Patent Description:
Conventionally, a jet soldering apparatus for supplying molten solder to a substrate has been known. Furthermore, it is also known that dross generated by oxidation of molten solder is formed in a jet soldering apparatus, and in Patent Literatures <NUM> and <NUM>, apparatuses for coping with such dross are proposed.

Patent Literature <NUM> proposes an oxide separation apparatus in which a large number of blades are placed on a shaft so that a flat surface of the blades is orthogonal to a liquid surface of molten solder, the shaft is attached to a position where a part of the blades is immersed in the molten solder, and the shaft rotates in conjunction with a motor.

Patent Literature <NUM> proposes a jet solder tank in which a gutter that causes molten solder jetted from a jet nozzle to flow in one direction is installed on a side surface of the jet nozzle, a cover having an opening in a nozzle direction is installed at an end of a jet solder tank in an outflow direction of the molten solder, and a screw interlocked with a motor is installed in the cover.

Further related art may be found in<CIT> (describing the preamble of claim <NUM>), in <CIT>, in <CIT> and in <CIT>.

Even in the case of adopting Patent Literatures <NUM> and <NUM>, the decomposition of dross can be realized to a certain extent, but the effect is limited.

The present invention provides a solder processing apparatus capable of significantly effectively decomposing dross.

The present invention is defined by the appended independent claim <NUM>.

The dependent claims describe optional features and distinct embodiments.

A soldering apparatus illustrated in <FIG> is a apparatus that performs soldering processing on a substrate <NUM> on which electronic components such as semiconductor elements, resistors, and capacitors are mounted on a circuit. Typically, the electronic components and the like are positioned on a lower side of the substrate <NUM>. The soldering apparatus has a main body <NUM> and a conveyance unit <NUM> that conveys the substrate <NUM>. The main body <NUM> has a carry-in port <NUM> through which the substrate <NUM> is carried in and a carry-out port <NUM> through which the substrate <NUM> is carried out. The substrate <NUM> may be conveyed at a predetermined angle, for example, an inclination of about <NUM> to <NUM> degrees when viewed from the side (see <FIG>). In this case, a downstream side is positioned at a higher position than an upstream side in a substrate conveyance direction A. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the substrate <NUM> may be horizontally conveyed, for example. The conveyance unit <NUM> may have a conveyance driver (not illustrated) that applies a driving force to convey the substrate <NUM>, and a conveyance rail <NUM> that guides the substrate <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the main body <NUM> may be provided with a fluxer <NUM> for applying flux to the substrate <NUM>, a preheater unit <NUM> for preheating the substrate <NUM> coated with flux, a jet soldering apparatus <NUM> for jetting molten solder into contact with the substrate <NUM>, and a cooler <NUM> for cooling the soldered substrate <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> conveyed along the conveyance rail <NUM> of the conveyance unit <NUM> sequentially passes through the fluxer <NUM>, the preheater unit <NUM>, the jet soldering apparatus <NUM>, and the cooler <NUM>. The jet soldering apparatus <NUM> may have a control unit <NUM> that gives a command to each component to control, a storage unit <NUM> that stores various pieces of information, and an operation unit <NUM> for operating the soldering apparatus by inputting various information by operator. Note that in <FIG>, the soldering apparatus is illustrated in an upper plan view except for the control unit <NUM>, the storage unit <NUM>, and an operation unit <NUM>.

The fluxer <NUM> is used to apply flux to the conveyed substrate <NUM>. The flux may include a solvent, an activator, and the like. The fluxer <NUM> may be provided with a plurality of coating apparatuses. The type of flux may be selectively used according to the type of solder and the type of the substrate <NUM>.

The preheater unit <NUM> heats the substrate <NUM> to uniformly raise the substrate <NUM> to a predetermined temperature. When the substrate <NUM> is heated in this manner, the solder is easily attached to a predetermined part of the substrate <NUM>. For example, a far-infrared panel heater is used as the preheater unit <NUM>. The far-infrared panel heater can rapidly heat the substrate <NUM> to a set temperature. Furthermore. The substrate <NUM> may be heated by blowing gas (hot air) heated by the heater onto the substrate <NUM> by a fan. Furthermore, as the preheater unit <NUM>, a halogen heater or the like may be used.

The cooler <NUM> has a cooling fan (not illustrated), and cools the substrate <NUM> soldered by the jet soldering apparatus <NUM>. The control of the cooling fan may be only ON and OFF, but the wind speed may be adjusted. Furthermore, as the cooler <NUM>, a chiller or the like may be used to cool the substrate <NUM> to a predetermined temperature.

