping assembly in the present application is mounted on the board turnover machine by means of a fixing component, to facilitate the removal and replacement of the board stopping assembly.

Inventors:
LIU GUOHUA (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2019/017636
Publication Date:
May 07, 2020
Filing Date:
February 12, 2019
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS (US)
International Classes:
B65G15/20; B65G47/252
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
NOE, Keith, F. (US)
Download PDF:
Claims:
C l a i ms

1. A board turnover machine assembly, characterized in that the board turnover machine assembly comprises:

a pair of annular upper conveyor belts, comprising a first side upper conveyor belt (201.1) and a second side upper conveyor belt (201.2) disposed opposite one another ;

a pair of annular lower conveyor belts, comprising a first side lower conveyor belt (202.1) and a second side lower conveyor belt (202.2) disposed opposite one another,

a first side conveying channel (211) being formed between the first side upper conveyor belt (201.1) and the first side lower conveyor belt (202.1), a second side conveying channel (212) being formed between the second side upper conveyor belt (201.2) and the second side lower conveyor belt (202.2), and the first side conveying channel (211) and the second side conveying channel (212) being usable for conveying a circuit board;

a pair of board stopping assemblies (303.1, 303.2), comprising a pair of board stopping barrier plates (331.1, 331.3) and a pair of board stopping drive components (332.1, 332.2), wherein each of the pair of board stopping barrier plates (331.1, 331.3) is able to move up and down in a direction perpendicular to the first side conveying channel (211) or the second side conveying channel (212), thereby blocking and releasing an object being conveyed on the first side conveying channel (211) and the second side conveying channel (212) ; each of the pair of board stopping drive components (332.1, 332.2) is used for driving the corresponding board stopping barrier plate, and the pair of board stopping drive components (332.1, 332.2) are located below the pair of annular upper conveyor belts and the pair of annular lower conveyor belts.

2. The board turnover machine assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that :

contact parts of each of the board stopping drive components (332.1, 332.2) and the corresponding board stopping barrier plate are located below the pair of annular upper conveyor belts and the pair of annular lower conveyor belts.

3. The board turnover machine assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that :

the board turnover machine assembly further comprises at least one clamping plate (321), at least one said clamping plate (321) being located outside ring shapes of the pair of annular upper conveyor belts and the pair of annular lower conveyor belts, each of at least one said clamping plate (321) being able to move back and forth toward or away from the first side conveying channel (211) or the second side conveying channel (212) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first side conveying channel (211) or the second side conveying channel (212), for the purpose of clamping the circuit board between the corresponding clamping plate (321) and a corresponding one of the first side upper conveyor belt (201.1) and the second side upper conveyor belt (201.2).

4. The board turnover machine assembly as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that :

when the pair of annular upper conveyor belts or the pair of annular lower conveyor belts is conveying the circuit board, the clamping plate (321) is not in contact with the pair of annular upper conveyor belts or the pair of annular lower conveyor belts.

5. The board turnover machine assembly as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the board turnover machine assembly further comprises: a turnover mechanism (105), with the pair of annular upper conveyor belts, the pair of annular lower conveyor belts and the clamping plate (321) being disposed on the turnover mechanism (105), the turnover mechanism (105) being able to drive the pair of annular upper conveyor belts, the pair of annular lower conveyor belts and the clamping plate (321) to turn over, and the clamping plate (321) being able to keep the circuit board clamped between the pair of annular upper conveyor belts on the one hand and the clamping plate (321) on the other in the process of turnover by the board turnover machine assembly.

6. The board turnover machine assembly as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that :

inner edges of the first side upper conveyor belt (201.1) and the first side lower conveyor belt (202.1) are staggered in the width direction of the first side conveying channel (211), and inner edges of the second side upper conveyor belt (201.2) and the second side lower conveyor belt (202.2) are staggered in the width direction of the second side conveying channel (212), such that the circuit board can be clamped between the first side upper conveyor belt (201.1) and the second side upper conveyor belt (201.2) on the one hand and the clamping plate (321) on the other.

7. The board turnover machine assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that :

inner edges of the first side upper conveyor belt (201.1) and the first side lower conveyor belt (202.1) are staggered by a distance in the range of 0.5 mm - 5 mm;

inner edges of the second side upper conveyor belt (201.2) and the second side lower conveyor belt (202.2) are staggered by a distance in the range of 0.5 mm -

5 mm.

