Eva sheet recycling apparatus and method

Abstract

The application discloses an EVA sheet recycling and cleaning device and method, which comprises a cleaning unit and at least one soaking unit for pretreating EVA sheets; the soaking unit comprises a box containing soaking medium, and a moving mechanism arranged outside the box, which can take out the EVA sheets from the box and push them to the outside of the box; the cleaning unit is used for cleaning the soaked EVA sheets. The polyurethane foam on the surface of the EVA sheets soaked by the soaking unit can be easily cleaned, the EVA sheets are put into the cleaning unit by the operator to remove the polyurethane foam, the cleaning efficiency and effect can be greatly improved, the labor intensity and cost are reduced, and the recycling rate of the EVA sheets is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of EVA recycling technology, specifically to an EVA sheet recycling and cleaning device and method. Background Technology

[0002] EVA sheets, or ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer sheets, have a wide range of applications in the automotive industry. EVA sheets are used in the manufacture of automotive interior components, such as front and rear bumpers, flood barriers, seat cushions, armrests, and door panels. Some EVA sheets used in interior components have a large amount of polyurethane foam adhered to their surface. Recycling EVA sheets generally requires steps such as collection, sorting, cleaning, crushing, and remanufacturing. During the recycling of EVA interior components, the polyurethane foam on the surface is difficult to remove, and incomplete cleaning can lead to filter clogging during subsequent extrusion processing.

[0003] Currently, companies generally use two methods to remove it: one is to manually remove the polyurethane foam from the EVA sheet using tools, but this method has problems such as poor cleaning effect, high cleaning cost, low efficiency and high labor intensity. Another method involves manually cutting off the EVA sheet containing the polyurethane foam and recycling the remaining EVA sheet. While this method can effectively improve efficiency, it cannot recycle some of the EVA sheet, resulting in low utilization. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides an EVA sheet recycling and cleaning device to solve the problems of low cleaning efficiency, high cost, and high labor intensity in existing cleaning methods. The following technical solution is adopted: EVA sheet recycling and cleaning equipment includes at least one soaking unit, which is used for soaking and pre-treating EVA sheets. The soaking unit includes a box containing a soaking medium and a moving mechanism located outside the box. The moving mechanism can lift the EVA sheet out of the box and push it to the outside of the box. A cleaning unit is used to clean the soaked EVA sheet.

[0005] Preferably, the moving mechanism includes a supporting mechanism and a pushing mechanism. The supporting mechanism can move along the z-axis to place the EVA sheet, and the pushing mechanism can move along the x-axis to push the EVA sheet.

[0006] Preferably, the support mechanism includes a column, a support base, a pair of openable clamps, and a push-pull assembly capable of pushing the clamps to move along the z-axis, wherein the clamps are slidably connected to the column.

[0007] Preferably, the pushing mechanism includes a push plate and a reciprocating assembly, the reciprocating assembly being respectively disposed on both sides of the housing, for driving the push plate to move along the x-axis direction, and the push plate being slidably connected to the housing.

[0008] Preferably, the cleaning unit includes a separation box and a power unit, as well as a removal mechanism and a feeding mechanism disposed in the separation box. The removal mechanism for cleaning the recycled EVA sheet is disposed above the feeding mechanism, and the power unit is drivingly connected to the feeding mechanism and the removal mechanism.

[0009] Preferably, the removal mechanism includes at least one brush roller assembly and a rinsing assembly. The brush roller assembly is movable and adjustable along the z-axis direction. The rinsing assembly is used to provide a rinsing medium to flush out the impurities removed by the brush roller assembly. The collection assembly is located at the bottom of the separation box and can collect and filter the impurities flushed out by the rinsing assembly.

[0010] Preferably, the feeding mechanism includes at least two sets of feeding rollers and a support platform horizontally disposed between the feeding rollers, the removal mechanism is disposed on the upper side of the support platform, and the conveyor belt is disposed at the rear end of the feeding mechanism for conveying the EVA sheet out of the separation box.

[0011] Preferably, the system further includes a transport unit disposed between the soaking unit and the cleaning unit, for receiving the EVA sheet pushed out by the moving mechanism and transporting it to the cleaning unit.

[0012] Preferably, it also includes a temperature control mechanism for adjusting the temperature of the immersion medium inside the chamber.

[0013] This application also provides a method for recycling and cleaning EVA sheets, using the aforementioned EVA sheet recycling and cleaning equipment, including: Step 1: Place the EVA sheet to be cleaned into the box, and the moving mechanism supports the EVA sheet to be immersed in the box; Step 2: After soaking, the moving mechanism removes the EVA sheet from the box and lets it stand for 1-2 minutes to drain the water, and then pushes the EVA sheet into the transport unit outside the box. Step 3: The soaked EVA sheet is moved to the cleaning unit via the transport unit; Step 4: The operator places the soaked EVA sheets one by one into the cleaning unit for cleaning. After cleaning, the EVA sheets are conveyed to the next process.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the EVA sheet recycling and cleaning equipment and method provided in this application utilizes the principle that the expansion coefficients of EVA sheet and polyurethane foam are different after water absorption. First, after soaking in the soaking unit, the polyurethane foam on the surface of the EVA sheet can be easily cleaned off. Then, the operator puts the EVA sheet into the cleaning unit to remove the polyurethane foam, which can greatly improve the cleaning efficiency and cleaning effect, and reduce labor intensity and cost. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the workflow of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the soaking unit structure of this application; Figure 3 This is a front view of the soaking unit in this application; Figure 4 This application Figure 3 Sectional view at CC; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the cleaning unit in this application; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the feeding mechanism structure of this application; Figure 7 This is a structural diagram of this application.

