soldering iron

Abstract

The invention relates to a soldering iron equipped with an anti-vibration system that counteracts the user's hand tremors. This is achieved by a vibrating mass built into the soldering iron. This mass can be, for example, a small steel ball suspended from a lever that is attached to the housing in the upper part of the soldering iron by means of a ball joint or a spring. The ball can oscillate back and forth a few millimeters. The oscillation of the ball is generated by electrical actuators that set it in motion in such a way that its inertia transmits small force impulses to the inner wall of the soldering iron, counteracting the user's hand tremors.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a soldering iron equipped with an anti-vibration system that counteracts the user's hand shaking movements.

[0002] Soldering irons are used for soldering work. They can be used to solder components or electronic elements into or out of a circuit board. Such tools are indispensable for electronics repairs, jewelry design / manufacturing, hobby model building, etc.

[0003] There's a very wide selection of soldering irons available on the market. They're used for everything from coarse to very fine soldering and repair work. Very fine soldering irons are used, for example, for repairing delicate circuit boards, such as those found in mobile devices, laptops, or PCs. They can also be used to reliably remove SMD components from a circuit board or solder them onto it.

[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] EP2705921B1 describes an interesting soldering iron whose tip is heated by a laser beam. Here, the soldering iron is provided with a soldering tip that is heated by a laser beam extending at least partially along a laser path within the soldering iron. The soldering iron comprises an energy converter configured to absorb the laser beam and 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 designed 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 can be varied, 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 a distance between an exit opening of the light guide and the energy converter is maintained constant, wherein the laser source comprises a laser exit opening which 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 leading end configured to melt solder, wherein the iron tip comprises an iron tip main body made of a thermally conductive material; a heater configured to heat the iron tip main body; and a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the leading end side of the iron tip, wherein a first hole part accommodating the heater and a second hole part accommodating the temperature sensor are formed independently of each other within the iron tip main body.

[0007] Utility Model CN208644330U discloses a handheld welding stabilizer of a type characterized by comprising: an iron stand, a handle, and a three-axis stabilizing device mounted between the iron stand and the handle, the three-axis stabilizing device comprising a first structural block, a second structural block, and a third structural block, the iron stand being disposed on the first structural block, the first structural block being connected to the second structural block via a first rotary shaft, the second structural block being connected to the third block via a second shaft, and the third block structure being connected to the handle via a third shaft, a servo motor being disposed on the first rotary shaft, and a gyro sensor being disposed on the second and third shafts, respectively, and an operation panel being provided on the handle.By applying the above technical concept, the three-axis stabilizing device is increased in the middle because the handle and the iron frame are separated, so that the three-axis stabilizing device will not cause the operator's hand to shake during welding, and the alignment properties of the iron will not be affected, which is especially suitable for users with light fingers or inexperienced users.

[0008] The publication JP 2018-140408A also describes a soldering iron that is equipped with additional functions.

[0009] There are thousands of other solutions that describe a soldering iron. These primarily concern the heating technology and the design of the soldering device.

[0010] Despite some of the features built into the soldering iron, at least one important function is missing, which is supposed to compensate for the shaking movements.

[0011] Unfortunately, with age, the ability to hold hands still often deteriorates. Many older people develop more or less shaky hands (tremor syndrome). This also has a negative psychological impact, which further exacerbates the condition. Older people who, for example, work with electronics professionally or in their free time, or in the model car industry, sometimes shy away from delicate repair work because the tremors become even more pronounced during delicate soldering work.

[0012] The invention specified in patent claims 1 to 9 is based on the problem of achieving a solution for people with tremor syndrome who would like to carry out fine soldering work, whereby the solution should enable quiet soldering work and should also work for people who have shaky hands.

[0013] This problem is solved with the features listed in patent claims 1 to 9.

[0014] Advantages of the invention are: - smooth soldering work, even when operated by people with unsteady or shaky hands, - enables precise soldering work on sensitive devices.

[0015] Embodiments of the invention are described with reference to Fig. 1 to 6. They show: Fig. 1 shows an embodiment in which a soldering iron has an oscillating body on the inner wall of the soldering iron housing, which can move back and forth by actuators, Fig. 2 the piezo actuators or electromagnet drives that can move the ball back and forth, Fig. 3 the plastic fiber actuators, which function like artificial muscles, used here, Fig. 4 the mass inertia of a mass body in the form of a sphere, Fig. 5 the removable version, which has a compact design, Fig. 6 a further representation of the invention.

