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Title:
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SURFACE TREATMENT ON INSULATION PANEL
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2008/075910
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
There are provided an apparatus for surface treatment on an insulation panel, which is capable of continuously performing the surface treatment, such as plasma pretreatment and the like, on the work surface of the insulation panel installed in a cargo hold in a ship, and a method thereof. The apparatus for surface treatment on the insulation panel comprises: a frame unit with a driving unit for generating a driving force for movement; a nozzle unit installed in the frame unit, for performing plasma pretreatment on work surface; a nozzle moving unit for controlling up and down, side to side, and back and forth movement of the nozzle unit; a cleaning unit mounted onto the frame unit, for sucking foreign materials; and additional equipment for the plasma pretreatment connected to the nozzle unit.

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Inventors:
HAN SEONG-JONG (KR)
Application Number:
PCT/KR2007/006693
Publication Date:
June 26, 2008
Filing Date:
December 20, 2007
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
SAMSUNG HEAVY IND (KR)
HAN SEONG-JONG (KR)
International Classes:
B63B9/00; B32B37/00; C09D179/00; E04F21/00
Foreign References:
US4913772A1990-04-03
KR20040077864A2004-09-07
US5653083A1997-08-05
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
JANG, Seong Ku (Trust Tower 275-7,Yangjae-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul 137-130, KR)
Download PDF:
Claims:

Claims

[1] An apparatus for surface treatment on an insulation panel, comprising: a frame unit including a driving unit for generating a driving force for movement; a nozzle unit installed in the frame unit, for performing plasma pretreatment on a work surface; a nozzle moving unit for controlling up and down, side to side, and back and forth movement of the nozzle unit; a plasma generating unit, connected to the nozzle unit, for generating a plasma for the plasma pretreatment; and a cleaning unit mounted in the frame unit, for sucking foreign materials. [2] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame unit connects a moving carriage to a trailer by a trailer coupler. [3] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the nozzle unit comprises: a nozzle for performing the plasma pretreatment; a disc for rotating the nozzle; a motor for supplying motive power to the disc; and a lifting operation mechanism for moving the nozzle up and down. [4] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the nozzle moving unit comprises: a moving plate attachably/detachably connected to the nozzle unit by a plurality of toggle clamps; a plurality of linear operation guides installed between the moving plate and the frame unit; a ball screw nut block fixed to a back sidewall of the moving plate; a ball screw shaft connected to the ball screw nut block; bearing supports installed in the frame unit, for supporting both side ends of the ball screw shaft to be rotated; and a nozzle moving motor connected through a driven pulley, a motive power transferring connection element and a driving pulley, for rotating the ball screw shaft. [5] The apparatus of claim 1 or 4, wherein the nozzle moving unit is constituted to give the nozzle unit any one of reciprocal linear movement related to a Y axial direction, horizontal movement related to a level including an X-Y axial direction, tri-axial movement related to an X-Y-Z axial direction, weaving movement and rotation movement. [6] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plasma generating unit is mounted onto the trailer and the plasma generating unit includes an inside transformer for

plasma pretreatment which is operatively connected to the nozzle unit, a generator, a pre-transformer, and a nozzle operation remote controller.

[7] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit comprises: a suction duct unit positioned to face the work surface; a dust collector connected to the suction duct unit; a cooling fan positioned on the dust collector, for generating a suction force; and a cleaning motor connected to the cooling fan, for generating motive power.

[8] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dust collector comprises: a fixing bracket fixed to the frame unit; a connection block operatively connected on the suction duct unit; a sliding bracket connected to the fixing bracket and connected to the connection block so as to slide downward; and a corrugated pipe operatively connected to the connection block and including a spring, wherein, as the spring is inserted into the corrugated pipe and the top end and the bottom end of the spring respectively contact with the dust collector and the connection block, an elastic repulsive force of the spring pushes the connection block, the sliding bracket and the suction duct unit downward, based on the dust collector and the fixing bracket.

[9] A method for surface treatment on an insulation panel, comprising: a nozzle movement step of performing a reciprocating linear movement of a nozzle unit while an apparatus for surface treatment on the insulation panel is driven; and a cleaning step of removing foreign material by using a cleaning unit installed in a frame unit while the apparatus for surface treatment is operated.

[10] The method of claim 9, wherein, in the nozzle movement step, the reciprocating linear movement of the nozzle unit is repeated within an entire work section while the apparatus for surface treatment is driven at a regular velocity.

[11] The method of claim 9, wherein, in the nozzle movement step, after an entire work section is equally divided into a plurality of intervals, the apparatus for surface treatment repeats driving and stop by each interval, and wherein the reciprocating linear movement of the nozzle unit starts when the apparatus for surface treatment is driven, and the nozzle unit is returned to an operation wait state when the apparatus for surface treatment is stopped.