8. The board turnover machine assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that :

an indented structure (430) is provided outside the first side upper conveyor belt (201.1) in a width direction of the first side conveying channel (211), the indented structure (430) being used to dispose a side edge of a guide strip (420) ; an indented structure is provided outside the second side upper conveyor belt (201.1) in a width direction of the second side conveying channel (212), the indented structure being used to dispose a side edge of a guide strip.

9. The board turnover machine assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that :

a support block (315, 316) is provided in each of the first side upper conveyor belt (201.1), the first side lower conveyor belt (202.1), the second side upper conveyor belt (201.2) and the second side lower conveyor belt (202.2), the support block (315, 316) being fixed to the board turnover machine assembly.

10. A board turnover machine, characterized in that the board turnover machine comprises the board turnover machine assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 -

9.

Description:
Description

Board turnover machine assembly and board turnover machine

Technical field

The present application relates to a board turnover machine and an assembly thereof, in particular a board turnover machine and an assembly thereof which are used in the course of processing a circuit board and turn the circuit board over.

Background

In a process for processing a circuit board, it is generally necessary to subject the circuit board to dual-surface processing, i. e. to process a front side and a reverse side. In an automated production line for circuit board processing, before a circuit board is delivered to a position where it is to be processed, it is necessary to confirm the circuit board side to be processed, adjust the circuit board side to be processed into a suitable position, and then send the circuit board into the position where it is to be processed. Before the circuit board enters the position where it is to be processed, a board turnover machine turns the circuit board over to the side to be processed. After being delivered to the board turnover machine by a delivery apparatus, the circuit board is clamped, then turned over, and then sent by the board turnover machine to the position where it is to be processed.

When the circuit board being conveyed needs to be stopped or released, a board stopping assembly drives a board stopping barrier plate to move up and down to close or open a conveying channel. In the course of moving multiple times, the board stopping assembly might be struck by the circuit board and experience a shift in position or damage, and will need to be replaced; in the present application, a board stopping assembly that is easy to remove and replace is provided. Summary of the invention

To facilitate replacement of a board stopping assembly, the present application provides a board turnover machine assembly, comprising:

a pair of annular upper conveyor belts, comprising a first side upper conveyor belt and a second side upper conveyor belt disposed opposite one another;

a pair of annular lower conveyor belts, comprising a first side lower conveyor belt and a second side lower conveyor belt disposed opposite one another,

a first side conveying channel being formed between the first side upper conveyor belt and the first side lower conveyor belt, a second side conveying channel being formed between the second side upper conveyor belt and the second side lower conveyor belt, and the first side conveying channel and the second side conveying channel being usable for conveying a circuit board;

a pair of board stopping assemblies, comprising a pair of board stopping barrier plates and a pair of board stopping drive components, wherein each of the pair of board stopping barrier plates is able to move up and down in a direction perpendicular to the first side conveying channel or the second side conveying channel, thereby blocking and releasing an object being conveyed on the first side conveying channel and the second side conveying channel; each of the pair of board stopping drive components is used for driving the corresponding board stopping barrier plate, and the pair of board stopping drive components are located below the pair of annular upper conveyor belts and the pair of annular lower conveyor belts.

The board turnover machine assembly as described above, wherein contact parts of each of the board stopping drive components and the corresponding board stopping barrier plate are located below the pair of annular upper conveyor belts and the pair of annular lower conveyor belts. The board turnover machine assembly as described above, further comprising at least one clamping plate, at least one said clamping plate being located outside ring shapes of the pair of annular upper conveyor belts and the pair of annular lower conveyor belts, each of at least one said clamping plate being able to move back and forth toward or away from the first side conveying channel or the second side conveying channel in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first side conveying channel or the second side conveying channel, for the purpose of clamping the circuit board between the corresponding clamping plate and a corresponding one of the first side upper conveyor belt and the second side upper conveyor belt.

The board turnover machine assembly as described above, wherein when the pair of annular upper conveyor belts or the pair of annular lower conveyor belts is conveying the circuit board, the clamping plate is not in contact with the pair of annular upper conveyor belts or the pair of annular lower conveyor belts.

The board turnover machine assembly as described above, further comprising: a turnover mechanism, with the pair of annular upper conveyor belts, the pair of annular lower conveyor belts and the clamping plate being disposed on the turnover mechanism, the turnover mechanism being able to drive the pair of annular upper conveyor belts, the pair of annular lower conveyor belts and the clamping plate to turn over, and the clamping plate being able to keep the circuit board clamped between the pair of annular upper conveyor belts on the one hand and the clamping plate on the other in the process of turnover by the board turnover machine assembly.

