DE20103822U1 - Device for cleaning substantially flat objects - Google Patents

Description

DR. STARK & PARTNER PATENT ATTORNEYS* '.fcfoEtfSER SIJ

SIJJASSE 140 · D-47803 KREFELD

Attorney file: 01 579 / 8 th

W. KoIb Manufacturing Technology GmbH, Karl-Arnold-Straße 12, 47877 Willich
Device for cleaning essentially flat objects

The invention relates to a device for cleaning essentially flat objects, in particular screen stencils and circuit boards equipped with electronic components, with at least one cleaning device, a rinsing device and a drying device, which have outlet openings which are distributed over the surface and/or whose position or orientation can be changed and which point approximately in the direction of the object in order to cover approximately the entire object to be cleaned.

Known devices consist of a housing with a total of three chambers, with cleaning usually taking place in the first chamber and rinsing in the second chamber, while the cleaned objects are dried in the third chamber. The objects can be, for example, circuit boards equipped with electronic components or screen stencils that are used to manufacture circuit boards. However, other essentially flat objects are also conceivable. The objects to be cleaned can also be fixed in a carrier or a washing frame, for example.

DR. STARK & PARTNER PATENT ATTORNEY ·'MOERkSR" SJftASSE 140 · D-47803 KREFELD

In the first chamber, the objects are sprayed with a specially adapted aqueous cleaning liquid so that any adhering contaminants are removed. The outlet openings are arranged in a rotating device. In the second chamber, which is designed as a stationary bath, the objects cleaned with the cleaning liquid are rinsed so that any adhering contaminants are removed and the remains of the cleaning liquid are removed. The final drying then takes place in the third chamber by blowing on a gaseous medium, usually air.

A disadvantage is that, on the one hand, the objects to be cleaned have to be changed by hand within the respective chambers. On the other hand, the mode of operation, particularly in the first chamber, is not optimal due to the rotating device, since the outlet opening furthest from the point of rotation has to clean the largest area of the object. In order to ensure that square objects, for example, are completely cleaned, the outlet openings must spray at least the area corresponding to one diagonal of the object, so that cleaning fluid is partially wasted in the area of the side edges of the object. Since the second chamber is designed as a stationary bath, any contaminants adhering to the object are not always satisfactorily removed.

The object of the invention is therefore to improve a previously known device in such a way that the cleaning result and the cleaning effect are improved and the cleaning

DR. STARK & PARTNER PATENT LAWYERS*'.MtlEF&ER SjJiASSE 140 ■ D-

47803 KREFELD

The process is optimized and shortened in terms of its workflow.

This object is achieved in that at least one arm is provided that can be moved along the object to be cleaned and has at least one outlet opening directed towards the object, and the arm can be moved in a translational manner along the object. The arm(s) can be designed to be movable horizontally, vertically or at any angle, e.g. diagonally along the long sides of the object. During operation, the arm is moved along the object so that each outlet opening cleans or dries an equally large area of the object.

In this case, each cleaning device, each rinsing device and each drying device can be assigned separate outlet openings, so that, for example, the outlet openings - if only one arm is provided - are arranged alternately over the length of the arm.

However, it is also entirely possible that the same outlet openings are assigned to the devices, whereby, for example, the corresponding device is connected to the outlet openings during operation using a switch. In the latter case, each outlet opening is then used for cleaning, rinsing and drying.

Every cleaning and rinsing device essentially consists of a tank for storing the corresponding liquid, a pump and a supply system, such as pipes or hoses. As a drying device

DR. STARK & PARTNER PATENTANWALT-B'·" •WlbER'&fift SJ&ASSE 140 · D-47803 KREFELD

For example, a fan is provided which is connected to the outlet opening(s) via a supply system. If the cleaning device, the rinsing device and the drying device are assigned the same outlet openings, only one supply system is required, with one switch for all devices and at least one pump and one fan which are controlled accordingly.

After cleaning one side of the object, the object can be rotated by approximately 180° either manually or mechanically, for example using a rotating holding device. It is also possible to move the arm around the top or bottom of the object so that the second side can then be cleaned.