[12] The method of claim 9, wherein, in the nozzle movement step, after the entire work section is equally divided into a plurality of intervals, the apparatus for surface treatment repeats driving and stop by each interval, wherein a multi-axial movement of the nozzle unit starts when the apparatus for

surface treatment is driven, and the nozzle unit is returned to an operation wait state when the apparatus for surface treatment is stopped, and wherein the multi-axial movement is performed by a nozzle moving unit which is designed to simultaneously perform the reciprocating linear movement and rotation movement of the nozzle unit, corresponding to an X axial direction, a Y axial direction, a Z axial direction, and an oblique direction between the X axial direction and the Y axial direction.

Description:

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SURFACE TREATMENT ON

INSULATION PANEL

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to an apparatus for a surface treatment on an insulation panel, which performs a plasma pretreatment on a surface of an insulation panel installed in a cargo hold in a ship, and a method thereof. Background Art

[2] A plasma pretreatment is manually performed in a cargo hold in a ship, to increase an adhesive strength between a hard sheet previously installed on an insulation panel and a supple sheet to cover over the hard sheet, or between complex materials.

[3] The plasma pretreatment means a surface treatment to increase bonding strength, wettability and bonding quality between a material, such as the sheet and the like, and an adhesive, such as epoxy glue.

[4] However, in a conventional plasma pretreatment work, a plurality of workers are needed and there is the inconvenience of removing foreign materials generated during the surface treatment work after the workers directly and manually performs the surface treatment work, such as the plasma pretreatment, on the hard sheet of the insulation panel. Therefore, it is difficult even for the skilled workers to secure the uniform quality.

[5] Since the plasma pretreatment work needs to be performed on sidewalls and a ceiling of the cargo hold as well as a bottom thereof, the workers increasingly become tired and the efficiency of work drops, so that it is impossible to secure the uniform quality.

[6] Moreover, including the insulation panel, the structures, such as various support or work tables used to carry out the work, are provided inside the cargo hold where the plasma pretreatment work is performed. Thus, an accident is likely to occur against the safety of the workers exposed in the narrow working space and environment.

[7] Moreover, in the case where the plasma pretreatment is performed manually as indicated above, there are problems in that the reliability of the treatment process will vary depending on the experience of each worker and the process working time becomes long. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[8] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for surface treatment on an insulation panel, which is capable of continuously performing the surface treatment, such as plasma pretreatment, on the work surface of the insulation

panel installed in a cargo hold in a ship.

[9] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for surface treatment on an insulation panel, which is capable of performing plasma pretreatment on the surface of a sheet, to secure the safety of a worker and to reduce a working time. Technical Solution

[10] The above object of the present invention is realized by an apparatus for surface treatment on an insulation panel, including: a frame unit with a driving unit for generating a driving force for movement; a nozzle unit installed in the frame unit, for performing plasma pretreatment on work surface; a nozzle moving unit for controlling up and down, side to side, and back and forth movement of the nozzle unit; a cleaning unit mounted onto the frame unit, for sucking foreign materials; and additional equipment for the plasma pretreatment connected to the nozzle unit.

[11] Further, the other object of the present invention is realized by a method for surface treatment on an insulation panel, including the steps of: operating an apparatus for surface treatment, such as a uniform velocity driving step or respective interval driving steps; and a cleaning step of removing foreign materials by a cleaning unit installed in the apparatus for surface treatment while operating a first, a second or a third nozzle movement step.

[12] Further, the work surface is the general term for a surface of a sheet being subject to the plasma pretreatment; and a supporting basis being used as a frictional supporting surface for driving the present invention and formed around the surface of the sheet.

Advantageous Effects

[13] The apparatus and method for surface treatment on the insulation panel according to the present invention performs the plasma pretreatment on the surface of the insulation panel while it is driven, being supported to the insulation panel. Accordingly, the surface treatment process can be stably and efficiently performed in the entire position.

[14] Furthermore, the apparatus for surface treatment on the insulation panel comprises the driving breaker and the securing breaker. Accordingly, the entire position can be maintained in case of emergency, such as the interruption of common-use electric power source by an electricity failure, and sliding or falling can be prevented.

[15] Furthermore, the apparatus for surface treatment on the insulation panel comprises the attachable/detachable nozzle unit. Accordingly, it can be very easily maintained and repaired.

[16] Furthermore, the apparatus for surface treatment on the insulation panel comprises the driving encoder. Accordingly, it can perform the high quality work maintaining the accurate velocity.

[17] Furthermore, the method for surface treatment on the insulation panel performs the

surface treatment while the apparatus drives along the insulation panel. Accordingly, the reliability of the treatment process can be secured and the processing work time can be shortened. Brief Description of the Drawings

[18] The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[19] Fig. 1 is a perspective view for explaining the constitution of an apparatus for surface treatment on an insulation panel, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[20] Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus illustrated in Fig 1 ;

[21] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view for explaining a nozzle unit and a nozzle moving unit illustrated in Fig. 2;

[22] Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view for explaining a driving encoder illustrated in

Fig. 2;

[23] Figs. 5 to 7 are plan views for explaining methods for surface treatment on an insulation panel in accordance with the present invention; and

[24] Figs. 8 to 11 are plan views for explaining methods of moving a nozzle according to the methods disclosed in Figs. 5 to 7. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[25] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that they can be readily implemented by those skilled in the art.