The board turnover machine assembly as described above, wherein inner edges of the first side upper conveyor belt and the first side lower conveyor belt are staggered in the width direction of the first side conveying channel, and inner edges of the second side upper conveyor belt and the second side lower conveyor belt are staggered in the width direction of the second side conveying channel, such that the circuit board can be clamped between the first side upper conveyor belt and the second side upper conveyor belt on the one hand and the clamping plate on the other.

The board turnover machine assembly as described above, wherein inner edges of the first side upper conveyor belt and the first side lower conveyor belt are staggered by a distance in the range of 0.5 mm - 5 mm; inner edges of the second side upper conveyor belt and the second side lower conveyor belt are staggered by a distance in the range of 0.5 mm - 5 mm.

The board turnover machine assembly as described above, wherein an indented structure is provided outside the first side upper conveyor belt in a width direction of the first side conveying channel, the indented structure being used to dispose a side edge of a guide strip;

an indented structure is provided outside the second side upper conveyor belt in a width direction of the second side conveying channel, the indented structure being used to dispose a side edge of a guide strip.

The board turnover machine assembly as described above, wherein a support block is provided in each of the first side upper conveyor belt, the first side lower conveyor belt, the second side upper conveyor belt and the second side lower conveyor belt, the support block being fixed to the board turnover machine assembly.

The present application also provides a board turnover machine, comprising the board turnover machine assembly as described above.

The board stopping assembly in the present application is mounted on the board turnover machine by means of a fixing component, to facilitate the removal and replacement of the board stopping assembly. The board stopping barrier plates, which have the effect of blocking the circuit board, do not come into direct contact with a board turnover machine main body in the process of moving, so cannot easily rub against the board turnover machine main body and suffer damage.

Brief Description of the Drawings A better understanding of these and other features and advantages of the present application can be gained by reading the following detailed explanation with reference to the accompanying drawings; identical reference labels indicate identical components, in all of the drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a board turnover machine according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 2 is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a pair of track assemblies of the board turnover machine shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3A is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a track assembly on one side in the pair of track assemblies shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 3B is an exploded view of the track assembly shown in fig. 3A.

Fig. 4A is a sectional view along line A-A in fig. 2, in a state in which the circuit board is unclamped.

Fig. 4B is a sectional view along line A-A in fig. 2, in a state in which the circuit board is clamped.

Fig. 4C is a partial enlarged view of part B in fig. 4A.

Fig. 4D is a partial enlarged view of part C in fig. 4B.

Fig. 5A is an exploded view of the track assembly on one side, and guide strips.

Fig. 5B is a partial enlarged view of the guide strip on one side shown in fig. 5A.

Fig. 6A is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a board stopping assembly.

Fig. 6B is an exploded view of the board stopping assembly in fig. 6A.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of another side of the track assembly on one side shown in fig. 3A, showing the mounting positions of board stopping

assemblies.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Various particular embodiments of the present application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this Description. It should be understood that although terms indicating direction, such as “front” , “rear” , “up” , “down” , “left” and “right” , etc. , are used in the present application to describe various demonstrative structural parts and elements of the present application, these terms are used here purely in order to facilitate explanation, and are determined on the basis of demonstrative directions shown in the drawings. Since the embodiments disclosed in the present application may be arranged in accordance with different directions, these terms indicating direction are purely illustrative, and should not be regarded as limiting. In the drawings below, where possible, identical components use identical drawing labels, and similar components use similar drawing labels.

