Cleaning unit of an industrial cleaning system as well as cleaning system and process therefor

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning unit of an industrial cleaning system for the surface treatment of workpieces (1), comprising at least one line (2) for a medium which flows through the at least one line (2) in a main flow direction (10), wherein the at least one line (2) has a cross-sectionally adapted area which forms a cleaning chamber (3) in which the workpiece (1) to be treated is arranged, and wherein the inner contour of the cleaning chamber (3) is largely complementary to the outer contour of the workpiece (1), so that the distance between the contours is very small when viewed perpendicular to the main flow direction (10) and the workpiece (1) is completely surrounded by the medium and flushed around it in close proximity to the component during operation.Furthermore, the invention relates to an industrial cleaning system for the surface treatment of workpieces with several cleaning units, wherein at least one cleaning unit is designed according to the invention, and to a method for cleaning a workpiece using an industrial cleaning system.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cleaning unit of an industrial cleaning system for the surface treatment of workpieces, as well as a cleaning system and a method for this.

[0002] Cleaning systems for the surface treatment of workpieces in industry, particularly for cleaning, are widely known. These cleaning systems are conventionally designed as either linear or rotary table systems, with the workpieces passing through various surface treatment stations sequentially. It is also known to clean workpieces individually.

[0003] From publication EP 1 655 082 A1, a method and a device for cleaning individual workpieces are known, wherein the workpiece to be cleaned is blown upon by several cleaning nozzles arranged in opposing groups within a cleaning chamber. However, the opposing arrangement of the nozzles creates strong turbulence, moisture residue can become trapped in crevices and corners of the workpieces, and the workpiece is never completely within the airflow of the nozzles. To counteract this and ensure that the workpiece is completely blown off, it can be moved, in particular rotated, within the cleaning chamber. To allow unimpeded rotation of the workpiece, the cleaning chamber must provide sufficient space for the workpiece and its rotating fixture, and therefore must be significantly larger than the workpiece itself. Consequently, the volume of the cleaning chamber is considerably larger than that of the workpiece.

[0004] A type of rotary table cleaning system with multiple cleaning chambers is known from publication EP 0 956 163 B1. In the upper section of each cleaning chamber, nozzles for compressed air or steam are arranged, directed towards the workpiece. The shape of the cleaning chamber is independent of the shape of the workpiece. In particular, the contours of the cleaning chamber and the workpiece are not complementary to each other, resulting in a very large gap or free space around the workpiece. Consequently, the amount of cleaning agent required for a complete cleaning of the workpiece is very high.

[0005] The publication DE 10 2015 215 728 A1 describes a cleaning system with a cleaning chamber with a line that splits into several lines before flowing into the cleaning chamber, which then inject the cleaning medium into the cleaning chamber via several nozzles at high pressure.

[0006] As a further example of prior art, reference is made to publication EP 2236102 A1, which discloses a cleaning chamber made of a flexible outer shell, around which a working medium flows on the outside and which hugs the workpiece to be cleaned inside.

[0007] The object of the invention is therefore to create a cleaning unit for the surface treatment of workpieces which operates in a resource-saving and energy-efficient manner, as well as a cleaning system and a method for this purpose.

[0008] This problem is solved by the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of dependent claims.

[0009] The inventor recognized that resource-saving and energy-efficient cleaning of workpieces is possible by completely surrounding the workpiece in a cleaning chamber with a treatment / cleaning medium, ensuring that the medium flows completely and uniformly around the workpiece in a main flow direction. For this purpose, the contour of the cleaning chamber can be adapted to the contour of the workpiece, leaving only a very small gap between the chamber wall and the workpiece through which the medium flows. Consequently, the total free volume within the cleaning chamber, which the medium needs to fill, is very small.For a simple solution to this, the workpiece can simply be placed in the medium's line, with the line being adapted to the workpiece in such a way that the gap between the line and the workpiece, or the free volume surrounding the workpiece, is significantly smaller than with conventional cleaning units.

