Object cleaning system and object cleaning method

Abstract

The invention provides an object cleaning system and an object cleaning method. The object cleaning system comprises a first tank body, a second tank body, an irradiation light source and a backflow pipeline. The first tank body can store a first liquid, and an object to be cleaned is soaked in the first liquid, so that uncured resin on the object to be cleaned is dissolved or dispersed. The second tank body is connected to the first tank body, and the first liquid in the first tank body can flow into the second tank body to be defined as second liquid. The irradiation light source is used for irradiating the interior of the second tank body, so that the dissolved or dispersed uncured resin is subjected to a cross-linking curing reaction, and cured resin is generated. The cured resin settles in the second liquid. The backflow pipeline can convey the second liquid in the second tank body to flow back into the first tank body, and the concentration of the uncured resin in the first liquid is diluted. Therefore, the liquid for cleaning the surface of the object to be cleaned can be continuously regenerated and refluxed for use, so that the waste of the liquid is avoided.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a cleaning system, in particular to an object cleaning system and an object cleaning method. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the prior art, a 3D printer can form a 3D printed object by printing and solidifying resin material according to a predetermined design model (3D model file).

[0003] However, after forming, the surface of the 3D printed object can be left with incompletely solidified resin material. In this case, the surface of the 3D printed object needs to be cleaned by an organic solvent (such as methanol or ethanol) to remove the incompletely solidified resin material, so as to facilitate subsequent surface coloring or other applications. If the surface cleaning operation is not performed, the surface of the 3D printed object can be stuck and cannot be colored or applied.

[0004] However, the cleaning ability of the organic solvent on the surface of the 3D printed object has certain limits. When the organic solvent dissolves the incompletely solidified resin material to a certain extent, the dissolving ability of the organic solvent on the resin material will tend to be saturated, so that the surface of the 3D printed object cannot be cleaned continuously.

[0005] If the surface of the 3D printed object is to be cleaned continuously, the saturated organic solvent needs to be discarded and replaced with new organic solvent, thereby causing waste of resources. Furthermore, the low-boiling-point organic solvent commonly used in the prior art generates a large amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can easily generate public safety concerns or cause environmental pollution. SUMMARY

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present application is to provide an object cleaning system and an object cleaning method to effectively improve the possible defects of the prior art.

[0007] The application discloses an object cleaning system, which comprises a first tank for storing a first liquid; wherein the first tank can provide a to-be-cleaned object to soak in the first liquid to dissolve or disperse uncured resin on the to-be-cleaned object; a second tank connected to the first tank; wherein the first liquid in the first tank can flow into the second tank to define a second liquid; an irradiation light source for irradiating the inside of the second tank to make the dissolved or dispersed uncured resin generate cross-linking curing reaction after being irradiated by the irradiation light source to generate cured resin, and the cured resin is settled in the second liquid by gravity to reduce the concentration of the uncured resin in the second liquid; and a reflux pipeline connected to the outside of the first tank and the second tank and used for conveying the second liquid in the second tank back to the first tank to dilute the concentration of the uncured resin in the first liquid, so that the first liquid can continuously dissolve or disperse the uncured resin on the surface of the to-be-cleaned object.

[0008] Preferably, the first liquid is an organic solvent with a boiling point not less than 150 DEG C.

[0009] Preferably, the second tank is vertically connected below the first tank, and the first tank and the second tank are connected through a liquid channel or a pump to make the first liquid flow into the second tank through the liquid channel or the pump.

[0010] Preferably, the second tank is horizontally arranged at one side of the first tank, and the first tank and the second tank are connected through a pump to make the first liquid be laterally conveyed into the second tank through the pump.

[0011] Preferably, the irradiation light source is an ultraviolet irradiation light source or a visible light irradiation light source (which can be selected according to the type of resin).

[0012] The present application also discloses a method for cleaning an object, comprising: immersing a to-be-cleaned object in a first liquid in a first tank to dissolve or disperse uncured resin on the to-be-cleaned object; flowing the first liquid to a second tank connected to the first tank to define a second liquid; irradiating the inside of the second tank by using an irradiation light source to make the dissolved or dispersed uncured resin generate a cross-linking curing reaction to generate cured resin; wherein the cured resin is settled in the second liquid by gravity to reduce the concentration of the uncured resin in the second liquid; and flowing the second liquid back to the first tank through a backflow pipe connected to the outside of the first tank and the second tank to dilute the concentration of the uncured resin in the first liquid so that the first liquid can continuously dissolve or disperse the uncured resin on the surface of the to-be-cleaned object.

