Device and method for dust removal from a component
The dust removal device addresses the challenge of invisible dust contamination by using a sealed enclosure with air ionization, ventilation, and UV illumination to efficiently capture dust on complex components, improving manufacturing cleanliness and reducing rework rates.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- THALES SA
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-18
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-19
AI Technical Summary
Existing dust removal methods are inadequate for components requiring high cleanliness, particularly for particles smaller than 50 μm, and are unsuitable for small, fragile, or complexly shaped components, leading to high rework rates due to invisible dust contamination.
A dust removal device with a sealed enclosure, air ionizer to neutralize static charge, ventilation circuit with suction and dust filter, and UV illumination to detect dust, ensuring controlled air circulation and dust capture without additional contamination.
Effectively removes dust particles down to 5 μm, reduces contamination risk, and supports complex shapes without additional contact, enhancing manufacturing efficiency and cleanliness.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Device and method for dusting a component
[0001] The invention relates generally to the dust removal of a component, in particular the dust removal of a component requiring a high level of cleanliness during manufacturing.
[0002] Certain components, in the field of optics or optronics for example, must be manufactured under extremely strict cleanliness conditions. These components, after manufacturing, must not be contaminated by dust.
[0003] These components are typically manufactured in an ISO 6 to 8 category cleanroom. However, a high rework rate has been observed for some products, due to the presence of dust inside the components.
[0004] Existing means for removing dust are not satisfactory, particularly for dust particles smaller than 50 pm.
[0005] Indeed, some of the dust is not visible to the naked eye, so that the dust removal is carried out blindly.
[0006] Dust removal is carried out using cans of compressed air, which blow away the dust deposited on the components. There are also vacuum cleaners specifically designed for cleanrooms, but these are not suitable for small, fragile, or complexly shaped components.
[0007] In this context, the invention aims to provide a dust removal device to reduce the amount of dust polluting components that must exhibit a high level of cleanliness.
[0008] To this end, the invention relates to a dust removal device for a component, the dust removal device comprising:
[0009] - a watertight enclosure defining an internal volume, with a support housed in the internal volume and configured so that the component is placed on the support, and an access door to the internal volume;
[0010] - at least one air ionizer configured to diffuse a stream of ionized air onto the component placed on the support;
[0011] - a ventilation circuit, with an air duct having a suction communicating with the internal volume and a plurality of blowing orifices opening into the internal volume, a dust filter interposed along the air duct, and an air circulation device ensuring air circulation along the air duct from the suction to the plurality of blowing orifices through the dust filter.
[0012] The air ionizer eliminates static electricity on the component to be cleaned. This static electricity attracts dust particles. When static electricity is eliminated, the dust can be vacuumed up much more easily. The air ionizer operates without contact with the component, so no additional contamination is introduced.
[0013] The ventilation circuit allows the dust detached from the component to be evacuated, this dust being captured by the dust filter.
[0014] These operations are carried out in a sealed chamber, allowing good control of air circulation.
[0015] The dust removal device may also have one or more of the following characteristics, considered individually or in all technically possible combinations:
[0016] - the air ionizer or each air ionizer has a Corona effect;
[0017] - the suction is placed under the component;
[0018] - the support is a grid, the orifices of the grid constituting the suction of the circuit ventilation;
[0019] - the blower ports are configured to create a vortex airflow at the interior of the internal volume around the component;
[0020] - the blowing ports are arranged above the component and over at least 180° around the component;
[0021] - the dust filter is a HEPA filter;
[0022] - the dust filter is configured to trap dust particles larger than 5 pm;
[0023] - the device includes a UV light configured to illuminate the component.
[0024] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for dusting a component, the process comprising the following steps:
[0025] - place the component on a support in an internal volume of a sealed enclosure;
[0026] - diffuse a flow of ionized air over the component placed on the support;
[0027] - ensure air circulation within the internal volume, the air being drawn in by an intake communicating with the internal volume, the air flowing along an air duct from the intake through a dust filter to a plurality of blowing ports opening into the internal volume, the air being blown into the internal volume through said plurality of blowing ports.
[0028] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description given below, with reference to [Fig.1] [Fig.1] schematically representing the dust removal device of the invention.
[0029] The device 1 shown in [Fig.1] is intended to remove dust from a component 3.
[0030] This component is typically one requiring a high level of cleanliness during its manufacture. This component is typically manufactured in a cleanroom.
[0031] Component 3 is for example integrated into optical equipment, or into optronic equipment, or into watchmaking equipment, or into electronic equipment, or even into mechanical equipment.
[0032] The device 1 includes a sealed box 5 delimiting an internal volume 7, with a support 9 housed in the internal volume 7 and configured so that the component 3 is placed on the support 7, and an access door 11 to the internal volume 7.
[0033] The enclosure 5 is sealed in the sense that, when the access door 11 is closed, air from outside the enclosure 5 cannot enter the internal volume, or can only enter in a proportion small enough not to bring in a significant amount of dust.
[0034] In the example shown, the internal volume 7 is parallelepiped. Alternatively, it can be of any other shape.
[0035] The internal volume 7 is delimited by internal walls 13.
