Flux collection method and flux collection apparatus

A method for collecting a flux in an atmosphere gas introduced into a flux collection apparatus from inside of a reflow furnace, the method comprising:

• mixing, in a mixing section of the flux collection apparatus, a rosin particle contained in the atmosphere gas with a vapor of a solvent or an atomized solvent particle so as to form a mixed particle before entry into an inlet of a flux collection unit of the flux collection apparatus;
• and
• collecting, in the flux collection unit of the flux collection apparatus, the mixed particle by electrostatic precipitation from a gas containing the mixed particle,
• wherein:
• the flux collection unit is disposed inside the reflow furnace;
• the flux collection apparatus includes a first pipe, and a second pipe;
• the first pipe connects a first outlet of the reflow furnace to a portion of the second pipe which is upstream of the inlet of the flux collection unit;
• the first outlet of the reflow furnace is an outlet through which the vapor of the solvent or the atomized solvent particle is sent out of a preheat zone of the reflow furnace;
• the second pipe connects a second outlet of the reflow furnace to the inlet of the flux collection unit;
• the second outlet of the reflow furnace is an outlet through which the atmosphere gas is sent out of the reflow furnace into the flux collection unit;
• the mixing section is disposed at an intersection of the first pipe and the second pipe;
• and
• the preheat zone of the reflow furnace is a zone to which a circuit board impregnated with the solvent is transported.

A flux collection apparatus comprising:

• an electrostatic-precipitation flux collection unit;
• a first pipe;
• a second pipe;
• and
• a mixing section configured to mix a vapor of a solvent or an atomized solvent particle with a rosin particle of an atmosphere gas to form a mixed particle,
• wherein:
• the first pipe is configured to connect a first outlet of a reflow furnace to a portion of the second pipe which is upstream of an inlet of the electrostatic-precipitation flux collection unit;
• the first pipe is configured to send the vapor of the solvent or the atomized solvent particle from a preheat zone of the reflow furnace to the mixing section;
• the second pipe is configured to connect a second outlet of the reflow furnace to the inlet of the electrostatic-precipitation flux collection unit;
• the second pipe is configured to send the atmosphere gas from the reflow furnace into the electrostatic-precipitation flux collection unit;
• and
• the mixing section is disposed at an intersection of the first pipe and the second pipe.