JP2535466B2 - Equipment for cleaning objects to be cleaned using flammable solvent - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to electronic parts, mechanical parts,
The present invention relates to a cleaning device for an object to be cleaned using a flammable solvent such as a printed circuit board.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for cleaning objects to be cleaned such as electronic parts, mechanical parts, and printed circuit boards, Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 3-49633, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 179784, and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 56-11.
As in the inventions described in Japanese Patent No. 5676, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 54-11396 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-101881, it has excellent cleaning power and has a low boiling point and can perform liquid cleaning and vapor cleaning with one liquid. Therefore, fluorine-based organic solvents and chlorine-based organic solvents have been frequently used.

[0003]

However, the use of fluorine-based organic solvents and chlorine-based organic solvents has been restricted because they adversely affect the human body and destroy the ozone layer. Therefore, it is considered to use a high boiling point flammable silicon solvent, a hydrocarbon solvent, a hydrophilic solvent or the like as the cleaning liquid.

However, since these flammable solvents have high boiling points and high vapor temperatures, the objects to be cleaned are deformed and deteriorated by heat. Therefore, at present, it is difficult to use a silicon-based solvent, a hydrocarbon-based solvent, a hydrophilic solvent or the like as a solvent for steam cleaning.

When the flammable high boiling point solvent is vaporized,
Since it becomes high-temperature steam, it has a drawback in that it is dangerous in operation, and it requires a lot of energy to increase the temperature, which is uneconomical.

The present invention eliminates the above-mentioned drawbacks and evaporates a high-boiling point solvent such as a flammable high-boiling point silicon-based solvent, a hydrocarbon-based solvent or a hydrophilic solvent at a temperature lower than that under normal pressure. And can be used as a solvent for steam cleaning. Further, the steam cleaning and the drying process of the object to be cleaned can be quickly switched to enable efficient cleaning work.
Further, it is intended to enable safe steam cleaning by using a high boiling point combustible solvent.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention uses one or two of a silicon-based solvent, a hydrocarbon-based solvent and a hydrophilic solvent having a boiling point of 100 to 200 ° C.
A steam generation tank that is equipped with a heating mechanism that heats a high boiling point solvent that selectively uses one or more species and that is connected to a decompression mechanism via a condenser to enable continuous decompression of the inside, and control with this steam generation tank The cleaning tank is formed so as to be able to communicate with each other through a valve, is connected to a decompression mechanism through a condenser, and is capable of continuously decompressing the inside of a cleaning tank for an object to be cleaned.

Further, the steam generating tank and the cleaning tank for cleaning the object to be cleaned can be connected to a pressure reducing mechanism via a pressure adjusting valve so that the pressures in the steam generating tank and the cleaning tank for the object to be cleaned can be adjusted arbitrarily. It may be a thing.

[0009]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, in cleaning the object to be cleaned, the boiling point is 100 ° C. to 20 ° C. in consideration of the material of the object to be cleaned, the dirt attached to the object to be cleaned, and the like.
One kind or two kinds or more of a silicon-based solvent, a hydrocarbon-based solvent and a hydrophilic solvent at 0 ° C. is selected. Then, vapor is generated in a depressurized atmosphere in which the solvent is continuously depressurized by the high boiling point solvent.

Further, in the present specification, continuous depressurization does not mean that the depressurizing mechanism is continuously operated from the time when steam is generated to the time when cleaning is completed, but the depressurized state of the depressurized atmosphere is continuously maintained. Is meant. The decompression mechanism can also be operated intermittently according to the decompression state.

Since this vapor is generated in a decompressed atmosphere in which the pressure is continuously reduced, it is generated at a lower temperature than when it is generated by boiling a solvent under normal pressure. It can be used for steam cleaning. Therefore, even if the object to be cleaned is a material that cannot withstand high temperatures,
It is possible to select the optimum solvent for removing dirt and perform steam cleaning at a low temperature.