[26] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[27] Fig. 1 is a perspective view for explaining the constitution of an apparatus for surface treatment on an insulation panel, according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus illustrated in Fig 1, Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view for explaining a nozzle unit and a nozzle moving unit illustrated in Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view for explaining a driving encoder illustrated in Fig. 2. Further, Figs. 5 to 7 are plan views for explaining methods for surface treatment on an insulation panel in accordance with the present invention, and Figs. 8 to 11 are plan views for explaining methods of moving a nozzle according to the methods disclosed in Figs. 5 to 7.

[28] As illustrated in Fig. 1, an apparatus 10 for a surface treatment on an insulation panel according to an embodiment of the present invention has a frame unit 100 for a moving

carriage (or cart) 11 and a trailer 12.

[29] The moving carriage 11 uses a general driving structure used in an insulation panel or an exclusive driving structure using a rail and the like. Then, since the trailer 12 is connected to an end of the moving carriage 11, the moving carriage 11 plays the role of drawing the trailer 12 consequently.

[30] That is, the trailer 12 is an object to be drawn by the moving carriage 11. At least one trailer 12 is constituted to load and carry an additional equipment 20 for plasma pre- treatment which is connected to a nozzle unit 400. The additional equipment 20 for plasma pretreatment includes an inside transformer, a generator, a pre-transformer, a remote controller of operation of a nozzle, and the like.

[31] For this purpose, the trailer 12 has a trailer frame unit in an operative structure to be drawn and a connection unit (not shown) to load and fix the additional equipment 20 on the trailer frame unit. The trailer frame unit is a frame structure in a shape of a general annexed vehicle or following vehicle.

[32] The operative structure to be drawn of the trailer 12 has the similar or reduced constitution to or of that of a driving unit 200 of the moving carriage 11 and a securing unit 300 for securing the driving unit 200 against a driving basis surface, which will be described later in detail.

[33] For example, the trailer 12 may further comprise a separate driving unit (not shown).

Then, unlike the moving carriage 11, the trailer 12 includes a plurality of passive wheels to be merely rotated, without a driving motor.

[34] A trailer coupler 21 is connected between the moving carriage 11 and the trailer 12, so that the moving carriage 11 can be driven while drawing the additional equipment 20 for plasma pretreatment by using the trailer 12. The nozzle unit 400 is connected to the additional equipment 20 for plasma pretreatment through a relevant standard cable.

[35] The moving carriage 11 or the trailer 12 may have the securing unit 300 and a plurality of the driving units 200. The securing unit 300 is installed at the middle of the frame unit 100 so as to be supported to the frame unit 100. The plurality of the driving units 200 are respectively installed at either end of the securing unit 300 and are connected so as to receive a securing force of a ball screw assembly of and a securing motor (not shown) of the securing unit 300.

[36] A supporting basis (for example, a frictional supporting surface) for driving the driving unit 200 may be a rail and the like, which are fixed in a space pre-formed in the insulation panel or which are fixed to the insulation panel.

[37] Examples of the constitution of the driving unit 200 may include a rail type driving device disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 10-2006-0130090 (corresponding to PCT application No. PCT/KR2007/006658) or a driving device using a rail disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 10-2006-0130119 (corresponding to PCT application

No. PCT/KR2007/006655), both filed by the applicant of the present application.

[38] To drive the moving carriage 11 by using a driving force of the driving motor, the driving unit 200 may use any one the well-known driving structure applied in a cargo hold work system and the driving structure using the rail.

[39] When a plurality of wheels, to be used for driving the driving unit 200, are secured against the supporting basis by the securing unit 300 and the driving motor connected to the wheels operates, the driving unit 200 generates the necessary driving force for driving the moving carriage 11 or trailer 12.

[40] Being supported to the frame unit 100, the securing unit 300 functions to secure or release the driving unit 200 to or from the supporting basis.

[41] When the securing unit 300 is operated to secure the driving units 200, since the driving units 200 are moved far from each other in the width direction of the frame unit 100, the wheels of the driving units 200 are pressed by the supporting basis so as to be secured. Thereafter, when the wheels of the driving units 200 rotate, the moving carriage 11 and the trailer 12 are driven, along the supporting basis.

[42] When the securing unit 300 is operated to release the driving units 200, since the driving units 200 are moved close to each other in the width direction of the frame unit 100, the wheels of the driving units 200 are spaced apart from an outer side of a plywood of a top pad. In this case, the apparatus 10 for surface treatment according to the embodiment of the present invention, including the moving carriage 11 and the trailer 12, is separated from the supporting basis.

[43] The apparatus 10 including the nozzle unit 400 performs the function as a plasma processing apparatus for performing plasma pretreatment on the relevant surface of the insulation panel including a hard sheet installed in a cargo hold in a ship, or the work surface of the insulation panel.

[44] In the apparatus 10 according to the embodiment, an X axial direction may be defined as the length direction of the apparatus 10, that is, the length direction of the frame unit 100, or the direction in which the apparatus 10 is driven. A Y axial direction may be defined as the width direction of the apparatus 10, that is, the width direction of the frame unit 100. A Z axial direction may be defined as the height direction of the apparatus 10, that is, the vertical direction perpendicular from the top side of the frame unit 100.