[0010] Accordingly, the inventor proposes a cleaning unit for an industrial cleaning system for the surface treatment of workpieces, comprising at least: a line for a cleaning / treatment medium, which flows through the line in a main flow direction, wherein the line, viewed in the main flow direction, has a section upstream of the workpiece whose cross-section is adapted to the outer contour of the workpiece, which forms a cleaning chamber in which the workpiece to be treated is arranged, and wherein the inner contour of the cleaning chamber is largely complementary to the outer contour of the workpiece, such that the distance between the contours, viewed perpendicular to the main flow direction, is very small and the workpiece is completely surrounded by the cleaning / treatment medium during operation and is flushed by it close to the component, and the cleaning chamber is formed from two combinable housing parts, such thatthat an upper housing part forms a line inlet to the cleaning chamber and a lower housing part forms a line outlet from the cleaning chamber, wherein the area of ​​the line inlet in front of the workpiece is nozzle-free.

[0011] The cleaning unit according to the invention differs from conventional cleaning units primarily in that the workpiece is completely surrounded and rinsed by the cleaning / treatment medium during operation. This is ensured by the fact that the distance between the line or the housing of the cleaning chamber and the workpiece is very small relative to the dimensions of the cleaning chamber and the workpiece. Advantageously, the workpiece is thus rinsed close to its shape, so to speak.

[0012] The cleaning unit includes a line for a cleaning / treatment medium. This line can be, for example, a conventional pipe with a round cross-section of any size. Alternatively, the line can also have a different cross-sectional shape, such as oval, rectangular, especially square, or hexagonal or octagonal. In principle, any cross-sectional shape for the line is possible.

[0013] According to the invention, each cleaning unit has exactly one line with an inlet and an outlet. The cleaning / treatment medium, hereinafter referred to simply as the medium, flows through the line in a main flow direction from the inlet to the outlet and also flows through the area of ​​the cleaning chamber. The medium can be, for example, a rinsing liquid such as water, detergent, or the like, or air. The line can also be subjected to a vacuum. Additionally, it is possible to heat the line, at least in the area of ​​the cleaning chamber, to enable particularly effective drying of the workpiece.

[0014] According to the invention, the conduit has a cross-sectionally adapted area in which the component or workpiece to be treated is arranged, thus forming a kind of cleaning chamber. Within the cleaning chamber, the inner contour of the conduit is largely complementary to the outer contour of the workpiece. Only minor, fine structures or contour changes of the workpiece are disregarded. Essentially, the contours are complementary. The shape of the cross-section of the cleaning chamber area is therefore dependent on the shape of the cross-section of the workpiece. Advantageously, the cross-section of the cleaning chamber area is also round for a round workpiece and also square for a square workpiece.

[0015] The cleaning medium flows around the workpiece, or rather, through the pipe in the narrow gap between the inner and outer contours, completely surrounding it. Due to this narrow gap, the cleaning chamber has a small free volume, which can be filled by a relatively small amount of medium to completely surround the workpiece. The cross-sectional area of ​​the pipe within the cleaning chamber can be either enlarged or narrowed, depending on the size ratio between the pipe and the workpiece. If the workpiece cross-section is larger than the pipe cross-section, the pipe cross-section is advantageously enlarged. Conversely, if the workpiece cross-section is smaller than the pipe cross-section, the pipe cross-section is advantageously narrowed.It is also within the scope of the invention to adapt the cross-section of the conductor to the workpiece in such a way that the cross-section remains the same, provided that the cross-sections are already coordinated with each other in such a way that the distance between the contours is optimal in order to form a narrow gap.

[0016] Advantageously, the workpiece is bathed by the medium from the outside, i.e., along its outer contour. However, it is also within the scope of the invention that the component is alternatively or additionally bathed or flushed by the medium on the inside.

[0017] As the medium flows around the workpiece, residues and dirt are washed away and carried down the drain. Ideally, the gap between the pipe and the workpiece should not be narrower than the expected size of the residues and contaminants on the workpiece, otherwise these could become trapped in the gap.