The control unit <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is communicably connected to the conveyance unit <NUM> including the conveyance rail <NUM>, the fluxer <NUM>, the preheater unit <NUM>, the jet soldering apparatus <NUM>, the cooler <NUM>, the operation unit <NUM>, and the storage unit <NUM>. The communicable connections include both wired and wireless connections. The operation unit <NUM> may have a liquid crystal display panel, a numeric keypad, or the like, and is typically a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet, or the like. When an operator operates the operation unit <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> may control a conveyance speed by the conveyance unit <NUM>, a timing of conveying the substrate <NUM>, a temperature of the flux at the fluxer <NUM>, an application amount of the flux, a temperature of the preheater unit <NUM>, a temperature of molten solder S of the jet soldering apparatus <NUM>, a jet amount, a jet speed, ON and OFF of the cooling fan of the cooler <NUM>, and the like. The storage unit <NUM> may store information input by the operation unit <NUM>, an instruction of the control unit <NUM>, an operating time of the jet soldering apparatus <NUM>, and the like.

Next, the jet soldering apparatus <NUM> of the present embodiment will be described. Typically, the jet soldering apparatus <NUM> corresponds to a solder processing apparatus.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the jet soldering apparatus <NUM> has a storage tank <NUM> that stores the molten solder S, a first pump <NUM> that is a first drive unit, a first supply port <NUM> that receives a driving force from the first pump <NUM> and jets the molten solder S, a second pump <NUM> that is a second drive unit, and a second supply port <NUM> that receives a driving force from the second pump <NUM> and jets the molten solder S. The molten solder S jetted from the first supply port <NUM> and the second supply port <NUM> is jetted upward from below. The molten solder S having received the driving force from the first pump <NUM> is pressure-fed in a duct and jetted toward the substrate <NUM> to attach the solder to a predetermined part of the substrate <NUM>. Similarly, the molten solder S having received the driving force from the second pump <NUM> is pressure-fed in a duct and jetted toward the substrate <NUM> to attach the solder to a predetermined part of the substrate <NUM>. The molten solder S is heated to a temperature of, for example, about <NUM> to <NUM> by a heater (not illustrated). The molten solder supplied from the first supply port <NUM> and the second supply port <NUM> may be circulated and used. In this case, it may be circulated through a filter (not illustrated). Each of the first pump <NUM> and the second pump <NUM> is typically constituted of one pump, but each of the first pump <NUM> and the second pump <NUM> may be constituted of a plurality of pumps.

The first supply port <NUM> of the jet soldering apparatus <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> has a plurality of first openings <NUM> (see <FIG>), and the first openings <NUM> constitute a primary jet nozzle. The plurality of first openings <NUM> are used to vigorously supply a large amount of molten solder S to the substrate <NUM>. A second opening <NUM> of the second supply port <NUM> is a secondary jet nozzle, and is used to supply the molten solder S to the substrate <NUM> with weaker force than the first supply port <NUM>. The jet solder supplied from the first supply port <NUM> is a dynamic supply for vigorously colliding the molten solder S against the substrate <NUM>, and is a supply for spreading the molten solder S to every corner of the substrate <NUM>. On the other hand, the jet solder supplied from the second supply port <NUM> is a static supply, and is a supply for cleanly attaching the solder to an electrode or the like of the substrate <NUM> by passing the jet solder through the molten solder S having a gentle flow.

In the present embodiment, a supply unit has a first supply unit <NUM> and a second supply unit <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, a first supply unit <NUM> has a first housing <NUM> and the first supply port <NUM> provided on an upper surface of the first housing <NUM> and having one or the plurality of first openings <NUM> for supplying the molten solder S. The first opening <NUM> may be provided so as to protrude upward from the upper surface of the first housing <NUM>. A second supply unit <NUM> has a second housing <NUM> and the second supply port <NUM> provided on an upper surface of the second housing <NUM> and having one or a plurality of the second openings <NUM> for supplying the molten solder S. The first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> may be provided apart from each other, but they may be provided integrally (see <FIG>). In a case where the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> are integrated, a part of the wall surface may be shared. In the present embodiment, the first supply port <NUM> having the plurality of circular first openings <NUM> and the second supply port <NUM> having one slit-shaped second opening <NUM> will be described as an example (see <FIG>). However, the present invention is not limited to such an aspect, and for example, a plurality of the slit-shaped second openings <NUM> may be provided. In this case, the plurality of slit-shaped second openings <NUM> may be provided in an aspect of extending in parallel (see <FIG>).

A temperature of the molten solder S is generally about <NUM> higher than a melting temperature of the solder. In recent years, there has been an increasing need to lower a working temperature in order to reduce damage to components and reduce mechanical power consumption. Furthermore, since the market price of Sn and Ag has increased, it has been studied that a solder that does not use Sn or Ag is used, and typically, it has been studied that Sn-58Bi (melting point of <NUM>) is used instead of Sn-3Ag-<NUM>. 5Cu (melting point of <NUM>). Sn-58Bi is a low-temperature eutectic solder. Note that, when Sn-58Bi is used, soldering can be performed at a temperature of <NUM> or lower. On the other hand, although Sn-58Bi is inexpensive, since Sn-58Bi has a property of being hard, brittle and easily oxidized, it is a material difficult to handle.

