Device and method for contamination analysis of a component

Abstract

Device (1) for contamination analysis of a component (2), comprising - a suction device (4) for generating a suction flow (S), - a receiving device (5) fluidically coupled to a suction side (4.1) of the suction device (4) with a suction opening (5.1) for drawing particles (P1 to Pn) from the component (2), - a filter device (3) arranged between the suction side (4.1) and the receiving device (5), comprising a filter housing (3.1) with - a first housing section (3.1.1) fluidically coupled to the suction side (4.1), - a second housing section (3.1.2) fluidically coupled to the receiving device (5), the inner contour of which is designed as a hollow cylinder with a constant inner diameter (d), wherein the inner diameter (d) is smaller than a length (l) of the hollow cylinder, and - a filter section (3.1.4) arranged between the housing sections (3.1.1, 3.1.2), in which a disc-shaped filter (3.2) is arranged and / or can be arranged immediately adjacent to the hollow cylinder, the surface normal vector of which runs in the direction of the suction flow (S), and - an evaluation unit (6) which is configured to automatically perform a photo-optical analysis of the filter (3.2) with regard to the quantity and / or type and / or size and / or shape of particles (P1 to Pn) drawn in via the intake opening (5.1) and deposited on a surface of the filter (3.2), characterized in that the first housing section (3.1.1) has a funnel-shaped inner contour which, starting from a coupling point with the second housing section (3.1.2) in the direction of the suction device (4), tapers from an inner diameter corresponding to the inner diameter (d) of the hollow cylinder to a smaller inner diameter.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for analyzing the contamination of a component. The invention further relates to a method for analyzing the contamination of a component.

[0002] From DE 195 15 997 C1, a filter device for a gaseous medium containing solid particles to be filtered out is known. The filter device comprises a housing, a filter arranged in a flow path passing through the housing and held in the housing by a retaining device, a collection container for the particles arranged below the filter, the collection container being accessible for emptying through a closable access opening in the housing, a cleaning device for removing particles adhering to the filter, which are detached from the filter by cleaning processes and fall into the collection container, and a device for determining a fill level in the collection container, wherein the device for determining the fill level includes a counting device for the cleaning processes and an adjustment device with which a specific number of cleaning processes can be preset.and where, upon reaching this number, a "collection container full" status is displayed and the filter unit or dust-generating machine is switched off or cannot be switched on again.

[0003] Furthermore, an air filter arrangement for cleaning and disinfecting air is known from WO 2022 / 161 902 A2. The air filter arrangement comprises a housing with an inlet and an outlet, a device for generating an airflow from the inlet through the housing to the outlet, a filter element arranged in the area of ​​the airflow for removing particles and germs from the air, a UVC radiation source for irradiating the airflow, and a flow guide element arranged in the housing, which allows the airflow to be directed past the UVC radiation source.

[0004] DE 10 2005 049 227 B4 relates to a device for monitoring the particle load of a fluid. Such devices are required in particular for determining the particle load of liquids or gases, for example in the process control of cleaning and / or rinsing baths, in the quality control of cleaning processes, and in determining the technical cleanliness or particle loading of components, especially in manufacturing and production technology, such as in the automotive industry. The device according to the invention for monitoring the particle load of a fluid has a measuring chamber with an inlet and an outlet for the fluid.It is characterized by a particle sieve arranged in the measuring chamber between the inlet and the outlet for retaining particles whose size is greater than or equal to a predetermined minimum size, wherein the particle sieve divides the measuring chamber into a first sub-chamber between the inlet and the particle sieve and a second sub-chamber between the particle sieve and outlet, at least one lighting device arranged in the measuring chamber for illuminating the particle sieve, and at least one image recording device arranged in the measuring chamber for capturing an image of the particle sieve.

[0005] US 2018 / 0017478A1 describes an apparatus and method for analyzing materials. The apparatus includes two or more similar analyzers, combining the analyzers' capabilities to enable improved measurements. The apparatus may, for example, be a differential photometric analyzer such as the AETHALOMETER®. The apparatus includes a processor programmed to accept an instrument constant determined at low filter loads and to use the constant to compensate for nonlinear instrument responses. A method for conditioning filters prior to use is also described.