[45] The nozzle unit 400 is attachable to or detachable from the moving carriage 11 of the apparatus 10. A nozzle moving unit 500 is mounted in the moving carriage 11, for movement of the nozzle unit 400 to be described with reference to Figs. 8 to 11.

[46] The nozzle moving unit 500 is a control unit for controlling the up and down, side to side, and back and forth movement of the nozzle unit 400 by using a multi-axis robot, a height-controllable X-Y stage, a linear transfer robot and the like. The nozzle moving

unit 500 performs the multi-axial movement of simultaneously performing the reciprocating linear movement of the nozzle unit 400 and the rotation movement of the nozzle unit 400, corresponding to the X axial direction, the Y axial direction, the Z axial direction and the oblique direction between the X axial direction and the Y axial direction.

[47] For example, a separate height-controlling unit may be used in the embodiment of the present invention, as a kind of an elevator structure which is additionally installed to the nozzle moving unit 500 or as a separate structure which is attached to a moving plate 510 and moves a nozzle of the nozzle unit 400 vertically.

[48] Further, installed in the frame unit 100, the nozzle moving unit 500 performs the reciprocating linear movement of the nozzle unit 400 based on the Y axial direction, that is, the shuttle movement (for example: side to side translation).

[49] The apparatus 10 further comprises a plurality of cleaning units 600 in any one of the moving carriage 11 and the trailer 12.

[50] The plurality of the cleaning units 600 respectively generate vacuum, to suck and remove the foreign materials, such as dust, chip fragments and the like, generated when the insulation panel is constructed or installed.

[51] Each cleaning unit 600 includes: a suction duct unit 610, called as a suction pad, positioned to face the work surface of the insulation panel; a connection block 611 op- eratively connected to the suction duct unit 610 on the top of the suction duct unit 610; a corrugated pipe 620 operatively connected to the connection block 611; a dust collector 630 operatively connected to the top end of the corrugated pipe 620; a cooling fan 640 positioned on the dust collector 630, for preventing overheat of the dust collector 630; and a cleaning motor 650 connected to the top of the cooling fan 640, for rotating the cooling fan 640 or for operating an inside suction operating device of the dust collector 630, such as an inside constituent of a general vacuum cleaner.

[52] The dust collector 630 is fixed to a front crossbar 105 of the frame unit 100 by a fixing bracket. The fixing bracket is connected to a sliding bracket which is capable of downward sliding within the range of a limited stroke distance. The sliding bracket is connected to the connection block 611.

[53] Further, a spring 621 is inserted into the corrugated pipe 620. The top end and the bottom end of the spring 621 are respectively in contact with the dust collector 630 and the connection block 611.

[54] While the dust collector 630 is fixed to the front crossbar 105 of the frame unit 100 by the fixing bracket, the connection block 611 can be slid by the sliding bracket, based on the fixing bracket. Then, an elastic repulsive force of the spring 621 can push the connection block 611, the sliding bracket and the suction duct unit 610 downward, based on the dust collector 630 and the fixing bracket, so that the suction duct unit 610

comes into close contact to the work surface. In this case, the suction duct unit 610 can minutely clean the foreign materials.

[55] Further, the moving carriage 11 controls all constitutional elements related to its general operation by a typical method or it may have a general controller (not shown) to control the multi-axial movement and the like of the nozzle moving unit 500. (Here, the aforementioned all constitutional elements are all electric/electronic constitutional elements including, for example, a driving motor in a diverse servo motor form, a securing motor, a cleaning motor 650, various nozzle moving motors, various sensors, a driving breaker, a securing breaker, a motor encoder, a driving encoder 800, a nozzle spray controller, a load cell and a potentiometer.)

[56] The driving breaker or the securing breaker is used based on a breaker rotation axis connected to a motor rotation axis of the driving motor or the securing motor used in the present invention.

[57] Each breaker comprises a breaker housing including a breaker rotation axis; a controller controlling type restriction unit included inside the breaker housing; and an emergency portable electric power source (for example, emergency storage power source such as a storage battery, a condenser and the like). The controller controlling type restriction unit is constituted by including an electromagnetic module which is electrically connected to the controller in the present embodiment; and a sensing module for sensing the accidents, such as interruption of electricity operating the motor, motor failure, and the like. When the portable electric power source is applied to the electromagnetic module in response to the control operation of the sensing module, the electromagnetic module is stuck while applying an electromagnetic force to the breaker rotation axis. Then, the controller controlling type restriction unit is constituted to suddenly stop or fix the breaker rotation axis.

[58] Each breaker sticks various axial connection members, such as an operating pulley connected to a corresponding motor rotation axis, a power transferring connection element, an operated pulley, a shaft axis member of a ball screw assembly, and the like, not to be rotated, thereby maintaining the frictional force between the wheel of the driving unit 200 and the supporting basis in case of emergency.

