Substrate cleaners are used to prepare substrates, such as printed circuit boards, prior to further processing to ensure that the substrates are free from contaminants such as dirt, dust, grit and the like.

One known type of substrate cleaner has a conveyor onto which the substrate to be cleaned is placed. The substrate is brought towards and passes through the cleaner. As the substrate enters the cleaner, elastomer rollers pass over the surface to be cleaned.

The elastomer rollers are also in contact with an upper (blue) roller having an adhesive coating. As the elastomer rollers roll over the substrate surface they remove contaminants from the surface. The contaminants are then transferred to the upper roller by contact with the adhesive layer. Once the adhesive layer is covered by contaminants the adhesive layer is removed and replaced.

The cleaner has an engaging mechanism to engage the elastomer (lower) rollers with the upper roller when the cleaner is in use, and to disengage the rollers when the cleaner is not in use.

This known type of cleaner is not very robust and has a complex engaging mechanism. In addition, it is difficult to replace the adhesive roller when the adhesive layer is

contaminated.

It is an object of at least one aspect of the present invention to obviate or mitigate one or more problems in the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a chuck for inserting into a bore of a body, the chuck comprising: a main body; an engaging means carried by the body; and an actuating means for selectively moving the engaging means between an engaged state and a disengaged state, whereby, in use, in the engaged state the engaging means is urged against the interior surface of the bore to hold the chuck within the bore, and in the disengaged state the engaging means is retracted from the interior surface of the bore to allow release of the chuck.

In this document the term"bore"is meant in a broad sense to include, for example, a bore or aperture passing all the way through a body but also a blind bore or recess formed within a body.

In a preferred embodiment the body is a roller for use in a cleaning apparatus, the chuck being adapted for insertion into an end of the roller.

The main body of the chuck may comprise an end block and an interior member coupled to the end block having an outer surface adapted for close fit with the interior of the bore.

Advantageously, the main body carries the engaging

means on a first surface, the actuating means being accessible by a user from a second surface.

The first surface may be a circumferential surface and the second surface may be an outer end surface.

Preferably, the chuck further comprises a rod axially disposed within the chuck and protruding from the end block.

Preferably, the interior member comprises mutually coupled first and second interior portions. Alternatively, the interior member is a single integral member.

Preferably, the engaging means has at least two engaging members, a first member being located in a recess between the end block and the interior member, and a second member being located in a recess between the mutually coupled first and second interior portions. Alternatively, the engaging means has a single engaging member, and is located in a recess between the end block and the interior member.

Preferably, each engaging member comprises an annular member preferably formed of a resiliently deformable material. Conveniently, the engaging member is an elastomer"0"-ring. Alternatively, each engaging member comprises a plurality of resiliently deformable portions disposed in a generally circumferential (circular) manner around the perimeter of the interior member.

Preferably, the actuating means comprises at least two bolts. Conveniently, the at least two bolts are disposed between the end block and the second interior portion, such

that tightening of the bolts causes the end block and the second interior portion to move closer together, thereby causing axial compression and consequent radial expansion of the resiliently deformable annular material, and loosening of the bolts causes the end block and the second interior portion to move further apart. Alternatively, the at least two bolts are disposed between the end block and the integral interior member.

Alternatively, the actuating means comprises a cam mechanism such that operating the mechanism reduces the axial distance between the end block and the integral interior member.

Preferably, the end block protrudes from the bore and has a lip adapted to abut an end region of the bore.

Alternatively, the end block is flush with an end region of the bore.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of releasably securing a chuck in a bore of a body, the method comprising the steps of: providing a chuck comprising a main body, an engaging means carried by the body and an actuating means for moving the engaging means between an engaged state and a disengaged state; inserting the chuck into the bore; actuating the engaging means to urge the engaging means against the interior surface of the bore thereby holding the chuck within the bore, whereby disengagement of the chuck is effected by de-activating the engaging

means and thereby retracting the engaging means from the interior surface of the bore to allow release of the chuck.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a cleaning apparatus incorporating at least one chuck according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a cleaning apparatus including a mechanism for engaging at least one first roller with a second roller, the mechanism comprising: a moveable member, a resilient member having one end region coupled to the first roller and the opposite end region coupled to one end region of the moveable member; an expandable mechanism having one end region coupled to the opposite end region of the moveable member, and having an opposite end region for acting against part of the cleaning apparatus.

