Adjustable Spray Bar Height for PCB Cleaning Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning apparatuses for electronic substrates require manual adjustment of the spray system height, which is time-consuming and inconvenient, especially with the increased complexity and temperature requirements of lead-free soldering processes and denser electronic components.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable height spray system with a lift mechanism, including a linear actuator and linkage assembly, automatically moves the manifold and spray bars between raised and lowered positions, allowing for precise adjustment of the spray distance relative to the conveyor system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual adjustment of spray system height is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases due to time-consuming adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The spray system incorporates an adjustable height mechanism with pivot links and spray bars that can dynamically change position between raised and lowered states, allowing the system to adapt to different cleaning requirements while maintaining efficient automated operation
Solution Approach 2:
The lift mechanism is automatically controllable, enabling the spray system to adjust its own height without manual intervention, thereby improving productivity while the modular design keeps the added complexity manageable
2Ease of operation
If automated lift mechanism is added, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a dynamic lift mechanism with pivot links and spray bars that can automatically adjust height through controlled movement, making operation easier while the modular construction keeps the added structural complexity manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical adjustment process is replaced with an automatically controllable lift mechanism, improving ease of operation by eliminating manual intervention while the mechanism uses straightforward mechanical components rather than complex systems
3Adaptability or versatility
If spray distance is optimized for various component sizes, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spray system employs adjustable height spray bars connected through pivot links that can be positioned at different heights to optimize spray distance for various component sizes and types, providing adaptability through dynamic repositioning
Solution Approach 2:
The spray system is divided into modular components including individual spray bars and pivot links that can be independently adjusted and positioned, allowing flexible adaptation to different cleaning requirements while keeping each component relatively simple
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
This solution enables efficient and automated cleaning of electronic substrates, reducing manual intervention and improving cleaning efficiency by optimizing the spray distance for various component sizes and types, thus meeting industry cleanliness standards with reduced time and energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The lift mechanism includes a linear actuator, which is mounted on a wall of the at least one cleaning module by a bracket
Implementation Method 2
The lift mechanism further may include a linkage assembly having two pivot links, with each pivot link being pivotally secured to the wall of the cleaning module, and a linkage bar, which connects the ends of the pivot links
Implementation Method 3
The at least one cleaning module includes a spray system having a manifold connected to a source of fluid and a plurality of spray bars fluidly coupled to the manifold
Data Source
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AI summary
A cleaning apparatus (10) is configured to clean electronic substrates including printed circuit boards and semiconductor product assemblies. The cleaning apparatus (10) includes at least one cleaning module (12) configured to treat electronic substrates and a conveyor system (16) configured to transport the electronic substrates through the at least one cleaning module. The at least one cleaning module (12) includes a spray system (20) having a manifold (22) connected to a source of fluid (24) and a plurality of spray bars (28) fluidly coupled to the manifold (20), and an adjustable height spray system (32) configured to move the manifold (20) and the plurality of spray bars (28) up and down with respect to the conveyor system (16).