JP2005315601A - Flux liquid level detecting device and automatic soldering device equipped with flux liquid level detecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flux liquid level detecting device capable of effectively preventing error detection with a simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: The flux liquid level detection device 23 comprises a detecting fiber 24 having at one end a liquid level detection part 24a arranged in the liquid of flux liquid 22 in a flux tank 21 wherein flux liquid 22 is stored. By the reflection quantity of light supplied from the other end of the detecting fiber 24, a controller 28 judges whether the liquid level detector 24a is in the liquid of flux 22 or exposed in the air and detects the level lower than the lower limit L of the liquid level 22a in the flux liquid 22 by the judgment of the exposure. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a flux liquid level detecting device for detecting whether or not a flux liquid in a flux tank is stored at a predetermined liquid level or higher, and an automatic soldering apparatus including the flux liquid level detecting device.

  For example, the covering at the end of the electric wire is peeled off to expose the core wire portion, the flux liquid is attached to the exposed core wire portion, and then the solder stored in a melted state is inserted into the solder tank. There has been an electric wire processing device as an automatic soldering device to be attached to a core wire portion (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the electric wire processing apparatus 1 holds the electric wire 2 that is sequentially supplied along the electric wire supply line P to a predetermined length, and the electric wire 2 is releasably held. The front clamp 4 and the rear clamp 5, the cutter unit 6 for cutting and peeling the electric wire 2, the front soldering unit 7, the rear soldering unit 8, and the electric wire 2 gripped by the front clamp 4 are conveyed to a predetermined position. Front moving means 9, rear moving means 10 for conveying the electric wire 2 gripped by the rear clamp 5 to a predetermined position, and a discharge unit 11 for discharging the processed electric wire 2.

  The length measuring unit 3 includes a wire sending mechanism that sends the wire 2 along the wire supply line P, and a length measuring mechanism that measures the length of the wire 2 sent by the wire sending mechanism.

  Each of the front soldering unit 7 and the rear soldering unit 8 includes a flux tank 15 for storing flux liquid and a solder tank 16 for storing dissolved solder.

  The front clamp 4 is supported by a front moving means 9 installed on a gantry 13, and the front moving means 9 has three axial directions X, Y, and Z (two axial directions X, (Only Y is displayed), that is, the front clamp 4 is supported so as to be movable in three dimensions in the front / rear / left / right / up / down directions. The front clamp 4 is positioned at the length measuring unit 3 position and the cutter unit 6 position, and the front soldering unit. 7 is movable between the position of the flux tank 15 and the position of the solder tank 16.

  Similarly, the rear clamp 5 is also supported by a rear moving means 10 installed on a pedestal 13, and the rear moving means 10 is a tertiary in the three axis directions orthogonal to each other, that is, front / rear / left / right / up / down directions. Originally, the rear clamp 5 is supported so as to be movable. The rear clamp 5 is positioned between the cutter unit 6 position, the flux tank 15 position and the solder tank 16 position of the rear soldering unit 8, and the discharge unit 11 position. It can be moved freely.

  Then, the electric wires 2 sent out for a predetermined length along the electric wire supply line P by the length measuring unit 3 are respectively held by the front clamp 4 and the rear clamp 5 and are cut by the cutter unit 6 in this state, The electric wire 2 gripped by the clamp 4 and the electric wire 2 gripped by the rear clamp 5 are separated, and then the end portion of the electric wire 2 gripped by the clamps 4 and 5 is peeled off by the cutter unit 6. It is processed.

  The electric wire 2 gripped by the front clamp 4 is then moved to the position of the flux tank 15 of the front soldering unit 7 to attach the flux liquid to the exposed core wire portion, and then moved to the position of the solder tank 16. Then attach solder to the core wire. After the soldering process, the electric wire 2 gripped by the front clamp 4 is returned to the initial position facing the cutter unit 6.

  On the other hand, while the soldering process is performed on the electric wire 2 on the front clamp 4 side, the electric wire 2 on the rear clamp 5 side is also moved to the position of the flux tank 15 of the rear soldering unit 8, and flux liquid is applied to the exposed core part. After that, the soldering process is performed to move the solder tank 16 to the position of the solder tank so that the solder is attached to the core wire portion. Thereafter, the electric wire 2 is transferred to the discharge unit 11 that can be moved and moved in three dimensions. The rear clamp 5 is discharged to the discharge portion and returned to the initial position facing the cutter unit 6.