Preferably, the moveable member is a pivot.

Preferably, the resilient member is a coil spring.

Alternatively, the resilient member is a leaf spring.

Preferably, the expandable mechanism is a cylinder having a movable piston.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a cleaning apparatus including a mounting mechanism for releasably retaining a roller within the apparatus, the mounting mechanism comprising: a guiding member moveable between a closed

position and an open position; a moveable locking member for retaining the guiding member in the closed position; and a resilient member coupled between the guiding member and the locking member; whereby, in use, when the guiding member is in the open position, insertion of the roller into the guiding member causes the guiding member to move to the closed position, and movement of the locking member releases the guiding member which is urged to the open position by the resilient member.

Advantageously, the apparatus further comprises a support for receiving the roller.

Preferably, the guiding member is pivotally coupled to the support.

Preferably, the moveable locking member is pivotally coupled to the support.

Preferably, the resilient member is a coil spring.

Alternatively, the resilient member is a leaf spring.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a cleaning apparatus including a cleaning mechanism, the mechanism comprising: a hollow body; a plurality of apertures disposed along the hollow body; suction means in communication with the hollow body for sucking gas into the hollow body; whereby, in use, a substrate passing the hollow

body has contaminants removed by the suction.

Preferably, the gas is air.

Preferably, the hollow body carries brushes for contacting the surface of the substrate to further assist in removal of contaminants.

Preferably, the hollow body is made from extruded aluminium.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example, when taken in combination with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig 1 is a perspective view of substrate cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention; Fig 2 is a perspective view of substrate cleaning apparatus having an integral conveyor; Fig 3 is a partly sectioned side view of a roller and chuck according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figs 4a, b, and c are rear, side section, and front views respectively of a detail of Fig 3; Figs 5a and b are rear and side section views respectively of a part for use in an alternative embodiment of the roller chuck of Fig 3; Figs 6a, b, and c are rear, side section, and front views respectively of a detail of Fig 3; Figs 7a and 7b are a side and an end view respectively of a detail of Fig 3; Fig 8a is a perspective view of a mounting mechanism

according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figs 8b, c, and d are side views of the mounting mechanism of Fig 8a at various stages of release; Figs 9a and b are a side view and an end view respectively of a detail of Fig 8a; Figs 10a and b are an end view and a side view respectively of a detail of Fig 8a; Figs lla and b are a side view and an end view respectively of a detail of Fig 8a; Figs 12a and b are perspective views of an activation mechanism in an engaged state and a disengaged state respectively; Fig 13 is a side view of a detail of Fig 12; and Fig 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating substrate cleaning apparatus incorporating an additional cleaning mechanism.

Referring to Fig 1, substrate cleaning apparatus is shown, generally indicated by reference numeral 10, according to one embodiment of the invention. The apparatus 10 has a stand 12 with feet 14. The apparatus 10 is of a modular construction and has two end coverings 16 and two extruded aluminium panels 18,20 extending between the end coverings 16. The space between the panels 18,20 is the entrance through which the substrate to be cleaned is passed. The apparatus 10 also has two brackets 22 for retaining a conveyor. Fig 2 shows the apparatus 10 having a conveyor 24 fitted.

Figs 1 and 2 also show an upper adhesive roller 30

approximately lm long and disposed between the two end coverings 16. The roller 30 is a hollow polymer tube having a wall thickness of approximately 4mm and an inner bore approximately 76mm in diameter. A rod is mounted axially within each end of the roller 30 to enable the roller 30 to rotate relative to the end coverings 16.

Fig 3 shows a partially sectioned side view of a roller 30 having two chucks 40 located and secured therein.

Each chuck 40 comprises an interior member 41 having a first interior portion 42 and a second interior portion 44; an end block 46; first 48 and second 50 engaging members in the form of elastomer"0"-rings; an actuating means 52 in the form of three screws; and a rod 54 axially disposed within the chuck 40. The main body of the chuck comprises the interior member 41 and the end block 46.