[0018] Advantageously, the gap is at most 10 to 15 mm, preferably in the range of a few millimeters. Furthermore, the workpiece advantageously has a maximum cross-section of 120 to 180 mm, preferably a maximum of 80 mm. The difference in the cross-sections of the workpiece and the pipe is preferably a maximum of 20 to 30 mm. The narrower the gap, the smaller the volume of medium required to completely circulate around the workpiece. This makes the cleaning unit according to the invention particularly energy- and resource-efficient, as complete cleaning is possible with minimal medium and energy consumption. It also follows that the smaller the volume of the medium and the larger the workpiece, the smaller the gap should be for effective cleaning.

[0019] A preferred embodiment provides that the at least one conduit, viewed in the main flow direction, has a change in cross-section upstream of the workpiece, such that the cross-section of the at least one conduit, viewed in the main flow direction, is adapted to the outer contour of the workpiece upstream of the workpiece. The terms "upstream / above" and "downstream / after / behind / below" always refer to the main flow direction in the conduit and the workpiece located in the area of ​​the cleaning chamber. This advantageously results in the contours of the conduit and the workpiece being only a small distance apart and only a narrow gap being formed. One possibility is that the cross-section of the conduit widens towards the workpiece or cleaning chamber if the workpiece has a larger cross-section than the conduit.Another possibility is that the cross-section of the pipe narrows towards the workpiece or cleaning chamber if the workpiece has a smaller cross-section than the pipe. It is also possible, in principle, for the pipe's cross-section to change multiple times within the cleaning chamber, for example, widening and then narrowing again. Viewed in the main flow direction, the pipe's cross-section can narrow or widen again after the cleaning chamber area towards the outlet. According to the invention, the change in the pipe's cross-section is adapted to the cross-section and outer contours of the workpiece. Advantageously, the pipe thus does not have a nozzle, which, although essentially a cross-sectional constriction, is independent of the workpiece's shape.

[0020] Another preferred embodiment provides that the cleaning chamber is formed from at least two connectable housing parts. For the sake of simplicity, two housing parts are provided. These two housing parts are part of the conduit and therefore have a cross-section adapted to form the cleaning chamber area. The conduit and the two housing parts can, for example, each be formed in one piece or be assembled from separate components or conduit sections. Preferably, a first, upper housing part and a second, lower housing part are provided. Advantageously, the upper housing part also forms the conduit inlet to the cleaning chamber, or the upper housing part and the conduit inlet are integrated into one another.Advantageously, the lower housing part also forms the pipe drain from the cleaning chamber, or the lower housing part and the pipe drain are integrated into one another.

[0021] Advantageously, a seal is arranged between the housing parts, i.e., in their connection area in the closed or assembled state, so that the cleaning chamber is sealed to the outside in the assembled state and no medium can escape.

[0022] To load and unload the workpiece into and out of the cleaning chamber, the cleaning chamber can advantageously be opened. In a preferred embodiment, the housing parts are designed to be movable relative to each other. Either only one housing part or both can be moved.

[0023] Another advantageous embodiment provides that at least one holder is formed for positioning and centering the workpiece in the cleaning chamber. The holder is advantageously designed to allow the medium to flow through it and does not obstruct the line. In one embodiment, a holder is formed only at one end of the cleaning chamber, for simplicity at the lower end, so that the workpiece essentially rests on the holder. In another embodiment, holders are formed at both ends of the cleaning chamber, i.e., above and below the workpiece, which hold the workpiece from two sides. For example, the workpiece can be centrally secured by the holder from only one side or from several sides, similar to a thin arm with a tip that extends only to the middle of the cleaning chamber or the line.Alternatively, a delicate bridge can be guided through a bore in the pipe, which may, for example, have a point or ball for centering the workpiece. In principle, any holders that keep the workpiece in position and advantageously center it in the pipe or cleaning chamber are within the scope of the invention.

[0024] To ensure uniform rinsing of the workpiece, it is advantageously positioned centrally, and particularly concentrically, within the cleaning chamber. Similarly, the line and the cleaning chamber are advantageously designed concentrically. The inlet of the at least one line is also advantageously arranged concentrically to the workpiece. Furthermore, the outlet of the at least one line is advantageously arranged concentrically to the workpiece to allow for rapid drainage of the medium from the cleaning chamber area and the unimpeded flow of any residue from the workpiece. Most importantly, with a concentric arrangement, the gap is advantageously uniform on all sides of the component to minimize the volume of the cleaning chamber.