[0006] DE 10 2019 111 821 A1 relates to a particle collection device for collecting particles from surfaces for particle analysis in the context of determining the technical cleanliness of test specimens, in particular printed circuit boards, battery modules and / or battery stacks, comprising a suction hose having an end section for drawing in a particle / air mixture by means of a suction air volume flow from the surface of the test specimen to be tested in a suction operating mode of the particle collection device, a particle collection unit which includes a replaceable fabric filter fixed in filter holder means and which has a particle collection area, wherein the filter holder means arrange the fabric filter in the suction air volume flow in such a way thatthat the fabric filter is completely permeable to the particle / air mixture and that the particles of the particle / air mixture settle on the particle collection surface, as well as a vacuum generating means to generate the suction air volume flow for drawing in the particle / air mixture.

[0007] The invention is based on the objective of providing a novel device and a novel method for the contamination analysis of a component.

[0008] The problem is solved according to the invention by a device which has the features specified in claim 1 and by a method which has the features specified in claim 8.

[0009] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0010] The device for contamination analysis of a component is characterized according to the invention by a suction device for generating a suction flow, a receiving device fluidically coupled to a suction side of the suction device with an intake opening for drawing particles from the component, a filter device arranged between the suction side and the receiving device, comprising a filter housing with a first housing section fluidly coupled to the suction side, a second housing section fluidly coupled to the receiving device, the inner contour of which is designed as a hollow cylinder with a constant inner diameter, wherein the inner diameter is smaller than the length of the hollow cylinder, and a filter section arranged between the housing sections in which a disc-shaped filter is arranged and / or can be arranged directly adjacent to the hollow cylinder, the surface normal vector of which runs in the direction of the suction flow.and an evaluation unit designed to automatically perform a photoelectric analysis of the filter with regard to the quantity, type, size, and / or shape of particles drawn in through the intake opening and deposited on a surface of the filter. The first housing section has a funnel-shaped inner contour which, starting from a coupling point with the second housing section, tapers towards the suction device from an inner diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the hollow cylinder to a smaller inner diameter.

[0011] The hollow cylindrical shape of the inner contour of the second housing section advantageously leads to a more uniform distribution of particles across the filter surface, thus preventing particle accumulation in the outer edge region. This uniform distribution enables automatic analysis of the filter sample using the evaluation unit, as individual particles can be distinguished. Due to this uniform distribution, time-consuming and costly manual steps for distributing and measuring the particles on the filter surface are eliminated. This also prevents damage, loss, and / or destruction of particles caused by manual processes. Furthermore, such fully automated analysis results in significant time and cost savings.

[0012] In one possible embodiment of the device, the inner diameter of the hollow cylinder is 35 mm and its length is 200 mm. Such dimensions and this ratio between the inner diameter and length have proven particularly effective for distributing particles across the filter surface. Depending on the filter surface area, other dimensions and ratios can be provided in further embodiments. For example, the inner diameter of the hollow cylinder can range from approximately 30 mm to 40 mm, and the length can range from approximately 150 mm to 250 mm.

[0013] In another possible embodiment of the device, the filter section is formed at a coupling point between the first and second housing sections, either within the first housing section and / or within the second housing section. This allows for an integral design of the filter section within the first and / or second housing section, thus reducing the number of individual parts. This, in turn, simplifies handling of the filter housing.

[0014] In another possible embodiment of the device, the first housing section and the second housing section each have a flange at their coupling point, wherein the flanges are coupled or can be coupled to each other to create a flange connection. Such a flange connection enables a simple and reliable coupling of the two housing sections.

[0015] In another possible embodiment of the device, a quick-release fastener is provided, which is designed for coupling and decoupling the flanges. Such a quick-release fastener, for example a bayonet fitting or a clamp fitting, enables simple and quick coupling and decoupling of the flanges.

[0016] According to the invention, the first housing section has a funnel-shaped inner contour which, starting from a coupling point with the second housing section, tapers towards the suction device from an inner diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the hollow cylinder to a smaller inner diameter. This design, in addition to further improving the uniform distribution of particles on the surface of the filter, allows for a small suction cross-section on the suction side of the suction device.