As a result, the boiling point of 100 ° C. to 2 ° C. has been conventionally usable only for liquid cleaning such as immersion cleaning and shower cleaning.
A high boiling point solvent such as a silicon-based solvent, a hydrocarbon-based solvent, or a hydrophilic solvent at 00 ° C. can be used for vapor cleaning. Therefore, it is possible to perform vapor cleaning without adversely affecting the environment without using a fluorine-based organic solvent or a chlorine-based organic solvent.

Further, since the inside of the steam generation tank, cleaning tank, etc. is continuously decompressed and the air inside becomes lean, even if a flammable solvent is selected, there is a great risk of ignition. It can be reduced.

Further, if the atmospheric pressure in the reduced pressure atmosphere can be arbitrarily set, the degree of the reduced pressure is changed to obtain various vapor temperatures so that the objects to be cleaned having different materials can be treated with one kind of solvent. It is possible to improve the workability and reduce the number of kinds of solvents as compared with the case where the degree of pressure reduction is set to one.

Further, since the steam generation tank and the cleaning tank are connected via a control valve, when the object to be cleaned is dried after completion of the steam cleaning, the control valve is closed to remove the solvent in the cleaning tank. By eliminating the inflow of steam and strengthening the vacuum state after the completion of steam cleaning, the boiling point can be further lowered and vacuum drying can be quickly performed without waste. Further, since the flammable solvent vapor in the cleaning tank is not discharged by the vacuum drying, there is no danger of ignition even if the lid is opened to take out the object to be cleaned.

The boiling point of the flammable solvent is 100 ° C. to 2 ° C.
Since a high boiling point solvent of 00 ° C is used, the risk of ignition is low, the regulations under the Fire Service Law are low, and inventory management is easy. In addition, the high boiling point solvent has less natural evaporation and consumption in inventory, and the running cost can be reduced.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 1. (1) is a steam generating tank having a boiling point of 100.degree.
A heating mechanism (3) for heating the flammable high-boiling point solvent (2) at ℃ is provided as a vapor generating part (4). This heating mechanism (3) is carried out by introducing heating steam into a heating coil (5) located in a flammable high boiling point solvent (2). This heating steam is
Water is introduced from the supply source to the heating coil (5) via the solenoid valve (6) and the needle valve (7), and after exchanging heat with the solvent (2) via the heating coil (5), condensed water Is discharged to the outside through the steam trap (8). In addition, pressure gauge (1
The pressure of the heating steam according to 0) is monitored.

Further, the solenoid valve (6) is connected to the thermo controller (11) for the solvent (2) to open / close the valve. Also,
Inside the steam generation tank (1), pressure gauge (12) and pressure switch (1
The internal pressure is constantly monitored by 3) or the like, and if an abnormal pressure rise occurs, the safety valve (14) is activated to reduce the internal pressure.

The steam generating tank (1) has a condenser (16) formed by winding a cooling coil (15) in the upper direction. This cooling coil (15) has a cooling water inlet pipe (17)
And the discharge pipe (18) are connected to each other, and the solvent condensed in the condenser (16) is separated from the water in the water separator (20), and then the steam generation tank.
Reflux into (1).

Further, the steam generation tank (1) is connected to a decompression mechanism (24) such as a vacuum pump or an aspirator so that the inside can be continuously depressurized. This decompression mechanism (24)
Is connected to the steam generation tank (1) via a pressure regulating valve (25), and the degree of pressure reduction in the steam generation tank (1) can be arbitrarily adjusted. Further, a cleaning tank (38) is formed separately from the steam generating tank (1), and the cleaning target (21) is cleaned with steam inside the cleaning tank (38).

The cleaning tank (38) can communicate with the steam generating tank (1) through the steam supply pipe (42) and the control valve (43), and forms a steam cleaning section (22) inside. Further, a cooling coil (44) is wound around the inner surface of the upper portion of the steam cleaning section (22) to provide a condenser section (45). Also, this condensing part (45)
The upper part of the lid is closed with a lid (46) so that it can be opened and closed.
It is possible to go in and out of 1).

Further, the cleaning tank (38) is connected to the pressure reducing mechanism (24) so that the inside can be continuously depressurized. The pressure reducing mechanism (24) and the cleaning tank (38) are connected to each other through the pressure regulating valve (2
An on-off valve (47) is provided between the above and 5).