[0013] Preferably, the first liquid is an organic solvent with a boiling point not less than 150°C.

[0014] Preferably, the irradiation light source is an ultraviolet irradiation light source or a visible light irradiation light source (which can be selected according to the type of resin).

[0015] Preferably, the molecular weight of the cured resin is greater than that of the uncured resin after the cross-linking curing reaction.

[0016] Preferably, the density of the cured resin is greater than that of the uncured resin after the cross-linking curing reaction, and the density of the cured resin is greater than that of the second liquid so as to be settled in the second liquid by gravity.

[0017] In summary, the object cleaning system and the object cleaning method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can continuously clean the object to be cleaned by the technical solutions of "a first tank for storing a first liquid, wherein the first tank can provide the object to be cleaned to soak in the first liquid to dissolve or disperse the uncured resin on the object to be cleaned", "a second tank connected to the first tank, wherein the first liquid in the first tank can flow into the second tank to define a second liquid", "an irradiation light source for irradiating the inside of the second tank to make the dissolved or dispersed uncured resin generate cross-linking curing reaction after being irradiated by the irradiation light source to generate the cured resin, and the cured resin is settled in the second liquid by gravity to reduce the concentration of the uncured resin in the second liquid", and "a reflux pipeline connected to the outside of the first tank and the second tank, and used to transport the second liquid in the second tank back to the first tank to dilute the concentration of the uncured resin in the first liquid". In this way, the liquid for cleaning the surface of the object to be cleaned can be continuously regenerated and used back, thereby avoiding waste of the liquid. In addition, the cured resin deposited at the bottom of the second tank can be recycled and used, thereby improving its economic value.

[0018] The details of other effects and embodiments of the present application are described below with reference to the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the prior art, the drawings needed in the embodiments or the prior art description will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments described in the present application, and those skilled in the art can also obtain other drawings according to these drawings without creative labor.

[0020] Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the object cleaning system of the first embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 2 The schematic diagram of the object cleaning system of the second embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 3 The schematic diagram of the object cleaning system of the third embodiment of the present application.

[0023] SYMBOL DESCRIPTION DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The following embodiments of the present application are disclosed with reference to the specific embodiments of the "object cleaning system and object cleaning method" disclosed herein. Those skilled in the art can understand the advantages and effects of the present application from the content disclosed in the present specification. The present application can be implemented or applied by other different embodiments, and the details in the present specification can be modified and changed in various ways based on different views and applications without departing from the concept of the present application. In addition, the drawings of the present application are only simple schematic illustrations and are not actual size depictions, as previously stated. The following embodiments will further illustrate the relevant technical content of the present application, but the disclosed content is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application.

[0025] It should be understood that although the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. may be used herein to describe various components or signals, these components or signals should not be limited by these terms. These terms are mainly used to distinguish one component from another component, or one signal from another signal. In addition, the term "or" used herein may include any one or a combination of the associated listed items, as appropriate.

[0026] [First Embodiment]

[0027] Referring to Figure 1 The first embodiment of the present application provides an object cleaning system E, which comprises a first tank T1 and a second tank T2 connected to the first tank T1. The first tank T1 is used to store a first liquid S1.

[0028] The object cleaning system E is used to provide an object O to be cleaned to soak in the first liquid S1 in the first tank T1, so that the first liquid S1 can clean the uncured resin R on the object O to be cleaned, thereby dissolving or dispersing the uncured resin R in the first liquid S1.

[0029] In some embodiments of the present application, the first liquid S1 is an organic solvent, and preferably an organic solvent with a boiling point not less than 150°C. For example, the organic solvent is an ether ketone alcohol with a boiling point not less than 150°C, which has high cleaning ability for the uncured resin R on the object O to be cleaned, and can improve safety and solve the problem of excessive evaporation of organic solvents in the prior art.

[0030] However, the type of the first liquid S1 of the present application is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. In other embodiments of the present application, the first liquid S1 can also be an organic solvent with a boiling point lower than 150°C (such as methanol or ethanol).

[0031] The object O to be cleaned can be, for example, a 3D printed object formed by printing a photosensitive resin through a 3D printer, and the surface of the object O is left with uncured resin R, which needs to be cleaned to facilitate subsequent coloring operations or other applications. However, in the present application, the object O to be cleaned is not limited to a 3D printed object, and the object O to be cleaned can also be other objects with uncured resin R left on the surface. The uncured resin R can be monomers or oligomers that are not fully cured, which can be dissolved or dispersed by the first liquid S1. That is, the first liquid S1 can dissolve or disperse the uncured resin R, but will not affect the appearance of the 3D printed object.