The first and second interior portions 42,44 and the end block 46 are all made of acetal and dimensioned to ensure that, on insertion into the roller 30, they form a close fit therein. The rod 54 has two circlips 56, one of which is located adjacent to the exterior of the end block 46 and one of which is located adjacent to the exterior of the interior member 41. The circlips 56 thereby hold the end block 46 and the interior member 41 together.

Figs 4a, b, c show rear, side section, and front views respectively of the second interior portion 44. The second portion 44 has a circumferential recess 60 for receiving the first 0-ring 48. The second interior portion 44 also has three small bores 62, each for receiving a screw 52,

the bores 62 incorporating an enlarged threaded section 64 in which a screw 52 may engage and tighten. The portion 44 also has a large bore 66 for receiving the rod 54. The large bore 66 also has an enlarged portion 68 for receiving a ball bearing 70 (Fig 3).

Figs 5a and b are rear and side section views respectively of a modified first interior portion 42a for use in an alternative embodiment of the roller chuck of Fig 3. The modified first portion 42a also has three small bores 62 and a large bore 66 but does not have any circumferential recesses to receive the O-rings, unlike the first portion 42 of Fig 3 which has two circumferential recesses.

Figs 6a, b, and c show front, side section, and rear views respectively of the end block 46. The end block 46 has a flange 80 for abutting against the perimeter end portion of the roller 30. The end block 46 also has a circumferential recess 82 for receiving the second 0-ring 50, three small bores 62 having enlarged ends 84 for providing access to the heads of the screws 52, and a large bore 66 having an enlarged end 86 for housing a ballbearing 70.

Figs 7a and 7b show a side and an end view respectively of the rod 54. The rod 54 has a central portion 90 having a smaller diameter than the large bore 66, a stub portion 92, and circlip recesses 94.

The chuck 40 is assembled in the following way. The first 0-ring 48 is inserted in recess 60 of the second

interior portion 44, the first interior portion 42 is aligned with the second interior portion 44, the second O-ring 50 is inserted in recess 82 of the end block 46 and the end block 46 is aligned with the first and second interior portions 42,44. The rod 54 is then inserted into the common bore 66 defined by the three portions 42,44, 46. Ballbearings 70 are then fitted into enlarged end 86 and enlarged portion 68 and retained by inserting a circlip 56 into the circlip recesses 94. Finally, the screws 52 are inserted into the three small bores 62 and engaged in the threaded section 64 of second interior portion 44.

When the chuck 40 is assembled it can be inserted into the bore of the roller 30 and secured in place by tightening the three screws 52. As the screws 52 tighten, they move the second interior portion 44 towards the end block 46 and thereby cause the O-rings 48,50 to expand radially outwards. The radial expansion of the O-rings 48, 50 causes the chuck 40 to grip the inside surface of the roller 30. The chuck 40 can be released by loosening the screws 52, which causes the second interior portion 44 to move away from the end block 46 and the O-ring, being resilient, contracts radially. This releases the grip of the chuck on the inside surface of the roller 30.

Thus, the chuck 40 may be engaged or disengaged within the roller 30 simply by tightening or loosening the screws 52. This provides a quick release mechanism and enables the roller 30 to be used in any configuration, for example, in a horizontal position or in a vertical position.

Fig 8a is a perspective view showing a roller 30 having a chuck 40 engaged therein, and a stub portion 92 protruding from the chuck 40 and engaged in a mounting mechanism 100.

Referring to Figs 8 to 11, the mounting mechanism 100 comprises a support plate 102, a guiding member 104, a locking member 106, and a stop pin 108. The support plate 102 (best seen in Figs 9a, b) is made of aluminium and is secured to the apparatus 10 by conventional means. The support plate 102 has an angled slot 110 adapted to receive the stub portion 92.

The guiding member 104 is also a plate made of aluminium and is coupled to the support plate 102 by pivot 112. The guiding member 104 is also coupled to the locking member 106 by a resilient member 114 in the form of three coil springs. The guiding member 104 has a jaw 116 for receiving the stub portion 92 and a projection 118 for engaging with a part of the locking member 106.