[59] Further, the controller of the moving carriage 11 includes a control circuit which is operatively connected to an external system (not shown) and receives its own electric power (battery: not shown) or external electric power, to supply relevant operation power or control signals to the relevant constitutional elements which will be described below:

[60] The moving carriage 11 will be described in more detail.

[61] As described in Fig. 2, the frame unit 100 of the moving carriage 11 is manufactured to be light, using aluminum alloy materials.

[62] The frame unit 100 mounts the controller and functions as the supporting basis of the corresponding constitutional elements to be described in the present invention.

[63] The frame unit 100 is manufactured in a structure not to be twisted, including: a plurality of axial members 103 and 104, crossbars 105 and 106, and a known connection hole for connecting the frame, which are capable of easily assembling, connecting, mounting or detaching each of the corresponding constitutional elements at a predetermined position. Preferably, the axial members 103 and 104 or the crossbars 105 and 106 may respectively have a fixing groove or a mounting aperture formed on their four surfaces lengthwise.

[64] The frame unit 100 includes a plurality of handles 110 installed of the outer sides of the axial members 103 and 104 arranged to the left side and the right side extended in the direction of the length of the frame unit 100 (for example, X axial direction). The handles 110 are used to easily carry or keep the moving carriage 11. For example, a total of four handles 110 may be installed by two on each of the axial members 103 and 104. However, the number of the handles is not limited.

[65] The frame unit 100 includes a plurality of movable rollers 120 on the bottom sides of the axial members 103 and 104. The movable rollers 120 which merely roll on the top surface of the insulation panel make the moving carriage 11 to be stably driven. For example, three from a total of six movable rollers 120 may be installed on each of the axial members 103 and 104. However, the number of the movable rollers is not limited.

[66] The connection hole of the frame unit 100 is a means for connecting the ends or middle parts of the axial members 103 and 104 to the crossbars 105 and 106. The connection hole allows a structure shape of the frame unit 100 to be freely assembled and manufactured to meet the pre-designed direction, dimension, specification, layout and others.

[67] The frame unit 100 may further comprise a plurality of frame legs 101 and 102 at a front side and a back side, to be stood horizontally at a keeping position, such as the ground. Preferably, each of the frame legs 101 and 102 may further include a cover formed of a material absorbing friction and impact.

[68] Preferably, the axial members 103 and 104 on the left and right sides in the frame unit 100 may have a width space being relatively broader than a width of the work surface.

[69] By the design of the broader width space, the frame unit 100 can be driven while it is arranged in a space above the work surface, the constitutional elements for performing various purposes can be arranged relatively spaciously, the design or the entire layout can be expected to be simplified, and the space for mounting the apparatus can be easily secured.

[70] The driving encoder 800 is installed at any one of the left and right axial members

103 and 104 of the frame unit 100. The connection structure of the driving encoder 800 will be described in detail below. The driving encoder 800 senses an actual driving velocity of the moving carriage 11 and feeds back the driving velocity to the controller. Accordingly, the driving encoder 800 is connected to the controller so that the driving velocity of the moving carriage 11 can be compensated and constantly maintained.

[71] Further, guide rails are respectively installed on the top sides of the crossbars 105 and

106 of the frame unit 100. Guide blocks are installed on the moving plate 510 of the nozzle moving unit 500. The guide blocks are positioned to face the guide rails. The guide rails and the guide blocks may be understood as a plurality of linear operation guides 150 and 151 for guiding horizontal movement of the nozzle unit 400, which are positioned between the frame unit 100 and the moving plate 510.

[72] The nozzle moving unit 500, which is capable of easily attaching and detaching the nozzle unit 400 and giving movement to the nozzle unit 400 by using at least the frame unit 100 as the supporting basis, will be described below:

[73] The movement given to the nozzle unit 400 previously constituted to be operable mechanically and structurally means any one of the reciprocating linear movement in the Y axial direction, the horizontal movement on the level including the X-Y axial direction, the weaving movement such as zigzag movement by changing the oblique direction between the X axial direction and the Y axial direction, the tri-axial movement related to the X-Y-Z axial direction, and the rotation movement.

[74] As described in Fig. 3, the nozzle unit 400 includes a nozzle 410 protruding downward from the bottom of a nozzle unit housing, and a cable connection port formed on the top side of the nozzle unit housing of the nozzle unit 400 so as to be connected to a cable for the plasma pretreatment in the additional equipment 20.

[75] The nozzle unit 400 can be swiftly attached to or detached from the nozzle moving unit 500 by a plurality of toggle clamps 520, 521 and 522 (for example, three toggle clamps).

[76] The toggle clamps 520, 521 and 522 are respectively installed at the side of a front sidewall 511 and at the sides of a back sidewall 512 of the moving plate 510.

[77] Preferably, the moving plate 510 may include a plurality of long openings 519 which are each relatively greater in width than a clamp handle, considering the circular arc made by the operation of the clamp handle, so that any one of the clamp handles is prevented from being interfered when a toggle operates.

[78] When a plurality of the nozzle units 400 are included in the present invention, a plurality of toggle clamps will be additionally needed accordingly, and the design will be made to secure the space where the clamps are installed in the relevant front and back sidewalls.