[0032] Further, the second tank T2 is connected to the first tank T1, and the first liquid S1 in the first tank T1 can flow into the second tank T2 and be defined as a second liquid S2. That is, the second liquid S2 stored in the second tank T2 is derived from the first liquid S1 in the first tank T1, and contains the uncured resin R dissolved or dispersed by the first liquid S1.

[0033] In the present embodiment, the second tank T2 is connected vertically below the first tank T1, and the first tank T1 and the second tank T2 are connected by a liquid passage G. Accordingly, the first liquid S1 in the first tank T1 can flow downward by gravity through the liquid passage G into the second tank T2 to facilitate subsequent processing.

[0034] Please continue to refer to Figure 1 , the object cleaning system E further comprises an irradiation light source L arranged in the second tank T2, which can be arranged around, outside or inside the second tank T2. The present application does not limit the arrangement position or manner of the irradiation light source L.

[0035] The irradiation light source L is used to irradiate the inside of the second tank T2, so that the dispersed or dissolved uncured resin R generates a cross-linking curing reaction after being irradiated by the irradiation light source L, thereby generating a cured resin CR. The cured resin CR is settled in the second liquid S2 by gravity and settles to the bottom of the second tank T2 to generate a deposited layer of the cured resin CR.

[0036] More specifically, after the cross-linking curing reaction, the molecular weight of the cured resin CR is greater than that of the uncured resin R, the particle size of the cured resin CR is greater than that of the uncured resin R, and the density of the cured resin CR is greater than that of the uncured resin R. In addition, the density of the cured resin CR is greater than that of the second liquid S2 (such as an organic solvent), so that the cured resin CR can be settled in the second liquid S2 by gravity.

[0037] In other words, after the cross-linking curing reaction, the second liquid S2 has a reduced solubility for the cured resin CR, which precipitates in the second liquid S2 and settles in the second liquid S2 under the effect of gravity, whereby the concentration of uncured resin R in the second liquid S2 can be continuously reduced under irradiation by the irradiation source L.

[0038] In some embodiments of the application, the concentration of uncured resin R in the second liquid S2 of the second tank T2 is lower than the concentration of uncured resin R in the first liquid S1 of the first tank T1, so that the cleaning capacity of the second liquid S2 for the objects O to be cleaned can be continuously restored.

[0039] In some embodiments of the application, the irradiation source L can be, for example, an ultraviolet irradiation source or a visible light irradiation source (depending on the type of resin R), the wavelength and energy of which are such that the uncured resin R generates a cross-linking curing reaction.

[0040] In some embodiments of the application, the cured resin CR deposited at the bottom of the second tank T2 can be recycled and reused, thus increasing its economic value.

[0041] Further, the object cleaning system E further comprises a recirculation conduit RF connected to the outside of the first tank T1 and the second tank T2, and a pump P (e.g. a liquid transfer pump) arranged on the recirculation conduit RF. By operation of the pump P, the second liquid S2 in the second tank T2 can be recirculated through the recirculation conduit RF to the first tank T1, thereby diluting the concentration of uncured resin R in the first liquid S1. Accordingly, the first liquid S1 can continuously clean, dissolve or disperse the uncured resin R on the surface of the objects O to be cleaned.

[0042] It is worth mentioning that, in the present embodiment, the first tank T1 can be defined as a cleaning tank, and the first liquid S1 can be defined as a cleaning liquid, which can clean the uncured resin R on the surface of the objects O to be cleaned. In addition, the second tank T2 can be defined as a regeneration tank, and the second liquid S2 can be defined as a regeneration liquid, which has a regenerated cleaning capacity.

[0043] In embodiments not shown in the present application, a stirring device (e.g. stirring blades) can be arranged in the first tank T1, which can stir the first liquid S1 to improve the cleaning efficiency of the first liquid S1 for the uncured resin R on the surface of the objects O to be cleaned.

[0044] The second tank T2 does not need to be provided with a stirring device, so that the cured resin CR generated in the second liquid S2 after being irradiated by the light source L can be stably settled at the bottom of the second tank T2. However, the object cleaning system E of the present application is not limited to the above configuration.

[0045] According to the above technical solution, the object cleaning system E provided by the embodiment of the present application has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0046] 1. The organic solvent for cleaning the surface of the object to be cleaned can be continuously regenerated and used in the system, thereby avoiding waste of the organic solvent.