While the molten solder S is supplied, the molten solder S supplied from the first supply port <NUM> and the molten solder S supplied from the second supply port <NUM> are mixed. The molten solder mixed in this manner may not be separated from the substrate <NUM> conveyed by the conveyance unit <NUM> between the first supply port <NUM> and the second supply port <NUM> (see <FIG>). The substrate <NUM> is supported and conveyed by the conveyance rail <NUM>, but an upper surface of the mixed molten solder S may not be positioned below a lower end of the conveyance rail <NUM> that conveys the substrate <NUM> when viewed from a side in an entire length region along the substrate conveyance direction A between the first supply port <NUM> and the second supply port <NUM>. In this case, the molten solder S is not separated from the substrate <NUM> conveyed by the conveyance unit <NUM> between the first supply port <NUM> and the second supply port <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, an aspect in which the molten solder S supplied from the first supply port <NUM> and the molten solder S supplied from the second supply port <NUM> are integrated and jetted to a position higher than the conveyance position of the substrate <NUM> will be mainly described, but the present invention is not limited to such an aspect, and an aspect may be adopted in which a place where the molten solder S is not in contact with the substrate <NUM> is provided between the molten solder S supplied from the first supply port <NUM> and the molten solder S supplied from the second supply port <NUM>, and the molten solder S is jetted clearly in two stages (see Patent Literature <NUM>).

A total amount of the molten solder S per unit time supplied from the first openings <NUM> which are a primary jet nozzle may be about the same as a total amount of the molten solder S per unit time supplied from the second opening <NUM> which is a secondary jet nozzle, or may be <NUM> times or more and <NUM> times or less. The total amount of molten solder S per unit time supplied from the first openings <NUM> and the total amount of molten solder S per unit time supplied from the second opening <NUM> which is the secondary jet nozzle may be changed according to the type of the substrate <NUM>. When identification information of the substrate <NUM> is input from the operation unit <NUM>, a supply amount of the corresponding molten solder S may be read from the storage unit <NUM> by the control unit <NUM>, and the molten solder S may be supplied from the first openings <NUM> and the second opening <NUM> by being adjusted to the read supply amount. The operation unit <NUM> may be capable of reading code information such as a bar code, and the control unit <NUM> may automatically adjust the supply amount of the molten solder S to the substrate <NUM> by reading the code information of the substrate <NUM>.

When the molten solder S supplied from the first supply port <NUM> and the molten solder S supplied from the second supply port <NUM> are integrated, the molten solder S supplied from the first openings <NUM> which are the primary jet nozzle may be jetted to a position higher than a surface of the molten solder S supplied from the second opening <NUM> which is the secondary jet nozzle. A height of the molten solder S to be jetted is, for example, about <NUM> from a tip of each of the first openings <NUM>. The molten solder S supplied from the second supply port <NUM> is pushed up by the molten solder S supplied from the first supply port <NUM>. However, since the molten solder S is the same type of liquid, the molten solder S supplied from the first openings <NUM> and the molten solder S supplied from the second supply port <NUM> are mixed.

On a downstream side (left side in <FIG>) of the second supply port <NUM> in the substrate conveyance direction A, a downstream adjusting part <NUM> extending in a horizontal direction or descending downward toward the downstream side may be provided. A height of the downstream adjusting part <NUM> may be appropriately changed. An upstream adjusting part <NUM> extending in the horizontal direction or rising upward toward the downstream side (right side in <FIG>) may be provided on an upstream side of the first supply port <NUM> in the substrate conveyance direction A. The upstream adjusting part <NUM> and the downstream adjusting part <NUM> may be linearly inclined, or may be inclined so as to draw an arc in a longitudinal cross section (see the upstream adjusting part <NUM> in <FIG>). A height adjustment of the upstream adjusting part <NUM> and the downstream adjusting part <NUM> may be manually performed, or may be automatically performed in response to a command from the control unit <NUM>. The command from the control unit <NUM> may be issued on the basis of the identification information of the substrate <NUM>. Adjusting the heights of the upstream adjusting part <NUM> and the downstream adjusting part <NUM> as described above is also advantageous in that the amount of the molten solder S supplied to the substrate <NUM> can be adjusted.