Fig. 1 is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a board turnover machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present application. The board turnover machine 100 may serve as a component operating in cooperation with a circuit board processing device (e. g. a glue dispenser), and is used to receive a circuit board 109 delivered by a delivery apparatus (not shown in the figure), adjust a side to be processed of the circuit board 109 into a suitable position, and then send the circuit board into the circuit board processing device. As shown in fig. 1, the board turnover machine 100 comprises a track assembly 101, a support mechanism 103 and a turnover mechanism 105. The board turnover machine 100 is connected to a control system (not shown in the figure), receives a control command issued by the control system, and performs a corresponding operation. The track assembly 101 is rotatably fixed to the support mechanism 103, such that the track assembly 101 can be driven by the turnover mechanism 105 and thereby rotate around an axis X as shown in fig. 1. The track assembly 101 is used to receive the circuit board 109 delivered by the delivery apparatus, and to deliver the circuit board 109 into the circuit board processing device. The track assembly 101 is also used to clamp the circuit board 109 therein when the circuit board 109 needs to be turned over, thereby enabling the circuit board 109 to rotate together with the track assembly 101, in order to adjust the side to be processed of the circuit board 109 into a suitable position. Fig. 2 is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the track assembly 101 in fig. 1. As shown in fig. 2, the track assembly 101 comprises a first side track assembly 210.1 and a second side track assembly 210.2, which are structurally similar. The first side track assembly 210.1 and the second side track assembly 210.2 are connected via a track support structure 205; the track support structure 205 may also be used to adjust the distance between the first side track assembly 210.1 and the second side track assembly 210.2, for the purpose of adapting to circuit boards 109 of different widths. The first side track assembly 210.1 comprises a support structure 270.1, and an annular first side upper conveyor belt 201.1 and an annular first side lower conveyor belt 202.1 which are disposed on an inner side of the support structure 270.1; a first side conveying channel 211 for conveying the circuit board 109 is formed between the first side upper conveyor belt 201.1 and the first side lower conveyor belt 202.1. Similarly, the second side track assembly 210.2 comprises an annular second side upper conveyor belt 201.2 and an annular second side lower conveyor belt 202.2; a second side conveying channel 212 for conveying the circuit board 109 is formed between the second side upper conveyor belt 201.2 and the second side lower conveyor belt 202.2. The circuit board 109 is placed between the first side conveying channel 211 and the second side conveying channel 212, such that edges on two opposite sides of the circuit board 109 enter the first side conveying channel 211 and the second side conveying channel 212 respectively. Furthermore, since the track assembly 101 can turn over, the circuit board 109 can be conveyed by a pair of upper conveyor belts formed by the first side upper conveyor belt 201.1 and the second side upper conveyor belt 201.2 or a pair of lower conveyor belts formed by the first side lower conveyor belt 202.1 and the second side lower conveyor belt 202.2. A conveying direction in which the circuit board 109 is conveyed can be controlled by controlling a rotation direction of the pair of upper conveyor belts or the pair of lower conveyor belts; the conveying direction may be in a forward first conveying direction D1 or a retreating second conveying direction D2 of the first side conveying channel 211 and the second side conveying channel 212. Thus, when the conveying direction is determined, the first side conveying channel 211 and the second side conveying channel 212 each have an inlet and an outlet, and when the conveying direction is swapped between the first conveying direction D1 and the second conveying direction D2, the corresponding inlets and outlets will also be swapped. The circuit board 109 is driven by rotation of the pair of upper conveyor belts or the pair of lower conveyor belts; when the pair of upper conveyor belts or the pair of lower conveyor belts begins to rotate, friction arises between the circuit board 109 and the pair of upper conveyor belts or the pair of lower conveyor belts in contact with the circuit board, thereby causing the circuit board 109 to be driven to move in the first conveying direction D1 or the second conveying direction D2.

As also shown in fig. 2, the track assembly 101 comprises at least one board clamping assembly 230, for clamping the circuit board 109 before the track assembly 101 is turned over. In the embodiment shown in fig. 2, the track assembly 101 comprises a pair of board clamping assemblies 230, disposed below the first side lower conveyor belt 202.1 and the second side lower conveyor belt 202.2 respectively, and used for clamping the circuit board 109 through movement of the pair of board clamping assemblies 230 of the track assembly 101. It must be explained that there could also be one board clamping assembly 230 or a greater number of board clamping assemblies.

As also shown in fig. 2, the track assembly 101 further comprises at least one pair of board stopping assemblies 303.1 and 303.2 (figs. 3A and 3B may also be referred to) ; the pair of board stopping assemblies 303.1 and 303.2 are disposed close to the inlet and the outlet of a conveying channel respectively. For example, as shown in fig. 2, the pair of board stopping assemblies 303.1 and 303.2 are located close to the inlet and the outlet of the first side conveying channel respectively, for the purpose of stopping the movement of the circuit board 109 conveyed in the first conveying direction D1 or the second conveying direction D2. In other embodiments, the board stopping assemblies 303.1 and 303.2 could also be located close to the inlet and the outlet of the second side conveying channel 212 respectively, or one could be located close to the inlet/outlet of the first side conveying channel 211, with the other located close to the outlet/inlet of the second side conveying channel 212. All of the above arrangements can ensure that, in both opposite conveying directions, the circuit board 109 can be stopped by the board stopping assembly 303.1 or the board-stopping assembly 303.2, thereby preventing the circuit board 109 from continuing to move.