  Then, as described above, the operation of the length measuring unit 3 causes the electric wire 2 to be sent out for a predetermined length along the electric wire supply line P. By repeating the same operation, the electric wire 2 has a predetermined electric wire length with solder attached to both ends. The harness is sequentially manufactured.

  Further, the flux liquid attached to the core wire part is used for the purpose of promoting the adhesion of the solder to the surface of the core wire part. There exists an effect | action etc. which make a solder adapt easily to a core wire part surface, and when the flux liquid in the flux tank 15 is insufficient, adhesion of sufficient flux liquid to a core wire part cannot be ensured, and there exists a possibility of causing a soldering defect.

  Therefore, it is necessary to secure a predetermined amount or more of the flux liquid in the flux tank 15 so that sufficient adhesion of the flux liquid to the core wire portion can be obtained.

  By detecting whether or not the liquid level of the flux liquid stored in the flux tank 15 is equal to or higher than a predetermined liquid level for the purpose of securing a predetermined amount or more of the flux liquid stored in the flux tank 15, An apparatus for managing the amount of flux liquid has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 2 and 3).

JP 2003-050149 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-73469 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-23347

  However, in the method of determining whether a predetermined liquid level is secured by detecting conduction / non-conduction through the target liquid, the magnitude of the electrical resistance of the target liquid may affect the detection accuracy, and detection Since the electrode for use in the liquid is immersed in the target liquid, there is a drawback that there is a risk of electrode corrosion.

  Further, as disclosed in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3, according to the circuit configuration in which false detection due to leakage current or the like is prevented, there is a problem that the circuit configuration becomes complicated.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, the present invention has an object to provide a flux liquid level detecting device having a simple structure and capable of effectively preventing erroneous detection and an automatic soldering device including the flux liquid level detecting device. .

  The technical means for solving the above-mentioned problem is a flux liquid level detector that detects the level of the flux liquid in the flux tank in which the flux liquid is stored, wherein the flux liquid level detector is in the flux liquid. A detection fiber body having a liquid level detection unit disposed at one end, and the liquid level detection unit is in a flux liquid or air depending on the amount of light reflected from the other end of the detection fiber body. It is in the point provided with the control part which determines whether it is exposed inside and detects below the minimum liquid level of the liquid level in a flux liquid by determination of the said exposure.

  Moreover, it is good also as a structure provided with the alerting | reporting part which issues a warning by the detection below the minimum liquid level of the said liquid level.

  Furthermore, it is an automatic soldering apparatus provided with the said flux liquid level detection apparatus, Comprising: It is good also as a structure where operation | movement of an automatic soldering apparatus is stopped by the detection below the minimum liquid level of the said liquid level.

  According to the flux liquid level detection device of claim 1, the flux liquid level detection device includes a detection fiber body having a liquid level detection portion disposed in the flux liquid at one end, and is supplied from the other end of the detection fiber body. A control unit is provided for determining whether the liquid level detection unit is exposed in the flux liquid or in the air based on the amount of reflected light, and detecting a level below the lower limit of the liquid level in the flux liquid based on the exposure determination. If the liquid level detection part of the detection fiber body is arranged so as to correspond to the lower limit liquid level position of the flux liquid, the flux liquid decreases and the liquid level reaches the lower limit liquid level. Since the liquid level detection unit that was placed in the air is exposed to the air and the amount of reflected light detected at this time is below the lower limit liquid level, it can be provided with a simple structure. , The electric resistance of flux liquid Can be detected without being right, erroneous detection can be effectively prevented.

  Further, according to the flux liquid level detection device of claim 2, in the flux liquid level detection device of claim 1, the flux liquid level detection device further comprises a notification unit that issues a warning upon detection of the liquid level below the lower limit liquid level. With this structure, the operator can effectively know that the liquid level of the flux liquid has become lower than the lower limit liquid level by the warning issued by the notification unit.

  Furthermore, according to the automatic soldering apparatus according to claim 3, the automatic soldering apparatus having the flux liquid level detection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the liquid level is lower than a lower limit liquid level. By detecting this, the operation of the automatic soldering apparatus is stopped, and it is possible to effectively prevent the occurrence of poor soldering due to the lack of flux liquid.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows, for example, a flux tank 21 portion in an automatic soldering apparatus 20 having the same configuration as the electric wire processing apparatus disclosed in the background art. An appropriate amount of flux liquid 22 is stored in the tank 21.

  In the flux tank 21, the flux liquid liquid for detecting whether or not the liquid level 22a of the flux liquid 22 stored in the tank 21 has become equal to or lower than a lower limit liquid level L as a predetermined set value. A surface detection device 23 is provided.

