Soldering system, in particular reflow soldering system, comprising a cover and a drive unit for opening and / or closing the cover

Abstract

The invention relates to a soldering system (10), in particular a reflow soldering system for continuously soldering printed circuit boards along a conveying direction (18), comprising a process channel (16), the process channel comprising a preheating zone (20), a soldering zone (22) and / or a cooling zone (24), the soldering system further comprising a body (60) and at least one cover (25), the cover being pivotable about a cover axis arranged parallel to the conveying direction between a closed position and an open position, in which the process channel is closed, and in which the cover (15) is open and the process channel is passable. The soldering system (10) further comprises at least one drive unit (66), the drive unit comprising a motor (76) and a lifting element (78), such that the motor actuates the lifting element to open and / or close the cover, the motor being arranged on the cover, and the lifting element being supported on the body when the cover is transferred to the open position and / or the closed position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a soldering system, in particular a reflow soldering system, for continuously soldering printed circuit boards along a conveying direction, the soldering system comprising a process channel, the process channel comprising a preheating zone, a soldering zone and / or a cooling zone, the soldering system further comprising a cover and a main body, the cover being pivotable between a closed position and an open position around a cover axis arranged on the main body, in which the process channel is closed, and in which the cover is open and the process channel is passable. In addition, the present invention provides at least one drive unit, the drive unit comprising a motor and a lifting unit, so that the motor actuates the lifting unit to open and / or close the cover. Background Art

[0002] Through the reflow soldering system, the so-called SMD components (surface mounted devices) are soldered to the surface of the printed circuit board through solder paste. The solder paste (particularly a mixture of solder metal particles, flux and paste components) is applied or printed on the surface of the printed circuit board for reflow soldering. Subsequently, the components to be soldered are placed in the solder paste. In the reflow soldering process, the soldering parts (i.e., the components consisting of the printed circuit board, solder paste and the components to be soldered) are preheated along the process channel in the preheating zone and heated to a temperature higher than the melting point of the solder paste in the soldering zone. The solder paste melts and forms solder joints in this way. In the cooling zone, if there are soldering parts, the soldering parts are cooled until the molten solder solidifies, and then removed from the reflow soldering system.

[0003] Soldering systems for continuous soldering of printed circuit boards are known from DE 10 2019 128 780 A1, DE 10 2019 125 981 A1 and DE 10 2005 055283 A1, further soldering devices are known from EP 3 482 861 A1 and DE 10 2019 125 983 A1.

[0004] In the case of a reflow soldering system, the process channel is usually formed by two channel halves (an upper channel half and a lower channel half). The lower channel is arranged in or on the main body, and the upper channel is arranged in or on the cover. Other components (such as nozzle plates, fan units, air ducts for conducting process gases, filter elements and / or cooling elements) are usually arranged in or on the process channel, or in or on the main body, and in or on the cover. Therefore, in general, the required temperature distribution is provided along the conveying direction in the process channel, and the process gas is blown into the process channel, sucked out of the process channel, cooled in particular in the cooling zone, cleaned and fed back to the process channel.

[0005] The cover with the upper channel half, the upper nozzle plate and other components arranged on or in the cover can be opened and closed by the drive unit mentioned at the beginning. In this context, it is known from the applicant's machines named Hotflow 3 or Hotflow 4 that the motor is fixed to the body and the free end of the lifting element is fixed to the cover, so that when the motor is actuated, the lifting element transfers the cover to the open position. Summary of the invention

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide a welding system which ensures the opening and closing of the hood in a functionally reliable manner without sacrificing installation space for other components, such as process gas cleaning units, cooling elements or heating elements, air ducts or fan modules. Nevertheless, the components covered by the hood should be easily accessible.

[0007] This object is achieved by a transport system having the features of the claimed content.Therefore, in particular, when the cover is transferred to the open position and / or the closed position, the motor is arranged on the cover and the lifting element is supported on the body in particular with its free end.

[0008] Since the motor is not arranged on the main body, but on the cover, the motor does not need installation space on the main body. Therefore, other components arranged on the main body (such as process gas cleaning unit, cooling element or heating element or fan module) can be installed without considering the drive unit, especially without considering the motor. Since the motor is arranged on the cover, the motor will move with the cover even when the cover is opened and closed. The motor must be designed so that it can bear the weight of the cover with the upper channel half, the upper nozzle plate and other components arranged on or in the cover, and can bear its own weight. The line of the motor should also be arranged by laying in or on the cover, and when the cover is opened or closed, the motor should also move with the cover. The present invention is based on the idea of ​​taking these disadvantages into account, and provides valuable installation space for other components in the area of ​​the main body.