Fig. 3A is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the first side track assembly 210.1 in fig. 2; fig. 3B is an exploded schematic diagram of the first side track assembly 210.1 in fig. 3A. Since the main structures of the first side track assembly 210.1 and the second side track assembly 210.2 are similar, the first side track assembly 210.1 is taken as an example, and the main structure thereof is described with reference to figs. 3A and 3B below.

As shown in figs. 3A and 3B, the first side track assembly 210.1 comprises a conveyor belt assembly 301, the board clamping assembly 230, the pair of board stopping assemblies 303.1 and 303.2, and the support structure 270.1. The conveyor belt assembly 301 is disposed on an inner side of the support structure 270.1, and used to convey the circuit board 109. The board clamping assembly 230 is mounted below the conveyor belt assembly 301, and is capable of clamping the circuit board 109 on the conveyor belt assembly 301. The board stopping assemblies 303.1 and 303.2 are mounted at two ends of the conveyor belt assembly 301 respectively, and used to stop the continued movement of the circuit board 109 in the conveying direction of the conveyor belt assembly 301.

The conveyor belt assembly 301 comprises the annular first side upper conveyor belt 201.1 and first side lower conveyor belt 202.1. Two roller wheels 378 and 379 and a support block 315 are disposed inside the annular first side upper conveyor belt 201.1; the two roller wheels 378 and 379 are located at two ends of the support block 315 respectively. The two roller wheels 378 and 379 and the support block 315 are all connected to the support structure 270.1. The first side upper conveyor belt 201.1 is fitted around the outside of the two roller wheels 378 and 379 and the support block 315; when the roller wheels 378 and 379 rotate, the first side upper conveyor belt 201.1 can rotate together with the two roller wheels 378 and 379, such that the conveyor belt between the two roller wheels 378 and 379 forms an upper conveying part 313 and a lower conveying part 314. The support block 315 has the effect of supporting the upper conveying part 313 and the lower conveying part 314, to prevent unnecessary stretching of the conveyor belt when the conveying parts are subjected to an external force. The first side lower conveyor belt 202.1 has a similar structure to the upper conveyor belt 201.1, is also fitted around the outside of two roller wheels 328 and 329 and a support block 316, and also has an upper conveying part 318 and a lower conveying part 319. The first side conveying channel 211 is formed between the lower conveying part 314 of the first side upper conveyor belt 201.1 and the upper conveying part 318 of the first side lower conveyor belt 202.1; the circuit board 109 can be conveyed in the first side conveying channel 211.

The board clamping assembly 230 has a clamping plate 321 and a clamping plate drive assembly 322. The clamping plate drive assembly 322 can drive the clamping plate 321 to move in a direction perpendicular to the first side conveying channel 211, thereby clamping and releasing the circuit board 109; this will be described in detail below.

The pair of board stopping assemblies 303.1 and 303.2 have identical structures; the specific structures thereof are described briefly below, taking one of the board stopping assemblies, namely the board stopping assembly 303.1, as an example. The board stopping assembly 303.1 has a board stopping barrier plate

331.1 and a board stopping drive component 332.1; the board stopping drive component

332.1 can drive the board stopping barrier plate 331.1 to move in a direction perpendicular to the first side conveying channel 211, thereby blocking and releasing the movement of the circuit board 109 in the conveying direction; the content of this section is described in detail below.

Figs. 4A and 4B are vertical sections through line A-A in fig. 2, with the board clamping assemblies 230 in a state of not clamping the circuit board 109, and in a state of clamping the circuit board 109, respectively. In fig. 4A, edges at two sides of the circuit board 109 enter the first side conveying channel 211 and the second side conveying channel 212 respectively, and come into contact with the upper conveying part 318 of the first side lower conveyor belt 202.1 and the upper conveying part of the second side lower conveyor belt 202.2, such that, when the first side lower conveyor belt 202.1 and the second side lower conveyor belt 202.2 rotate, they can drive the circuit board 109 to move, thereby transporting the circuit board 109. When the circuit board 109 needs to be clamped, the clamping plate driving assemblies 322 drive the clamping plates 321 to move upward, to first of all come into contact with a lower surface of the circuit board 109, and then lift up the circuit board 109 and continue to move upward, until an upper surface of the circuit board 109 comes into contact with the lower conveying part 314 of the first side upper conveyor belt 201.1 and the lower conveying part of the second side upper conveyor belt 201.2, such that the circuit board 109 is clamped between the clamping plates 321 on the one hand, and the lower conveying part 314 of the first side upper conveyor belt 201.1 and the lower conveying part of the second side upper conveyor belt 201.2 on the other. Thus, the circuit board 109 will not easily fall off when turned over with the pair of track assemblies. The process of the circuit board 109 being clamped is described in detail below with reference to figs. 4C and 4D.

