soldering iron

Abstract

The invention relates to a soldering iron used for precise soldering work, equipped with a stabilizer that counteracts tremors, enabling more accurate soldering of small points even with shaky hands. To stabilize tremors (e.g., in cases of tremor syndrome), these movements are smoothed or neutralized actively or passively. Active versions employ counteracting tremors in the soldering iron components, such as the heating element and the soldering tip, so that the tip exhibits minimal tremors at the soldering point. This significantly increases soldering precision.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a soldering iron used for precise soldering work, which is equipped with a stabilizer that stabilizes the trembling movements, so that a user can solder a small solder point more accurately even with shaky hands.

[0002] Fine soldering irons are small, handy devices that are mostly used for precise soldering work.

[0003] There is a very wide selection of soldering equipment and soldering irons available on the market. They are often used for repair work and are very well suited for removing, replacing, soldering, repairing traces, and performing other repairs on printed circuit boards.

[0004] DE102018102792B3 describes an electrical soldering device, in particular a soldering iron, comprising a handle portion, a heating element attached to the handle portion, a hollow soldering tip into which the heating element engages, and fastening means for releasably fastening the soldering tip to the handle portion. The fastening means comprise a permanent magnet surrounding the heating element and a ferromagnetic holding part surrounding the heating element, which cooperates with the permanent magnet and surrounds the heating element, such that the holding part can be arranged on the permanent magnet in a rotationally secure manner. The invention also relates to a soldering system comprising a soldering device according to one of the preceding claims and a removal device for removing the soldering tip from the handle portion.

[0005] EP2705921 B1 describes an interesting soldering iron whose tip is heated by a laser beam. Here, the soldering iron is equipped with a soldering tip that is heated by a laser beam that travels at least partially along a laser path within the soldering iron. The soldering iron includes an energy converter designed to absorb the laser beam and is coupled to the soldering tip to heat it.A laser source for generating the laser beam is arranged within the soldering iron, wherein a laser source generating the laser beam is configured to adjust the focus of the laser beam at different distances relative to the surface of the energy converter to be heated, so that heating times of the soldering iron are variable, wherein the laser beam can be transported by means of a light guide arranged in the soldering iron, wherein the light guide runs along the laser path and there is a distance between an exit aperture of the light guide and the energy converter that is kept constant, wherein the laser source includes a laser exit aperture that is coupled to one end of the light guide.

[0006] DE102017100975A1 describes a soldering iron comprising: an iron main body; and an iron tip having a guide end configured for melting solder, wherein the iron tip comprises an iron tip main body made of a thermally conductive material; a heating device configured for heating the iron tip main body; and a temperature sensor configured for detecting a temperature of the guide end side of the iron tip, wherein a first hole part accommodating the heating device and a second hole part accommodating the temperature sensor are formed independently of each other within the iron tip main body.

[0007] The invention DE 10 2008 038 418 B4 relates to a soldering device with a holder for a soldering iron having a soldering tip, as well as a heating cartridge for the soldering tip, wherein the soldering tip can be moved to a soldering point. In order to be able to supply energy to this soldering point quickly and with a high pulse, it is proposed to additionally equip the soldering device with a soldering laser whose light is directed or focused on the area of ​​the soldering tip. This allows the high amounts of energy required during soldering to be supplied via the laser light and does not have to be introduced into the soldering point through the soldering tip. This reduces the thermal load on the soldering tip.

[0008] The invention DE3929585C2 also describes a soldering iron. In the soldering iron according to the invention, the soldering rod is guided longitudinally in the outer housing, so that the distance between the tip of the soldering rod and the grip area of ​​the elongated outer housing is variable. The soldering rod can be pushed far enough into the outer housing that the soldering iron can be gripped directly above the tip of the soldering rod. In order to reach even hard-to-reach soldering points with the soldering tip, it is possible to extend the soldering rod from the outer housing to the required length. Depending on the application, the soldering rod can be locked in various positions.

[0009] The invention DD267936A1 relates to a resistance-heated hand-held soldering tool. The invention is used in the soldering of electronic components on printed circuit boards. The hand-held soldering tool consists of a soldering tool and a switching device. Soldering time and power are preset. The soldering tool has a tubular support. A flexible steel wire is arranged in the support such that, when it is placed on the printed circuit board, it closes an electronic switch, which triggers the pre-programmed current flow. During soldering, there is no contact between the component and the soldering tool.