[0017] In another possible embodiment of the device, the second housing section is designed as an adapter and is arranged between the first housing section and a third housing section of the filter housing, which is fluidically coupled to the receiving device. This allows existing devices to be supplemented with such an adapter to achieve a uniform distribution of particles on the filter surface with minimal effort, even in these devices.

[0018] In another possible embodiment of the device, the third housing section has a funnel-shaped inner contour which, starting from a coupling point with the second housing section and moving towards the receiving device, tapers from an inner diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the hollow cylinder to a smaller inner diameter. This design, in addition to further improving the uniform distribution of particles on the filter surface, allows for a small suction cross-section of the receiving device and the intake opening.

[0019] The inventive method for contamination analysis of a component using a aforementioned device is characterized in that a suction flow is generated by means of the suction device, particles are drawn from the component by means of the intake opening of the receiving device, the suction flow is guided through the filter housing so that the drawn-in particles are deposited on the surface of the filter, and the optical analysis of the filter with regard to the quantity and / or type and / or size and / or shape of the particles deposited on the surface of the filter is automatically carried out by means of the evaluation unit.

[0020] Using one of the aforementioned devices, this method allows for a particularly advantageous and reliable automatic evaluation of the filter sample with minimal effort. This minimizes the number of manual steps required and avoids damage, loss, and / or destruction of particles caused by manual processes. Furthermore, such fully automated evaluation results in significant time and cost savings.

[0021] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

[0022] This shows: Fig. 1. Schematic block diagram of a device for contamination analysis of a component, Fig. 2 schematically a sectional view of a filter device of the device according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 schematically a perspective view of a second housing section of the filter device according to Fig. 2, Fig. 4 schematically a top view of a filter with an accumulation of particles in an outer edge region of the filter and Fig. 5 schematically a top view of a filter with a more uniform distribution of particles.

[0023] Corresponding parts are marked with the same reference symbols in all figures.

[0024] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a possible embodiment of a device 1 for contamination analysis of a component 2 and the component 2 itself. Fig. Figure 2 shows a sectional view of a possible embodiment of a filter device 3 of the device 1 according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 a perspective view of a possible embodiment of a second housing section 3.1.2 of the filter device 3 according to Fig. 2.

[0025] Component 2 is, for example, a housing for a vehicle's high-voltage battery. Such components 2 require a high level of purity to ensure that the performance of the electric battery within the housing is not impaired by foreign substances in the form of particles P1 to Pn present in the housing. The illustrated device 1 is used to detect such particles P1 to Pn, which can be deposited on or in component 2, for example, during its manufacture or transport, and to perform a contamination analysis, also known as residual contamination analysis.

[0026] The device 1 is designed for so-called particle suction extraction. A possible function and a possible design of the device 1 for carrying out such particle suction extraction are described below.

[0027] The device 1 comprises a suction device 4 for generating a suction flow S, and a receiving device 5 fluidically coupled to a suction side 4.1 of the suction device 4, the receiving device having an intake opening 5.1 for drawing in particles P1 to Pn from the component 2. The filter device 3 is arranged between the suction side 4.1 and the receiving device 5. The device 1 further comprises an evaluation unit 6.

[0028] The filter device 3 has a filter housing 3.1 with three housing sections 3.1.1 to 3.1.3 and a filter section 3.1.4. A first housing section 3.1.1 is fluidically coupled to the suction side 4.1 of the suction device 4. A third housing section 3.1.3 is fluidically coupled to the receiving device 5.

[0029] The second housing section 3.1.2 is arranged between the first housing section 3.1.1 and the third housing section 3.1.3 and is fluidically coupled to the other two housing sections 3.1.1 and 3.1.3. The second housing section 3.1.2 can be designed as a retrofittable adapter.

[0030] An inner contour of the second housing section 3.1.2 is designed as a hollow cylinder with a constant inner diameter d, where the inner diameter d is smaller than a length l of the hollow cylinder. For example, the inner diameter d is 35 mm and the length l is 200 mm.