Fig. 4C is an enlarged view of part B in fig. 4A; fig. 4D is an enlarged view of part C in fig. 4B, and shows the mating of the circuit board 109 with components close to the first side conveying channel 211 in the process of the circuit board being clamped. Since components close to a second side 402, opposite a first side 401, of the circuit board 109 are similar to components close to the first side 401, in a substantially symmetrical structure, the process of the circuit board 109 being clamped is described by taking as an example the mating between the components close to the first side 401 of the circuit board 109 in figs. 4C and 4D. As shown in fig. 4C, an inner edge 405 of the lower conveying part 314 of the first side upper conveyor belt 201.1 and an inner edge 407 of the upper conveying part 318 of the first side lower conveyor belt 202.1 are staggered with respect to each other. That is to say, in a horizontal direction as shown in fig. 4C, the inner edge 405 of the first side upper conveyor belt 201.1 is closer to the inside than the inner edge 407 of the first side lower conveyor belt 202.1, i. e. closer to the second side track assembly, so that there is a distance D between the two inner edges, namely the inner edge 405 of the first side upper conveyor belt 201.1 and the inner edge 407 of the first side lower conveyor belt 202.1. According to some embodiments of the present application, the range of D is 0.5 mm - 5 mm. In some embodiments of the present application, the distance D is about 2 mm. The clamping plate 321 is located below the first side upper conveyor belt 201.1, such that the clamping plate 321, when moving up and down, can cross over the inner edge 407 of the upper conveying part 318 of the first side lower conveyor belt 202.1, and reach no further than the lower conveying part 314 of the first side upper conveyor belt 201.1. Before the circuit board 109 is clamped, i. e. when the clamping plate 321 is in a relaxed state in an initial position, as shown in fig. 4C, an edge at the first side 401 of the circuit board 109 is supported by the first side lower conveyor belt 202.1, is in contact with the upper conveying part 318 of the first side lower conveyor belt 202.1, and is separated from the lower conveying part 314 of the first side upper conveyor belt 201.1 by a certain distance. At this time, the circuit board 109 can be transported by the first side lower conveyor belt 202.1. At the same time, the clamping plate 321 is located below the first side lower conveyor belt 202.1, and is not in contact with the first side lower conveyor belt 202.1. When it is necessary to clamp the circuit board 109, a board turnover machine control system controls the first side lower conveyor belt 202.1 to stop rotating, and the circuit board 109 is supported on the upper conveyor part 318 of the first side lower conveyor belt 202.1. Next, the clamping plate 321 is driven by the clamping plate drive assembly 322, and moves upward toward the circuit board 109; after the top of the clamping plate 321 comes into contact with the circuit board 109, the clamping plate continues to move upward, thereby pushing the circuit board 109 to move upward together with the clamping plate, until the circuit board 109 comes into contact with the lower conveying part 314 of the first side upper conveyor belt 201.1, at which point the clamping plate stops. At this time, the circuit board 109 is clamped by the clamping plate 321, and the clamping plate 321 has reached a clamping position, as shown in fig. 4D. Since the inner edge 405 of the first side upper conveyor belt 201.1 is staggered with respect to the inner edge 407 of the first side lower conveyor belt 202.1, a point of contact between the top of the clamping plate 321 and the circuit board 109 is located outside the inner edge 405 of the first side upper conveyor belt 201.1 in a vertical direction (i. e. on the left side of the inner edge 405 as shown in fig. 4D) , such that a clamping force applied to the circuit board 109 by the clamping plate 321 is transmitted via the circuit board 109 to the support block 315 of the first side upper conveyor belt 201.1; i. e. in the vertical direction, the clamping force applied by the clamping plate 321 is located outside the inner edge 405 of the first side upper conveyor belt 201.1, so that the circuit board 109 will not be subjected to a shear force of the first side upper conveyor belt 201.1 and the clamping plate 321 when clamped, and the circuit board 109 will not readily be damaged or broken.

When it is necessary to release the circuit board 109, the clamping plate 321 is driven by the clamping plate drive assembly 322 to move in a direction away from the first side upper conveyor belt 201.1, until the initial position of the clamping plate 321 is reached, so that the circuit board 109 can continue to be conveyed by the pair of lower conveyor belts.