Further, the steam generation tank (1) and the steam cleaning tank (3
The cleaning vapor sucked toward the decompression mechanism (24) in the process of decompressing the inside of (8) is condensed and liquefied by the condenser (26). This condenser (26) is filled with cooling water (27) to flow inside,
By immersing the vacuum pipe (28) in the cooling water (27), the cleaning vapor is condensed and liquefied. A condenser pipe (49) communicating with the condenser section (16) of the steam generation tank (1) is connected to the vacuum pipe (28) on the pressure regulating valve (25) side of the on-off valve (47). ing. Further, a sixth on-off valve (60) is arranged in this condensing pipe (49).

The condensed and liquefied solvent is sucked by the pressure reducing mechanism (24) through the electromagnetic valve (30) and stored in the solvent tank (31) and the overflow pipe (32) provided with the reflux electromagnetic valve (29). ) To the steam generating section (4) of the steam generating tank (1). Further, the solvent tank (31) is provided with a space (33) above the solvent (2), and the exhaust pipe (3) is provided in the space (33).
4) is inserted.

In the above structure, in order to perform the steam cleaning of the object to be cleaned (21), first, the sixth on-off valve (6
0) is opened to depressurize the steam generation tank (1) to generate steam, and then the on-off valve (47) is opened to depressurize the inside of the cleaning tank (38). Then, inside the cleaning tank (38), the steam generation tank (1)
When the atmospheric pressure is about the same as the above, the control valve (43) is opened and the cleaning steam of the steam generating tank (1) is introduced into the steam cleaning section (22) of the cleaning tank (38) to clean the object to be cleaned (21). ) Perform steam cleaning. In this case, the sixth on-off valve (60) may be left open,
If this is closed, the decompression efficiency of the cleaning tank (38) can be further improved.

As described above, the steam generation tank (1) and the cleaning tank
Since the pressure inside (38) is continuously reduced to generate cleaning vapor,
The boiling point of the flammable high boiling point solvent (2) can be made lower than atmospheric pressure. As a result, it could not be done in the past,
It becomes possible to use a flammable high-boiling point solvent such as a silicon-based solvent, a hydrocarbon-based solvent, or a hydrophilic solvent as the cleaning liquid. Then, as described above, even if the material to be cleaned (21) that cannot withstand high temperature is selected, the solvent can be selected to perform steam cleaning at low temperature.

Further, since the atmospheric pressure in the steam cleaning section (22) can be arbitrarily set, the degree of pressure reduction can be changed to obtain various steam temperatures, so that the objects to be cleaned (21) of different materials can be
Dipping and steam cleaning can be performed with the same type of solvent (2).

Next, the cleaning object (2
To dry 1), close control valve (43) and wash tank (3
Stop the supply of steam to 8). By stopping the supply of the steam, the residual pressure of the cleaning tank (38), which is continuously decompressed by the decompression mechanism (24), is rapidly eliminated, and the degree of decompression is strengthened, so that the boiling point in the decompression atmosphere Is lower than that during steam cleaning, enabling quick drying. Also, after the drying is completed, the lid (46) is opened to clean the object to be cleaned.
Even when taking out (21), the combustible vapor is washed in the washing tank (38).
Since it does not exist inside, there is no danger of ignition and safe work can be performed.

In order to carry out the distillation regeneration of the high boiling point solvent (2), the control valve (43) and the on-off valve (47) are closed, and the sixth on-off valve is closed.
When the high boiling point solvent (2) is heated by opening (60), the solvent vapor can be guided to the condenser (26) through the sixth opening / closing valve (60) and the vacuum pipe (28) and condensed. . This condensate is stored in the solvent tank (31) and, if necessary, introduced into the steam generation tank (1).

[0030]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has a small boiling point that does not affect the environment or human body without using a fluorine-based organic solvent or chlorine-based organic solvent that adversely affects the environment or human body. Silicon-based solvent at 100 ° C to 200 ° C,
While using a high boiling point solvent such as a hydrocarbon solvent or a hydrophilic solvent, it is possible to perform the vapor cleaning of the object to be cleaned at a low vapor temperature, and it is possible to perform the vapor cleaning of the object to be cleaned of a material having low heat resistance.

