Soldering system

Provided is a soldering system that can raise the work efficiency related to the supply of a soldering target and soldering work, while decreasing the oxygen concentration by maintaining high airtightness in a space surrounding the soldering target. A soldering system includes a soldering device and a robot related to the soldering device, in which the soldering device is equipped with a container having an openable lid and accommodating a soldering target, and the robot performs conveying of the soldering target to the soldering device and opening/closing of the lid. In an embodiment of the soldering device, the container is a double structure in which an inner container is accommodated in an outer container, and a first nitrogen supply pipe and second nitrogen supply pipe, which are inert gas supply parts of separate systems, are respectively connected to the inner container and outer container.

This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-152150, filed on 2 Aug. 2016, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a soldering system suited to use for performing soldering on a soldering target such as a semiconductor laser module, for example.

Related Art

Laser oscillators applied to laser processing machines used for cutting, welding, etc. of metals, resin materials and the like are built into semiconductor laser modules as the light source or light source for excitation. The semiconductor laser module couples (optically couples) a laser beam irradiated by the semiconductor laser element with optical fiber, to supply a laser to the laser oscillator through optical fiber. The semiconductor laser module is configured to have a housing and one or a plurality of semiconductor laser elements. In such a semiconductor laser module, soldering is used in the direct or indirect (via another member) fixing of the semiconductor laser module to the accommodated housing.

Soldering is performed under a nitrogen atmosphere reducing the oxygen concentration in order to prevent oxidation of the solder. If the solder oxidizes, the wettability of the solder will deteriorate, and phenomena occur such as the soldering not flowing out uniformly, and bubbles forming. In addition, the laser diodes may not be attached, or the laser diodes may fall off during use. Soldering is preferably conducted under an atmosphere filling with nitrogen a container surrounded so that a certain degree of airtightness is kept in order to lower the oxygen concentration. In practice, an opening is necessary for component supply and soldering operation, and thus it is not possible to completely seal.

On the one hand, if attempting a shortening of the cycle time by prioritizing component supply and workability of the soldering operation, there is concern over the airtightness inevitably declining, and the oxygen concentration rising. On the other hand, if raising the airtightness by prioritizing the lowering of the oxygen concentration, the component supply and soldering operation are greatly restricted, and there is concern over the cycle time lengthening.

In order to prevent oxidation of solder upon soldering, a proposal related to technology of lowering the oxygen concentration has also already been made (e.g., refer to Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses technology for performing supply of components serving as the targets of soldering by belt conveyer, raising the airtightness of the container by providing an opening/shutting mechanism at the component entrance, raising the nitrogen concentration of the soldering part, and decreasing the oxygen concentration. This technical disclosure suggests that a nitrogen atmosphere sufficient for soldering can be formed by equipping an opening/shutting mechanism that is not a completely sealed mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, the distance between the soldering part and the opening/shutting mechanism must be sufficiently separated, and thus a large space becomes necessary. In addition, if trying to quicken the cycle for increasing the productivity, during soldering work, component supply is performed and the opening/shutting mechanism is open, and thus there is concern over the oxygen concentration temporarily rising. In addition, although the supply of components serving as the targets of soldering is performed by belt conveyor, it is configured so as to expand a shutter, which is the opening/shutting mechanism of a shielding space, by the component itself that is conveyed by this belt conveyor. For this reason, it is difficult for the opening/shutting mechanism to adopt a configuration other than the shutter such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1, and there is no margin for applying an opening/shutting mechanism having higher airtightness.