[79] In this embodiment, one nozzle unit 400 is used for clarity of explanation. The middle toggle clamp 520 is positioned at the side of the front sidewall 511. The middle toggle clamp 520 connects an end of a clamp pressing axis of the middle toggle clamp 520 to a middle pressing plate 523 so that the connected middle pressing plate 523 is horizontally moved by a plurality of left and right guides to press and center a curved surface at one side of the nozzle unit housing of the nozzle unit 400.

[80] Further, a pair of side toggle clamps 521 and 522 is each positioned at the left side and the right side of the back sidewall 512. Each of side toggle clamps 521 and 522 connects an end of the clamp pressing axis to a side pressing plate 524 so that the connected side pressing plates 524 is horizontally moved by a plurality of corresponding upper and lower guides to press connection protrusions 401 and 402 protruding at the left and right sides of the side end of the nozzle unit housing of the nozzle unit 400 to the back sidewalls 512 of the moving plate 510.

[81] This attachable/detachable structure makes the nozzle unit 400 very easy to install, maintain and repair.

[82] As described above, the linear operation guides 150 and 151 are connected on the bottom of the moving plate 510 to which the nozzle unit 400 is mounted.

[83] A ball screw nut block 530 is fixed to the rear of the back sidewall 512 of the moving plate 510.

[84] A corresponding ball screw shaft 540 is connected to an axis connection aperture formed on the ball screw nut block 530, in the same manner as a general ball screw connection structure.

[85] Bearing supports 550 are respectively positioned at the left end and the right part of the ball screw shaft 540, to support the ball screw shaft 540 to be rotated.

[86] Then, the right end of the ball screw shaft 540 protrudes from an outer side of the corresponding bearing support 550 and is connected to the driven pulley 560 by the same manner as described above.

[87] The driven pulley 560 receives a rotation force of a nozzle moving motor 563 through a motive power transferring connection element 561, a driving pulley 562 and a motor rotation axis connected to an axial center of the pulley. The nozzle moving motor 563 is supported by the bearing support 550 through the adjacent bearing support 550 and a motor bracket thereof.

[88] The nozzle moving unit 500 may be designed for the reciprocating linear movement in the Y axial direction.

[89] In this case, the linear operation guides 150 and 151 and the basis part of the bearing support 550 are respectively directly supported at the frame unit 100 through the crossbars 105 and 106 and the axial members 103 and 104.

[90] When the ball screw shaft 540 and the ball screw nut block 530 are operated

according to the forward or backward rotation of the nozzle moving motor 563, the nozzle unit 400 including the moving plate 510 performs the reciprocating linear movement or the shuttle movement, along the Y axial direction or the direction of the length of the linear operation guides 150 and 151.

[91] Further, the nozzle moving unit 500 may further comprise an X-Y stage 590 for the horizontal movement on the level of the X-Y axial direction.

[92] The X-Y stage 590 is constituted to move a stage moving plate 591 thereof in the X axial or Y axial direction. For example, after the X-Y stage 590 is installed on the frame unit 100, a plurality of general stage motors 592 are fixed to the frame unit 100. The X-Y stage 590 is connected in a general ball screw connection structure including a bevel gear 593, a ball screw shaft 594, an axis bearing block 595, a ball screw nut block 596 and the like, to receive the rotation force transferred from each stage motor 592.

[93] Then, the ball screw nut blocks 596 support the stage moving plate 591 of the X-Y stage 590. Further, a general stage linear operation guide 597 may be further used between the stage moving plate 591 and the frame unit 100. Further, preferably the stage moving plate 591 may include a space region formed in its middle part, so that the nozzle 410 of the nozzle unit 400 passes through the space region.

[94] When the nozzle unit 400 is installed at the moving plate 510 of the nozzle moving unit 500, around the basis part of the bearing support 550, or on the top side of the edge of the stage moving plate 591, the nozzle unit 400 is consequently capable of performing the horizontal movement on the level of the X-Y axial direction in the X axial direction or Y axial direction.

[95] When this structure is designed to be expanded in the Z axial direction, a ball screw shaft, a ball screw nut block and a stage motor for the up and down movement in the Z axial direction may be further mounted to move up and down the stage moving plate 591. Consequently, the nozzle unit 400 can be operated to move up and down (lifting operation) in the Z axial direction while it is horizontally moved in the X axial direction or Y axial direction. The reason for controlling the lifting operation of the nozzle unit 400 in the Z axial direction is to make the plasma emission length to be uniform between the nozzle 410 of the nozzle unit 400 and the work surface, so that the efficiency of the plasma pretreatment is maximized.

[96] As described above, the nozzle unit 400 may further comprise a general lifting operation mechanism 420 for moving up and down the nozzle 410 of the nozzle unit 400, based on the nozzle unit housing of the nozzle unit 400.