[0016] The soldering iron shown here is equipped with a vibration stabilizer 20, which can counteract the vibrations of the user's hands during soldering. The invention utilizes the inertia of a small mass 4, which is built into the soldering iron in the form of a cylinder or a sphere, to generate small force pulses via electrical actuators, which are intended to counteract the vibrations of the soldering iron. This is achieved by an oscillating mass (oscillating mass / oscillating body) 4 built into the soldering iron. This mass can be, for example, a cylinder or a small steel ball, which hangs from a lever 7, which is attached to the upper area of ​​the soldering iron inside the housing 3 by means of a ball joint 22 or a spring. The ball can oscillate back and forth by a few millimeters.

[0017] On the Fig. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment. Actuators 5 are installed in the soldering iron 1, on the inner wall 2 of the soldering iron housing, exactly where the oscillating mass / ball (oscillating body) 4 is located. These actuators can move the ball back and forth radially in any direction along the longitudinal axis 12 of the soldering iron. A vibration sensor 6 detects the user's hand vibrations, which are transmitted to the soldering iron housing, and transmits the signals to a controller (or evaluation unit) 8, which controls the actuators 5. The actuators can be, for example, piezo actuators 9 or electromagnets 10 ( Fig. 2 - Top view) that can move the ball back and forth. The ball 4 can be made of a ferromagnetic material (e.g., iron, nickel, etc.) or it can consist of a permanent magnet 11 (or have one inside). Plastic fiber actuators 24 (electroactive polymers), which function like artificial muscles, can also be used ( Fig. 3). The actuators should be installed radially around the longitudinal axis 12 of the soldering iron in the area where the ball is located. At least three such actuators, each of which can be controlled separately, should be arranged in a star pattern around the ball, offset by 120° each. This should ensure that the actuators can move the ball in any direction and for any direction. As soon as the soldering iron housing 3 begins to vibrate, the ball will also actively vibrate back and forth, canceling out a hand vibration amplitude with each vibration and amplitude.

[0018] In one variant, the inertia of a sphere or a cylindrical mass body is used to neutralize the vibrations. In this case, the sphere or cylinder is immediately moved by actuators in the same direction as the direction and amplitude of the vibrations on the soldering iron housing ( Fig. 4). As the ball / cylinder is pushed from the inner wall of the soldering iron by the actuators, the soldering iron housing receives a force impulse that pushes it in the opposite direction. As soon as the ball (cylinder) touches the other actuator on the other side of the soldering iron wall, the direction of movement of the soldering iron housing changes due to the trembling movement, and the ball (cylinder) is accelerated again by the actuator. Thus, the soldering iron housing receives new force impulses each time, which always try to move it in the opposite direction to the oscillation directions caused by hand trembling. This generates a stabilizing effect that keeps the soldering iron tip 13 steady on a soldering point 14 despite the trembling movements.The inertia of the ball ensures that, with appropriate control of its vibrations, many small force pulses are transmitted to the inner wall of the soldering iron housing, counteracting the vibration. This enables more precise soldering, even for users with shaky hands.

[0019] On the Fig. Figure 5 shows a variant of a stabilization device that is compact and self-contained, installed in its own housing 15. All stabilization components are incorporated into the housing 15. The controller 8, the sensor, the oscillating mass, and a power source 16 are also integrated. The housing 15 is connected to the soldering iron housing 3 by connecting elements. Connecting elements that can be used include, for example, hook-and-loop fasteners 17, magnets 18, or snap / clip fasteners 19.

[0020] On the Fig.6 shows a simpler variant. Here, the soldering tip 13 and the heating element 25 (also additional accompanying elements) are installed in an internal housing 23 and form a unit 21. The internal housing is decoupled at the bottom and is moved radially around the longitudinal axis of the soldering iron by actuators. At the top, it is articulated or spring-loaded to the soldering iron housing (inner wall 2). This unit is attached to the top of the inner wall 2 of the soldering iron 1 by a spring suspension 26 or a fastening joint (e.g., ball joint) 22, while in the lower area (when the soldering iron is in a vertical position with the soldering tip pointing downwards), the soldering tip 13 of the soldering iron 1 can move radially in any direction relative to the soldering iron housing 3 by actuators (at least three of them).The vibration sensor 6 detects the oscillating movements (trembling movements) and also generates force pulses for a movement of the soldering tip in real time by actuators (5, 9, 10) that are opposite to the trembling movements.