The present invention has been made taking into account the above-mentioned such situation, and has an object of providing a soldering system that can raise the work efficiency related to supply of the soldering target and soldering work, while decreasing the oxygen concentration by maintaining high airtightness of a space surrounding the soldering target.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a soldering system (e.g., the soldering system1described later) includes a soldering device (e.g., the soldering device20described later) and a robot (e.g., the robot30described later) related to the soldering device, in which the soldering device includes a container (e.g., the container22described later) having an openable lid (e.g., the lid22adescribed later), and accommodating a soldering target (e.g., the soldering target10described later), and the robot performs conveying of the soldering target to the soldering device, and opening/closing of the lid.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the soldering system as described in the first aspect, the container may be a double structure in which an inner container (e.g., the inner container221described later) is accommodated in an outer container (e.g., the outer container23described later), and inert gas supply parts (e.g., the nitrogen supply pipes24,25described later) of different systems may be connected to the inner container and the outer container.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the soldering system as described in the first or second aspect, the robot may have a gripping part (e.g., the first hand35aand second hand35bdescribed later) that simultaneously grips a soldering target and the lid.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the soldering system as described in any one of the first to third aspect, the lid may have an opening (e.g., the opening222described later) for soldering work.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the soldering system as described in any one of the first to fourth aspect, the robot may have an inert gas injection part (e.g., the inert gas injection part350described later) for injecting inert gas, and may inject inert gas to inside of the container from the inert gas injection part prior to closing the lid.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the soldering system as described in the second aspect, the inert gas supply parts (e.g., the first nitrogen supply pipe24and second nitrogen supply pipe25described later) may supply inert gas in conjunction with opening and closing of the lid.

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a soldering system that can raise the work efficiency related to supply of the soldering target and soldering work, while decreasing the oxygen concentration by maintaining high airtightness of a space surrounding the soldering target.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1is a schematic block diagram showing a soldering system as an embodiment of the present invention. The soldering system1is configured to include a soldering device20, and a robot30related to this soldering device20. The soldering device20, for example, performs soldering on a soldering target10, which is a semiconductor laser module or the like. The robot30is installed in connection with the soldering device20so as to perform conveying of the soldering target10and other work related to soldering. A stage21on which the soldering target10is placed is provided inside of the soldering device20. The robot30operates under the control of a control device40. In other words, the robot30includes the control device40and essentially functions as a robot, and the control device40can be perceived as being matter forming a constitutional element of the robot30. In the soldering system1of the present embodiment, the soldering device20also operates under the control of the control device40.

It should be noted that, in the soldering system1ofFIG. 1, a component/finished product placement stand50is provided on which a soldering target10(10a) prior to soldering conveyed by the robot30, and a soldering target10(10b) after soldering are placed. In the robot30, a first arm32and second arm33extend in the order of the drawing from a robot base31, and a hand mechanism34is provided to a leading end side of the second arm33. A hand35is provided to a leading end side of the hand mechanism34.

By the first arm32rotating on the robot base31, and the second arm33and hand mechanism34moving from the position of the two-dot dashed line in the drawing to the position of the solid lines in the drawing under the control of the control device40, the robot30conveys the soldering target10aprior to soldering placed on the component/finished product placement stand50to the soldering device20. The soldering device20performs soldering on the soldering target10a. The soldered soldering target10bis conveyed by the robot30to the component/finished production placement stand50. The robot30conveys the next soldering target10ato the soldering device20.

In the soldering system1ofFIG. 1, the component/finished product placement stand50is configured as an automatic conveying device such as a belt conveyor, and it is possible to construct a high productivity system that continuously performs supply of components that are the soldering target10, and storage of finished product, by automatically carrying out and carrying in the soldering targets10from a storehouse by way of this automatic conveying device.

Next, supply of the soldering target to the soldering device20will be explained in further detail by referencingFIGS. 2 and 3.FIG. 2is a view showing an aspect of supplying the soldering target to a container of the soldering system ofFIG. 1.FIG. 3is a view showing an aspect of supplying the soldering target to the container of the soldering system ofFIG. 1. InFIGS. 2 and 3, the soldering system20conceptually depicted inFIG. 1is depicted more specifically. InFIGS. 2 and 3, the container22is placed on a stage21inside of the soldering device20. The container22has a openable lid22a, and is sealable in a state accommodating the soldering target10. As inFIG. 2, work to open the lid22aof the container22, and supply the soldering target10to the inside of the container22is performed by the robot ofFIG. 1. Operations for closing the lid22ain a state accommodating the soldering target10are also performed by the robot30. As inFIG. 3, an inert gas such as nitrogen gas, for example, is filled inside of the container22in which the lid22ais closed in a state accommodating the soldering target10, and the soldering work is performed in a state with sufficiently low oxygen concentration.