A height position of the conveyance rail <NUM> may also be adjustable (see <FIG>). In a case where such an aspect is adopted, adjusting the height position of the conveyance rail <NUM> in addition to or instead of controlling the driving force of the first pump <NUM> and the second pump <NUM> is also advantageous in that it is possible to realize a configuration in which the substrate <NUM> continues to be in contact with the molten solder S between the first supply port <NUM> and the second supply port <NUM>. The height position of the conveyance rail <NUM> may be manually performed, or may be automatically performed in response to a command from the control unit <NUM>. The command from the control unit <NUM> may be issued on the basis of the identification information of the substrate <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, an extension part <NUM> which is at least partially immersed in the molten solder S in the storage tank <NUM> and extends in the molten solder S, and a moving main body <NUM> to which the extension part <NUM> is attached may be provided. The extension part <NUM> reciprocates in the horizontal direction while extending along a moving direction in the molten solder S. "Extending along the moving direction" means that a longitudinal direction of the extension part <NUM> in the horizontal direction is along the moving direction. As an example, there can be exemplified an aspect in which the extension part <NUM> has a plate shape (for example, a flat plate shape), and the longitudinal direction of the plate-shaped extension part <NUM> in the horizontal direction is along the moving direction. Note that the aspect of "extending along the moving direction" in the present embodiment includes not only an aspect of extending completely parallel to the moving direction but also an aspect of extending obliquely with respect to the moving direction. Furthermore, a moving unit <NUM> that reciprocates the extension part <NUM> in the horizontal direction in the molten solder S by reciprocating the moving main body <NUM> in the horizontal direction may be provided. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the moving unit <NUM> and the moving main body <NUM> may be connected to each other via a coupling body <NUM>. A unit (assembly) including the extension part <NUM>, the moving main body <NUM>, the coupling body <NUM>, and the moving unit <NUM> may be provided. Such a unit may be retrofitted to an existing molten solder apparatus. The "reciprocating movement in the horizontal direction" in the present embodiment is sufficient to reciprocate including a horizontal component, and includes an aspect in which reciprocating movement is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. The "reciprocating movement in the horizontal direction" in the present embodiment may be a full horizontal reciprocating movement, or may be an aspect of reciprocating movement at an angle of less than <NUM> degrees with respect to the horizontal direction. It is preferable that a member extending in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction and extending to a lower side of the extension part <NUM> in the molten solder S not be provided. That is, it is preferable that the extension part <NUM> extend to a lowermost side, and it is preferable that a member different from the extension part <NUM> (for example, a member extending in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction) not be provided. This is because, in a case where such a member (member extending in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction) is provided, an unnecessary wave is generated in the molten solder S every time the extension part <NUM> is moved, and extra energy is required to move the extension part <NUM>.

The molten solder S may flow toward a side where the unit including the extension part <NUM>, the moving main body <NUM>, the coupling body <NUM>, and the moving unit <NUM> is provided. In general, the molten solder S circulates in the storage tank <NUM>, but the flow of the molten solder S by the circulation may be used to guide the dross to a side where the extension part <NUM> is provided (a left side in <FIG> and <FIG>), or a weir <NUM> protruding upward may be provided on an opposite side to the side where the extension parts <NUM> of the first supply port <NUM> and the second supply port <NUM> are provided (see <FIG> and <FIG>), and the molten solder S supplied from the first supply port <NUM> and the second supply port <NUM> may be guided to the side where the extension part <NUM> is provided (a left side in <FIG> and <FIG>). An upstream adjusting part <NUM> and a downstream adjusting part <NUM> may be inclined downward toward the side where the extension part <NUM> is provided (the left side in <FIG> and <FIG>), and the molten solder S supplied from the first supply port <NUM> and the second supply port <NUM> may be guided to the side where the extension part <NUM> is provided. It is preferable that a place where the molten solder S falls downward not be provided between the first supply port <NUM> and the second supply port <NUM> along the substrate conveyance direction. By adopting such an aspect, a surface area of the molten solder S in contact with air can be reduced, and therefore the molten solder S can be prevented from being oxidized.

In the present embodiment, an aspect in which the extension part <NUM> is installed in the storage tank <NUM> of the jet soldering apparatus <NUM> will be mainly described, but the present invention is not limited to such an aspect, and the extension part <NUM> may be installed in a separation device <NUM> separate from the jet soldering apparatus <NUM> (see <FIG>). In this case, the separation device <NUM> corresponds to the solder processing apparatus. In a case where the separation device <NUM> is employed, the molten solder S in which dross has occurred is transferred to the separation device <NUM>, and the molten solder S in which dross has occurred is separated by the separation device <NUM>. Note that in <FIG>, the storage tank of the separation device <NUM> is denoted by reference sign <NUM>.

The extension part <NUM> may have a first extension part <NUM> provided on one side in the horizontal direction (for example, the upstream side in the conveyance direction A of the substrate <NUM>: the left side in <FIG>) and a second extension part <NUM> provided on the other side in the horizontal direction (for example, the downstream side in the conveyance direction A of the substrate <NUM>: the right side in <FIG>). The first extension part <NUM> may be provided at one end of the moving main body <NUM>, and the second extension part <NUM> may be provided at the other end of the moving main body <NUM>. Each of the first extension part <NUM> and the second extension part <NUM> may reciprocate in the horizontal direction while extending along the moving direction in the molten solder S. As an example, there can be exemplified an aspect in which each of the first extension part <NUM> and the second extension part <NUM> has a plate shape (for example, a flat plate shape), and the longitudinal direction of each of the plate-shaped first extension part <NUM> and second extension part <NUM> in the horizontal direction is along the moving direction. The one end of the moving main body <NUM> means a region in a range of <NUM>% from the one end of the moving main body <NUM> and a region in a range of <NUM> from the one end when an entire length of the moving main body <NUM> is L. Similarly, the other end of the moving main body <NUM> means a region in a range of <NUM>% from the other end of the moving main body <NUM>, and means a range of <NUM> from the other end. The first extension part <NUM> and the second extension part <NUM> are provided as described above, the moving unit <NUM> reciprocates the first extension part <NUM> and the second extension part <NUM> in the horizontal direction in the molten solder S. The present invention is not limited to such an aspect, and a third extension part <NUM> provided between the first extension part <NUM> and the second extension part <NUM> may be provided (see <FIG>).