[0021] It's worth mentioning that the removable versions, which can be subsequently attached to a soldering iron and equipped with appropriate fasteners (Velcro, magnetic fastener, or other fastening methods), can also be attached to other Fein devices. Possible applications include an engraving device, a Fein mini drill, or even a laser pointer. REFERENCE SYMBOL LIST: 1 soldering iron 2 interior wall 3 soldering iron housings 4 ball / oscillating body 5 actuators 6 Vibration sensor 7 levers 8 Control; evaluation unit 9 piezo actuators 10 Electromagnet 11 Permanent magnet 12 Longitudinal axis 13 Soldering iron tip 14 solder joint 15 Own housing 16 Energy source 17 Velcro fasteners 18 magnets 19 snap-in / clip elements 20 Shake Stabilizer 21 Unit consisting of heating element, soldering tip, etc. 22 Fastening joint 23 Internal housing 24 plastic fiber actuators 25 Heating element 26 Spring suspension 27 Longitudinal axis of the soldering iron

Claims

[1] Soldering iron, characterized by that it has at least one trembling motion stabilizer that is - an oscillating body or oscillating mass, which is installed inside the soldering iron, partially mechanically decoupled from the housing of the soldering iron, which is connected to the inner wall of the soldering iron housing by at least one actuator, - a vibration sensor that can detect the user's hand shaking movements, - a controller or an evaluation unit that is connected to the vibration sensor and the actuator, which detects the signals of the vibration sensor via the hand shaking movements and causes the oscillating mass to vibrate via the actuator, so that this causes shaking movements on the housing of the soldering iron, which counteract the hand shaking movements in a neutralising manner. [2] Soldering iron according to claim 1, characterized bythat the oscillating mass has an elongated or cylindrical shape and is equipped at the upper end with a joint or ball joint that connects it to the soldering iron housing at the upper end when the soldering iron is aligned vertically with the tip pointing downwards. [3] Soldering iron according to claim 1, characterized by that the oscillating mass has a spherical shape and hangs from a lever which is held at its upper end, with the soldering iron in a vertical position with the tip pointing downwards, by a joint or ball joint which connects it to the soldering iron housing at the upper end. [4] Soldering iron according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the soldering iron housing has an outer layer or shell made of a vibration-damping material. [5] Soldering iron according to claim 4, characterized by that the oscillating mass is spring-connected to the soldering iron housing by a centering or return spring system. [6] Soldering iron according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - the oscillating body or the oscillating mass, - the actuator that drives the oscillating body or the oscillating mass, - the vibration sensor, which can detect the user's hand shaking movements, - the control or evaluation unit, which is connected to the vibration sensor and the actuator, which records the signals from the vibration sensor via the hand trembling movements and causes the oscillating mass to oscillate via the actuator, so that this causes oscillating movements on the housing of the soldering iron, which counteract the hand trembling movements, is installed in a compact, removable or separable housing that can be connected to the soldering iron and is equipped with its own power source and with connecting elements for a mechanical coupling to the soldering iron / soldering iron housing. [7] Soldering iron, characterized bythat it has at least one trembling motion stabilizer, and it - a unit consisting of at least the soldering tip and the heating element, which are installed in an inner housing or in a sheath inside the soldering iron housing, which, when viewed from the perspective showing the soldering iron vertically with the soldering tip pointing downwards, is decoupled from the bottom of the soldering iron housing, - a fixing element that fixes the inner housing at the top to the inner wall of the soldering iron housing so that it can move radially around a longitudinal axis of the soldering iron or can pivot by spring action, - at least one actuator connected to the inner wall of the soldering iron housing and to the outer wall of the inner housing, which is installed at the bottom and can move the unit radially around the soldering iron longitudinal axis, - a vibration sensor, built into the body of the soldering iron, which can detect the user's hand shaking movements, - a controller or an evaluation unit that is connected to the vibration sensor and the actuator, which records the signals from the vibration sensor via the hand trembling movements and causes the unit to oscillate in the lower area via the actuator, so that this causes phase-inverted trembling movements on the unit with the soldering tip on it in real time, which counteract the hand trembling movements. [8] Soldering iron according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the trembling motion stabilizer is installed in a compact, removable or separable housing that can be connected to the soldering iron, which is self-sufficient with its own power source and is equipped with connecting elements for a mechanical coupling with the soldering iron / soldering iron housing. [9] Soldering iron according to claim 6 or 8, characterized bythat the connecting elements are magnets or Velcro fasteners or snap / clip fasteners or holding elements.

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