Next, operations of the robot in the soldering system ofFIG. 1will be explained by referencingFIG. 4.FIG. 4is a flowchart of operations of the robot in the soldering system ofFIG. 1. When operation starts, the robot30picks up the soldering target10aprior to soldering from the component/finished product placement stand50(Step S1). Next, the lid22aof the container22inside of the soldering device20is removed (Step S2). Next, the robot30supplies the soldering target10prior to soldering to the inside of the container22(Step S3), and closes the lid22aof the container22(Step S4). After Step S4, it stands by for the end of soldering (Step S5: NO), and after the end of soldering (Step S5: YES), the robot30removes the lid22aof the container22(Step S6), and takes the soldering target10bon which soldering has ended out from inside of the container22(Step S7). After Step S7, the robot30closes the lid22aof the container22(Step S8), and places the soldering target10bon which soldering has ended onto the component/finished product placement stand50(Step S9). Subsequent operations are the repeat from the start described above.

Next, the container applied to the soldering system as another embodiment of the present invention will be explained by referencingFIG. 5.FIG. 5is a schematic block diagram showing the container applied to the soldering system as another embodiment of the present invention. A soldering device20aofFIG. 5has a double structure in which an inner container221placed on the stage21is accommodated in an outer container23. An openable lid221ais equipped to the inner container221, similarly to the container22described earlier, and an openable lid23ais equipped to the outer container23, similarly. A first nitrogen supply pipe24as an inert gas supply part is connected to the inner container221. In addition, a second nitrogen supply pipe25as an inert gas supply part is connected to the outer container23. The first nitrogen supply pipe24and second nitrogen supply pipe25are independent as separate systems, and can control the supply of nitrogen gas individually (supply amount and supply timing).

In the soldering device20aofFIG. 5, the soldering target10aprior to soldering is supplied to the soldering device20a, and after closing the lid221aof the inner container221, the supply of nitrogen from the first nitrogen supply pipe24is started. Next, after closing the lid23aof the outer container23, the supply of nitrogen from the second nitrogen supply pipe25is started. The supply timing of inert gas (nitrogen gas) can be appropriately regulated by controlling valves (not illustrated) provided to the first nitrogen supply pipe24and second nitrogen supply pipe25, respectively, from the control device40.

With the soldering device20aofFIG. 5, the supply of inert gas (nitrogen gas) from the first nitrogen supply pipe24as the inert gas supply part is performed in conjunction with opening and closing of the lid221a, as mentioned above. In addition, the supply of inert gas (nitrogen gas) from the second nitrogen supply pipe25as an inert gas supply part is performed in conjunction with opening and closing of the lid23a. It is recommended that the configuration performing supply of inert gas (nitrogen gas) from the inert gas supply part in conjunction with opening and closing of the lid of the container in this way is similarly adopted for the soldering devices20in the aforementionedFIGS. 2 and 3, andFIGS. 6 and 8described later.

In a state in which the lid of the container is opened, since the effect of decreasing the oxygen concentration is low even if supplying nitrogen, the supply of nitrogen is started after closing the lid. Furthermore, after the oxygen concentration sufficiently declines, it is possible to reduce the supply of nitrogen to a supply amount sufficient to maintain this state. By controlling so that the supply of nitrogen becomes optimum according to the operation stage, it is possible to curtail the consumed amount of nitrogen.