[0009] For support on the main body, the lifting element can in particular be provided with a free end which acts on the main body.

[0010] In particular, the motor can be arranged inside the hood so that it is not accessible when the hood is closed. On the other hand, it is also conceivable to arrange the motor outside the hood so that it is accessible when the hood is closed. The advantage of arranging the motor outside the hood is that the motor can be cooled better, since the temperatures inside the hood, in particular in the region of the process zone, are relatively high.

[0011] Advantageously, the motor is designed as an electric motor with a drive shaft, which is then preferably arranged on the cover so that the drive shaft of the drive motor extends parallel to the conveying direction. This results in a relatively slim design of the motor transversely to the conveying direction.

[0012] Preferably, the lifting element actuated by the motor can be designed as a lifting rod or a threaded spindle. In particular, when the motor is designed as an electric motor with a drive shaft, the lifting element can be designed as a lifting rod with teeth, which then mesh with a pinion arranged on the drive shaft of the motor. On the other hand, it is conceivable that the electric motor includes or drives the threaded spindle and the lifting element is designed as a spindle nut interacting with the threaded spindle, or the lifting element includes such a spindle nut. The motor can also be designed as a pneumatic motor or a hydraulic motor and in particular be provided with a piston-cylinder unit. The motor is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can include any type of motor suitable for being arranged on the cover.

[0013] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the motor is arranged on the cover in order to be able to pivot at least to a certain extent about a first compensation axis extending parallel to the cover axis, and if the lifting element is arranged on the body in order to be able to pivot at least to a certain extent about a second compensation axis also extending parallel to the cover axis. As a result, during opening or closing of the cover, a compensating movement of the motor and / or the lifting element can be compensated.

[0014] Furthermore, a cover can be provided which surrounds a hood chamber in which an upper channel half is arranged, which has a nozzle plate, a heating element or a cooling element, air ducts conducting process gas and / or a fan module for generating an air flow in the process channel.

[0015] For forming the hood chamber, it is particularly advantageous if the hood comprises a frame structure with portal-like frame legs extending transversely to the conveying direction, each frame leg having a first support section pointing downwards towards the hood shaft, and a second support section likewise pointing downwards towards the drive unit, and a central section arranged between the support sections, so that the process channel extends below the central section. The first support section is preferably arranged on the hood shaft or is formed by it. The motor of the respective drive unit is then preferably arranged to be able to pivot to a certain extent on the second support section via the respective compensation shaft.

[0016] Furthermore, the heat insulation for the heat insulation of the motor can be arranged in or on the cover. By providing suitable cooling elements, the heat insulation can be cooled passively or actively.

[0017] The above object is also achieved by a welding system having the features of the preamble of the claim, the welding system having two long sides, characterized in that the hood axis is arranged in the region or in the area of ​​one long side, wherein the cover has one or more hood flaps on its outer side facing away from the process channel, which are arranged to be pivotable about a flap axis, the flap axis extending parallel to the hood axis and arranged in the region or in the area of ​​the other long side, the flap axis between an open position and a closed position, in the open position through the hood chamber from above. The advantage of this arrangement is that when the cover is open, the process channel is accessible from one long side of the welding system. When the hood wings are open, the hood chamber above the upper channel half is accessible from the other long side. In particular, if the cover is opened during operation of the welding system or shortly after operation, very hot air and possibly also very hot process gases will flow out of the hood wings. Since the hood wings are opened from the other long side and the hood chamber is accessible from the other long side, the hood chamber is easy to pass even if hot air flows out of the opened cover.

[0018] The hood wing, in particular the hood wing which can be formed as a thin metal element, is relatively light. For this reason, a conventional opening element (eg a gas spring) is provided as the opening mechanism for the hood wing.

[0019] An advantageous embodiment results when the wing axis is arranged vertically above the shroud axis.

[0020] In this case, the design can also be such that the cover wings in the closed position rest on the upper side of the frame legs directly or through the interposition of bearings or damping elements.

