Patent Description:
The present invention relates to cleaning equipment and a cleaning method, which are capable of automatically removing foreign substances, particularly organic substances accumulated in a silicon tool using plasma.

In general, secondary batteries refer to chargeable and dischargeable, unlike primary batteries that are not chargeable. The secondary batteries are being widely used for mobile phones, notebook computers, and camcorders, electric vehicles, and the like.

The secondary batteries are classified into a can type secondary battery, in which an electrode assembly is embedded in a metal can, and a pouch type secondary battery in which an electrode assembly is embedded in a pouch. The can-type secondary battery has a structure including an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, a can accommodating the electrode assembly and the electrolyte, and a cap assembly mounted in an opening of the can. In addition, the pouch-type secondary battery has a structure including an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, and a pouch accommodating the electrode assembly and the electrolyte.

The pouch-type secondary battery accommodates the electrode assembly inside the pouch and then seals an edge surface of the pouch. Here, a sealing tool for the secondary battery is used.

The sealing tool for the secondary battery includes a pair of sealing blocks that seal both surfaces of a sealing part provided in the pouch in a compressed state.

However, the above-described sealing tool for the secondary battery has a problem in that foreign substances, particularly organic substances are accumulated on a pressing surface of each of the sealing blocks during a sealing process. Particularly, the above-described sealing tool for the secondary battery has a problem in that sealing force is weakened due to the foreign substances accumulated on the pressing surface, or quality defects occur as a thickness quality of the sealing part is deteriorated. In addition, the above-described sealing tool for the secondary battery has a problem in that the sealing part is stabbed by the foreign substances accumulated on the pressing surface of the sealing block, and thus, the quality defects occur. In the known prior art, <CIT> relates to a cleaning device for a soft-packed battery core fixing box with two sets of plasma cleaning mechanisms, <CIT> discloses an apparatus for performing pre-sealing and a main sealing to continuously seal a pouch-shaped battery, <CIT> discloses a plasma cleaning apparatus for washing a secondary battery and <CIT> discloses a battery core plasma cleaning device.

In order to solve the above problem, the foreign substances accumulated on the pressing surface of the sealing block are removed. However, there is a problem in that work efficiency is deteriorated because a worker manually performs a work, and the pressing surface of the sealing block is damaged because a knife or metal ruler is used.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to cleaning equipment and a cleaning method of a sealing tool, in which foreign substances, particularly organic substances (PP, PET, etc.) accumulated on a pressing surface of a sealing block are automatically removed using plasma to effectively remove the foreign substances accumulated on the pressing surface of the sealing block, in particular, to effectively remove foreign substances accumulated on a pair of sealing blocks at the same time, thereby preventing sealing defects and quality defects of a sealing part provided in a pouch from occurring, significantly improving work efficiency, and preventing the pressing surface of the sealing block from being damaged.

Cleaning equipment of a sealing tool according to the present invention for achieving the above object is configured to remove foreign substances accumulated on first and second sealing blocks provided symmetrically in a vertical direction. The cleaning equipment of a sealing tool includes: a plasma generation device configured to generate plasma; and a torch device provided with a torch head configured to eject the plasma generated in the plasma generation device to pressing surfaces of the first and second sealing blocks so as to remove the foreign substances accumulated on the pressing surfaces of the first and second sealing blocks, wherein the torch head includes: a first torch member provided with a first plasma outlet configured to eject the plasma generated in the plasma generation device to the pressing surface of the first sealing block; and a second torch member provided with a second plasma outlet configured to eject the plasma generated in the plasma generation device to the pressing surface of the second sealing block.

The torch head may further include a torch body to which the first torch member and the second torch member are coupled, wherein the torch body may include: a fixing plate; a first bracket which is provided on one end of the fixing plate and to which the first torch member is inclinedly coupled so that the first plasma outlet faces the pressing surface of the first sealing block; and a second bracket which is provided to the other end of the fixing plate and to which the second torch member is inclinedly coupled so that the second plasma outlet faces the pressing surface of the second sealing block.