[0031] The first housing section 3.1.1 has a funnel-shaped inner contour which, starting from a coupling point with the second housing section 3.1.2, tapers from an inner diameter corresponding to the inner diameter d of the hollow cylinder to a smaller inner diameter in the direction of the suction device 4.

[0032] The third housing section 3.1.3 also has a funnel-shaped inner contour, which tapers from an inner diameter corresponding to the inner diameter d of the hollow cylinder to a smaller inner diameter starting from a coupling point with the second housing section 3.1.2 in the direction of the receiving device 5.

[0033] At the coupling point of the first housing section 3.1.1 with the second housing section 3.1.2, the filter section 3.1.4 is formed, which is configured to receive a filter 3.2. The filter 3.2 can be located in the first housing section 3.1.1 and / or in the second housing section 3.1.2. The filter section 3.1.4 is arranged and configured such that the filter 3.2 connects directly to the hollow cylinder in the direction of the suction flow S. The filter 3.2 is, for example, disc-shaped and, in one possible embodiment, has a diameter of 40 mm. A surface normal vector of the filter 3.2 extends in the direction of the suction flow S. For example, the filter 3.2 is clamped at its edge between the first housing section 3.1.1 and the second housing section 3.1.2 in a receptacle corresponding to the edge of the filter 3.2.

[0034] To couple the housing sections 3.1.1 to 3.1.3, these each have corresponding flanges, whereby only the flange 3.1.2.1 of the second housing section 3.1.2 with the first housing section 3.1.1 and the flange 3.1.2.2 of the second housing section 3.1.2 with the third housing section 3.1.3 in Fig. Figure 3 shows the flanges 3.1.2.1 and 3.1.2.2 of the second housing section 3.1.2, which can each be coupled to the flange of the first housing section 3.1.1 and the flange of the third housing section 3.1.3 to form a flange connection. For easy and quick coupling and disconnection of the flange connections, a quick-release fastener is provided, which may include at least a bayonet fitting and / or a clamp fitting.

[0035] To carry out particle extraction, the suction flow S is first generated by means of the suction device 4. The particles P1 to Pn located in and / on the component 2 are drawn in through the intake opening 5.1 and transported to the filter device 3. For this purpose, the intake opening 5.1 can be inserted into the component 2 manually or automatically and guided in and / or along the component 2. In one possible embodiment, the intake opening 5.1 is arranged in a cover-like component, which is placed on the component 2 and seals it.

[0036] The suction flow S is guided through the filter housing 3.1, so that the aspirated particles P1 to Pn are deposited on the surface of the filter 3.2. The hollow cylindrical shape of the inner contour of the second housing section 3.1.2 causes a distribution of the particles P1 to Pn, whereby in Fig. 4. Accumulations A of particles P1 to Pn at the edge of filter 3.2, as shown in more detail below, are avoided.

[0037] After the deposition of particles P1 to Pn, filter 3.2 is removed from filter section 3.1.4 and fed to evaluation unit 6, which automatically performs a photoelectric analysis of filter 3.2 to determine the quantity, type, size, and / or shape of the particles P1 to Pn deposited on its surface. This automatic analysis is only possible if the particles P1 to Pn are distributed at least relatively uniformly on filter 3.2.

[0038] Based on the results obtained from the analysis, a degree and / or type of contamination can be determined. This determination can be carried out manually or automatically using evaluation unit 6.

[0039] In Fig. Figure 4 shows a top view of a filter 3.2 with an accumulation A of particles P1 to Pn in an outer edge region of the filter 3.2, which was produced by a particle extraction carried out using a device according to the prior art.

[0040] Due to the edge occupancy of filter 3.2, the evaluation unit 6 cannot automatically distinguish between individual particles P1 to Pn. Therefore, particle size and particle count cannot be automatically evaluated. Such an evaluation requires a time-consuming manual post-processing and re-measurement of the sample. In some cases, the accumulation A of particles P1 to Pn must be mechanically dispersed homogeneously, for example, using tweezers. This can lead to the destruction or loss of particles P1 to Pn.