It should be noted that the soldering device20aofFIG. 5is equipped with the first nitrogen supply pipe24and second nitrogen supply pipe25as inert gas supply parts; however, the inert gas supply part is not limited thereto, and may be a supply pipe for argon gas or the like. However, generally nitrogen gas is more cost effective. The supply amount of nitrogen gas to the inner container221and outer container23by the first nitrogen supply pipe24and second nitrogen supply pipe25is adjusted so as to have optimum values according to the shape, etc., and the oxygen concentration at the soldering site of the soldering target10is the lowest value. The soldering device20aofFIG. 5has containers of a double structure; however, it is possible to establish in a triple structure or multi-walled structure more than this.

Next, the robot applied to the soldering system as another embodiment of the present invention will be explained by referencingFIG. 6.FIG. 6is a schematic block diagram showing the robot of the soldering system as yet another embodiment of the present invention. Parts inFIG. 6that correspond with the aforementionedFIGS. 1 and 2are illustrated with the same reference symbols attached, and explanations of each of these parts will be omitted as appropriate.

A robot30ainFIG. 6is common with the robot30ofFIG. 1in the point of the first arm32and second arm33extending in order in the drawing from the robot base31, and the hand mechanism34being provided to a leading end side of the second arm33. The robot30aofFIG. 6in particular has a first hand35aand second hand35bat the leading end side of the hand mechanism34. The first hand35ais well suited to the handling of the soldering target10, and the second hand35bis well suited to the handling of the lid22a; however, both hands35a,35bcan be hands that are well suited to the handling of various targets.

The robot30acan simultaneously grip the soldering target10and the lid22a. To grip the target by the first hand35aand second hand35b, a technique such as vacuum suction or pneumatic chuck is applied. In a state gripping the lid22aby the second hand35b, it is possible to pick out the soldering target10from the container22by the first hand35a. In addition, opening/closing of the lid22ais possible by the second hand35bin a state gripping the soldering target10with the first hand35a. In this way, a design which avoids interference between handling features is made. By simultaneously gripping the lid22aand soldering target10, it is no longer necessary to temporarily put down the lid22aand soldering target10, and then move to the next operation; therefore, the cycle time is shortened.

Next, the lid of the container of the soldering device applied to the soldering system as another embodiment of the present invention will be explained by referencingFIG. 7.FIG. 7is a schematic block diagram showing a lid of the container of the soldering device applied to the soldering system as yet another embodiment of the present invention. In the lid22aofFIG. 7, an opening222for soldering work is provided at a central part. Generally, a lid without an opening has higher airtightness, and is preferable in this point. However, there are cases in which the opening222is required for the soldering work on the soldering target10by the soldering device20, and the supply operation of the soldering device10by the robot30. There are cases such as accessing the soldering target10from the opening222, and supplying other members from the opening222. Since as small an opening222as possible in the lid22ahas higher airtightness, adopting the lid22aproviding the minimum required opening222is effective in an oxygen concentration decrease.

Next, the robot applied to the soldering system as another embodiment of the present invention will be explained by referencingFIG. 8.FIG. 8is a schematic block diagram showing the robot of the soldering system as yet another embodiment of the present invention. A robot30binFIG. 8is common with the robots30,30aofFIGS. 1 and 6in the point of the first arm32and second arm33extending in order in the drawing from the robot base31, and the hand mechanism34being provided to a leading end side of the second arm33. The robot30bofFIG. 8in particular has a first hand35a, second hand35band third hand35cat the leading end side of the hand mechanism34. The first hand35ais well suited to handling of the soldering target10, and the second hand35bis well suited to handling of the lid22a; however, both the hands35a,35bare common with the robot ofFIG. 6in the point of being hands well suited to the handling of various targets.