The first plasma outlet of the first torch member may be spaced to be spaced a distance of <NUM> to <NUM> from the pressing surface of the first sealing block, and the second plasma outlet of the second torch member may be spaced to be spaced a distance of <NUM> to <NUM> from the pressing surface of the second sealing block.

The torch body may further include: a first angle adjusting piece through which the first torch member is coupled to the first bracket so as to be adjustable in angle toward the pressing surface of the first sealing block; and a second angle adjusting piece through which the second torch member is coupled to the second bracket so as to be adjustable in angle toward the pressing surface of the second sealing block.

The torch head may further include: a first height adjusting member through which the first bracket is coupled to one end of the fixing plate so as to be movable vertically; and a second height adjusting member through which the second bracket is coupled to the other end of the fixing plate so as to be movable vertically.

The first height adjusting member may include: a first guide piece to which the first bracket is fixed and which is coupled to one end of the fixing plate so as to be movable vertically; and a first adjusting screw which is screw-coupled to the first guide piece by passing through one plate of the fixing plate, wherein, when the first adjusting screw rotates forward or backward, the first guide piece moves upward or downward, and the second height adjusting member may include: a second guide piece to which the second bracket is fixed and which is coupled to the other end of the fixing plate so as to be movable vertically; and a second adjusting screw which is screw-coupled to the second guide piece by passing through the other plate of the fixing plate, wherein, when the second adjusting screw rotates forward or backward, the second guide piece moves upward or downward.

The torch device may further include a first moving member configured to allow the torch head to move in a longitudinal direction of the first and second sealing blocks, wherein the first moving member may include: a guide rail disposed in a longitudinal direction of the first and second sealing blocks; a guide piece configured to allow the torch head to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the first and second sealing blocks; and a first driving piece configured to allow the guide piece to move in the longitudinal direction of the first and second sealing blocks.

The torch device may include a second moving member configured to allow the torch head to move forward in a width direction of the first and second sealing blocks so that the torch head is disposed on the pressing surfaces of the first and second sealing blocks or returns to its original position, wherein the second moving member may include: a movable piece provided between the guide piece and the torch head; and a second driving piece configured to allow the torch head to move forward in the width direction of the first and second sealing blocks provided on the movable piece so that the torch head is disposed on the pressing surfaces of the first and second sealing blocks or returns to its original position.

The cleaning equipment may further include an exhaust device configured to remove smoke, odor, and harmful gases, which are generated while the foreign substances accumulated on the pressing surfaces of the first and second sealing blocks are removed.

The exhaust device may include an ozone remover configured to remove ozone contained in the harmful gases.

A cleaning method of a sealing tool is performed to remove foreign substances accumulated on first and second sealing blocks provided symmetrically in a vertical direction. The cleaning method of the sealing tool includes: a process (a) of generating plasma through a plasma generation device; and a process (b) of ejecting the plasma generated by the plasma generation device to pressing surfaces of the first and second sealing blocks to remove the foreign substances accumulated on the pressing surfaces of the first and second sealing blocks, wherein, in the process (b), the plasma generated in the plasma generation device is ejected to the pressing surface of the first sealing block through a first torch member provided in the torch head, and the plasma generated in the plasma generation device is ejected to the pressing surface of the second sealing block through a second torch member provided in the torch head to remove the foreign substances accumulated on the pressing surfaces of the first and second sealing blocks.

In the process (b), when the plasma is ejected on the pressing surface, radical oxygen (O) existing in the plasma and carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O), which exist in the foreign substances, may chemically react with each other to form carbon dioxide (CO<NUM>) and water (H<NUM>O) so as to be removed.

The cleaning method may further include, before performing the process (a), a process of allowing the torch device to move forward toward the first and second sealing blocks so that first and second torch members of the torch head are disposed to be spaced an effective distance from the pressing surfaces of the first and second sealing blocks.

The process (b) may further include a process of allowing the torch device to move in a longitudinal direction of the first and second sealing blocks, thereby removing the foreign substances accumulated on the entire pressing surfaces of the first and second sealing blocks.

The process (b) may further include a process of inhaling and removing smoke, odor, and harmful gases, which are generated while the foreign substances are removed, through an exhaust device.