[0041] Fig. Figure 5, on the other hand, shows a top view of a filter 3.2 with distributed particles P1 to Pn, wherein the depicted sample is introduced by means of a Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. The device 1 described in section 3 was produced in a particle extraction process. This uniform distribution enables the automatic evaluation of the sample with regard to the quantity and / or type and / or size and / or shape of the particles P1 to Pn deposited on the surface of the filter 3.2 by means of the evaluation unit 6.

[0042] The features and advantages described herein relating to a device for contamination analysis of a component also apply to a method for contamination analysis of a component described herein, and vice versa. Reference symbol list 1 Device 2 components 3 Filter device 3.1 Filter housing 3.1.1 Housing section 3.1.2 Housing section 3.1.2.1 Flange 3.1.2.2 Flange 3.1.3 Housing section 3.1.4 Filter section 3.2 Filter 4 Suction device 4.1 Suction side 5 Recording device 5.1 Intake opening 6 evaluation unit A cluster d inner diameter Length P1 to Pn particles S suction flow

Claims

Device (1) for contamination analysis of a component (2), comprising: - a suction device (4) for generating a suction flow (S), - a receiving device (5) fluidically coupled to a suction side (4.1) of the suction device (4) with an intake opening (5.1) for drawing particles (P1 to Pn) from the component (2), - a filter device (3) arranged between the suction side (4.1) and the receiving device (5), comprising a filter housing (3.1) with: - a first housing section (3.1.1) fluidically coupled to the suction side (4.1), - a second housing section (3.1.2) fluidically coupled to the receiving device (5), the inner contour of which is designed as a hollow cylinder with a constant inner diameter (d), wherein the inner diameter (d) is smaller than a length (l) of the hollow cylinder, and - a filter section (3.1.4) arranged between the housing sections (3.1.1, 3.1.2), in which a disc-shaped filter (3.) is immediately attached to the hollow cylinder.2) is arranged and / or can be arranged, the surface normal vector of which runs in the direction of the suction flow (S), and an evaluation unit (6) which is configured to automatically perform a photo-optical analysis of the filter (3.2) with regard to a quantity and / or type and / or size and / or shape of particles (P1 to Pn) drawn in via the intake opening (5.1) and deposited on a surface of the filter (3.2), characterized in that the first housing section (3.1.1) has a funnel-shaped inner contour which tapers from an inner diameter corresponding to the inner diameter (d) of the hollow cylinder to a smaller inner diameter starting from a coupling point with the second housing section (3.1.2) in the direction of the suction device (4). Device (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the inner diameter (d) of the hollow cylinder is 35 mm and the length (l) of the hollow cylinder is 200 mm. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the filter section (3.1.4) is formed at a coupling point of the first housing section (3.1.1) with the second housing section (3.1.2) in the first housing section (3.1.1) and / or in the second housing section (3.1.2). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first housing section (3.1.1) and the second housing section (3.1.2) each have a flange (3.1.2.1) at their coupling point, wherein the flanges (3.1.2.1) are coupled or can be coupled to each other to produce a flange connection. Device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that a quick-release fastener is provided which is designed for coupling and decoupling the flanges (3.1.2.1). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second housing section (3.1.2) is designed as an adapter and is arranged between the first housing section (3.1.1) and a third housing section (3.1.3) of the filter housing (3.1) fluidically coupled to the receiving device (5) and is fluidically coupled to these. Device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the third housing section (3.1.3) has a funnel-shaped inner contour which tapers from an inner diameter corresponding to the inner diameter (d) of the hollow cylinder to a smaller inner diameter starting from a coupling point with the second housing section (3.1.2) in the direction of the receiving device (5). Method for contamination analysis of a component (2) using a device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: - a suction flow (S) is generated by means of the suction device (4), - particles (P1 to Pn) are drawn from the component (2) by means of the suction opening (5.1) of the receiving device (5), - the suction flow (S) is guided through the filter housing (3.1) so that the drawn-in particles (P1 to Pn) are deposited on the surface of the filter (3.2), and - by means of the evaluation unit (6) the optical analysis of the filter (3.2) is automatically carried out with regard to the quantity and / or type and / or size and / or shape of the particles (P1 to Pn) deposited on the surface of the filter (3.2).

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