In another embodiment, at least one additional arm can be provided in the area of the arm. For example, one arm can be provided exclusively for cleaning and rinsing, while the other arm is used to dry the object.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one arm for applying the cleaning liquid, one arm for applying the rinsing liquid and one arm for inflating the gaseous medium, preferably air, can be provided, with the arms being arranged together on one side of the object. It is advisable for the arm for applying the cleaning liquid to be arranged below the arm for applying the rinsing liquid and this in turn to be arranged below the arm for inflating the gaseous medium.

DR. STARK & PARTNER PATENT ATTORNEYS ·*.MbERkBI* SJftASSE 140 · D-47803 KREFELD

The arms can be moved either separately or synchronously.

The arms can be designed as an arrangement so that the arms form an assembly which is arranged at a distance from one another.

At least one displacement device such as a spindle or a chain can be provided for moving at least one arm.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one drive belt connected at the end to the arm(s) can be provided as the displacement device. If the arm(s) are to be moved vertically along the object, the drive belt is stretched between two drive rollers arranged horizontally at a distance from one another.

The device can have a housing in which the object to be cleaned and the arm(s) are provided. The housing is preferably made of plastic so that when alkaline, aqueous cleaning liquids are used, electrolytic effects such as can occur when using welded metal housings are avoided.

The drive band can rest sealingly against the housing on the outside in the area of at least one recess, and each recess can be adapted to the travel path of the end of the arm(s) connected to a drive band. In such an embodiment, the end of each arm that is connected to the drive band passes through the recess in the housing at the end.

DR. STARK & PARTNER PATENT ATTORNEYS · »M0ER95R S.T&ASSE 140 · D-47803 KREFELD

The relevant end of the arm is connected to the drive band in such a way that the drive band is in contact with the outside of the housing and the housing is sealed by the drive band.

At least one arm that can be moved along the object in a translatory manner can be provided on both sides of the object. In such an embodiment, the object to be cleaned does not have to be turned after cleaning one side. Nor does the arm(s) have to be moved around the top or bottom of the object to clean the second side. Rather, both sides of the object can be cleaned at the same time, which shortens the cleaning process and thus the cycle times.

The arms arranged on both sides of the object can be moved at least partially synchronously. For example, only the arms with the same function can be moved synchronously. However, it is also possible that - if an arrangement is provided on both sides of the object - the arrangements as a whole can be moved synchronously. If an arrangement is provided on both sides of the object, it is advisable for a travel device designed as a drive belt to have only one drive belt on each side of the housing for both arrangements.

At least one outlet opening can have a conical nozzle extension. This ensures that, for example, cleaning fluid dripping onto the drive openings can drain off easily, so that drops of fluid on the object after drying are avoided under all circumstances.

DR. STARK & PARTNER PATENT LAWYERS * '»WIOERSeA S^ASSE 140 · D-47803 KREFELD

is suitable if the outlet openings for spraying the rinsing liquid are directed substantially perpendicularly onto the surface of the object to be cleaned, while the outlet openings for applying the cleaning liquid for a shearing effect are arranged at an angle with respect to the surface of the object, preferably pointing upwards.

At least one arm can have a splash guard device on the side facing away from the object, in particular designed as an angled sheet metal.

The housing can preferably have an opening in a side wall parallel to the arm(s), which can preferably be closed by means of a blind. This allows the object to be easily removed from the housing.

A light source can be provided in the housing in the area of the side wall opposite the opening. This makes it easy to check whether, when cleaning a sieve template, for example, the sieve pattern in the sieve template has been sufficiently cleaned.

At least one collecting container can be provided to collect the liquids so that the cleaning and/or rinsing liquid can be collected and reused if necessary. It is advisable to provide at least two collecting containers for separate collection of cleaning and rinsing liquid.

The object can be fixed by means of a preferably movable holding device. This holding device

DR. STARK & PARTNER PATENT ATTORNEYS · «MOER^Sß SSfcASSE 140 · D-47803 KREFELD

For example, it can consist of holding arms molded onto a carriage that is mounted so that it can move on rails.