In the cleaning equipment and a cleaning method of the sealing tool, the foreign substances, particularly the organic substances (PP, PET, etc.) may be automatically removed using the plasma to effectively remove the foreign substances accumulated on the pressing surface of the sealing block, in particular, to effectively remove the foreign substances accumulated on the pair of sealing blocks at the same time, thereby preventing the sealing defects and the quality defects of the sealing part provided in the pouch from occurring, significantly improving the work efficiency, and preventing the pressing surface of the sealing block from being damaged.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in such a manner that the technical idea of the present invention may easily be carried out by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. In the drawings, anything unnecessary for describing the present invention will be omitted for clarity, and also like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements.

Referring to <FIG>, a secondary battery of the present invention includes an electrode assembly and a pouch <NUM> accommodating the electrode assembly. The pouch <NUM> includes an accommodation part <NUM> accommodating the electrode assembly and a sealing part <NUM> sealing an edge of the accommodation part.

Here, the sealing part <NUM> of the pouch <NUM> is sealed using a sealing tool <NUM>, and the sealing tool <NUM> includes first and second sealing blocks <NUM> and <NUM> disposed in a vertical direction. That is, the first and second sealing blocks <NUM> and <NUM> compress and seal the sealing part <NUM>.

The sealing tool <NUM> having such a structure has a problem in that foreign substances are accumulated on pressing surfaces 21a and 22a of the first and second sealing blocks <NUM> and <NUM> during the compression process of the sealing part.

The foreign substances may be foreign matters, and the foreign substances may be polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PET).

If the foreign substances are accumulated on the pressing surfaces 21a and 22a of the first and second sealing blocks <NUM> and <NUM>, quality defects of the sealing part, thickness defects of the sealing part, and marks such as stab and scratch on the sealing part may be prevented from occurring.

In order to remove, particularly, automatically remove the foreign substances accumulated on the pressing surfaces 21a and 22a of the first and second sealing blocks <NUM> and <NUM>, the cleaning equipment of the sealing tool according to the first embodiment of the present invention is used.

That is, the cleaning equipment of the sealing tool according to the first embodiment of the present invention may remove the foreign substances accumulated on the pressing surfaces 21a and 22a of the first and second sealing blocks <NUM> and <NUM> by using the plasma and, in particular, may be automated to improve work efficiency.

Hereinafter, the cleaning equipment of the sealing tool according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the cleaning equipment of the sealing tool according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a plasma generation device <NUM>, a torch device <NUM> automatically removing foreign substance accumulated on pressing surfaces 21a and 22a of first and second sealing blocks <NUM> and <NUM> by using plasma generated in the plasma generation device <NUM>, and exhaust device <NUM> removing smoke, odor, and harmful gases, which are generated when removing the foreign substances.

The plasma generation device <NUM> is configured to generate the plasma. The plasma refers to a state in which a gas is heated at a ultra-high temperature and is separated into electrons and ions having positive charges.

Referring to <FIG>, the plasma generation device <NUM> includes a first plasma generator <NUM> and a second plasma generator <NUM>. The first plasma generator <NUM> supplies the plasma to a first torch member <NUM>, and the second plasma generator <NUM> supplies the plasma to a second torch member <NUM>.

The plasma generation device is a commonly widely used device, and thus, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

Referring to <FIG>, the torch device <NUM> is configured to remove the foreign substances accumulated on the pressing surfaces 21a and 22a of the first and second sealing blocks <NUM> and <NUM> by using the plasma supplied from the plasma generation device. That is, the torch device <NUM> includes a torch head <NUM>, a first moving member <NUM>, and a second moving member <NUM>.

The torch head <NUM> has a structure which ejects the plasma generated by the plasma generation device to the pressing surfaces of the first and second sealing blocks to remove the foreign substances accumulated on the pressing surfaces of the first and second sealing blocks. That is, the torch head <NUM> includes a first torch member <NUM>, a second torch member <NUM> and a torch body <NUM>.

The first torch member <NUM> is provided with a first plasma outlet 211a that ejects the plasma generated by the first plasma generator of the plasma generation device to the pressing surface 21a of the first sealing block <NUM>.