[0010] Apart from a few additional features, such as temperature controls, temperature sensors, and possibly a light, the soldering irons have hardly any other technical equipment or functions.

[0011] Unfortunately, with age, the steady posture of the hands often declines. Many older people develop more or less shaky hands (tremor syndrome). Unfortunately, this sometimes affects younger people as well. This also has a negative psychological impact, which further exacerbates the problem. Older technicians or scientists, researchers, model car builders, watchmakers, jewelry manufacturers, cell phone technicians, and service personnel who would like to repair or create something unfortunately often fail due to a phenomenon that mostly affects older people: shaky hands.

[0012] Today's technology is designed in such a way that electronic components are installed ever closer together. Especially in mobile phones, there are often only fractions of a millimeter between the components on the circuit boards. Jitter amplitudes of just millimeters make it almost impossible to precisely target a point during soldering, hit it, and maintain that position during the soldering process.

[0013] The tremor frequency in tremor syndrome is relatively low and varies from person to person. It can range from approximately 1 to 20 Hz.

[0014] The invention specified in claims 1 to 8 is based on the problem of achieving a solution for steady soldering work that also works for people who have shaky hands or a tremor syndrome.

[0015] This problem is solved by the features listed in claims 1 to 8.

[0016] Advantages of the invention are: - precise operation even by older people, - quiet soldering work, even when using a soldering iron by people who have unsteady or shaky hands,

[0017] Embodiments of the invention are described with reference to Fig. 1 to 3 explained.

[0018] They show: Fig. 1 an embodiment, wherein the soldering iron is equipped with a laser beam source / laser diode, which is intended to mark the soldering area with a laser point projection, Fig. 2 the laser diode, e.g. in the form of a laser pointer, which is fixed on a tripod / holder, Fig. 3 again the stabilization method, in which the soldering tip is slightly pivoted within the housing of the soldering iron.

[0019] The device built into this soldering iron is able to more or less compensate for the shaky movements during soldering work.

[0020] The work appears calmer and, while it follows the hand movements, it also smooths out the tremors.

[0021] The invention consists of a soldering iron 1 and a laser beam source / laser diode 2, which is intended to mark the soldering area 3 or a soldering point 8 with a laser dot projection 4 ( Fig. 1). The soldering device here forms a soldering system that, in conjunction with a laser beam source installed in an articulated holder 5, can project a laser beam spot 4 onto the point to be soldered, e.g., on a circuit board 6. As the soldering iron 1 approaches the soldering point / soldering joint 8, the soldering tip 7 pivots so that it automatically lands on the soldering point 8. Even if the user has shaky hands, the soldering tip 7 always hits the soldering point very precisely as soon as the soldering iron is brought within a few millimeters of the soldering joint.

[0022] The system has a laser emitter 2 that generates a laser light point 4 on the point to be soldered 8 (e.g. circuit board 6), onto which the soldering iron tip 7 is automatically guided when approaching ( Fig. 2). The laser beam intensity on the light point projection should be relatively low, as one does not want to be blinded by it. The laser diode, e.g. in the form of a laser pointer, should be fixed to a tripod / holder 5 and be rotatable / pivotable in any direction using a joint 9. When properly fixed, the laser diode emits a very small, highly focused light point 4 onto the soldering point 8. The laser diode power should be minimal (e.g. 0.01 - 0.5 mW), because otherwise a clean soldering point, which almost has the properties of a metal mirror, could blind the user. The laser point should only be clearly visible because it has to be manually locked onto the soldering point. Working with the device is extremely simple. If you need a precise soldering position, you fix the laser beam point on it and move the soldering iron tip close to the soldering point.As soon as the user moves the soldering iron directly over the soldering point, but their hand is shaking, the soldering iron tip is automatically swiveled to ensure it is always positioned precisely over the soldering point, even if the soldering iron is moved slightly (a few millimeters) from side to side. When the soldering iron is lowered, the point to be soldered is touched despite the hand tremors, and the soldering process can begin. The system can automatically correct the approach of the soldering iron tip by a few millimeters, so that even if the aim is a few millimeters off, the soldering tip still automatically aligns itself and hits the correct spot. The position of the laser dot is detected by one or more cameras / image sensors 14, which are radially distributed around the circumference of the soldering iron housing. Shake correction is very important when repairing or soldering a delicate circuit board 6 with shaky hands.This technique is ideal for use with delicate circuit boards, such as in mobile phone repairs, SMD circuit boards, or jewelry making. Previously, only younger people with very steady hands could perform these tasks. The new technique now makes it possible for older people or those with shaky hands to carry out delicate repair work as well.