[0047] 2. The organic solvent of the embodiment of the present application is preferably selected from an organic solvent with a boiling point higher than 150°C, thereby improving the safety of system operation and meeting the environmental protection requirements.

[0048] 3. The cured resin CR deposited at the bottom of the second tank can be recycled, thereby improving its economic value.

[0049] [Second embodiment]

[0050] Please refer to Figure 2 The second embodiment of the present application also provides an object cleaning system E', which is similar to the configuration of the object cleaning system E of the first embodiment described above.

[0051] The second tank T2 is also vertically arranged below the first tank T1. However, the difference is that in the object cleaning system E' of the second embodiment, the first tank T1 and the second tank T2 are connected by another pump P1. The first liquid S1 in the first tank T1 can be transported into the second tank T2 by the operation of the pump P1, thereby facilitating subsequent processing.

[0052] Then, the regenerated second liquid S2 in the second tank T2 can be returned to the first tank T1 by the pump P2 arranged on the return pipeline RF, thereby diluting the concentration of the uncured resin R in the first liquid S1 and improving the cleaning ability of the first liquid S1 for the uncured resin R on the surface of the object O to be cleaned.

[0053] [Third embodiment]

[0054] Please refer to Figure 3As shown, the third embodiment of the present application also provides an object cleaning system E" which is similar to the configuration of the object cleaning system E of the first embodiment. However, the difference is that in the object cleaning system E" of the third embodiment, the second tank T2 is horizontally and spacedly arranged at one side of the first tank T1. The first tank T1 and the second tank T2 are connected by another pump P1. The first liquid S1 in the first tank T1 can be transported to the second tank T2 by the operation of the pump P1, thereby facilitating the subsequent processing.

[0055] Then, the regenerated second liquid S2 in the second tank T2 can be returned to the first tank T1 by the pump P2 arranged on the return pipeline RF, thereby diluting the concentration of the uncured resin R in the first liquid S1 and improving the cleaning ability of the first liquid S1 for the uncured resin R on the surface of the object O to be cleaned.

[0056] According to the above configuration, the object cleaning system E' provided by the second embodiment and the object cleaning system E" provided by the third embodiment can continuously clean the object O to be cleaned.

[0057] [Fourth Embodiment]

[0058] The fourth embodiment of the present application provides an object cleaning method, which includes steps S110, S120, S130 and S140. It should be noted that the order of the steps in this embodiment can be adjusted according to the actual operation mode, and is not limited to the order in this embodiment.

[0059] The step S110 includes immersing an object O to be cleaned in a first liquid S1 in a first tank T1, so that the first liquid S1 can clean the uncured resin R on the object O to be cleaned, thereby dissolving or dispersing the uncured resin R in the first liquid S1.

[0060] The step S120 includes flowing the first liquid S1 to a second tank T2 connected to the first tank T1, which is defined as a second liquid S2 containing the uncured resin R dissolved or dispersed by the first liquid S1.

[0061] The step S130 includes irradiating the inside of the second tank T2 with an irradiation light source L, so that the uncured resin R generates a cross-linking curing reaction after being irradiated by the irradiation light source L, thereby generating a cured resin CR. The cured resin CR is settled in the second liquid S2 by gravity and settles to the bottom of the second tank T2. Accordingly, the concentration of the uncured resin R in the second liquid S2 can be continuously reduced under the irradiation of the irradiation light source L.

[0062] The step S140 comprises: returning the second liquid S2 to the first tank T1 through a return pipe RF connected to the outside of the first tank T1 and the second tank T2, so as to dilute the concentration of the uncured resin R in the first liquid S1. In this way, the first liquid S1 can continuously clean the uncured resin R on the surface of the object O to be cleaned. The return pipe RF can be provided with a pump P, for example, which can be operated to transport the second tank T2 in the return pipe RF.

[0063] According to the above configuration, the object cleaning method provided by the fourth embodiment can continuously clean the object O to be cleaned. In this way, the organic solvent used to clean the surface of the object to be cleaned can be continuously regenerated and returned for use, so as to avoid waste of the organic solvent. In addition, the cured resin CR deposited at the bottom of the second tank can be recycled for use, so as to improve its economic value.

[0064] [Advantages of the embodiments]

[0065] The object cleaning system and the object cleaning method provided by the present application can continuously clean the object to be cleaned by the technical solutions of "a first tank for storing a first liquid; wherein the first tank can provide a to-be-cleaned object to be soaked in the first liquid to dissolve or disperse the uncured resin on the to-be-cleaned object", "a second tank connected to the first tank; wherein the first liquid in the first tank can flow into the second tank to define a second liquid", "an irradiation light source for irradiating the inside of the second tank, so that the dissolved or dispersed uncured resin generates a cross-linking curing reaction after being irradiated by the irradiation light source to generate a cured resin, and the cured resin is settled in the second liquid under the action of gravity, so as to reduce the concentration of the uncured resin in the second liquid", and "a return pipe connected to the outside of the first tank and the second tank, and used to transport the second liquid in the second tank back to the first tank to dilute the concentration of the uncured resin in the first liquid". In this way, the liquid used to clean the surface of the object to be cleaned can be continuously regenerated and returned for use, so as to avoid waste of the liquid.

[0066] Overall, the object cleaning system provided by the embodiments of the present application has at least the following advantages:

[0067] 1. The organic solvent used to clean the surface of the object to be cleaned can be continuously regenerated and returned for use in the system, so as to avoid waste of the organic solvent.

[0068] 2. The organic solvent of the present application is preferably selected from an organic solvent having a boiling point higher than 150°C, thereby improving the safety of system operation and meeting the environmental protection requirements.

[0069] 3. The solidified resin deposited at the bottom of the second tank can be recycled, thereby improving its economic value.

[0070] The above-described embodiments and / or implementations are merely used to illustrate the preferred embodiments and / or implementations of the present application, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present application in any form. Any person skilled in the art can make some changes or modifications to other equivalent embodiments without departing from the technical means disclosed in the present application, but such changes or modifications should be considered as substantially the same technology or embodiments as the present application.

Claims

1. An object cleaning system, characterized by, The object cleaning system comprises: a first tank for storing a first liquid, wherein the first tank is capable of providing a to-be-cleaned object to immerse in the first liquid to dissolve or disperse uncured resin on the to-be-cleaned object; a second tank connected to the first tank, wherein the first liquid in the first tank is capable of flowing into the second tank to define a second liquid; an irradiation light source for irradiating the inside of the second tank to make the dissolved or dispersed uncured resin generate cross-linking curing reaction to generate cured resin after being irradiated by the irradiation light source, and the cured resin is settled in the second liquid by gravity to reduce the concentration of the uncured resin in the second liquid; and a reflux pipeline connected to the outside of the first tank and the second tank and used for transporting the second liquid in the second tank back to the first tank to dilute the concentration of the uncured resin in the first liquid, so that the first liquid can continuously dissolve or disperse the uncured resin on the surface of the to-be-cleaned object.

2. The object cleaning system of claim 1, wherein, The first liquid is an organic solvent with a boiling point not less than 150 DEG C.

3. The object cleaning system of claim 1, wherein, The second tank is vertically connected to the lower side of the first tank, and the first tank and the second tank are connected through a liquid passage or a pump to make the first liquid flow into the second tank through the liquid passage or the pump.

4. The object cleaning system of claim 1, wherein, The second tank is horizontally arranged at one side of the first tank, and the first tank and the second tank are connected through a pump to make the first liquid be transported to the second tank through the pump.

5. The object cleaning system of claim 1, wherein, The irradiation light source is an ultraviolet irradiation light source or a visible light irradiation light source.

6. A method of cleaning an article, characterized by, The object cleaning method comprises: immersing a to-be-cleaned object in a first liquid in a first tank to dissolve or disperse uncured resin on the to-be-cleaned object; making the first liquid flow into a second tank connected to the first tank to define a second liquid; irradiating the inside of the second tank by an irradiation light source to make the dissolved or dispersed uncured resin generate cross-linking curing reaction to generate cured resin, wherein the cured resin is settled in the second liquid by gravity to reduce the concentration of the uncured resin in the second liquid; and making the second liquid flow back to the first tank through a reflux pipeline connected to the outside of the first tank and the second tank to dilute the concentration of the uncured resin in the first liquid, so that the first liquid can continuously dissolve or disperse the uncured resin on the surface of the to-be-cleaned object.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein The first liquid is an organic solvent with a boiling point not less than 150 DEG C.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein The irradiation light source is an ultraviolet irradiation light source or a visible light irradiation light source.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein After the cross-linking curing reaction, the molecular weight of the cured resin is greater than that of the uncured resin. After the cross-linking curing reaction, the molecular weight of the cured resin is greater than that of the uncured resin.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein After the cross-linking curing reaction, the density of the cured resin is greater than the density of the uncured resin, so as to be able to sink in the second liquid under gravity.

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