The second torch member <NUM> is provided with a second plasma outlet 212a that ejects the plasma generated by the second plasma generator of the plasma generation device to the pressing surface 22a of the second sealing block <NUM>.

The torch body <NUM> has a structure which fixes the first torch member <NUM> in a state, in which the first plasma outlet 211a faces the pressing surface 21a of the first sealing block <NUM>, and fixes the second torch member <NUM> in a state, in which the second plasma outlet 212a faces the pressing surface 22a of the second sealing block <NUM>.

That is, the torch body <NUM> includes a fixing plate 213a, a first bracket 213b which is fixed to one end of the fixing plate 213a and to which the first torch member <NUM> is inclinedly coupled so that the first plasma outlet 211a faces the pressing surface of the first sealing block, and a second bracket 213c which is fixed to the other end of the fixing plate 213a and to which the second torch member <NUM> is inclinedly coupled so that the second plasma outlet 212a faces the pressing surface of the second sealing block.

Referring to <FIG>, the first plasma outlet 211a of the first torch member <NUM> has an effective distance α of <NUM> to <NUM> from the pressing surface 21a of the first sealing block <NUM>, preferably has an effective distance (α) of <NUM>. That is, there is a distance of <NUM> to <NUM> between the first plasma outlet 211a and the pressing surface 21a of the first sealing block <NUM>. In addition, the second plasma outlet 212a of the second torch member <NUM> has an effective distance of <NUM> to <NUM> from the pressing surface 22a of the second sealing block <NUM>, preferably has an effective distance (α) of <NUM>. That is, there is a distance of <NUM> to <NUM> between the second plasma outlet 212a and the pressing surface 22a of the second sealing block <NUM>. This is done for stably ejecting the plasma discharged from the plasma outlet to the pressing surface of the sealing block, and as a result, effectively removing the foreign substances accumulated on the pressing surface.

On the other hand, if the effective distance between the plasma outlet and the pressing surface is <NUM> or less, the plasma may not be effectively ejected over the entire pressing surface, and if the effective distance is <NUM> or more, there is a problem in that plasma efficiency is deteriorated.

Referring to <FIG>, the fixing plate 213a includes an upper plate which is provided at an upper right side with respect to a center line O and to which the first bracket 213b is fixed, and a lower plate which is provided at a lower left side with respect to the center line O and to which the second bracket 213c is fixed. In addition, the upper plate and the lower plate have a structure in which the plates are connected to each other. Thus, the fixing plate 213a may stably couple the first and second brackets 212b and 213c to each other. In particular, the first and second torch members <NUM> and <NUM> coupled to the first and second brackets may be disposed to cross each other without interference.

Referring to <FIG>, the torch head <NUM> further includes first and second height adjusting members <NUM> and <NUM> which adjust heights of the first and second torch members <NUM> and <NUM> coupled to the first and second brackets 212b and 213c. That is, the first and second height adjusting members <NUM> and <NUM> may adjust the heights of the first and second torch members to adjust the effective distance between the first plasma outlet and the pressing surface of the first sealing block and the effective distance between the second plasma outlet and the pressing surface of the second sealing block.

For example, the first height adjusting member <NUM> is configured to vertically adjust the height of the first torch member through the first bracket and includes a first guide piece <NUM> to which the first bracket 213b is fixed and which is coupled to one end of the fixing plate 213a so as to be movable vertically, and a first adjusting screw <NUM> which is screw-coupled to the first guide piece <NUM> by passing through one plate 213f (a plate provided on an upper end of the fixing plate when viewed in <FIG>) so that the first guide piece <NUM> moves upward or downward when the first adjusting screw rotates forward or backward. Thus, when the first adjusting screw <NUM> rotates forward or backward, the first guide piece <NUM> may ascend or descend along a screw thread of the first adjusting screw <NUM>, and the first bracket 213b fixed to the guide piece may ascend or descend, and thus, the first torch member <NUM> coupled to the first bracket 213b may ascend or descend to adjust the height. This is done for adjusting the effective distance between the first plasma outlet and the pressing surface of the first sealing block.