[0025] The dimensions of the cleaning chamber, particularly its inner contour, are preferably adapted to the dimensions of the workpiece being cleaned in order to keep the gap as uniform and narrow as possible and to ensure that the workpiece is completely and closely surrounded by the cleaning solution. This means that when changing workpieces, the cleaning chamber is advantageously adapted to the shape of the new workpiece. In the simplest case, this is achieved by completely replacing the line, at least in the area of ​​the cleaning chamber. However, a particular embodiment provides that at least one housing part is adjustable in its longitudinal extent in order to adapt at least the length of the cleaning chamber to a specific length of the workpiece. Yet another particular embodiment provides that at least one housing part is adjustable in its circumference in order to adapt at least the circumference of the cleaning chamber to a specific circumference of the workpiece.This allows the cleaning chamber to be quickly and cost-effectively adapted to different workpieces. For example, an adjustable housing section can be telescopically designed, or based on a modular principle, so that intermediate parts / pieces can be inserted or removed.

[0026] The invention also relates to an industrial cleaning system for the surface treatment of workpieces with several cleaning units, wherein at least one cleaning unit is designed according to the invention as described above. The cleaning system can be designed as a rotary table / rotary indexing system or a linear system. For example, a rotary table system with four stations, namely for loading / unloading, cleaning, rinsing, and drying, is suitable for use with cleaning units according to the invention. Advantageously, a workpiece can be processed in the cleaning unit according to the invention significantly more efficiently, i.e., faster, more energy-efficiently, and with greater resource conservation, compared to conventional cleaning units. The cycle time of a rotary table system with four cleaning units according to the invention is advantageously less than 20 seconds per workpiece.

[0027] The cleaning medium in each individual unit is freely selectable, for example air, water, detergent, mixtures thereof, or vacuum, etc. Due to the small gap between the outer contour of the workpiece and the inner contour of the cleaning chamber, or the small free volume in the cleaning chamber, little medium is required for effective cleaning.

[0028] Other components, such as vacuum pump, compressed air compressor, heating of the line at least in the area of ​​the cleaning chamber, reservoir for cleaning agents, etc., can be coupled with the cleaning units according to the individual requirements for the treatment of the workpiece.

[0029] To load and unload the cleaning chamber, the line, especially its inlet, is opened, meaning the housing parts are separated. Ideally, the cleaning chamber can only be opened for loading when no medium is being supplied.

[0030] Finally, the invention relates to a method for cleaning a workpiece using an industrial cleaning system as described above, wherein the workpiece is completely surrounded by the cleaning / treatment medium during operation and is rinsed by it close to the component.

[0031] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to a preferred embodiment and the figure, whereby only the features necessary for understanding the invention are shown.

[0032] The Fig.Figure 1 shows a cross-section through a schematically represented conduit 1 in the area of ​​cleaning chamber 3 with workpiece 1 inserted. Conduit 2 has an enlarged cross-section in the area of ​​cleaning chamber 3 to accommodate a workpiece 1 with a larger cross-section than conduit 2. The inner contour of conduit 2 and the outer contour of workpiece 1 are complementary to each other in the area of ​​cleaning chamber 3, so that the shape of cleaning chamber 3 is adapted to the outer shape of workpiece 1. Small contour changes of the workpiece 1, such as at its upper and lower ends, are not taken into account. The gap 9 between workpiece 1 and conduit 2 is only a few millimeters in the area of ​​cleaning chamber 3. This results in a very small free volume in cleaning chamber 3.

[0033] The line 2 with inlet and outlet and the cleaning chamber 3 are designed concentrically to each other in order to form a uniform gap 9 around the workpiece 1. In addition, flow-through supports 7 are provided at the upper and lower ends of the cleaning chamber 3, which hold the workpiece 1 in position and align it concentrically with the line 2 and the cleaning chamber 3, respectively.