The position where the extension part <NUM> is provided is not limited to such an aspect, and the moving main body <NUM> may be provided at four or more positions of the moving main body <NUM> in the horizontal direction. In the present embodiment, an aspect in which the extension part <NUM> reciprocates in the horizontal direction along the conveyance direction A of the substrate <NUM> will be described, but the present invention is not limited to such an aspect, and for example, an aspect in which the extension part <NUM> reciprocates in the horizontal direction along a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction A of the substrate <NUM> may be adopted (see <FIG> and <FIG>). However, in this case, since the extension part <NUM> is provided on a lower side of the substrate <NUM>, there is a possibility of contact with the substrate <NUM>. From this viewpoint, it is preferable to adopt an aspect in which the extension part <NUM> reciprocates in the horizontal direction at a position not overlapping a conveyance region of the substrate <NUM> in plan view.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the moving unit <NUM> may have a drive motor <NUM> and a drive belt <NUM> moved in the horizontal direction by the drive motor <NUM>. The drive motor <NUM> is provided with a drive gear <NUM>, and the drive gear <NUM> is connected to a driven-side drive gear <NUM> via the drive belt <NUM> (see also <FIG>). The coupling body <NUM> extending in the vertical direction is coupled to the drive belt <NUM>, and the coupling body <NUM> is fixed to the moving main body <NUM> via a fastening member <NUM> such as a screw. As the drive motor <NUM> rotates, the drive belt <NUM> rotates, and as a result, the coupling body <NUM> is moved in the horizontal direction, and the moving main body <NUM> coupled to the coupling body <NUM> is moved in the horizontal direction. Note that another aspect can be adopted as the moving unit <NUM>, and for example, an aspect (for example, a hydraulic cylinder) in which the coupling body <NUM> is moved in the horizontal direction by a cylinder can also be used (see <FIG> and <FIG>). In the aspect illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the moving unit <NUM> including the hydraulic cylinder extends and contracts the cylinder, so that the coupling body <NUM> is moved in the horizontal direction. Furthermore, a uniaxial slider robot may be used as the moving unit <NUM>.

The horizontal movement of the extension part <NUM> for separating dross may be performed while soldering the substrate <NUM>, or may be performed while soldering to the substrate <NUM> is not performed. The horizontal movement of the extension part <NUM> for separating the dross may take about <NUM> to <NUM> minutes at a time or may be constantly performed. Moving the extension part <NUM> in the horizontal direction also leads to suppression of dross from clumping. In a case where it is desired to promote separation of dross, a reciprocation speed in the horizontal direction may be increased. The dross not formed into a lump but separated (see <FIG>) may be manually removed by an operator or may be automatically collected by providing a screw and an accumulation box as illustrated in Patent Literature <NUM>.

The first extension part <NUM> may include a plurality of first extension members 211a. The first extension members 211a may be provided in parallel along a normal direction of the moving direction of the coupling body <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>). The second extension part <NUM> may also include a plurality of second extension members 212a. The second extension members 212a may be provided in parallel along the normal direction of the moving direction, and the intervals between the extension members 211a and 212a may be substantially the same. In the present application, "the intervals are substantially the same" means that an interval is within <NUM>% with respect to a largest interval A, and means that an interval of each of the extension members 211a and 212a is <NUM>. 9A or more and <NUM>. 1A or less. The interval between the extension members 211a and 212a is, for example, about <NUM> to <NUM>. Although three each of extension members 211a and 212a are illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the present invention is not limited to such an aspect, and two or four or more of respective extension members 211a and 212a may be provided. Each of the extension members 211a and 212a may be formed of a blade, a spatula, a paddle, or the like, and a thickness thereof may be about <NUM> to <NUM>. Note that the interval between the extension members 211a and 212a may be reduced in a case where the speed of reciprocation is low, and the interval between the extension members 211a and 212a may be increased in a case where the speed of reciprocation is high. As the first extension member 211a and the second extension member 212a, the same member and shape may be adopted, or different members and shapes may be adopted. Note that in a case where only one extension member is provided, the extension member and the extension part have the same meaning. Therefore, in a case where only one first extension member 211a is provided, the first extension member 211a and the first extension part <NUM> mean the same member, and similarly, in a case where only one second extension member 212a is provided, the second extension member 212a and the second extension part <NUM> mean the same member.