In addition, the second height adjusting member <NUM> includes a second guide piece <NUM> to which the second bracket 213c is fixed and which is coupled to the other end of the fixing plate 213a so as to be movable vertically, and a second adjusting screw <NUM> which is screw-coupled to the second guide piece <NUM> by passing through the other plate <NUM> (a plate provided on a lower end of the fixing plate when viewed in <FIG>) so that the second guide piece <NUM> moves upward or downward when the second adjusting screw rotates forward or backward. Thus, when the second adjusting screw <NUM> rotates forward or backward, the second guide piece <NUM> may ascend or descend along a screw thread of the second adjusting screw <NUM>, and the second bracket 213c fixed to the guide piece may ascend or descend, and thus, the second torch member <NUM> coupled to the second bracket 213c may ascend or descend to adjust the height. This is done for adjusting the effective distance between the second plasma outlet and the pressing surface of the second sealing block.

Referring to <FIG>, the torch device <NUM> may include a first moving member <NUM> through which the torch head <NUM> moves in a longitudinal direction (left and right direction when viewed in <FIG>) of the first and second sealing blocks to remove the foreign substances accumulated on the entire pressing surfaces of the first and second sealing blocks.

The first moving member <NUM> includes a guide rail <NUM> disposed in the longitudinal direction (left and right direction when viewed in <FIG>) of the first and second sealing blocks, a guide piece <NUM> which is provided on the guide rail <NUM> so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the first and second sealing blocks and on which the torch head <NUM> is provided, and a first driving piece <NUM> through which the guide piece <NUM> moves in the longitudinal direction of the first and second sealing blocks or returns to its original position.

That is, when the first driving piece <NUM> operates, the first moving member <NUM> may allow the guide piece to move in the longitudinal direction of the first and second sealing blocks along the guide rail <NUM>. Here, the torch head <NUM> fixed to the guide piece <NUM> may move to be interlocked, thereby removing the foreign substances accumulated on the entire pressing surfaces of the first and second sealing blocks. Here, the first moving member <NUM> may be a driving motor.

Referring to <FIG>, the torch device <NUM> may include a second moving member <NUM> through which the torch device moves forward so that the torch head <NUM> is disposed on the pressing surfaces of the first and second sealing blocks <NUM> and <NUM> only when removing the foreign substances accumulated on the pressing surfaces of the first and second sealing blocks <NUM> and <NUM>.

That is, the second moving member <NUM> includes a movable piece <NUM> provided between the guide piece <NUM> and the torch head <NUM> and a second driving piece <NUM> through which the torch head <NUM> provided on the movable piece <NUM> moves forward toward the pressing surfaces of the first and second sealing blocks or move backward. Thus, when the second driving piece <NUM> operates, the torch head <NUM> may move forward toward the pressing surfaces of the first and second sealing blocks or move backward. Here, the second driving piece <NUM> may be an electric cylinder.

The second moving member <NUM> may further include a guide rod <NUM> that guides the torch head <NUM> so that the torch head <NUM> moves straightly toward the pressing surfaces of the first and second sealing blocks. The guide rod <NUM> has one end fixed to the fixing plate 213a of the torch head <NUM> and the other end coupled to a vertical piece provided on the movable piece <NUM> so as to be movable toward the pressing surfaces of the first and second sealing blocks.

The torch device <NUM> may further include an air supply member <NUM> that ejects air together with the plasma to the pressing surfaces of the first and second sealing blocks.

Therefore, the torch device <NUM> may stably eject the plasma supplied from the plasma generation device to the pressing surfaces of the first and second sealing blocks, and as a result, effectively remove the foreign substances accumulated on the pressing surfaces of the first and second sealing blocks.

Referring to <FIG>, the exhaust device <NUM> is configured to remove smoke, odor, and harmful gases, which are generated while the foreign substances accumulated on the pressing surfaces of the first and second sealing blocks are removed. That is, the exhaust device <NUM> includes an exhaust tube <NUM> which is disposed close to the pressing surfaces 21a and 22a of the first and second sealing blocks <NUM> and <NUM> and in which an inhaler configured to inhale the smoke, the odor, and the harmful gases, which are generated while the foreign substances accumulated on the pressing surfaces of the first and second sealing blocks are removed is installed, and a filter <NUM> configured to filter the smoke, the odor, and the harmful gases, which are inhaled into the exhaust tube <NUM>.