[0023] Various methods can be used to construct the stabilizer. Many digital cameras are known to be equipped with optical image stabilization. These stabilizers are able to compensate for user tremors, preventing video recordings or images from appearing blurry. The numerous solutions used in digital cameras to stabilize images, as well as elements of such techniques, can also be partially applied here with appropriate modifications. With some adjustments, stabilizers can be used in this application as well. The difference here is that it is not the image or the light entering the camera that needs to be stabilized, but rather the hardware—in this case, the soldering tip 7—that needs to be kept steady and protected from shaking, or the tremors need to be smoothed out.

[0024] The stabilizer can be electronic, mechanically based on inertia, or a combination of both. However, active components in the form of electrical actuators 11 are preferred because they can not only reliably pivot the soldering tip but also hold it in its new position, so that the soldering tip acts like a fixed element. The soldering tip is pivoted slightly electrically by the actuators, out of phase with the jittering movements, thus counteracting them.

[0025] The easiest and simplest method is to stabilize the soldering tip using electronic means and actuators. For this purpose, the guide beam 10 from the laser beam source or LED 2 is additionally used to move the soldering tip to the correct position. The soldering tip is pivoted slightly in any direction from a fixed longitudinal axis 12 of the soldering tip (or the longitudinal axis of the soldering iron) by at least three actuators 11, either electromagnetically or piezoelectrically, so that its tip position can deflect slightly and "follow" its movements. The deflection is minimal (only a few millimeters), but has a smoothing effect on the contact of the soldering tip 7 on the soldering point 8, which would otherwise only move back and forth due to shaking movements on the soldering iron housing 13. The laser beam point projection serves as a guide beam for positioning the soldering tip.A vibration sensor is not necessary here because the steady laser guide beam 10, which is already aimed at the soldering point, detects any trembling movements (direction and amplitude) as a reference signal via an image or light sensor 14. An electronic control system then executes opposing swivel movements in real time via an actuator, which may consist of electromagnets and magnets at the rear of the soldering tip (or piezoelectric actuators). Any rapid movement with a small amplitude, such as trembling, is recognized as such, and the soldering tip is slightly shifted from its longitudinal axis so that it always precisely hits the same point on the solder joint where the laser is aimed, despite any trembling of the soldering iron housing. This is achieved by the image or light sensor 14, which uses the position of the laser point as a reference point for controlling the actuators.

[0026] The soldering iron's built-in stabilizer allows for fluid movement of the soldering tip on a soldering point (e.g., on a circuit board, piece of jewelry, model airplane, cell phone, etc.), which would otherwise require a very steady hand. Nevertheless, the soldering tip remains as firmly fixed to the soldering point as with a soldering iron with a fixed tip.

[0027] The variant from the Fig.Figure 3 again shows the stabilization method in which the soldering tip is pivoted slightly within the housing 13 of the soldering iron 1. For this purpose, the pivoting unit 15, consisting of the heating element 16 and the soldering tip 7, is attached at its upper end 17 (when the soldering iron is held vertically with the tip pointing downwards) to a joint, preferably a ball joint 18, while the lower end 19 of the unit with the soldering tip is freely pivotable. A ring 20, made of ceramic, for example, and acting as a thermal insulator, is inserted into the lower end of the unit. Three piezo actuators 21, arranged radially to the longitudinal axis 12 of the soldering tip, are attached to the inner wall 23 of the housing. These actuators are connected at their outer ends to the soldering iron housing 13, which acts like a hollow cylindrical shell 22 in this area.Depending on which of the piezo actuators is contracted or extended, the ceramic ring 20 is pulled closer to or pushed away from the housing wall 23. The image sensor 14 detects the laser beam point 4 and determines its position. An electronic control unit 24 and an evaluation unit 25 process the image sensor signals, detect the laser point position, and aim to pivot the soldering tip to the laser point position. In case of jitter, the soldering tip is held in real time above the laser point position by counteracting pivoting movements. The jitter is thus detected, and countermeasures are initiated. With each jitter of the soldering iron, the soldering tip is pivoted in the opposite direction, or it too is set into jittering movements, but these are phase-reversed, so that the soldering tip, unaffected by jitter on the housing, still makes contact with the same point on the solder joint.Primarily the fast jittering movements (1 - 20 Hz) are smoothed out. The smoothing amplitude can be approximately 0.1 - 3 mm. If the soldering iron is swung back and forth slowly or somewhat faster, with the soldering tip path being more than 0.3 cm on the circuit board, the soldering tip will follow this movement. Regardless of the direction in which the jittering movements occur, they can be successfully smoothed out. When the soldering iron jitters, the image sensor registers jittering movements of the laser dot on the soldering point. Although the laser dot is projected there smoothly, from the perspective of the image sensor it still jitters. The image sensor only has to record these "jittering movements" of the laser dot in two dimensions (X and Y axes), namely only those that have an effect on the position of the soldering tip on the object to be soldered. These are the jittering movements that cause movements in a radial direction from the longitudinal axis of the soldering tip, orRadial movements originate from the longitudinal axis line 12 of the soldering iron (or soldering tip). Vibrations occurring along the Z-axis do not need to be detected and corrected because they only cause very slight variations in the distance of the soldering iron relative to the solder joint 6 and have no significant impact on the solder joint itself. The device described here can compensate for virtually all vibrations. Ultimately, only corrections of a few millimeters are required.