In the following, embodiments of the invention shown in the drawing are explained. They show:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through a device according to the invention and

Fig. 2 is a section in direction II through the article according to Fig. 1.

In all figures, identical reference symbols are used for identical or similar components.

Figures 1 and 2 show a device for cleaning an object 1. The device itself has a housing 2 in which an opening 3 is provided on the front in the area of a longitudinal wall. The opening 3 can be closed by means of a blind 4, with guide rails 5 being provided on the inside in the area of the top of the housing 1 so that the blind 4 is guided when it is opened. The blind 4 has a handle 6 on the outside.

Inside the housing 2, on both sides of the object 1, there is an arrangement 7 comprising an arm 8 for applying a cleaning liquid, an arm 9 for applying a rinsing or rinsing liquid and an arm 10 for blowing in preferably air. Each arm 8 to 10 has outlet openings 11 directed towards the object 1, each of which is preferably designed as a conically converging nozzle extension.

DR. STARK & PARTNER PATENT ATTORNEYS · «NIOERSeR SWASSE 140 · D-47803 KREFELD

The outlet openings 11 of the arms 8 are directed obliquely upwards towards the object 1, so that a certain shearing effect is exerted on the object 1 and the cleaning effect is thus increased. The outlet openings 11 of the arms 9 point essentially perpendicularly towards the object 1. The same applies to the outlet openings 11 of the arms 10.

On the side of each arrangement 7 facing away from the object 1, a splash guard 12 is provided, which in the embodiment shown consists of an angled sheet metal. The splash guard 12 facing the blind 4 preferably extends further downwards to ensure that no cleaning or rinsing liquid reaches the blind 4.

In the two opposite side walls of the housing 2, a recess 13 is provided which is essentially adapted to the travel path of the arrangements 7. The arms 8 to 10 of the arrangements 7 pass through the recesses 13 and are each attached at the end to a drive belt 14 which is stretched between two drive wheels 15. The drive belts 14 are adjusted in width and length so that the recesses 13 are covered and the housing 2 is sealed. It is obvious that the drive belts 14 are in contact with the housing 2 in this respect. They are shown at a distance from one another in Fig. 1 purely for reasons of clarity.

Should liquid nevertheless escape from the housing 2, a collecting tray 16 is provided in the area of the lower drive wheels 15 on both sides of the housing 2, which is connected to the interior of the housing 2 by means of openings 17.

DR. STARK & PARTNER PATENT ATTORNEYS *·* «IWOEr'sBR SiiiASSE 140 · D-47803 KREFELD

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This allows any liquid that may have leaked out of the housing 2 to flow back into the interior of the housing 2 in the direction of the arrows 18.

If the drive wheels 15 are driven by a drive motor (not shown), with the drive wheels 15 preferably being driven synchronously, the arrangements 7, both of which are connected at the ends to the drive belts 14, can be moved vertically in the direction of arrow 19. It is advisable for the arrangements 7 to be in the upper position when the object 1 is inserted and removed. After the object 1 has been inserted, the arrangements 7 are then moved vertically along the object 1, with the cleaning liquid first being sprayed onto the object 1 via the arms 8 and then the rinsing liquid via the arms 9. The drying process then takes place using the arms 10.

However, it is also quite conceivable that the arms 8 to 10 can be moved horizontally along the object 1. In this case, the drive belts 14 are also aligned horizontally.

The object 1 is fixed on the underside by means of a holding device 20, which has holding arms 21 that at least partially enclose the object 1 and are formed on a carriage 22. Each carriage 22 is mounted so that it can move on tubular rails 23, so that the object 1 can be moved completely out of the housing 2 when the blind 4 is open.

In the lower part of the housing 2 there is a collecting plate 24, which is connected via openings 25, 26 to a collecting

DR. STARK & PARTNER LAWYERS * ·'»MOER'sBR ¹ SiftASSE 140 · D-47803 KREFELD

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container 27 for the cleaning liquid and a collecting container 28 for the rinsing liquid. A circuit (not shown) can be used to determine that, for example, the opening 25 is closed during the rinsing process, so that the rinsing liquid runs through the open opening 28 into the collecting container 28.

The cleaning fluid collected in the collecting container 27 is fed to each arm 8 of the arrangements 7 by means of a pump 29 via a filter 30. In order to enable the arrangements 7 to be moved, the connection between the filter 30 and the arrangements 7 is designed as a hose 31, at least in some areas in the area of the ends of the arms 8 to 10.

The rinsing liquid collected in the collecting container 28 is fed back to each arm 9 of the arrangements 7 by means of a pump 32 via a filter 33, via a desalination cartridge 34 and via an activated carbon filter 35. Here too, the connection between the activated carbon filter 35 and the arrangements 7 is designed as a hose 36, at least in some areas in the area of the ends of the arms 8 to 10.

The air is supplied to each arm 10 by means of a fan 3 7 via a hose 3 8.

Claims (18)

1. Device for cleaning essentially flat objects ( 1 ), in particular screen stencils and circuit boards equipped with electronic components, with at least one cleaning device, a rinsing device and a drying device, which have outlet openings ( 11 ) which are distributed over the surface and/or whose position or orientation can be changed and which point approximately in the direction of the object ( 1 ) in order to cover approximately the entire object (1) to be cleaned, characterized in that at least one arm ( 8 , 9 , 10 ) which is movable along the object ( 1 ) to be cleaned is provided with at least one outlet opening ( 11 ) directed towards the object ( 1 ) , and the arm ( 8 , 9 , 10 ) can be moved in a translational manner along the object ( 1 ). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that in the region of the arm ( 8 , 9 , 10 ) at least one further arm ( 8 , 9 , 10 ) is provided. 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one arm ( 8 ) for applying a cleaning liquid, one arm ( 9 ) for applying a rinsing liquid and one arm ( 10 ) for inflating a gaseous medium, preferably air, is provided, wherein the arms ( 8 , 9 , 10 ) are arranged together on one side of the object ( 1 ). 4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the arms ( 8 , 9 , 10 ) can be moved separately. 5. Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the arms ( 8 , 9 , 10 ) can be moved synchronously. 6. Device according to claim 3 or 5, characterized in that the arms ( 8 , 9 , 10 ) are designed as an arrangement ( 7 ). 7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least one displacement device is provided for moving at least one arm ( 8 , 9 , 10 ). 8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that at least one drive belt ( 14 ) connected at the end to the arm(s) ( 8 , 9 , 10 ) is provided as the displacement device. 9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the device has a housing ( 2 ) in which the object to be cleaned ( 1 ) and the arm(s) ( 8 , 9 , 10 ) are provided. 10. Device according to claim 9 in combination with claim 8, characterized in that the drive belt ( 14 ) rests sealingly on the outside of the housing ( 2 ) in the region of at least one recess ( 13 ) and each recess ( 13 ) is adapted to the travel path of the end of the arm(s) ( 8 , 9 , 10 ) connected to a drive belt ( 14 ). 11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that at least one arm ( 8 , 9 , 10 ) which can be moved in a translational manner along the object ( 1 ) is provided on both sides of the object ( 1 ). 12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the arms ( 8 , 9 , 10 ) arranged on both sides of the object ( 1 ) can be moved at least partially synchronously. 13. Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that at least one outlet opening ( 11 ) has a conically converging nozzle extension. 14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that at least one arm ( 8 , 9 , 10 ) has a splash guard device ( 12 ) designed in particular as an angled sheet metal on the side facing away from the object ( 1 ). 15. Device according to one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the housing ( 2 ) has an opening (3) which can preferably be closed by means of a blind ( 4 ) in a side wall parallel to the arm(s) ( 8 , 9 , 10 ). 16. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that a light source is provided in the housing ( 2 ) in the region of the side wall opposite the opening ( 3 ). 17. Device according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that at least one collecting container ( 27 , 28 ) is provided for collecting liquids. 18. Device according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the object ( 1 ) is fixed by means of a preferably movable holding device ( 20 ).