Here, the exhaust device <NUM> may generate ozone (O3) by a chemical reaction between the plasma and the foreign substances and may further include an ozone remover <NUM> to remove the ozone.

Thus, the exhaust device <NUM> may effectively remove the harmful gases generated while the foreign substances accumulated on the pressing surfaces 21a and 22a of the first and second sealing blocks <NUM> and <NUM> are removed.

Therefore, the cleaning equipment of the sealing tool according to the first embodiment of the present invention may effectively remove the foreign substances accumulated on the pressing surfaces of the first and second sealing blocks by using the plasma, thereby maintaining the sealing quality, in particular, improving the work efficiency.

Hereinafter, a cleaning method of the sealing tool according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the cleaning method of the sealing tool according to the first embodiment of the present invention is performed to remove foreign substances accumulated on pressing surfaces 21a and 22a of first and second sealing blocks <NUM> and <NUM>, which are provided symmetrically in a vertical direction.

That is, the cleaning method of the sealing tool according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a process (a) of generating plasma through a plasma generation device <NUM>; and a process (b) of ejecting the plasma generated by the plasma generation device <NUM> to the pressing surfaces 21a and 22a of the first and second sealing blocks <NUM> and <NUM> to remove the foreign substances accumulated on the pressing surfaces 21a and 22a of the first and second sealing blocks <NUM> and <NUM>.

A torch device <NUM> includes a torch head <NUM>, a first height adjusting member <NUM>, a second height adjusting member <NUM>, a first moving member <NUM>, a second moving member <NUM>, and an air supply member <NUM>. In addition, the torch head <NUM> includes a first torch member <NUM> and a second torch member <NUM>.

Here, in the process (b), the plasma generated in the plasma generation device <NUM> may be ejected to the pressing surface 21a of the first sealing block <NUM> through a first plasma outlet 211a of the first torch member <NUM> coupled to one end of a torch body <NUM>, and the plasma generated in the plasma generation device <NUM> may be ejected to the pressing surface 22a of the second sealing block <NUM> through a second plasma outlet of the second torch member <NUM> coupled to the other end of a torch body <NUM>. Thus, the foreign substances accumulated on the pressing surfaces of the first and second sealing blocks may be removed.

For example, in the process (b), most of the foreign substances accumulated on the pressing surface may be organic materials (polypropylene, polyethylene), and when the plasma is ejected on the pressing surface, radical oxygen (O) existing in the plasma and carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O), which exist in the foreign substances, chemically react with each other to form carbon dioxide (CO<NUM>) and water (H<NUM>O) so as to be removed.

[Chemical formula]     C+2O=CO<NUM> <NUM>+O=H<NUM>O.

Before performing the process (a), a process of allowing the torch device <NUM> to move forward toward the pressing surfaces 21a and 22a of the first and second sealing blocks <NUM> and <NUM> so that the first plasma outlet 211a of the first torch member <NUM> is disposed to be spaced an effective distance from the pressing surface of the first sealing block, and the second plasma outlet 121a of the second torch member <NUM> is disposed to be spaced an effective distance from the pressing surface of the second sealing block may be further performed.

That is, when there is no need to remove the foreign substances, the torch device is disposed to be spaced a set distance from the sealing tool. Thereafter, when removal of the foreign substances is required, the torch device <NUM> may move forward toward the sealing tool through the second moving member <NUM>, and thus, the torch head <NUM> may be disposed on the pressing surfaces of the first and second sealing blocks <NUM> and <NUM>.

The process (b) may further includes a process of allowing the torch device <NUM> to move in a longitudinal direction of the first and second sealing blocks, thereby removing the foreign substances accumulated on the entire pressing surfaces of the first and second sealing blocks.

That is, in the process (b), the torch device <NUM> may move in the longitudinal direction of the first and second sealing blocks through the first moving member <NUM> or return to its original position, and thus, the first and second torch members may pass through the entire pressing surfaces of the first and second sealing blocks, and as a result, the foreign substances accumulated on the entire pressing surfaces may be removed.