In the present application, the clamping plate 321 is located on an inner side of the first side lower conveyor belt 202.1 and below the first side upper conveyor belt 201.1, both in the clamping process and in the releasing process; that is to say, the clamping plate 321 is always located outside the ring shapes of the first side lower conveyor belt 202.1 and the first side upper conveyor belt 201.1.

It must be explained that figs. 4A - 4D show the circuit board clamping process of the track assembly when the first side lower conveyor belt 202.1, the second side lower conveyor belt 202.2 and the clamping plate 321 are located below the first side upper conveyor belt 201.1 and the second side upper conveyor belt 201.2 of the board turnover machine. In the course of actual use, since the track assembly can be turned over, it is also possible for the first side lower conveyor belt 202.1, the second side lower conveyor belt 202.2 and the clamping plate 321 to be located above the first side upper conveyor belt 201.1 and the second side upper conveyor belt 201.2 of the board turnover machine. In this case, the circuit board 109 is conveyed by the first side upper conveyor belt 201.1 and the second side upper conveyor belt 201.2; when in an unclamped state, the circuit board 109 is in contact with the lower conveying part 314 of the first side upper conveyor belt 201.1 and the lower conveying part of the second side upper conveyor belt 201.2; in the process of clamping, the clamping plate 321 moves toward the circuit board 109, until the clamping plate comes into contact with a surface of the circuit board 109, and clamps the circuit board 109. In this case, since the board clamping assembly 230 has been turned over so as to be located above the circuit board 109, compared with the processes shown in figs. 4A and 4D, the clamping plate 321 reaches the clamping position upon coming into contact with the circuit board 109, and does not need to first come into contact with the circuit board 109 and then drive the circuit board 109 to continue to move until the circuit board reaches the clamping position upon coming into contact with the lower conveying part 314 of the first side upper conveyor belt 201.1 and the lower conveying part of the second side upper conveyor belt 201.2.

Fig. 5A shows the first side track assembly 210.1 and guide strips 420 insertable therein; Fig. 5B shows one of the guide strips 420 on one side. The guide strips 420 are used to guide the movement of the circuit board 109 in the conveying direction. In the present application, there are two guide strips, inserted into the support structure 270.1 from two sides respectively of the first side track assembly 210.1 in the conveying direction, and fixed in the support structure 270.1 of the first side track assembly 210.1. It must be explained that there could also be one guide strip 420 or a greater number of guide strips, as long as insertion thereof into the support structure 270.1 of the first side track assembly 210.1 is convenient. As shown in fig. 5B, the guide strip 420 is substantially in the form of a long strip, having a large head 505 at one end in a length direction thereof; once the guide strip 420 has been inserted into the interior of the support structure 270.1 and reached a corresponding position, the head 505 is used to block further inward insertion of the guide strip 420, so has a limiting action. Referring to figs. 5A, 4C and 4D, a guide strip mounting slot 422 is provided in the support structure 270.1; the guide strip mounting slot 422 is located outside the first side conveying channel 211. The guide strip 420 is inserted into the guide strip mounting slot 422, so that the guide strip 420 is located outside the first side conveying channel 211, and can be in contact with an edge of the circuit board 109, for the purpose of guiding the movement of the circuit board 109 in the conveying direction. The guide strip 420 is generally made of a wear-resistant material, for example tool steel, or at least is coated with a wear-resistant coating on a side close to the first side conveying channel 211; for example, a surface on the abovementioned side undergoes hardening, and surface chrome-plating is carried out, for the purpose of reducing damage caused by the circuit board 109 rubbing the guide strips 420 on the two sides during movement, to extend service life. As shown in figs. 4C and 4D, in a width direction of the first side conveying channel 211, an indented structure 430 is provided outside the first side upper conveyor belt 201.1; the indented structure 430 forms an upper part of the guide strip mounting slot 422. That is to say, the position of the indented structure 430 is higher than the position of the first side conveying channel 211, i. e. the indented structure 430 is a structure formed by upward indentation from a horizontal plane defined by the lower conveying part 314 of the first side upper conveyor belt 201.1, and the top of the indented structure 430 is higher than the lower conveying part 314 of the first side upper conveyor belt 201.1. That is to say, the internal height of the guide strip mounting slot 422 is higher than the height of the first side conveying channel 211, and the height of the guide strip 420 is also higher than the height of the first side conveying channel 211. When the guide strip 420 is inserted into place, a side edge of an upper part of the guide strip 420 is inserted into the indented structure 430, such that an upper surface of the guide strip 420 is higher than the lower conveying part 314 of the first side upper conveyor belt 201.1. When the circuit board 109 is being conveyed on the lower conveying part 314 of the first side upper conveyor belt 201.1, or is clamped on the lower conveying part 314 of the first side upper conveyor belt 201.1, an edge of the circuit board 109 is blocked by an inside face of the guide strip 420 on a side close to the first side conveying channel 211, and cannot enter a gap between the upper surface of the guide strip 420 and an upper surface of the guide strip mounting slot 422, preventing a situation where the circuit board 109 becomes jammed in the gap, which would have an impact on conveying.

