JP2003033735A - Ultrasonic cleaning unit and tool for ultrasonic cleaning unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic cleaning device and a tool for the ultrasonic cleaning unit which always provides uniform cleaning results irrespective of the shape of an object to be cleaned. SOLUTION: This ultrasonic cleaning unit has a cleaning tank 1 filled with cleaning liquid 4, an oscillator 3 which is installed at the bottom of the cleaning tank 1, a high frequency signal generator 2 which supplies a high frequency signal for ultrasonic generation to the oscillator 3. The tools 8 and 9 which have function to induce the occurrence of a cavitation collapse phenomenon in accordance with the shape of the object to be cleaned are applied.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus and a method for cleaning the surface of an object by utilizing a shock wave generated by the collapse of a minute cavity generated in a cleaning liquid by applying an ultrasonic wave. It is related to the jig.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Ultrasonic cleaning devices have been widely used for the physical cleaning of objects, but this device uses a method of cleaning by utilizing the particle acceleration of a cleaning liquid generated by ultrasonic waves, and an ultrasonic cleaning device. The method is roughly classified into two methods, that is, a method of utilizing the cavity collapse phenomenon due to the application of.

In the latter method utilizing the cavity collapse phenomenon, ultrasonic waves are applied to generate a large number of minute cavities in the cleaning liquid, and these minute cavities collapse and the impact force when liquid molecules collide with each other. This is a method of removing foreign matter from the surface of an object by using a cleaning method, and in recent years, it has been widely used for cleaning precision machine parts and physical measurement equipment.

Even in the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus utilizing the cavity collapse phenomenon, the object to be cleaned such as parts to be cleaned is submerged in the cleaning liquid, and ultrasonic waves are directly applied for cleaning. The method and the standing wave that is the combination of the ultrasonic wave from the transducer and the reflected wave from the surface of the cleaning liquid, etc., makes the dense and sparse parts of the microcavity have a dimensional interval specific to the wavelength of the ultrasonic wave in the cleaning liquid. It has been known from the prior art to form a mold and wash the entire component while vertically moving or rotating the component in a cleaning tank.

Prior arts relating to this type of device are disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 154453/1993.
-10530, JP-A-9-271729, JP-A-1
0-244133 and JP-A-11-290803.
The description of each publication of the issue can be mentioned.

[0006]

In the above-mentioned prior art, the shape of the object to be cleaned is not taken into consideration, and there is a problem in cleaning the surface of the object uniformly. In the conventional technology, regardless of the shape of the object to be cleaned, the object is cleaned by submerging it in the cleaning liquid as it is.Here, in the case of an ultrasonic cleaning device that utilizes the cavity collapse phenomenon, it is uniform in the cleaning liquid. Even if minute cavities occur, the cavitation phenomenon may not occur uniformly on the surface depending on the shape of the object to be cleaned.

Therefore, in the prior art, the cleaning result is uneven in the flat surface or the concave portion of the object to be cleaned, which is unlikely to cause the cavity collapse phenomenon uniformly due to the shape. As a result, the object surface is uniformly cleaned. Will cause problems.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is possible to reliably generate a cavity collapse phenomenon in a portion requiring it, and to always perform uniform cleaning regardless of the shape of the object to be cleaned. An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic cleaning device and a jig for the ultrasonic cleaning device that can obtain the results.

[0009]

The object of the present invention is to clean the surface of an object by applying an ultrasonic wave to a cleaning liquid in a cleaning tank and utilizing a shock wave generated by the collapse of microcavities generated in the cleaning liquid. In the ultrasonic cleaning device, cleaning is performed in a state where a jig for inducing collapse of the micro-cavities is provided near at least a part of the surface of the object in the cleaning liquid.

At this time, a means for applying the ultrasonic wave is provided at the bottom of the cleaning tank, and a means for controlling the liquid surface position of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank is provided so that the ultrasonic wave is contained in the cleaning liquid. The above object can be achieved even if the cleaning is performed in the state where the standing wave is formed.

Similarly, in the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus of the type in which the surface of an object is cleaned by utilizing the shock wave generated by the collapse of the minute cavities generated in the cleaning liquid by the application of ultrasonic waves, at least one of the surfaces of the object is cleaned. This is achieved by a jig for an ultrasonic cleaning device which is arranged in the vicinity of the portion and is adapted to induce the collapse of the microcavities.

At this time, the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus is provided with means for applying the ultrasonic waves at the bottom of the cleaning tank, and means for controlling the liquid surface position of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank. A jig for an ultrasonic cleaning device may be used in which cleaning is performed in a state where an ultrasonic standing wave is formed in the cleaning liquid.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An ultrasonic cleaning apparatus and a jig for an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the illustrated embodiments. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, in this case, a cleaning tank 1 filled with a cleaning liquid 4,
It is composed of a vibrator 3 attached to the bottom surface of the cleaning tank 1 and a high-frequency signal generator 2 for supplying a high-frequency signal for ultrasonic wave generation to the vibrator 3, so that the cavity collapse phenomenon is utilized. The system type ultrasonic cleaning device has a general configuration.