Each of the first extension member 211a and the second extension member 212a may be connected to the moving main body <NUM> via a fastening member <NUM> such as a screw (see <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>). Furthermore, each of the first extension members 211a may be configured integrally with a first coupling body <NUM> extending in the horizontal direction, and the first coupling body <NUM> may be coupled to the moving main body <NUM> via the fastening member <NUM> such as a screw (see <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>). Similarly, each of the second extension members 212a may be configured integrally with a second coupling body <NUM> extending in the horizontal direction, and the second coupling body <NUM> may be coupled to the moving main body <NUM> via the fastening member <NUM> such as a screw. In <FIG>, the first extension member 211a and the first coupling body <NUM>, and the second extension member 212a and the second coupling body <NUM> are collectively illustrated, but reference sign <NUM> is used when reference sign 211a is used, and reference sign <NUM> is used when reference sign 212a is used.

Furthermore, the same applies to a case where the extension part <NUM> is provided only at one place of the moving main body <NUM> or a case where the third extension part <NUM> is provided. In a case where the extension part <NUM> is provided only at one position of the moving main body <NUM>, the extension part <NUM> may include a plurality of extension members 210a, the extension members 210a may be provided in parallel along the normal direction of the moving direction, and the intervals of the extension members 210a may be substantially the same (see <FIG>). In a case where the third extension part <NUM> is provided, the third extension part <NUM> may include a plurality of third extension members, the third extension members may be provided in parallel along the normal direction in the moving direction, and the intervals between the third extension members 213a may be substantially the same (see <FIG>). In addition to the third extension part <NUM>, two or more extension parts such as a fourth extension part and a fifth extension part may be provided between the first extension part <NUM> and the second extension part <NUM>.

The moving unit <NUM> may move the end of the extension part <NUM> to a distance of <NUM> or less from an inner wall of the storage tank <NUM>. In a case where the first extension part <NUM> and the second extension part <NUM> are provided, the end (an upper end in <FIG> and <FIG>) of the first extension part <NUM> may be moved, and the end (a lower end in <FIG> and <FIG>) of the second extension part <NUM> may be moved to a distance of <NUM> or less from the inner wall on the other side of the storage tank <NUM> (see an arrow D in <FIG> and <FIG>). By adopting such an aspect, the extension part <NUM> can be moved to the vicinity of both ends of the storage tank <NUM>. Furthermore, the molten solder S created by the movement of the second extension part <NUM> in the molten solder S can be cut by the first extension part <NUM>, and similarly, the molten solder S created by the movement of the first extension part <NUM> in the molten solder S can be cut by the second extension part <NUM>. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively suppress the dross from clumping.

The extension part <NUM> may be immersed in the molten solder S in a length of <NUM> or more, preferably <NUM> or more, more preferably <NUM> or more. In a case where the plurality of extension members 210a, 211a, 212a, and 213a are provided, each of the extension members 210a, 211a, 212a, and 213a may be immersed in the molten solder S with a length of <NUM> or more, a length of <NUM> or more, or a length of <NUM> or more.

The extension part <NUM> may be made of a thermally conductive material. As an example, the extension part <NUM> may be made of stainless steel, steel, cast iron, a titanium alloy, a magnesium alloy, or the like. It is beneficial that the thermal conductivity of the extension part <NUM> is <NUM> W/m · K or more, it is more beneficial that the thermal conductivity is <NUM> W/m · K or more, and it is still more beneficial that the thermal conductivity is <NUM> W/m · K or more. Since the extension part <NUM> is made of a material having high thermal conductivity as described above, the heat of the molten solder S can be given to the extension part <NUM>. Since the specific gravity of the oxidized waste (dross) is light, the oxidized waste floats on the upper surface of the molten solder S. However, by adopting a material having high thermal conductivity as the extension part <NUM>, the dross can be effectively decomposed by applying heat to the dross located on the upper surface side of the molten solder S. In a case where the plurality of extension members 210a, 211a, 212a, and 213a are provided, each of the extension members 210a, 211a, 212a, and 213a may be made of a thermally conductive material.

In particular, in the case of using Sn-58Bi (Bi58Sn42) as the solder, the generation of the oxide waste is considerably increased as compared with the case of using SAC305 (Sn96.5Ag3.0Cu0. Therefore, adopting the extension part <NUM> as in the present embodiment is particularly advantageous when Sn-58Bi is used. <FIG> is a photograph of a result of not adopting the extension part <NUM> as in the present aspect in the case of using Sn-58Bi. It can be confirmed that a large lump is formed, the color of the lump is silver, and the lump is formed in a state of containing a large amount of solder components. <FIG> illustrates a result in a case where the extension part <NUM> of the aspect as illustrated in <FIG> is adopted, the dross can be decomposed, the dross is not formed into a lump as illustrated in <FIG>, and the color is also black. Therefore, it can be confirmed that the separated dross obtained in the case where the extension part <NUM> of the aspect as illustrated in <FIG> is adopted does not contain a solder component or contains a solder component only in a small amount.