  The flux liquid level detection device 23 includes a detection fiber body 24 having an appropriate length made of a resin optical fiber, and the outer periphery of one end of the detection fiber body 24 is covered with a protective tube 25. The tip end of one end of the detection fiber body 24 has a structure having a liquid level detection unit 24a formed in a conical shape that gradually tapers. The outer surfaces of the detection fiber body 24 and the protective tube 25 are covered with a fluororesin.

  In addition, a holding bracket 27 that is C-shaped in plan view separated at one place in the circumferential direction is attached to a support bracket 26 that is supported at an appropriate position on the gantry of the automatic soldering apparatus 20. In addition, the protective tube 25 portion of the detection fiber body 24 is vertically inserted and held in a holding shape so that the height can be adjusted in the vertical direction by a releasable tightening operation of the separated portion of the holding bracket 27. It has a fixed structure.

  And in the flux liquid 22 stored in the flux tank 21, the liquid level detection part 24a of the detection fiber body 24 is arrange | positioned. In this case, when the liquid level 22a of the flux liquid 22 reaches the lower limit liquid level L due to the decrease in the flux liquid 22, the liquid level detection unit 24a is to detect the liquid level 22a at that time. Is arranged at a predetermined depth in the flux tank 21 with height adjustment.

  The other end of the detection fiber body 24 is disposed in a control unit 28 that controls the entire automatic soldering apparatus 20, and the control unit 28 includes a light emitting unit 28 a and a light receiving unit 28 b. Then, the light supplied from the light emitting unit 28a is guided to the liquid level detection unit 24a side through the detection fiber body 24, and the light reflected from the liquid level detection unit 24a is returned again through the detection fiber body 24, and the light receiving unit 28b. It has a structure to receive light. The control unit 28 determines whether the liquid level detection unit 24a is present in the flux liquid 22 or exposed to the air based on the amount of reflection of light received by the light receiving unit 28b. Yes.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 2, when the liquid level detector 24 a of the detection fiber body 24 in the flux liquid level detector 23 is present in the liquid of the flux liquid 22, the liquid level detector 24 a and the flux liquid 22 Therefore, the light supplied from the light emitting part 28a enters the flux liquid 22 from the liquid level detecting part 24a and diffuses, and is hardly received as reflected light by the light receiving part 28b. .

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, when the liquid level detection part 24a of the detection fiber body 24 is exposed in the air above the liquid level 22a of the flux liquid 22, the liquid level detection part 24a and the air Therefore, the light supplied from the light emitting unit 28a is totally reflected by the liquid level detecting unit 24a and received as reflected light by the light receiving unit 28b.

  And it is control which determines whether the liquid level detection part 24a exists in the liquid of the flux liquid 22, or is exposed to the air by the magnitude of the reflected amount of the light received by this light-receiving part 28b. . In the present embodiment, when the liquid level detection unit 24a is present in the flux liquid 22, almost no reflected light is obtained by the light receiving unit 28b, and the liquid level detection unit 24a is exposed in the air. In this case, since the totally reflected reflected light is obtained by the light receiving unit 28b, the determination by the magnitude of the amount of reflected light by the control unit 28 can also be performed clearly.

  Further, in this embodiment, when the flux liquid level detector 23 detects that the liquid level 22a of the flux liquid 22 has become the lower limit liquid level L or less, the warning lamp 30a is turned on by a patrol light (rotary lamp) or the like. And an alarm unit 30b for generating a warning by a warning sound and notifying the alarm 30b, and stopping the operation of the automatic soldering device 20 by stopping the drive unit 31 that drives the automatic soldering device 20. It is controlled.

  Further, as the notification unit 30, “flux liquid is low” or “flux liquid is displayed on an operation unit for operating the automatic soldering apparatus 20, for example, a display 30 c of the operation panel connected to the control unit 28 by a communication circuit or the like. Control may be performed to display a warning screen such as “Add a URL”.

  The present embodiment is configured as described above. As a result of the operation of the automatic soldering device 20, the electric wire sent out for a predetermined length along the electric wire supply line by the length measuring unit, as described above, Electric wire terminals that are respectively held by the rear clamps, cut in the state by the cutter unit, separated into electric wires held by the front clamps and electric wires held by the rear clamps, and then held by each clamp. The cover portion is peeled off by the cutter unit.

  Each wire gripped by each clamp is then moved to the flux tank position of each soldering unit to attach the flux liquid to the exposed core wire part, and then moved to the solder tank position and moved to the core wire part. Adhere solder.