An inert gas injection part350for injecting inert gas is equipped to the third hand35cof the robot30binFIG. 8. With the robot30b, inert gas (for example, nitrogen gas) is injected inside of the container22of the soldering device20by the inert gas injection part350. By closing the lid22aof the container22immediately after injecting inert gas, the oxygen concentration is lower and the oxygen concentration inside of the container more rapidly decreases, than a case of not performing injection of inert gas inside of the container22. In addition, at a stage in which the robot30bis approaching the soldering device20, the injection of inert gas is started, and injection is continued until closing the lid22a, whereby it is possible to more rapidly decrease the oxygen concentration. Although the supply of the soldering target10and the opening/closing operation of the lid22aby the robot30a, in a state in which the lid22ais opened, introduce oxygen to the inside of the container22, by continuing the injection of inert gas, it is possible to maintain a low oxygen concentration in the vicinity of the first and second hands35a,35b. By the oxygen concentration more rapidly decreasing in this way, it is possible to start the soldering work earlier, and thus it is possible to shorten the cycle time.

The effects of the soldering system as an embodiment of the present invention explained by referencingFIGS. 1 to 8above will be summarized next.

(1) The soldering system1of the present invention includes the soldering device20and robot30related to the soldering device20, in which the soldering device20includes the container22having an openable lid22a, and accommodating the soldering target10, and the robot30performs conveying of the soldering target10to the soldering device20, and opening/closing of the lid22a.

With the soldering system1of the above-mentioned (1), the overall productivity improves due to the stable production of the soldered product according to the oxygen concentration decline, and the continuous production due to component automatic supply. Since the robot30does the handling of the lid22a, it is possible to assume a simple structure, the sealing performance of the lid22also improves, and an opening/shutting actuator such as a power cylinder also becomes unnecessary.

(2) In the soldering system1of the present invention, the container of the soldering device20ain one embodiment thereof is a double structure in which the inner container221is accommodated in the outer container23, and the first nitrogen supply pipe24and second nitrogen supply pipe25, which are inert gas supply parts of separate systems, are respectively connected to the inner container221and outer container23.

In the soldering system1of the above-mentioned (2), due to the container being two layers, it is possible to cause the oxygen concentration to more rapidly decline while purging with inert gas (nitrogen, argon, etc.).

(3) In the soldering system1of the present invention, in one embodiment thereof, the robot30ahas the first hand35aand second hand35bwhich simultaneously grip the soldering target10and lid22a.

In the soldering system1of the above-mentioned (3), since the robot30acan simultaneously grip the soldering target10and the lid22aof the container22, it is possible to close the lid22aimmediately after supplying the soldering target10to the soldering device20. In addition, after opening the lid22a, since it is possible to pick out the soldering target10immediately, the cycle time is shortened.

(4) In the soldering system1of the present invention, in one embodiment thereof, the lid22ahas the opening222for soldering work.

In the soldering system1of the above-mentioned (4), the point of the opening required for soldering work generally being smaller than the opening required for component supply is considered. In other words, by using the lid22ahaving the opening222required in soldering, the opening becomes smaller than when completely opening the lid22a, and thus it is possible to cause the oxygen concentration to further decline.

(5) In the soldering system1of the present invention, in one embodiment thereof, the robot30bhas the inert gas injection part350for injecting inert gas, and injects inert gas to the inside of the container22from the inert gas injection part350prior to closing the lid22a.

In the soldering system1of the above-mentioned (5), by purging the inside of the container22with nitrogen, which is inert gas, prior to closing the lid22a, it is possible to more rapidly achieve the target oxygen concentration, and thus the cycle time is shortened.

(6) In the soldering system1of the present invention, in one embodiment thereof, the inert gas supply part (first nitrogen supply pipe24, second nitrogen supply pipe25) supplies inert gas (nitrogen gas) in conjunction with the opening/closing of the lid22a(221a,23a).

In the soldering system1of the above-mentioned (6), it is possible to curb the consumed amount of nitrogen by supplying nitrogen only while closing the lid22a(221a,23a).

It should be noted that the present invention is not to be limited to the aforementioned embodiments, and is implementable by various modifications and changes. For example, in the embodiment of the aforementionedFIG. 1, an example is explained in which the control device is provided outside of the robot; however, it is not limited to this example, and it is possible to adopt a form in which the robot includes a control device function as mentioned above. Additionally, modifications and improvements within a scope that can achieve the objects of the present invention are also encompassed by the present invention.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS