Dry Ice Robotic Cleaning for Liquid-Safe Electronics Refurbishment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost of replacing or repairing electronic devices due to issues like dust accumulation in ports and the need for effective cleaning without using liquids that could damage the devices, coupled with the challenge of restoring devices to a resale-worthy condition.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using dry ice for cleaning electronic devices, involving a chamber with a robot arm, dry ice machine, and pneumatic actuators to secure and clean devices, ensuring safe and effective removal of dust and minor blemishes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If liquids are used to clean electronic devices, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces liquid-based cleaning with a dry ice blasting system that uses solid carbon dioxide particles accelerated through a nozzle. The dry ice particles mechanically impact and remove contaminants from electronic device surfaces without leaving residual moisture or requiring liquid chemicals, thus maintaining cleaning effectiveness while eliminating liquid damage risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of dry ice (solid CO2) as it sublimates upon contact with the electronic device surface. This phase change from solid to gas creates a cooling effect that contracts contaminants and facilitates their removal, while the gaseous CO2 dissipates without leaving liquid residue that could damage sensitive electronics.
2Ease of operation
If manual cleaning processes are used, then flexibility is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated dry ice blasting system with a robotic arm that autonomously positions and operates the cleaning nozzle. The system self-regulates the dry ice particle flow rate and nozzle positioning, eliminating the need for manual operation while maintaining adaptability to different device geometries through programmable motion paths and automated adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic actuators to control the robotic arm's movement and positioning, as well as to regulate the flow of dry ice particles through the cleaning nozzle. This pneumatic control system provides precise, automated manipulation of cleaning parameters and robot positioning, replacing manual dexterity with automated pneumatic actuation while significantly increasing cleaning throughput.
3Manufacturing precision
If dry ice particle flow rate is increased, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic control system that adjusts the dry ice particle flow rate in real-time based on the specific cleaning requirements of different device surfaces and contaminant types. The system modulates the pneumatic pressure and particle delivery rate during the cleaning process, increasing flow only when and where needed, rather than maintaining a constant high flow rate, thus optimizing cleaning effectiveness while minimizing energy consumption.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively cleans electronic devices without liquid damage, preserving their condition for resale, reducing costs and enhancing the repair process efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A dry ice machine provides the flow of dry ice for cleaning at least one surface of the electronic device
Implementation Method 2
cleaned by a flow of dry ice
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for cleaning an electronic device with dry ice is shown and described. The system includes a first chamber and a second chamber. The second chamber houses a dry ice machine which will dispense appropriately sized dry ice. The dry ice machine is in connection with the first chamber. The first chamber houses a robot arm having at least one tool head. The dry ice connection is attached to the tool head using a nozzle to dispense the dry ice. A first conveyor places a device in position for the robot arm to position the device in the flow of dry ice, thereby cleaning the device. In one version the robot arm places the device on a second conveyor where a final side of the device can be cleaned. In this version the dry ice nozzle and tool head can be moved by the robot arm.