  After the soldering process, the electric wire gripped by the front clamp is returned to the initial position facing the cutter unit, and the electric wire gripped by the rear clamp is delivered to the discharge unit and discharged to a predetermined discharge portion. The rear clamp is returned to the initial position facing the cutter unit.

  After that, the length measuring unit is operated to send out a predetermined length of the electric wire along the electric wire supply line, and by repeating the same operation, a harness having a predetermined length of wire with solder attached to both ends is sequentially manufactured. .

  The flux liquid level detector 23 detects when the flux liquid 22 gradually decreases during the operation of the automatic soldering apparatus 20 and the liquid level 22a falls below a preset specified value, that is, below the lower limit liquid level L. Then, the operation of each part of the automatic soldering apparatus 20 is stopped and notified by the notification unit 30.

  As described above, according to the flux liquid level detection device 23 of the present embodiment, the liquid level detection unit 24a of the detection fiber body 24 corresponds to the lower limit liquid level L position of the flux liquid 22 stored in the flux tank 21. If the flux liquid 22 decreases and the liquid level 22a reaches the lower limit liquid level L, the liquid level detection unit 24a that has been arranged in the flux liquid 22 is exposed to the air, and until now. The light that has entered and diffused into the flux liquid 22 from the liquid level detection unit 24a is totally reflected by the liquid level detection unit 24a and returned to the light receiving unit 28b, where the light detected by the light receiving unit 28b Since it is a method of detecting that the liquid level is lower than the lower limit liquid level L due to an increase in the amount of reflection, detection can be performed regardless of the magnitude of the electric resistance of the flux liquid, and erroneous detection can be effectively prevented.

  Further, since it is not a method of detecting by immersing electrodes as in the prior art, there is no need to consider corrosion, leakage current, etc., and there is an advantage that a complicated circuit configuration for detection is unnecessary and it can be provided with a simple structure.

  Further, since the operation of the automatic soldering device 20 is stopped by detecting the liquid level 22a below the lower limit liquid level L by the flux liquid level detecting device 23, soldering due to the lack of the flux liquid 22 is performed. There is also an advantage that the occurrence of defects can be effectively prevented.

  Moreover, it is set as the structure provided with the alerting | reporting part 30 which emits a warning by lighting of the warning lamp 30a or the warning sound by the alarm device 30b by the detection below the minimum liquid level L of the liquid level 22a by the flux liquid level detection apparatus 23. Therefore, it is possible to effectively notify the operator of the insufficient state of the flux liquid 22 in the flux tank 21.

  If the control unit 30 is used to display a warning screen such as “Flux fluid is low” or “Add flux fluid” on the display 30c of the operation unit, the operator can confirm the current situation and the subsequent countermeasures. There are advantages to understand more clearly.

  In addition, in the said embodiment, although the structure employ | adopted as the flux tank 21 of the automatic soldering apparatus 20 in an electric wire is shown, not only an electric wire but another soldering apparatus may be sufficient, and it is limited at all to embodiment. Not.

It is principal part explanatory drawing which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the same detection principle explanatory drawing. It is the same detection principle explanatory drawing. It is a schematic plan view which shows the prior art example of an example to which the same apparatus is applied.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Automatic soldering apparatus 21 Flux tank 22 Flux liquid 22a Liquid level 23 Flux liquid level detector 24 Detection fiber body 24a Liquid level detection part 25 Protection tube 28 Control part 28a Light emission part 28b Light reception part 30 Notification part 31 Drive part

Claims (3)

In the flux liquid level detector for detecting the level of the flux liquid in the flux tank in which the flux liquid is stored,
The flux liquid level detection device includes a detection fiber body having a liquid level detection unit arranged at one end in the flux liquid, and by the amount of reflection of light supplied from the other end of the detection fiber body, It is characterized in that a control unit is provided for determining whether the liquid level detection unit is exposed in the flux liquid or in the air, and detecting below the lower limit level of the liquid level in the flux liquid by the determination of the exposure. Flux liquid level detector. In the flux liquid level detection device according to claim 1,
A flux liquid level detection device comprising a notification unit that issues a warning upon detection of a liquid level lower than a lower limit level of the liquid level. An automatic soldering device comprising the flux liquid level detection device according to claim 1 or 2,
The automatic soldering apparatus is characterized in that the operation of the automatic soldering apparatus is stopped upon detection of the liquid level below the lower limit liquid level.

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