Condensation Soldering Medium Recovery With Centrifugal Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

In reflow condensation soldering systems, the existing cleaning processes are inefficient, leading to incomplete separation of contaminants and reduced throughput due to the lack of continuous cleaning and the accumulation of residues, which affects the purity and availability of the heat transfer medium.

Innovation Solution

A reflow condensation soldering system with a circulation system incorporating a centrifuge and a condensation device for efficient separation of impurities, utilizing a plate separator to enhance the separation rate and purity of the heat transfer medium, allowing for continuous operation and improved system throughput.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the PFPE is kept in a closed circuit with conventional filtration, then the system can operate continuously, but the cleaning performance is insufficient and contaminants are not completely removed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidthroughput
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical filtration systems (filter mats, granular filters, activated carbon filters) with a centrifugal separation system. The centrifuge uses rotational mechanical force to separate contaminants from PFPE based on density differences, achieving superior cleaning performance with faster processing speed that matches increased throughput requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the separation parameter from passive filtration to active centrifugal separation. By introducing rotational speed as a controllable parameter, the system can adjust separation efficiency to match varying throughput demands while maintaining complete contaminant removal, thus resolving the contradiction between cleaning performance and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If cleaning operations are performed less frequently to maintain throughput, then productivity increases, but the PFPE purity decreases and residues accumulate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidPFPE purity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous centrifugal cleaning during the maintenance cycle, replacing periodic batch filtration. The centrifuge operates continuously to separate contaminants from PFPE, ensuring constant purity maintenance without interrupting the soldering process, thus maintaining both high productivity and PFPE purity simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If the residence time in the collection tank is reduced to increase throughput, then productivity increases, but the PFPE sedimentation becomes incomplete and contaminant carryover increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidcleaning completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces gravity-based sedimentation in the collection tank with centrifugal separation. The centrifuge generates sufficient mechanical force to separate even fine contaminants from PFPE in seconds, eliminating the need for long residence times and enabling complete cleaning despite reduced tank residence time, thus resolving the contradiction between throughput and cleaning completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The system achieves nearly complete recovery and reuse of the heat transfer medium, reducing chemical waste and environmental impact while maintaining high purity, thereby increasing system throughput and reducing maintenance cycles.

Implementation Method 1

the circulation system comprises a centrifuge and a condensation device for the heat transfer medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Implementation Method 2

the circulation system comprises a centrifuge and a condensation device for the heat transfer medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentEP3778088B1Reflow condensation soldering system
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 REHM THERMAL SYST GMBH
  • EP3778088B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3778088B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3778088B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Reflow condensation soldering system (200) with a circulation system (210) for a heat transfer medium, wherein the module comprises a centrifuge (90B) and a condensation device (90A) for the heat transfer medium.