Note that, in order to promote separation of dross, saccharides such as rice bran, bran, wheat bran, beans, sesame, sunflower, coconut, rapeseed, vegetable oil, wood flour, and the like, and pine resin, ammonium chloride, a halide of amine, and the like may be provided to the molten solder S as an oxidation separator.

Next, an example of a processing method of a substrate <NUM> will be described mainly with reference to <FIG>.

When an operator places the substrate <NUM> on the conveyance rail <NUM>, the conveyance unit <NUM> conveys the substrate <NUM>, and the substrate <NUM> is conveyed into the main body <NUM> from the carry-in port <NUM>. When the substrate <NUM> reaches the fluxer <NUM>, the fluxer <NUM> applies flux to a predetermined part of the substrate <NUM>.

The conveyance unit <NUM> conveys the substrate <NUM> coated with the flux by the fluxer <NUM> to the preheater unit <NUM>. The preheater unit <NUM> heats the substrate <NUM> to a predetermined temperature.

Next, the conveyance unit <NUM> conveys the substrate <NUM> heated to the predetermined temperature by the preheater unit <NUM> to the jet soldering apparatus <NUM>. The jet soldering apparatus <NUM> solders a predetermined part of the substrate <NUM>. While the jet soldering apparatus <NUM> is supplying the molten solder S, the molten solder S supplied from the first supply port <NUM> and the molten solder S supplied from the second supply port <NUM> are mixed, and the molten solder S is supplied to above the conveyance rail <NUM>. The molten solder S is configured not to be separated from the substrate <NUM> conveyed by the conveyance unit <NUM> between the first supply port <NUM> and the second supply port <NUM>. By adopting such an aspect, it has been confirmed that oxidation of the molten solder S (generation of oxidized waste) can be prevented. By suppressing the oxidation of the molten solder S in this manner, the amount of solder that cannot be used is suppressed, so that the material cost can be reduced. Note that by adopting this aspect and in a state where the substrate <NUM> does not exist, the molten solder S supplied from the first supply port <NUM> pushes up the molten solder S supplied from the second supply port <NUM>, and a plurality of convex shapes corresponding to the first openings <NUM> are formed by the molten solder S.

As described above, the present invention is not limited to such an aspect, and an aspect may be adopted in which the molten solder S supplied from the first supply port <NUM> and the molten solder S supplied from the second supply port <NUM> are separated from each other, and the molten solder S is separated from the substrate <NUM> conveyed by the conveyance unit <NUM> between the first supply port <NUM> and the second supply port <NUM>.

In such a jet soldering apparatus <NUM>, a unit (assembly) including the extension part <NUM>, the moving main body <NUM>, the coupling body <NUM>, and the moving unit <NUM> is installed, and the extension part <NUM> reciprocates in the horizontal direction in the molten solder S, whereby the dross is separated.

Next, the conveyance unit <NUM> conveys the soldered substrate <NUM> to the cooler <NUM>. For example, a cooling fan of the cooler <NUM> cools the soldered substrate <NUM> for a predetermined time. After the substrate <NUM> is cooled, when the conveyance unit <NUM> discharges the substrate <NUM> from the carry-out port <NUM>, the soldering processing to the substrate <NUM> is completed.

Next, effects of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, which have not yet been described, will be mainly described. Even if it is not described in the "Configuration", any configuration described in "Effects" can be adopted in the present invention.

In a case where the aspect of reciprocating the extension part <NUM> in the horizontal direction in the molten solder S is adopted, it is possible to prevent dross from forming a lump (see <FIG>). When the dross is not decomposed and becomes a lump, as illustrated in <FIG>, the dross becomes a lump containing a solder component. Although the solder component can be originally used for bonding the electronic component to the substrate <NUM>, if the solder component becomes such a lump, it is difficult to reuse the solder component (separation of the solder requires considerable labor and considerable cost. When the amount of solder that cannot be used increases in this manner, the material cost increases. On the other hand, by adopting this aspect, it is possible to prevent such a situation from occurring (see <FIG>), and thus, it is possible to prevent the material cost from increasing. In particular, the inventors have confirmed that dross tends to form lumps in a material containing Bi, and this aspect is particularly beneficial in a material containing Bi.