[0034] During operation, a medium, for example water or air, flows through line 2 and cleaning chamber 3, completely surrounding workpiece 1. The main flow direction 10 of the medium is from an upper inlet of line 2 to a lower outlet. Any contaminants on workpiece 1 are flushed away with the medium and discharged through the outlet.

[0035] Pipe 2 widens in the inflow area before workpiece 1 and has no nozzle-like narrowing. Workpiece 1 is located almost directly inside pipe 2.

[0036] To enable the loading and unloading of the workpiece 1 into and out of the cleaning chamber 3, the line 2 in the area of ​​the cleaning chamber 3 is formed from two housing parts 4, 5. The upper housing part 4 can be moved relative to the lower housing part 5 so that the cleaning chamber 3 can be opened and closed. A seal 6, in particular a sealing ring, is formed between the housing parts so that the cleaning chamber 3 is tightly sealed and no medium can escape during operation.

[0037] Furthermore, the cleaning unit shown here as an example has a heater 8 in the area of ​​the upper housing part 4 to enable, for example, faster drying of the workpiece 1.

[0038] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by the preferred embodiment, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations can be derived by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the claims. In particular, the invention is not limited to the specified combinations of features, but other combinations and partial combinations of the disclosed features that are obviously feasible to a person skilled in the art can also be formed. Thus, embodiments that are not explicitly shown or explained in the figure, but which can be derived and generated by separate combinations of features from the explained embodiments, are also to be considered as encompassed and disclosed by the invention. Likewise, it is also within the scope of the invention to effect a mechanical reversal of the functions of the individual mechanical elements of the invention. Reference symbol list 1 workpiece 2 lines 3. Area of ​​the cleaning chamber 4 upper housing part 5 lower housing part 6 Seal 7 bracket 8 Heating 9 columns 10 Main flow direction

Claims

Cleaning unit of an industrial cleaning system for the surface treatment of workpieces (1), comprising at least: 1.

1. a line (2) for a cleaning / treatment medium, which flows through the line (2) in a main flow direction (10), 1.

2. wherein the line (2), viewed in the main flow direction (10), has a section upstream of the workpiece (1) whose cross-section is adapted to the outer contour of the workpiece (1), which forms a cleaning chamber (3) in which the workpiece (1) to be treated is arranged, and 1.

3. wherein the inner contour of the cleaning chamber (3) is largely complementary to the outer contour of the workpiece (1), such that the distance between the contours, viewed perpendicular to the main flow direction (10), is very small and the workpiece (1) is completely surrounded by the cleaning / treatment medium during operation and is flushed by it close to the component, and 1.4.the cleaning chamber (3) is formed from two combinable housing parts (4, 5) such that an upper housing part (4) forms a line inlet to the cleaning chamber and a lower housing part (5) forms a line outlet from the cleaning chamber, wherein the area of ​​the line inlet in front of the workpiece (1) is nozzle-free. Cleaning unit according to the preceding claim 1, characterized in that the housing parts (4, 5) are designed to be movable relative to each other. Cleaning unit according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 2, characterized in that at least one holder (7) is provided for positioning and centering the workpiece (1) in the cleaning chamber (3). Cleaning unit according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that an inflow of the at least one line (2) is arranged concentrically to the workpiece (1). Cleaning unit according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a drain of the at least one line (2) is arranged concentrically to the workpiece (1). Cleaning unit according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one housing part (4, 5) is designed to be adjustable in its longitudinal extent in order to adapt at least the length of the cleaning chamber (3) to a length of the workpiece (1). Cleaning unit according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least one housing part (4, 5) is designed to be adjustable in its circumference in order to adapt at least the circumference of the cleaning chamber (3) to a circumference of the workpiece (1). Industrial cleaning system for surface treatment of workpieces with several cleaning units, wherein at least one cleaning unit is designed according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 7. Method for cleaning a workpiece using an industrial cleaning system according to the preceding claim 8, wherein the workpiece (1) is completely surrounded by the cleaning / treatment medium during operation and is rinsed by it close to the component.

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