[0036] The access door 11 defines one of the internal walls. It can be moved between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, access to the internal volume is clear, and it is possible to place component 3 on the support 9, or to remove component 3 from the internal volume 7.
[0037] In the closed position, the access door 11 seals the internal volume 7.
[0038] The access door 11 is, for example, sliding.
[0039] Advantageously, the support 9 is a grid.
[0040] The support 9 is substantially horizontal, and constitutes one of the internal walls 13, delimiting the internal volume 7 downwards.
[0041] Component 3 is placed directly on support 9.
[0042] Alternatively, component 3 is placed on a rotating base, itself resting on the support 9.
[0043] The dust removal device 1 further includes at least one air ionizer 15 configured to diffuse a flow of ionized air onto the component 3 placed on the support 9.
[0044] Advantageously, the dust removal device 1 comprises two air ionizers 15 placed on the support 9, and arranged on two opposite sides of the component 3.
[0045] The air ionizer or each air ionizer 15 is preferably a corona effect air ionizer.
[0046] The air ionizer or each air ionizer 15 draws in an airflow from the internal volume 7 and creates positive and / or negative ions in the aspirated air. The air charged with positive and / or negative ions is then diffused towards component 3 placed on support 9.
[0047] The positive and / or negative ions diffused with the airflow recombine with the negative or positive charges on the surface of component 3, thus balancing the static charge of the component. The elimination of the static charge occurs without contact.
[0048] The dust removal device also includes a ventilation circuit 17.
[0049] This ventilation circuit 17 is housed between an external envelope 18 of the sealed box 5 and the internal walls 13 delimiting the internal volume 7.
[0050] The ventilation circuit 17 includes an air duct 19 having a suction 21 communicating with the internal volume 7 and a plurality of blowing orifices 23 opening into the internal volume 7.
[0051] The ventilation circuit 17 further includes a dust filter 25 interposed along the air duct 19 and an air circulation element 27 ensuring air circulation along the air duct 19 from the suction 21 to the plurality of blowing orifices 23, through the dust filter 25.
[0052] The air duct 19 is delimited between the outer casing 18 and the inner walls 13.
[0053] The suction 21 is placed under component 3.
[0054] Advantageously, the openings of the grid 9 constitute the suction 21 of the ventilation circuit 17.
[0055] The air circulation element 27 is a fan, typically a centrifugal fan. It is placed under the support 9.
[0056] The circulation element 27 has a suction port fluidically connected to the suction 21 of the air duct. The ventilation element 27 discharges the air into the air duct 19, towards the dust filter 25.
[0057] The dust filter 25 is a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter. It is configured to trap dust particles larger than 5 sqm, preferably larger than 3 sqm.
[0058] The blower ports 23 are configured to create a vortex airflow inside the internal volume 7, around the component 3.
[0059] The blowing ports 23 are provided in the internal walls 13 delimiting the internal volume 7. Some blowing ports 23 are placed above the component 3, i.e. in the internal wall 29 defining the upper ceiling of the internal volume 7.
[0060] Other blowing ports 23 are arranged at least 180° around component 3.
[0061] These blowing orifices 23 are placed in vertical walls 30, 31, laterally delimiting the internal volume 7.
[0062] In the example shown, in which the internal volume 7 is parallelepiped-shaped, the internal volume 7 is defined laterally on one side by the access door 11, opposite the door 11 by a back wall 30, and laterally by two side walls 31. opposite each other. Blower openings 23 are provided in the back wall 30 and in the side walls 31.
[0063] In [Fig. 1], the positions of the blow-off orifices 23 are schematic. These positions are determined by simulation, so as to create a vortex around component 3.
[0064] The dust removal device 1 further includes a UV light 33 configured to illuminate component 3.
[0065] The UV illumination 33 is configured to allow the detection of dust deposited on component 3 by fluorescence.
[0066] UV illumination 33 generates ultraviolet radiation that excites the dust and causes it to fluoresce in the visible spectrum. The color emitted by fluorescence depends strongly on the nature and intensity of the ultraviolet radiation. Advantageously, the UV illumination is of the UV-A type. The dust exhibits white fluorescence.
[0067] Typically, the UV lighting 33 comprises two bars 35, each equipped with several UV lamps. These bars 35 are mounted on the upper ceiling 29 of the internal volume 7.
[0068] Advantageously, the dust removal device 1 is equipped with a camera 37, configured to acquire images of the component 3 on its support while the dust removal is in progress.
[0069] The camera 37 is typically mounted on the upper ceiling 29, between the two lighting bars 35.
[0070] The camera 37 is of the type allowing the acquisition of images of component 3 showing the dust deposited on this component 3 when these are fluorescent under the effect of ultraviolet radiation.
[0071] For example, the camera is of the high-resolution type, preferably with embedded capability for running neural networks.
[0072] The dust removal device 1 further includes a control element 39, configured to control the dust removal device.
[0073] The control device 39 is, for example, a computer, or a tablet, or any other type of similar control device.
[0074] The control unit 39 is configured to operate the access door 11. It is also configured to operate the air circulation unit 27, and the air ionizer or each air ionizer 15.