[97] Further, the nozzle unit 400 includes a nozzle inside motor 430 in the nozzle unit housing. After a disk 431 is connected around a motor rotation axis of the nozzle inside motor 430, the nozzle 410 is installed on the bottom of the disc 431 spaced apart from

the nozzle inside motor 430 at a predetermined distance so that the nozzle 410 is positioned to be eccentric from the axial center of the disc 431. In this manner, the nozzle 410 is designed to perform the rotation movement (r), corresponding to a rotational operation of the related nozzle inside motor 430 motor rotation axis and the disc 431.

[98] The rotation movement of the nozzle unit 400 generating the movement such as the rotation movement (r) of the nozzle 410 can be realized by using a separate general turn table structure or a general rotation stage (not shown), which is supported in the frame unit 100, for rotating the stage moving plate 591 itself.

[99] Consequently, by the design of the mechanical structure of operating the nozzle moving unit 500, any one of the reciprocating linear movement in the Y axial direction, the horizontal movement on the level in the X-Y axial direction, the tri-axial movement in the X-Y-Z axial direction in the Y axial direction while moving in the X axial direction and the rotation movement can be given to the nozzle unit 400.

[100] As illustrated in Fig. 4, the driving encoder 800 includes a fixing block 810 to be installed at any one of the axial members positioned at the left and right sides of the frame unit 100; a pivot protrusion 811 protruding laterally from a lower part of the fixing block 810; and a pivot block 820 connected so as to be pivoted within the range of a limited circular arc angle by using a "C"-shaped fixing ring 824 after the pivot protrusion 811 is fitted into a protrusion aperture 821.

[101] An elastic body 830, such as a coil spring capable of compression operation and tension operation, is mounted onto spring seats 812 and 822 each formed in the fixing block 810 and the pivot block 820. Then, preferably, the top end and bottom end of the elastic body 830 may be respectively firmly connected to the spring seats 812 and 822.

[102] When the pivot block 820 pivots based on the pivot protrusion 811, it receives an elastic force of the elastic body 830. An encoder roller 823 is connected to be rotated in a mounting space between roller supporting parts of the pivot block 820.

[103] Accordingly, together with the pivot block 820, the encoder roller 823 can be driven in close contact with the work surface, by using the elastic force of the elastic body 830. As a result, the encoder roller 823 is capable of performing accurate driving even on a curve or irregularity in an actual driving environment.

[104] A rotation central axis of the encoder roller 823 protrudes from the side of the pivot block 820 and extends to the inside of an encoder circuit unit 840 for fixing a circuit box housing to the side of the pivot block 820.

[105] The end of the rotation central axis of the encoder roller 823 is connected to an indication unit (not shown) for measuring the angle of rotation or the number of times of rotation in the encoder circuit unit 840. The encoder circuit unit 840 measures the angle of rotation or the number of times of rotation of the indication unit and feeds back the result of measurement to the controller of the apparatus for surface treatment

on the insulation panel according to the present invention, thereby realizing accurate velocity control to the actual driving velocity as sensed.

[106] Below, a method for surface treatment on an insulation panel will be described.

[107] Figs. 5 to 7 are views illustrating the methods for surface treatment on the insulation panel, which are realized by the relevant control algorithms of the above-described controller. The additional equipment 20 for plasma pretreatment is turned on and the movement of the nozzle unit 400 is performed inside the frame unit 100. The driving of the apparatus for surface treatment means the forward straight movement and the backward straight movement of the frame unit 100 by its driving unit and securing unit, along the work surface 4.

[108] Referring to Fig. 5, a first method for surface treatment is to perform plasma pretreatment by repeating the reciprocating linear movement of the nozzle unit 400 inside the frame unit 100 within a predetermined entire work section T of the work surface 4 while the aforementioned apparatus for surface treatment on the insulation panel including the moving carriage 11 and the trailer 12 (another name: plasma pretreatment equipment; hereinafter, referred to as the 'apparatus for surface treatment') is driven at a regular velocity.

[109] That is, the first method for surface treatment performs a constant velocity driving step of driving the apparatus for surface treatment at a constant velocity within the entire work section T of the work surface 4 formed on an insulation panel 2.

[110] During the constant velocity driving step, the nozzle unit 400 starts the reciprocating linear movement by the nozzle moving unit 500 of the apparatus for surface treatment in the Y axial direction perpendicular to the direction in which the apparatus for surface treatment is driven. When the apparatus for surface treatment drives all the entire work section T, the nozzle unit 400 returns to its original position and a first nozzle movement step starts, in which the reciprocating linear movement of the nozzle unit 400 is in an operation wait state.

[I l l] The operation wait state of the reciprocating linear movement of the nozzle unit 400 or the multi- axial movement of the nozzle unit 400 to be described below means that the nozzle moving motor of the nozzle moving unit for moving the nozzle unit 400 is initialized so that the nozzle unit 400 is returned to its original position, or the nozzle moving motor of the nozzle moving unit is maintained in a stop state.

[112] Referring to Fig. 6, a second method for surface treatment is to perform the plasma pretreatment by repeating the reciprocating linear movement of the nozzle unit 400 while the apparatus for surface treatment repeats driving and stop by each of a plurality of first intervals S divided equally from the entire work section T of the work surface 4.