[0028] Whether piezoelectric or electromagnetic actuators are used depends on the manufacturer. Response times are very short, and such actuators can execute the control almost in real time. In this way, any tremor in the soldering iron can be quickly smoothed out.

[0029] To increase the effectiveness of the actuators, they should be installed in the soldering tip area within the hollow cylinder 22 of the soldering iron housing. Three actuators 11, arranged in a star shape at the bottom and offset by 120°, are usually sufficient. This allows any position of the soldering tip to be controlled.

[0030] It's worth mentioning that IR laser beams and IR laser diodes are also suitable as guide beams for guiding the soldering tip to the correct position. However, they would also need to be equipped with at least one small laser diode emitting visible light, which would visibly mark the exact spot where the IR laser diode hits, or the user could wear special glass as safety goggles that display the invisible IR laser light as visible light. This could be, for example, safety goggles with a micro-thin IR converter coating that makes the IR light visible. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 1 soldering iron 2 Laser beam source / laser diode 3 Soldering area 4 Laser point projection / Laser beam point 5 Joint-type mount / tripod 6 circuit board 7 Soldering tip / soldering iron tip 8 solder point / solder joint 9 joint 10 Guide beam 11 actuators 12 Longitudinal axis of the soldering tip (or soldering iron longitudinal axis) 13 soldering iron housings 14 Camera, image or light sensor 15 Swivel Unit 16 Heating element 17 Upper end 18 ball joint 19 Lower end 20 rings 21 piezo actuators 22 Hollow cylinder shell 23 Housing wall 24 Electronic control 25 Evaluation unit

Claims

[1] Soldering iron, characterized by that he - a unit decoupled from the soldering iron housing consisting of at least one heating element and the soldering tip, - a joint that connects the unit at its upper end to the soldering iron housing when the soldering iron is held vertically with the soldering tip pointing downwards, - an electric actuator that can pivot the unit slightly in any direction at the soldering tip area, - an electronic control coupled to the actuator, - a light sensor or image sensor capable of detecting a light beam point or laser beam point coupled to the electronic control, - an LED or laser beam source emitting focused beams capable of generating a small spot of light on the area to be soldered, which serves as a guide point for the soldering tip coupled to an articulated stand or holder outside the soldering iron. [2] Soldering iron according to claim 1, characterized by that it is equipped with three actuators in the soldering tip area, each offset by 120° and arranged radially around the soldering tip axis, which are coupled to the soldering iron housing and the unit or directly to the soldering tip, which can pivot the soldering tip in any direction. [3] Soldering iron according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the soldering tip is equipped with a spiral spring or several return springs which are arranged radially, in a position at which the soldering tip longitudinal axis and the piston housing longitudinal axis are the same or coincident. [4] Soldering iron according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the soldering tip is equipped with a sheath or ring that has thermal insulation properties to which the actuators are attached. [5] Soldering iron according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the upper end of the unit is coupled to the housing of the soldering iron by a gimbal. [6] Soldering iron according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the lower end of the soldering iron housing is designed in the direction of the soldering tip in the form of a hollow cylinder in which the unit consisting of heating element and soldering tip can pivot. [7] Soldering iron according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the soldering iron is equipped with a display on the end opposite the soldering tip. [8] Soldering iron according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the laser beam source that emits focused beams that create a small spot of light on the area to be soldered is an infrared laser source and the light sensor or image sensor that is intended to detect the laser beam spot is designed to detect IR laser beams.

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