Note that, when the aspect in which the blades are installed as described in Patent Literature <NUM> or the aspect in which the screws are installed as described in Patent Literature <NUM> is adopted, it can be confirmed that the dross floating on the molten solder S is only stirred by the blades or the screws, and the dross cannot be sufficiently prevented from forming lumps. On the other hand, in the present aspect, it is possible to remarkably suppress lump formation of dross. It is presumed that the reason why the present aspect can show such a remarkably excellent result is that the extension part <NUM> reciprocates in the horizontal direction to cause a flow in the molten solder S, the extension part <NUM> can cut a lump of dross when the extension part <NUM> moves in the direction opposite to the flow, and the extension part <NUM> reciprocates in the horizontal direction to increase the contact probability with the dross. In addition, according to the aspect in which the blades are installed as shown in Patent Literature <NUM> and the screws shown in Patent Literature <NUM>, it is also presumed that the separation of the dross does not effectively proceed as in the present embodiment due to the blocking of the flow of the molten solder S.

Since the separation of dross can be efficiently and automatically performed by adopting the present embodiment, it is also possible to operate the jet soldering apparatus <NUM> for <NUM> hours, which is extremely advantageous in that the productivity of the jet soldering apparatus <NUM> can be improved. In a case where the aspect of reciprocating the extension part <NUM> as in the present embodiment is not adopted in the jet soldering apparatus <NUM>, dross becomes a lump. Therefore, it is necessary to stop the jet soldering apparatus <NUM> and remove the lump of dross (for example, it is necessary to stop the operation of the jet soldering apparatus <NUM> every <NUM> hours and then clean the jet soldering apparatus <NUM> for <NUM> hour or more). However, according to the present embodiment, since the dross is automatically separated, it is possible to perform the work of removing the separated dross without stopping the operation of the jet soldering apparatus <NUM>. As described above, in a case where a component that is easily oxidized such as Bi is used, there is a strong tendency for dross to form a lump.

In the case of adopting the aspect in which the first extension part <NUM> provided on one side in the horizontal direction and the second extension part <NUM> provided on the other side in the horizontal direction are provided, it has been confirmed that the first extension part <NUM> cuts the wave of the molten solder S formed by the second extension part <NUM>, and similarly, the second extension part <NUM> cuts the wave of the molten solder S formed by the first extension part <NUM>, and further, the dross is less likely to form a lump. Therefore, it is also very beneficial to adopt this aspect.

In a case where the plurality of extension members 210a is provided in parallel, it can be confirmed that the molten solder S can be cut by the plurality of extension members 210a, and further the dross is less likely to form a lump. Therefore, in the aspect in which the first extension part <NUM> and the second extension part <NUM> are provided, when adopting the aspect in which the first extension part <NUM> includes the plurality of first extension members 211a and the second extension part <NUM> includes the plurality of second extension members 212a, dross is less likely to be lumped, which is a more beneficial aspect.

By moving the extension part <NUM> to the vicinity of the end of the storage tank <NUM>, the molten solder S in the storage tank <NUM> can be evenly cut, and dross can be prevented from forming a lump in the entire storage tank <NUM>. From this viewpoint, the moving unit <NUM> may move the end of the extension part <NUM> to a distance of <NUM> or less, preferably <NUM> or less, more preferably <NUM> or less from the inner wall of the storage tank <NUM>. In the aspect in which the first extension part <NUM> and the second extension part <NUM> are provided, it is advantageous to adopt an aspect in which the moving unit <NUM> moves the first extension part <NUM> to a distance of <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, or <NUM> or less from the inner wall on one side of the storage tank <NUM>, and moves the second extension part <NUM> to a distance of <NUM> or less, <NUM> or less, or <NUM> or less from the inner wall on the other side of the storage tank <NUM> (see arrows D in <FIG> and <FIG>).

As a result of examination by the inventors, it is considered that the extension part <NUM> becomes high heat by immersing the extension part <NUM> in the molten solder S, and this heat is transferred to the molten solder S for one reason, so that it is difficult to form a dross lump. Therefore, it is beneficial that the extension part <NUM> is immersed in the molten solder S at a certain depth. From this viewpoint, it is advantageous to adopt an aspect in which the extension part <NUM> is immersed in the molten solder S with a length of <NUM> or more, preferably <NUM> or more, more preferably <NUM> or more. In a case where the plurality of extension members 210a are provided, it is advantageous to adopt an aspect in which each of the extension members 210a is immersed in the molten solder S with a length of <NUM> or more, preferably <NUM> or more, and more preferably <NUM> or more.

Claim 1:
A solder processing apparatus comprising:
a storage tank (<NUM>) storing molten solder (S); and
a moving main body (<NUM>); and characterised by further comprising:
an extension part (<NUM>) being at least partially immersed in the molten solder (S) stored in the storage tank (<NUM>),
the solder processing apparatus being characterised by:
the extension part (<NUM>) having a first extension part (<NUM>) provided at one end of the moving main body (<NUM>) in a moving direction and extending along the moving direction, and a second extension part (<NUM>) provided at the other end of the moving main body (<NUM>) in the moving direction and extending along the moving direction; and by:
a moving unit (<NUM>) coupled to the moving main body (<NUM>) and configured to reciprocate the first extension part (<NUM>) and the second extension part (<NUM>) in a horizontal direction in the molten solder (S).