Here, first, the cleaning tank 1 can be filled with a predetermined amount of the cleaning liquid 4, and when an object 5 to be cleaned is inserted therein, it is submerged in the cleaning liquid 4. It is for doing. Next, the high frequency generator 2
For example, it has a function of generating a high frequency signal having a frequency of 25 kHz to 40 kHz and supplying this to the vibrator 3.

The vibrator 3 is composed of, for example, a piezoelectric ceramic vibrator, and operates at the frequency of 25 kHz to 40 kHz described above to generate ultrasonic waves. Note that clean water is generally used as the cleaning liquid 4, but at this time,
There is a case where a predetermined Ph value is used, a detergent is dissolved and used, and an organic solvent is sometimes used.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The high frequency signal generator 2 is operated, and the oscillator 3
When a high frequency signal is supplied to the cleaning liquid 4, ultrasonic waves are applied from the vibrator 3 to the cleaning liquid 4 in the cleaning tank 1, and the ultrasonic waves are propagated in the cleaning liquid 4. Then, the energy of the ultrasonic waves propagated at this time causes countless minute cavities 6 to be generated in the cleaning liquid 3.

Therefore, when the object 5 to be cleaned is immersed in the cleaning liquid 4 at this time, the minute cavities 6 collapse on the surface of the object 5 and when the cavity collapse phenomenon occurs, the object 5 can be cleaned by a shock wave. Will be available.

However, the occurrence of the cavity collapse phenomenon at this time is triggered by, for example, a discontinuous portion such as a protrusion or an edge portion on the surface of the object 5, and therefore the surface condition of the object 5 is greatly affected. Cavity collapse phenomenon is less likely to occur in a flat portion having no discontinuity, for example.

As a result, the object 5 is left as it is.
Therefore, uniform cleaning cannot be obtained. It should be noted that this is a problem of the conventional technique as described above.

Here, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, as shown in the drawing, a jig 8 made of a wire net is arranged on the plane portion of the object 5 to be cleaned. In the case of the object to be cleaned 5 shown here, the jig 8 is arranged so as to be substantially in contact with the surface of the plane portion of the jig 8.

Then, since the jig 8 is made of the wire mesh as described above, there are innumerable projections, discontinuities such as edges, and the like on the entire surface thereof. The cavity collapse phenomenon occurs very actively in.
Further, in the case of FIG. 1, since the jig 8 is arranged in a state of being substantially in contact with the surface of the flat portion of the cleaning target object 5, the cavity collapse phenomenon is extremely actively generated also on the surface of the flat portion. Therefore, sufficient cleaning can be obtained.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, by arranging the jig 8 in a necessary portion according to the shape of the object 5 to be cleaned, the cavity collapse phenomenon can be uniformly generated on the entire surface thereof. , It is possible to easily exert a high detergency.

At this time, for example, as shown by the arrow, if the object 5 to be cleaned is moved, the removed dirt can be quickly separated from the object 5 to be cleaned. In addition,
The propagation of the ultrasonic waves at this time is not limited to the bottom surface, but may be any condition such that the microcavity can be generated from any surface such as the side surface.

Here, the above-described embodiment is mainly applied to an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus of a type in which an object to be cleaned such as parts to be cleaned is immersed in the cleaning liquid and ultrasonic waves are applied as it is for cleaning. This is one embodiment to which the present invention is applied, but the present invention may be applied to an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus of the type using a standing wave, which will be described below with reference to FIG.

Also in the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 2, the vibrator 3 attached to the bottom surface of the cleaning tank 1 vibrates in response to a signal supplied from the high frequency signal generator 2 and the cleaning liquid 4 in the cleaning tank 1 is vibrated. Ultrasonic waves are emitted. At this time, the distance from the vibrator 3 to the liquid surface of the cleaning liquid 4 should be the same as the integral multiple of 1/2 wavelength of ultrasonic waves + 1/4 wavelength. It is supposed to be adjusted.

As a result, the ultrasonic waves reflected by the surface of the cleaning liquid 4 form dense and sparse portions of the micro-cavities in the cleaning liquid 4 at dimensional intervals peculiar to the wavelength of the ultrasonic waves.
Is generated.

Therefore, as shown by the arrow A, if the object 5 is moved up and down, the minute cavities 6 denser by the standing waves 7 are formed.
As a result, a stronger impact force can be used, and a stronger cleaning power can be obtained.

Therefore, in the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 2, if the jig 8 described in FIG. 1 is applied to the object 5, it is possible to obtain a stronger cleaning power while being excellent in uniformity.