As a result, even if the object to be cleaned has low heat resistance,
Cleaning can be performed with different types of solvents, and the number of cleaning operations can be greatly reduced. In addition, the inventory of the solvent is reduced, which is economical, and the risk of fire or the like caused by inventorying many kinds of solvents can be prevented.

The solvent has a boiling point of 100 ° C. to 200 ° C.
Since it uses a high boiling point solvent, it is less likely to catch fire and is less subject to regulations under the Fire Service Act, and the high boiling point solvent has less natural evaporation and consumption in inventory and can reduce running costs, Inventory management becomes easy.

Further, since the inside of the steam generating tank, the cleaning tank, etc. is continuously decompressed and the air inside becomes lean, even if a flammable solvent is selected, the risk of ignition is greatly increased. It is possible to reduce the number, and it enables safe cleaning work.

Further, since the steam generation tank and the cleaning tank are connected via the control valve, when the object to be cleaned is dried after completion of the steam cleaning, the control valve is closed to remove the solvent in the cleaning tank. By eliminating the inflow of steam and increasing the degree of vacuum and lowering the boiling point as compared with the time of steam cleaning, vacuum drying can be performed quickly without waste. Further, since the flammable solvent vapor in the cleaning tank is not discharged by the vacuum drying, there is no danger of ignition even if the lid is opened to take out the object to be cleaned.

Further, if the atmospheric pressure in the depressurized atmosphere can be arbitrarily set, the degree of depressurization is changed to obtain various vapor temperatures, so that the objects to be cleaned having different materials can be treated with one solvent, From the immersion cleaning to the steam cleaning, or only the steam cleaning can be performed, and the workability can be further improved and the kinds of the solvent can be reduced as compared with the case where the degree of pressure reduction is one.

Further, when steam cleaning is not carried out, it can be easily used as a distillation regenerator by opening and closing a plurality of valves, so that the apparatus can be used for multiple purposes and is economical and inexpensive. Can be

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Steam Generation Tank 2 Solvent 3 Heating Mechanism 21 Object to be Washed 22 Steam Cleaning Section 24 Pressure Reduction Mechanism 25 Pressure Adjustment Valve 26 Condenser 38 Cleaning Tank 43 Control Valve

Continuation of front page (56) Reference JP-A-56-115676 (JP, A) JP-A-54-113965 (JP, A) JP-A-3-101881 (JP, A) JP-A-3-140485 (JP , A) JP 3-293072 (JP, A) JP 2-198678 (JP, A) JP 2-83074 (JP, A) JP 60-55611 (JP, A) JP 59-10379 (JP, A) Actually open 1-179784 (JP, U) Actually open 1-163486 (JP, U) Actually open 63-193588 (JP, U) JP-B 3-49633 (JP, B2) Japanese Patent Publication 1-46162 (JP, B2) Japanese Patent Publication 50-16589 (JP, B2) Japanese Publication 6-11435 (JP, B2)

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A heating mechanism for heating a high boiling point solvent having a boiling point of 100 ° C. to 200 ° C., which is a selective use of one or more of a silicon-based solvent, a hydrocarbon-based solvent and a hydrophilic solvent, and is condensed. It is connected to a pressure reducing mechanism via a condenser, and a steam generating tank that can continuously reduce the pressure inside is formed so that it can communicate with this steam generating tank via a control valve, and it is connected to a pressure reducing mechanism via a condenser. And a cleaning tank for cleaning an object to be continuously depressurized, the apparatus for cleaning an object using a flammable solvent. 2. The steam generating tank and the cleaning tank for cleaning the object to be cleaned are connected to a pressure reducing mechanism via a pressure adjusting valve, and the pressures inside the steam generating tank and the cleaning tank for cleaning the object to be cleaned can be arbitrarily adjusted. The cleaning device for an object to be cleaned using the flammable solvent according to claim 1, wherein