[113] That is, after the entire work section T of the work surface 4 formed on the insulation

panel 2 is equally divided into a plurality of the first intervals S, the second method for surface treatment performs a first interval driving step of repeating the driving and stop of the apparatus for surface treatment by each first interval S.

[114] During the first interval driving step, whenever the driving of the apparatus for surface treatment stops, the nozzle unit 400 starts the reciprocating linear movement by the nozzle moving unit in the Y axial direction perpendicular to the direction in which the apparatus for surface treatment is driven, and when the apparatus for surface treatment drives, a second nozzle movement step starts in which the reciprocating linear movement of the nozzle unit 400 is in the operation wait state.

[115] Referring to Fig. 7, a third method for surface treatment is to perform the plasma pre- treatment by a multi-axial movement step.

[116] In the third method for surface treatment, the entire work section T of the work surface 4 is equally divided into a plurality of second intervals L.

[117] The multi- axial movement of the nozzle unit 400 is controlled by the controller. The multi-axial movement means that a complex movement is performed, corresponding to the X axial direction, the Y axial direction, the Z axial direction, the oblique direction (weaving movement direction) between the X axial direction and the Y axial direction, the nozzle movement direction of the rotation movement (r) illustrated in Fig. 3.

[118] That is, after the entire work section T of the work surface 4 formed on the insulation panel 2 is equally divided into a plurality of the second intervals L, the third method for surface treatment performs a second interval driving step of repeating the driving and stop of the apparatus for surface treatment by each second interval L.

[119] During the second interval driving step, whenever the driving of the apparatus for surface treatment stops, the nozzle unit 400 starts its multi-axial movement by the nozzle movement, and when the apparatus for surface treatment drives, a return step (a third nozzle movement step) starts in which the multi-axial movement of the nozzle unit 400 is returned to the operation wait state.

[120] A cleaning step may be performed during the operation of surface treatment. The cleaning step is to remove the foreign materials by using a cleaning unit installed in the apparatus for surface treatment while the operation of the apparatus for surface treatment is performed such as the constant velocity driving step, the first and second interval driving steps, and the first to third nozzle movement steps.

[121] During the constant velocity driving step, the first and second interval driving steps and the first to third nozzle movement steps, preferably, first to fourth nozzle movement methods to be described below may be selectively performed.

[122] Figs. 8 to 11 are plan views for explaining methods for moving the nozzle, corresponding to the method for surface treatment on the insulation panel disclosed in Figs. 5 to 7.

[123] Referring to Fig. 8, a first method for moving the nozzle is to perform the reciprocating linear movement or the weaving movement of the nozzle unit 400 inside the frame unit 100 by the nozzle moving unit 500, such as the X-Y stage 590, along the X axial direction and the Y axial direction.

[124] Referring to Fig. 9, a second method for moving the nozzle is to perform the reciprocating linear movement of the nozzle unit 400 inside the frame unit 100 by the nozzle moving unit 500 for the reciprocating linear movement, such as the side to side translation based on the aforementioned Y axial direction, along the Y axial direction.

[125] Referring to Fig. 10, a third method for moving the nozzle is to perform the rotation movement of the nozzle unit 400 inside the frame unit 100 by a general turn table structure or a general rotation stage, along a predetermined rotation direction.

[126] Referring to Fig. 11, a fourth method for moving the nozzle is to perform the rotation of the nozzle 410 of the nozzle unit 400 by the nozzle inside motor 430 and the disc 431 while the nozzle unit housing of the nozzle unit 400 moves back and forth or make the side to side translation by the X-Y stage 590. That is, the fourth method for moving the nozzle is performed by the complex movement structure using the X-Y stage, the nozzle inside motor and the disc.

[127] The first to fourth methods for moving the nozzle are provided as preferred example embodiments to assist in understanding the present invention. It should be understood that there is no intent to limit example embodiments of the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, example embodiments of the invention are to cover various methods through design changes of the apparatus for surface treatment disclosed in the invention.

[128] As described above, the apparatus and method for surface treatment on the insulation panel according to the present invention performs the plasma pretreatment on the surface of the insulation panel while it is driven, being supported to the insulation panel. Accordingly, the surface treatment process can be stably and efficiently performed in the entire position.

[129] Furthermore, the apparatus for surface treatment on the insulation panel comprises the driving breaker and the securing breaker. Accordingly, the entire position can be maintained in case of emergency, such as the interruption of common-use electric power source by an electricity failure, and sliding or falling can be prevented.

[130] Furthermore, the apparatus for surface treatment on the insulation panel comprises the attachable/detachable nozzle unit. Accordingly, it can be very easily maintained and repaired.

[131] Furthermore, the apparatus for surface treatment on the insulation panel comprises the driving encoder. Accordingly, it can perform the high quality work maintaining the accurate velocity.

[132] Furthermore, the method for surface treatment on the insulation panel performs the surface treatment while the apparatus drives along the insulation panel. Accordingly, the reliability of the treatment process can be secured and the processing work time can be shortened.

[133] While the invention has been shown and described with respect to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

[134]

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