[0021] In addition, advantageously, each cover wing at the closed position has a horizontal portion close to the wing axis and extending in the horizontal direction, and an inclined portion away from the wing axis and forming an obtuse angle with the horizontal portion. In particular, a handle can be provided on the inclined portion, with which the corresponding cover wing can be opened.

[0022] In general, it is conceivable that the welding system has at least one cover hood on which two or more cover wings are arranged.

[0023] Further details of the present invention can be found in the following description, which describes and explains exemplary embodiments of the present invention in more detail. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In the attached picture:

[0025] Figure 1 shows a side view of a reflow soldering system, angled from the front, with a closed cover and closed cover wings;

[0026] Figure 2 Shown according to Figure 1 A front view of a reflow soldering system with an open cover and open cover wings;

[0027] Figure 3 Shown according to Figure 1 A reflow soldering system, which is tilted from the front and has an open cover and open cover wings;

[0028] Figure 4 Shown according to Figure 1 A reflow soldering system tilted from the rear with an open cover and open cover wings;

[0029] Figure 5 Shown according to Figure 1 A reflow soldering system that is tilted from the front and has no machine paneling;

[0030] Figure 6 Shows Figure 5 having an enlarged detail view of the drive unit; and

[0031] Figure 7 Shown according to Figure 1 A reflow soldering system, which is tilted from the front, has a closed cover and open cover wings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Figure 1 A reflow soldering system 10 for continuous soldering of soldered parts is shown. The reflow soldering system 10 has an inlet 12 and an outlet 14, wherein the material to be soldered enters the reflow soldering system 10 via the inlet 12 and is discharged from the reflow soldering system 10 via the outlet 14. Figure 1 The process channel 16 shown is transported in a transport direction 18 .

[0033] The preheating zone 20, the welding zone 22 and the cooling zone 24 are arranged in the process channel 16. Figure 1 In the illustrated reflow soldering system 10 , a cover 25 having two cover wings 26 , 28 is provided for covering a hood chamber 30 surrounded by the cover 25 , wherein an upper channel half of the process channel 16 is located in the hood chamber 30 .

[0034] from Figure 1 and Figure 2 It can be clearly seen that a communication unit 36 ​​is provided with a screen and input means, via which communication with a machine controller of the reflow soldering system 10 is possible.

[0035] First, the soldering part (i.e., the printed circuit board provided with solder paste and equipped with electronic components) is heated to a temperature below the melting temperature of the solder paste in the preheating zone 20. In the soldering zone 22, the printed circuit board is heated for a certain time to reach a process temperature above the melting point of the solder paste, so that the solder paste melts in the soldering zone to solder the electronic components to the printed circuit board. In the cooling zone 24, the soldering part is cooled so that the liquid solder solidifies before the soldering part is removed from the outlet 14 of the reflow soldering system 10.

[0036] The conveying system 34 is disposed in the reflow soldering system 10 and is used for conveying the circuit boards along the conveying direction 18 .

[0037] from Figure 2 It can be clearly seen that the cover 25 can be opened pivotally about a cover axis 32 extending parallel to the conveying direction 18. By pivoting open the cover 25, the interior of the conveying system 34 and the process channel 16 is accessible for visual inspection, maintenance, cleaning, setting, replacement and repair (if necessary).

[0038] from Figure 2 It is further evident that the hood wings 26 can be pivotally opened about wing axes 38 extending parallel to the hood axis 32. By pivotally opening the hoods 26, 28, a hood chamber 30 above the process channel and the upper channel half above is accessible, as shown below, in which fan modules, heating elements and air ducts are arranged in particular. Figure 2 It can also be clearly seen that the wing shaft 38 is arranged vertically above the cover shaft 32 not only when the cover 25 is open, but also when the cover 25 is closed.

[0039] The welding system 10 has two long sides 42 and 44 and two short sides 46 and 48. Figure 2 It can be clearly seen that the cover axis 32 is located in the region of a rear long side 44. In contrast, the wing axis 38 is located in the region of the front long side 42 or closer to the front long side 42 than the rear long side 44.

[0040] exist Figure 3 In the embodiment of the present invention, the cover 25 on the one hand and the cover wings 26, 28 on the other hand are open, in particular, the open process channel 16 can be seen. The process channel 16 is formed by two channel halves, namely an upper channel half and a lower channel half. The lower channel half with the lower nozzle plate 40 is arranged in or on the body 60. The upper channel half, the upper nozzle plate 40 and other components located in the cover chamber 30 are arranged on the cover 25, when the cover 25 is opened, so that they are also pivoted open and the process channel 16 is exposed.