The moving direction of the object 5 at this time is not limited to the vertical movement shown in the figure, but may be rotational movement or rocking. Needless to say, the jig 9 described later with reference to FIG. 4 can also be applied to the case of FIG.

Next, FIG. 3 shows a jig 8 made of a wire mesh on a flat surface on the surface of the object 5 to be cleaned where the cavity collapse phenomenon is unlikely to occur.
The state where is attached is shown. As described above, in the plane portion, even if the minute cavities 6 are generated, there is no trigger for the cavity collapse phenomenon, so the cleaning power is weak, but the wire mesh jig 8
By disposing, the cavity collapse phenomenon can be actively generated in the entire flat surface portion, and the cleaning power can be greatly enhanced.

FIG. 4 shows an example in which the ring-shaped jig 9 is attached to the concave corner portion where the cavity collapse phenomenon of the cleaning component 5 is unlikely to occur. Although the probability that it will enter and cause a cavity collapse phenomenon will decrease, the cleaning power will weaken, but since the ring-shaped jig 9 is arranged, an active cavity collapse phenomenon will also occur in this part, and cleaning will be performed. Power can be strengthened.

FIG. 5 is a cross section of the ring-shaped jig 9, and here shows a case where it is formed of four wire rods.
Since it has been confirmed that the number of wire rods at this time has little relation to the cleaning power, it may be arbitrarily configured according to the shape of the portion to be attached and the area to be cleaned.

Next, the material of the jigs 8 and 9 will be described. As described above, since the jigs need to have discontinuous portions such as protrusions and edges, the material is not so much. It doesn't matter. Although the wire mesh is made in the above embodiment, various metal wires such as copper and stainless steel can be used for the wire material, and nylon thread can be used in addition to the metal.

The thickness of the wire at this time is preferably about 1 mm or less, and as described above, it is not necessarily required to be a metal, and the cross-sectional shape is not limited to a circular shape and may be a polygonal shape. Also, a stranded wire in which several wires having a circular cross section or a polygonal cross section are twisted together may be used.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, by applying the reticulated jig 8 or the ring-shaped jig 9 to the entire surface regardless of the shape of the object to be cleaned, whether it is a flat surface or a concave corner portion. Can always be washed in good condition.

[0036]

According to the present invention, regardless of the shape of the object to be cleaned, ultrasonic cleaning can always be performed uniformly and under a strong cleaning power, and therefore, it is possible to perform ultrasonic cleaning as in the prior art. In addition, since there is no risk of insufficient cleaning due to the shape of the parts, there is no need to supplement by manual cleaning or hand-wiping work.

As a result, according to the present invention, the cleaning can be performed uniformly and irrespective of the shape of the parts, the cleaning quality can be improved by eliminating the hand-wiping work, and the cleaning efficiency can be improved. It has the effect that it can also be used for cleaning products.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an ultrasonic cleaning device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram for explaining an example of an ultrasonic cleaning device using a standing wave.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of a jig according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing another embodiment of the jig according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the jig according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 cleaning tank 6 2 High frequency signal generator 3 oscillators 4 cleaning liquid 5 Objects to be cleaned (cleaning parts) 6 micro cavities 7 standing waves 8 Wire mesh jig 9 Ring-shaped jig

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Shigeru Izawa             882 Ichige, Ichima, Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture             Ceremony company Hitachi measuring instruments group (72) Inventor Terumichi Nishino             882 Ichige, Ichima, Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture             Ceremony company Hitachi measuring instruments group F term (reference) 3B201 AA46 AB32 AB47 BB02 BB83                       BB92 CD41

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An ultrasonic cleaning apparatus of a type in which ultrasonic waves are applied to a cleaning liquid in a cleaning tank to utilize shock waves generated by the collapse of minute cavities generated in the cleaning liquid to clean the surface of an object. An ultrasonic cleaning apparatus, characterized in that cleaning is performed in a state in which a jig for inducing collapse of the microcavities is provided in the vicinity of at least a part of the surface of the object inside. 2. The invention according to claim 1, wherein a means for applying the ultrasonic wave is provided at a bottom portion of the cleaning tank, and a means for controlling a liquid surface position of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank. And an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus configured to perform cleaning in a state where an ultrasonic standing wave is formed in the cleaning liquid. 3. An ultrasonic cleaning apparatus of the type which cleans the surface of an object by utilizing a shock wave generated by the collapse of micro-cavities generated in a cleaning liquid by the application of ultrasonic waves, in the vicinity of at least a part of the surface of the object. A jig for an ultrasonic cleaning device, wherein the jig is arranged in the above position and is configured to induce the collapse of the microcavities. 4. The ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the ultrasonic cleaning device has means for applying the ultrasonic waves at the bottom of the cleaning tank, and the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank. A jig for an ultrasonic cleaning device, comprising means for controlling a surface position, and configured to perform cleaning in a state where a standing wave of ultrasonic waves is formed in the cleaning liquid.