Fig. 6A shows the board stopping assembly 303.1; fig. 6B is an exploded view of the board stopping assembly in fig. 6A, and shows the main components of the board stopping assembly 303.1. As shown in figs. 6A and 6B, the board stopping assembly 303.1 comprises the board stopping barrier plate 331.1, the board stopping drive component 332.1 and the fixing component 601. The board stopping barrier plate 331.1 is fixed to a drive component 331.1 by means of connecting members 605, the board stopping drive component 332.1 is fixed to the fixing component 601 by means of connecting members 603, and the fixing component 601 can be fixed to the first side track assembly 210.1. The board stopping barrier plate 331.1 is substantially an L-shaped plate, having a first end 631 and a second end 632, wherein the first end 631 and the second end 632 are perpendicular or approximately perpendicular. The second end 632 is fixed above the board stopping drive component 332.1, such that the board stopping barrier plate 331.1 can be driven by the board stopping drive component 332.1 to move reciprocally up and down in the vertical direction, such that the first end 631 of the board stopping barrier plate 331.1 can open or close the inlet or outlet of the first side conveying channel 211. Referring to figs. 3A, 6A and 6B, the board stopping drive component 332.1 is connected to a control system (not shown in the figures) of the board turnover machine, and in the process of the circuit board 109 being transported by the board turnover machine, if it is necessary for the circuit board 109 to stop in the board turnover machine to undergo a turnover operation, then, after the circuit board 109 has entered the first side conveying channel 211, the board stopping drive component 332.1 receives a control signal of the control system, and drives the board stopping barrier plate 331.1 to move upward, closing the outlet of the first side conveying channel 211. When the circuit board 109 comes into contact with the board stopping barrier plate 331.1, the control system receives a stop signal, and controls the first side upper conveyor belt 201.1 and the first side lower conveyor belt 202.1 to stop rotating, so that the circuit board 109 stops in the first side conveying channel 211. When it is necessary to continue to convey the circuit board 109, the board stopping drive component 332.1 receives a corresponding control signal, and drives the board stopping barrier plate 331.1 to move downward, opening the outlet of the first side conveying channel 211, such that the circuit board 109 can continue to move in a corresponding conveying direction.

Fig. 7 shows the mounting positions of the pair of board stopping assemblies 303.1 and 303.2 on the first side track assembly 210.1. The pair of board stopping assemblies 303.1 and 303.2 are disposed symmetrically relative to two ends of the first side track assembly 210.1. The mounting position of one of the board stopping assemblies 303.1 is explained below; as shown in fig. 7, the board stopping assembly 303.1 is mounted on an outer side of the first side track assembly 210.1 by means of the fixing component 601, wherein contact parts of the board stopping drive component 332.1 and the board stopping barrier plate 331.1 are below the first side upper conveyor belt 201.1 and the first side lower conveyor belt 202.2. Neither the board stopping drive component 332.1 nor the board stopping barrier plate 332.1 is directly connected to or nested with other regions of the first side track assembly 210.1. In particular, they are not directly connected to or nested with a conveyor belt gear part. When it is necessary to remove and replace the board stopping assemblies 303.1 and 303.2, it is only necessary to remove the members connecting the fixing components 601 to a main body of the first side track assembly 210.1, and removal can then be carried out conveniently.

It must be explained that in the process of the circuit board 109 being clamped and turned over together with the track assembly of the turnover machine, the circuit board 109 mainly relies on the clamping action of the clamping plate 321 on the circuit board 109 to prevent the circuit board 109 from falling off easily in the turnover process. However, in the turnover process, by putting the board stopping barrier plate into a state of closing the corresponding conveying channel, the circuit board 109 can be further prevented from falling off.

Although only some features of the present application have been shown and described herein, many improvements and changes could be made by those skilled in the art. Thus, it should be understood that the attached claims are intended to encompass all of the abovementioned improvements and changes which fall within the scope of the essential spirit of the present application.