The locking member 106 is coupled to the support plate 102 by a pivot 119. The stop pin 108 limits movement of the locking member 106. The locking member 106 has a recess 120 for engaging with the projection 118, a curved surface 122, a recess 124 for engaging with the stop pin 108, and a pressure surface 126 for releasing the locking member 106.

In use, a chuck 40 is inserted into and each end of the roller 30 and secured as described above. The roller 30 is then inserted into the apparatus 10, with the locking

member 106 in the open position as shown in Fig 8d. As the roller 30 is forced downwards, the stub portion 92 engages with the jaw 116 and thereby moves the guiding member 104 downwards, as illustrated in Fig 8c, until the projection 118 engages with the recess 120, which is the closed position as illustrated in Fig 8b.

In the closed position, the coil spring 114 urges the locking member 106 against the guiding member 104, thereby ensuring the projection 118 is retained securely in the recess 120. To release the guiding member 104, pressure is applied to the pressure surface 126 in the direction of arrow 130 (Fig 8c). This causes the projection 118 to be released from the recess 120, thereafter, the coil spring 114 urges the guiding member 104 to the open position which allows release of the roller 30.

Curved surface 122 is shaped so that when the coil springs 114 urge the guiding member 104 and locking member 106 together, the guiding member 104 does not come into contact with the locking member 106. The locking member 106 is urged against stop pin 108 by the action of the coil springs 114, and the guiding member is directed upwards about pivot 112 as the coil springs 114 contract.

When the roller 30 is engaged in the mounting mechanism 100 an activating mechanism 150 (Figs 12a and 12b) is used to bring the roller 30 into contact with lower rollers 152,154. Figs 12a and b are perspective views of an activation mechanism 150 in an engaged state and a disengaged state respectively.

There is one activating mechanism 150 at each end of the roller 30. Each activating mechanism 150 has a pivot member 156 which is coupled the associated end covering 16.

The lower rollers 152,154 have axles 160 protruding through the ends of the rollers 152,154 and the axles 160 are coupled to bearing blocks 158. The bearing blocks 158 are located within guides (not shown) which allow vertical movement of the blocks 158.

A moveable member is formed by an actuation plate 162 being coupled to the pivot 156 by two support members 164.

The actuation plate 162 is also coupled to each bearing block 158 by a rod 166 having a resilient covering 168.

Fig 13 shows the rod 166 having a narrowed portion 167 for receiving a resilient covering 168.

One end of an expandable mechanism (in the form of a pneumatic cylinder 170) is coupled to the support members 164, the other end of the expandable mechanism (which is a moving piston 172) has a bar 174 which is disposed transverse to the axles 160. A short rod 176 is coupled between a mounting block of the roller 30 and the actuation plate 162. The short rod 172 also has a resilient covering 168.

In use, to bring roller 30 and lower rollers 152,154 into contact, compressed air is applied to the pneumatic cylinder 170 so that the piston 172 moves upwards within the cylinder 170. This upwards movement of the piston 172 causes the bar 174 to act against the axles 160 to raise the bearing blocks 158 within the guides (not shown) and

thereby bring the roller 30 into contact with the lower rollers 152,154. In the event of failure of compressed air to the cylinder 170, the resilient coverings 168 of the rods 166 cause the roller 30 to be lifted out of contact with the lower rollers 152,154.

Fig 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cleaning apparatus incorporating an additional cleaning mechanism.

The apparatus 10a has two upper rollers 30 and two sets of lower rollers 152,154. A substrate 180 having two surfaces to be cleaned is passed through the apparatus 10a.

At the entrance, brushes 182 are disposed on the panels 18, 20 (which are hollow bodies) to clean the substrate 180 as it enters the apparatus 10a. In addition, a plurality of apertures 184 are disposed along the panels 18,20 and a pump 186 is connected to the apertures 184 to evacuate air.

Thus, air is sucked from the surface to be cleaned, which has the effect of removing dust and other contaminants.

It should be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention hereinbefore described are given by way of example only and are not meant to be limiting of the invention in any way.