[0041] from Figures 2 to 4It can be clearly seen that this arrangement ensures that when the cover 25 is open, the process channel 16 can be passed from the front long side 42, and the upper cover chamber 30 covered by the cover wings 26, 28 can be passed from the other rear long side 44.

[0042] This has the advantage, among other things, that when the cover 25 is open, and when the process channel 16 is thus exposed, the gas flowing out of the process channel 16 does not flow into the upper cover chamber 30 covered by the cover flaps 26, 28. Furthermore, multiple operators can simultaneously inspect or maintain the process channel 16, with the cover chamber 30 being independently covered by its cover flaps 26, 28.

[0043] from Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 7 It can be clearly seen that a plurality of fan modules 50 with fan motors 51 are located in the upper hood chamber 30 above the upper channel half, which is covered by the hood wings 26, 28, and is provided for generating the provided air flow in the process channel 16. The fan modules 50 can additionally have heating elements in order to provide a predetermined temperature, in particular in the preheating zone 20 and the process zone 22. By means of the fan modules 50 or their fan motors 51, the correspondingly heated air is introduced into the process channel 16 through the nozzle plate 40.

[0044] If the cover 25 is open, in particular the process channel 16 and the conveying system arranged therein are therefore accessible. If the cover wings 26, 28 are folded, in particular the fan modules 50 arranged therein with their heating elements and the air ducts arranged therein are accessible.

[0045] In its closed position, Figure 1 As shown, the two cover wings 26, 28 have a horizontal portion 52, which is located near the wing axis 38 and extends substantially in the horizontal direction. The horizontal portion is adjacent to an inclined portion 56, which is away from the wing axis 38 and forms an obtuse angle 54 with the horizontal portion 50. In particular, from Figure 4 It can be clearly seen that the inclined portion is provided with a handle 58 for opening the two cover wings 26, 28. Figure 2 The obtuse angle 54 can be clearly seen in FIG.

[0046] The main body 60 is erected on the base by means of feet 62. The feet 62 are provided on the lower frame 64. In addition, a drive unit 66 for motor-type opening and motor-type closing of the cover 25 is provided, and one end of the drive unit 66 is supported on the lower frame 64 and the other end is supported on the cover 25. Figure 5It can be clearly seen that the cover 25 has no paneling and comprises portal frame legs 68, each of which has a first support section 70 directed towards the cover axis 32 and a second support section 72 directed towards the respective drive unit 66. In each case, a central section 74 is provided between the two support sections.

[0047] Figure 6 68 is shown in an enlarged manner in FIG. It is obvious that in each case, the drive unit 66 comprises a motor 76 and a lifting element 78. The motor 76 is arranged on the cover 25 or on its frame leg 68. The lifting element 78, which can be axially transferred by the motor 76, is engaged with the main body 60 with its free end and is engaged with the lower frame 64 there. By actuating a total of three drive units 66, the cover 25 with the upper channel half and other components can therefore be transferred between its closed position and open position. Because the motors 76 are all arranged on the cover side, they also move during the opening and closing of the cover 25. The advantage of this arrangement is that it is not necessary to provide installation space for the motor 76 in the area of ​​the main body 60. The installation space there can be used for other components, such as fan modules, cooling elements, condensation separators or similar parts arranged on the main body 60.

[0048] The motor 76 is preferably designed as an electric motor and has a drive shaft along an axis 77 which extends parallel to the conveying direction 18 and parallel to the cover axis 32 and the wing axis 38 .

[0049] In particular, the lifting element 78 of the drive unit 66 can be designed as a lifting rod or a spindle nut, which interacts with a threaded spindle of the corresponding motor 76 or can include a similar lifting rod or spindle nut.

[0050] In order to compensate for the relative movements between the drive unit 66, the body 64 and the frame leg 68 during the movement of the cover 25, the respective motor 76 can be pivoted on the cover 25 or on the support part 72 about a compensation axis 80, which extends parallel to the cover axis 32. Therefore, the end of the associated lifting part 74 facing away from the respective motor 76 is arranged to be pivotable to a certain extent on the body 60 about a compensation axis 82, which extends parallel to the cover axis 32.