[0075] Typically, the control unit 39 also controls the UV lighting 33 and the camera 37.
[0076] This control unit 39 is equipped with software configured to create and execute dust removal programs adapted to different types of components, while ensuring traceability of the operations carried out.
[0077] The control unit 39 constitutes a human-machine interface (HMI) enabling the following operations to be performed:
[0078] - open access door 11;
[0079] - specify the reference of component 3 to be dusted, in particular its part number series ;
[0080] - optionally choose the dust removal program applicable to component 3;
[0081] - start the dust removal.
[0082] The dust removal program runs automatically.
[0083] The access door 11 is first closed. The internal visible light lighting of the internal volume 7 is switched off, and the UV lighting 33 is switched on. One or more views of the component 3 are acquired using the camera 37 and recorded in a memory of the control unit 39. Then, the air circulation unit 27 is switched on, and the air ionizer(s) 15 are switched on.
[0084] The air flow rate aspirated by the air circulation element 27 is regulated by the control element 39, according to the selected dust removal program.
[0085] Similarly, the flow rate of ionized air is regulated by the control unit 39 according to the selected program.
[0086] The duration of the dust removal is chosen by the control unit 39, according to the program chosen.
[0087] The air circulation element 27 draws in air filling the internal volume 7, through the suction inlet 21. It discharges the air into the air duct 19. The air flows through the dust filter 25, the dust being retained by the filter 25. The dust-free air exits the dust filter 25 and flows to the blower outlets 23.
[0088] From the blower ports, it flows inside the internal volume 7. It creates a vortex around the component 3. The air thus circulates in a closed circuit without being discharged to the outside of the sealed box, and without the admission of outside air into the sealed box.
[0089] During air circulation, the air ionizers 15 diffuse the ionized airflow over component 3, which makes it possible to eliminate static electricity and easily detach dust deposited on component 3.
[0090] At the end of the dust removal program, new shots are acquired by the camera 37 and recorded in the memory of the control unit 39. The UV lighting 33 is then switched off.
[0091] The control unit 39 then commands the automatic opening of the access door 11, and the operator can retrieve the dusted component.
[0092] The invention also relates to a method for removing dust from a component. This method is specifically designed to be implemented with the dust removal device 1 described above. Conversely, the dust removal device 1 is specifically adapted to implement the dust removal method that will now be described.
[0093] The dust removal process comprises the following steps:
[0094] - place the component 3 on a support 9 in an internal volume 7 of a box waterproof 5;
[0095] - diffuse a flow of ionized air over the component 3 placed on the support 9;
[0096] - ensure air circulation within the internal volume 7, the air being drawn in by an aspiration 23 communicating with the internal volume 7, the air circulating along an air duct 19 from the aspiration 21 through a dust filter 25 to a plurality of blowing ports 23 opening into the internal volume 7, the air being blown into the internal volume 7 through said plurality of blowing ports 23.
[0097] The watertight enclosure 5 is as described above.
[0098] The ionized airflow is diffused by at least one air ionizer 15 of the type described above.
[0099] Air circulation is ensured by a ventilation circuit 17 of the type described above.
Claims
Demands
1. Dust removal device (1) for a component (3), the dust removal device (1) comprising: - a sealed enclosure (5) delimiting an internal volume (7), with a support (9) housed in the internal volume (7) and configured so that the component (3) is placed on the support (9), and a door (11) for accessing the internal volume (7); - at least one air ionizer (15) configured to diffuse a stream of ionized air over the component (3) placed on the support (9); - a ventilation circuit (17), with an air duct (19) having an aspiration (21) communicating with the internal volume (7) and a plurality of blowing orifices (23) opening into the internal volume (7), a dust filter (25) interposed along the air duct (19), and an air circulation device (27) ensuring air circulation along the air duct (19) from the aspiration (21) to the plurality of blowing orifices (23) through the dust filter (25).
2. Dust removal device according to claim 1, wherein the air ionizer or each air ionizer (15) is Corona effect.
3. Dust removal device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the suction (21) is placed under the component (3).
4. Dust removal device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support (9) is a grid, the orifices of the grid (9) constituting the suction (21) of the ventilation circuit (17).
5. Dust removal device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blow holes (23) are configured to create a vortex airflow inside the internal volume (7) around the component (3).
6. Dust removal device according to claim 5, wherein the blow holes (23) are arranged above the component (3) and at least 180° around the component (3).
7. Dust removal device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dust filter (25) is a HEPA filter.
8. Dust removal device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dust filter (25) is configured to trap dust particles larger than 5 pm.
9. Dust removal device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device includes a UV light (33) configured to illuminate the component (3).
10. A method for removing dust from a component, the method comprising the following steps: - placing the component (3) on a support (9) in an internal volume (7) of a sealed enclosure (5); - diffusing a stream of ionized air over the component (3) placed on the support (9); - ensuring air circulation within the internal volume (7), the air being drawn in through a suction (21) communicating with the internal volume (7), the air flowing along an air duct (19) from the suction (21) through a dust filter (25) to a plurality of blowing ports (23) opening into the internal volume (7), the air being blown into the internal volume (7) through said plurality of blowing ports (23).