Method and apparatus for adjusting a vacuum selector

• US 20040181895A1
• Filed: 03/18/2003
• Published: 09/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation (TE Connectivity Ltd. (United Kingdom))
• Original Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation (TE Connectivity Ltd. (United Kingdom))
• Inventors: Pfautz, Douglas Sebastian
• Granted Patent: US 7,152,271 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/309.2
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2203/0228 Cutting, sawing, milling or shearing
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2203/082 Suction, e.g. for holding solder balls or components
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2203/1572 Processing both sides of a PCB by the same process; Providing a similar arrangement of components on both sides; Making interlayer connections from two sides
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/0052 Depaneling, i.e. dividing a panel into circuit boards; Working of the edges of circuit boards
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/26 Cleaning or polishing of the conductive pattern

Abstract

A vacuum selector is provided. The vacuum selector includes a housing having first and second faces, the first face including first and second openings, the second face including a primary opening that communicates with the first and second openings along a flow path through the housing. The vacuum selector further includes a slider member movably provided in the housing and traversing the flow path, the slider member including a selector opening therethrough, the slider member being movable transversely to the flow path such that the selector opening changes the flow path to adjust flow communication between the primary opening and the first and second openings.

Claims

1. A vacuum selector comprising:

a housing having first and second faces, said first face including first and second openings, said second face including a primary opening that communicates with said first and second openings along a flow path through said housing; and

a slider member movably provided in said housing and traversing said flow path, said slider member including a selector opening therethrough, said slider member being movable transversely to said flow path such that said selector opening changes said flow path to adjust flow communication between said primary opening and said first and second openings.

2. A vacuum selector according to claim 1, wherein said housing includes first and second housing plates joining to slidably retain said slider member therebetween.

3. A vacuum selector according to claim 1, wherein said housing includes first and second housing plates, said first and second openings extending through said first housing plate, said primary opening extending through said second housing plate.

4. A vacuum selector according to claim 1, wherein said housing includes a channel traversing said flowpath, said slider member being slidable within said channel.

5. A vacuum selector according to claim 1, wherein said housing includes a channel that joins a recess extending substantially along a portion of said channel, said slider member has a tab that is received within said recess and slidable in said recess as said slider member is moved.

6. A vacuum selector according to claim 5, wherein said recess has a first stop at one end of said recess and a second stop at another end of said recess, such that said tab is slidable between said first and second stops.

7. A vacuum selector according to claim 1, wherein said housing includes a spring loaded member that extends into a channel formed in said housing, said channel receiving said slider member said slider member having detent that engage said spring loaded member when said slide member is adjusted between a plurality of positions.

8. A vacuum selector according to claim 1, wherein said slide member is adjusted between a plurality of positions include a first position wherein only said second opening is in flow communication with said selector opening and said primary opening, a second position wherein both of said first and second openings are in flow communication with said selector opening and said primary opening, and a third position wherein only said first opening is in flow communication with said selector opening and said primary opening.

9. A vacuum selector according to claim 1, wherein said housing includes at least one recess adjacent said primary opening with an arcuate perimeter that aligns with an outer perimeter of said first opening, such that, when said slider member is aligned only with said first opening positions, said arcuate perimeter of said recess communicates with said outer perimeter of said first opening.

10. A debris removal system for removing debris from a working surface comprising:

a vacuum source;

a vacuum selector comprising;

a housing having first and second faces, said first face including first and second openings, said second face including a primary opening that communicates with said first and second openings along a flow path through said housing; and

a slider member movably provided in said housing and traversing said flow path, said slider member including a selector opening therethrough, said slider member being movable transversely to said flow path such that said selector opening changes said flow path to adjust flow communication between said primary opening and said first and second openings.

an upper conduit having one end coupled to said first opening and another end adapted for removing debris from above the working surface; and

a lower conduit having one end coupled to said second opening and another end adapted for removing debris from below the working surface.

11. A vacuum selector according to claim 10, wherein said housing includes first and second housing plates joining to slidably retain said slider member therebetween.

12. A vacuum selector according to claim 10, wherein said housing includes first and second housing plates, said first and second openings extending through said first housing plate, said primary opening extending through said second housing plate.

13. A vacuum selector according to claim 10 wherein said housing includes a channel traversing said flowpath, said slider member being slidable within said channel.

14. A vacuum selector according to claim 10, wherein said housing includes a channel that joins a recess extending substantially along a portion of said channel, said slider member has a tab that is received within said recess and slidable in said recess as said slider member is moved.

15. A vacuum selector according to claim 14, wherein said recess has a first stop at one end of said recess and a second stop at another end of said recess, such that said tab is slidable between said first and second stops.

16. A vacuum selector according to claim 10, wherein said housing includes a spring loaded member that extends into a channel formed in said housing, said channel receiving said slider member said slider member having detent that engage said spring loaded member when said slide member is adjusted between a plurality of positions.

17. A vacuum selector according to claim 10, wherein said slide member is adjusted between a plurality of positions include a first position wherein only said second opening is in flow communication with said selector opening and said primary opening, a second position wherein both of said first and second openings are in flow communication with said selector opening and said primary opening, and a third position wherein only said first opening is in flow communication with said selector opening and said primary opening.

18. A vacuum selector according to claim 10, wherein said housing includes at least one recess adjacent said primary opening with an arcuate perimeter that aligns with an outer perimeter of said first opening, such that, when said slider member is aligned only with said first opening, said arcuate perimeter of said recess communicates with said outer perimeter of said first opening.

19. A method for infinitely adjusting flow communication between a vacuum source and a vacuum selector, the vacuum selector including a housing having first and second faces, said first face including first and second openings, said second face including a primary opening that communicates with said first and second openings along a flow path through said housing, the vacuum selector further includes a slider member movably provided in said housing and traversing said flow path, said slider member including a selector opening therethrough, said slider member being movable transversely to said flow path such that said selector opening changes said flow path to adjust flow communication between said primary opening and said first and second openings, said method comprising:

energizing a vacuum source to cause flow communication between the primary opening, the selector opening, and at least one of the first and second openings; and

adjusting the slider member between the first half and the second half to vary flow communication between the primary opening, the selector opening and at least one of the first and second openings.

20. The method according to claim 19 further comprising:

sliding the slider member into a first position so that the primary opening is in flow communication with only the selector opening and the first opening.

21. The method according to claim 19 further comprising:

sliding the slider member into a second position so that the primary opening is in flow communication with only the selector opening and the second opening.

22. The method according to claim 19 further comprising:

coupling at least one conduit to at least one of the first and second openings.

23. A vacuum providing airflow comprising:

a first flow path for removing debris from a first side of a working surface;

a second flow path for removing debris from a second side of the working surface; and

a vacuum selector in flow communication with said first flow path and with said second flow path, said vacuum selector adjusts airflow in at least said first flow path and said second flow path.

24. A method for removing debris from a working surface, the working surface having a first side and a second side, said method comprising:

providing a vacuum; and

adjusting a vacuum selector in flow communication with the vacuum source to remove debris from at least the first side and the second side of the working surface.