The process (b) may further include a process of removing the smoke, the odor, and the harmful gases, which are generated during the removal of the foreign substances by inhaling the smoke, the odor, and the harmful gases through the exhaust device <NUM>.

That is, the exhaust device <NUM> may inhale the smoke, the odor, and the harmful gases, which are generated while the foreign substances accumulated on the pressing surfaces of the first and second sealing blocks are removed through the exhaust tube <NUM> in which the inhaler is installed, and the smoke, the odor, and the harmful gases may be filtered through a filter <NUM> so as to be removed. Particularly, the exhaust device <NUM> includes an ozone remover, and thus ozone generated by a chemical reaction between the plasma and the foreign substances may be removed.

Therefore, in the cleaning method of the sealing tool according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the foreign substances accumulated on the pressing surfaces of the first and second sealing blocks may be removed through the above processes.

Hereinafter, in descriptions of another embodiment of the present invention, constituents having the same function as the above-mentioned embodiment have been given the same reference numeral in the drawings, and thus duplicated description will be omitted.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, cleaning equipment of a sealing tool according to a second embodiment of the present invention may include a plasma generator <NUM> and a torch device <NUM> having a torch head <NUM>, and the torch head <NUM> may include a first torch member <NUM>, a second torch member <NUM> and a torch body <NUM>.

Here, the torch body <NUM> may include a first angle adjusting piece 213b through which the first torch member <NUM> is coupled to a first bracket 213b so as to be adjustable in angle toward a pressing surface of a first sealing block.

That is, the first angle adjusting piece 213d has a bolt structure that is capable of being tightened or loosened and may be screw-coupled to a side portion of the first sealing block by passing through the first bracket 213b. Thus, when the first angle adjusting piece 213d is loosened, an angle of the first sealing block may be adjusted in a vertical direction when viewed in <FIG>, with respect to the first angle adjusting piece 213d, and when the first angle adjusting piece 213d is tightened, the first sealing block may be compressed to the first bracket 213b, thereby fixing the first sealing block.

In addition, the torch body <NUM> may include a second angle adjusting piece 213e through which the second torch member <NUM> is coupled to a second bracket 213c so as to be adjustable in angle toward a pressing surface of a second sealing block.

That is, the second angle adjusting piece 213e has a bolt structure that is capable of being tightened or loosened and may be screw-coupled to a side portion of the second sealing block by passing through the second bracket 213b. Thus, when the second angle adjusting piece 213e is loosened, an angle of the second sealing block may be adjusted in the vertical direction when viewed in <FIG>, with respect to the second angle adjusting piece 213e, and when the second angle adjusting piece 213e is tightened, the second sealing block may be compressed to the second bracket 213c, thereby fixing the second sealing block.

Therefore, the cleaning equipment of the sealing tool according to the second embodiment of the present invention may include the first and second angle adjusting pieces 213d and 213e to adjust the inclined angles of the first and second sealing blocks. As a result, first and second plasma outlets may be disposed toward the pressing surfaces of the first and second sealing blocks.

Claim 1:
Cleaning equipment of a sealing tool (<NUM>), which is configured to remove foreign substances accumulated on first and second sealing blocks (<NUM>, <NUM>) provided symmetrically in a vertical direction, the cleaning equipment comprising:
a plasma generation device (<NUM>) configured to generate plasma; and
a torch device (<NUM>) provided with a torch head (<NUM>) configured tc eject the plasma generated in the plasma generation device (<NUM>) to pressing surfaces (21a, 22a) of the first and second sealing blocks (<NUM>, <NUM>) so as to remove the foreign substances accumulated on the pressing surfaces of the first and second sealing blocks (<NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein the torch head (<NUM>) comprises:
a first torch member (<NUM>) provided with a first plasma outlet (211a) configured to eject the plasma generated in the plasma generation device (<NUM>) to the pressing surface (21a) of the first sealing block (<NUM>); and
a second torch member (<NUM>) provided with a second plasma outlet (212a) configured to eject the plasma generated in the plasma generation device (<NUM>) to the pressing surface (22a) of the second sealing block (<NUM>).