[0051] In order to protect the motor 76 from heat, a thermal insulation 83 is provided in the cover 25 in the region of the processing zone.

[0052] In particular, from Figure 6 It can be clearly seen that the frame leg 68, and in particular the central portion 74 thereof, has a vertical extension 84. Figure 5 It can be clearly seen that in this case the arrangement is such that the fan module 50 is arranged in the vertical direction in the region between the upper side and the lower side of the frame leg 68 .

[0053] from Figure 7 It can be clearly seen that the hood chamber 30 , in particular the fan module 50 , is also easily accessible when the cover 25 is closed and only the hood wings 26 , 28 are open.

Claims

1. A welding system (10) for continuously welding printed circuit boards along a conveying direction (18), The welding system (10) comprises a process channel (16), wherein the process channel (16) comprises a preheating zone (20), a welding zone (22) and / or a cooling zone (24), The welding system (10) comprises a main body (60) and at least one cover (25). The cover (25) is pivotable about a cover axis (32) arranged parallel to the conveying direction (18) between a closed position in which the process channel (16) is closed and an open position in which the cover (25) is open and the process channel (16) is passable, and The welding system (10) comprises at least one drive unit (66), the drive unit (66) comprising a motor (76) and a lifting element (78), such that the motor (76) actuates the lifting element (78) to open and / or close the cover (25), It is characterized in that The main body (60) comprises a lower frame (64), the motor (76) is arranged on the cover (25), and when the cover (25) is transferred to the open position and / or the closed position, the lifting element (78) is supported by its free end on the lower frame (64) of the main body (60), Even when the cover (25) is opened and closed, the motor (76) moves together with the cover (25), and The motor (76) is designed as an electric motor with a drive shaft and is arranged on a laterally lower side of the cover (25) such that the drive shaft extends parallel to the conveying direction.

2. The welding system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The lifting element (78) is designed as a lifting rod or a spindle nut, which interacts with a threaded spindle of the motor (76), or the lifting element (78) includes a similar lifting rod or spindle nut.

3. The welding system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The motor (76) is arranged on the cover (25) so as to be able to pivot at least to a certain extent around a first compensation axis (80) extending parallel to the cover axis (32), and the lifting element (78) is arranged on the body (60) so as to be able to pivot at least to a certain extent around a second compensation axis (82) also extending parallel to the cover axis (32).

4. The welding system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The cover (25) surrounds a cover chamber (30), in which an upper channel half is arranged, which forms the process channel and has a nozzle plate (40), a heating element or a cooling element, an air duct for conducting process gas and / or a fan module (50) for generating a temperature distribution and / or an air flow in the process channel (16).

5. The welding system (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that In order to form the cover chamber (30), the cover (25) includes a frame structure, which has door-like frame legs (68) extending transversely to the conveying direction (18), and each of the frame legs (68) has a first supporting portion (70) toward the cover shaft (32), a second supporting portion (72) toward the drive unit (66), and a central portion (74) arranged between the supporting portions (70, 72).

6. The welding system (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that The frame legs (68) each have a vertical extension (84) having an upper side and a lower side, and the fan module (50) is at least partially located in a region between the upper side and the lower side of the frame leg (68) in a vertical direction and does not protrude beyond the upper side of the frame leg (68).

7. The welding system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A heat insulating member for heat insulating the motor is arranged in or on the cover.

8. The welding system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising two long sides (42, 44), characterized in that The cover shaft (32) is arranged in the area or region of one long side (44), and the cover (25) has one or more cover wings (26, 28) on its outer side facing away from the process channel (16), and the one or more cover wings (26, 28) are arranged to be pivotable around a wing shaft (38), and the wing shaft (38) extends parallel to the cover shaft (32) and is arranged in the area or region of the other long side (44), and the wing shaft (38) is located between an open position and a closed position.

9. The welding system (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that The wing shaft (38) is arranged above the cover shaft (32) in the vertical direction.

10. The welding system (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that In the closed position, the cover wings (26, 28) have a horizontal portion (52) close to the wing axis (38) and extending in the horizontal direction, and an inclined portion (56) away from the wing axis (38) and forming an obtuse angle (54) with the horizontal portion (52).

11. The welding system (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that The cover (25) has two or more cover wings (26, 28).

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