[0016] In the picture: 1. Immersion unit; 11. Box body; 12. Support mechanism; 121. Column; 122. Clamping plate; 1221. Support base; 1222. Clamping plate one; 1223. Opening and closing drive assembly; 1224. Clamping plate two; 123. Push-pull assembly; 13. Pushing mechanism; 131. Reciprocating assembly; 132. Push plate; 2. Transportation unit; 3. Cleaning unit; 31. Separation box; 32. Feeding mechanism; 320. Feeding gap; 321. First drive roller; 322. Second drive roller; 323. Protrusion; 33. Support platform; 34. Removal mechanism; 35. Conveyor belt; 36. Filtering component; 37. Liquid storage tank; 38. Guide roller; 100. Feeding end; 200. Discharge end. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the embodiments described in this application are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0018] Example 1 See Figures 1 to 7Further explanation of this application: Combination Figure 1 and Figure 7 An EVA sheet recycling and cleaning device is used to clean polyurethane foam from the surface of EVA sheets. It includes a cleaning unit 3 and at least one soaking unit 1. The cleaning unit 3 is located at the rear end of the soaking unit 1. The soaking unit 1 is used for pre-treatment of the EVA sheet by soaking. The soaking unit includes a tank 11 containing a soaking medium and a moving mechanism located outside the tank 11. The moving mechanism can retrieve the EVA sheet from the tank 11 and push it outside the tank 11. The soaking medium can be water. The cleaning unit 3 is used to clean the soaked EVA sheet and remove the polyurethane foam adhering to it.

[0019] This application utilizes the difference in expansion coefficients between EVA sheets and polyurethane foam after immersion in water, making it easier to remove polyurethane foam from the surface of EVA sheets. After the EVA sheets are immersed in the immersion unit 1, they can be retrieved and pushed outside the box 11 to await cleaning. Operators place the immersed EVA sheets into the cleaning unit 3 to remove the polyurethane foam from their surface. This not only improves cleaning efficiency and effect but also greatly reduces labor intensity and cleaning costs, thereby increasing the recycling rate of the EVA sheets.

[0020] Combination Figures 2 to 4 The moving mechanism includes a support mechanism 12 and a pushing mechanism. The support mechanism 12 can move along the z-axis to place the EVA sheet so that the EVA sheet can be completely immersed in the soaking medium or to remove the EVA sheet from the soaking medium. After the support mechanism 12 removes the EVA sheet, the pushing mechanism 13 can move along the x-axis to push the EVA sheet on the support mechanism 12 to the outside of the housing 11 for cleaning.

[0021] Combination Figure 4The support mechanism 12 includes a column 121, a push-pull assembly 123, and a pair of openable and closable clamping plates 122. The clamping plates 122 can move along the z-axis to open or close, and hold the EVA sheet between them to support the EVA sheet, allowing it to be completely immersed in the soaking medium or completely removed. Each clamping plate 122 includes a support base 1221 and an opening / closing drive assembly 1223, as well as a first clamping plate 1222 and a second clamping plate 1224 disposed on the support base 1221. The first clamping plate 1222 and the second clamping plate 1224 can move together... The opening and closing mechanism is achieved by moving closer to or away from the EVA sheet, which is placed between the first clamping plate 1222 and the second clamping plate 1224. The clamping plates may have several perforations. In this embodiment, the opening and closing drive assembly 1223 includes a bidirectional lead screw mounted on the support base 1221. The bidirectional lead screw is driven by a motor to move the first clamping plate 1222 and the second clamping plate 1224 along the z-axis to open and close, clamping or releasing the EVA sheet. In this way, the two clamping plates can simultaneously move away from each other and open quickly, which is convenient for placing the EVA sheet, saving time and improving efficiency.

[0022] The push-pull assembly 123 can push the clamping plate 122 to move along the z-axis direction, and the support base 1221 is slidably connected to the column 121; wherein, the push-pull assembly 123 can be a cylinder; the push-pull assembly 123 is located at the bottom of the clamping plate 122, and the push-pull assembly 123 drives the clamping plate 122 to move along the z-axis direction, so that the EVA sheet held by the clamping plate 122 can be placed into the box 11 for immersion, or the clamping plate 122 can be lifted to take the EVA sheet out of the immersion medium.

[0023] Combination Figure 2 and Figure 3 The pushing mechanism 13 includes a push plate 132 and a reciprocating assembly 131, used to drive the push plate 132 to move along the x-axis. The reciprocating assembly 131 is respectively located on both sides of the housing 11. Figure 3 (The middle part is the left and right sides), the reciprocating component 131 is a belt drive mechanism, and the two ends of the push plate 132 are respectively connected to the belt drive mechanism; the push plate 132 is slidably connected to the housing 11, which can be achieved by a guide rail slider, and is used to guide and support the push plate 132.

[0024] In use, the push-pull assembly 123 lifts the opened clamping plate 122, and the EVA sheet is placed on the clamping plate 122. The clamping plate 122 closes to fix the EVA sheet. The push-pull assembly 123 then drives the clamping plate 122 to descend, immersing the EVA sheet in the soaking medium. After soaking, the push-pull assembly 123 lifts the clamping plate 122, and the clamping plate 122 reopens, releasing the EVA sheet. The pushing mechanism 13 then pushes it out of the clamping plate 122 and moves it to the outside of the housing 11 to await cleaning.

[0025] Combination Figure 1 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 The cleaning unit 3 includes a separation box 31 and a power unit, as well as a removal mechanism 34 and a feeding mechanism 32 disposed within the separation box 31. The removal mechanism 34 for cleaning the EVA sheet is located above the feeding mechanism 32. The power unit is drivingly connected to the feeding mechanism 32 and the removal mechanism 34. The separation box 31 is provided with an inlet end 100 and an outlet end 200. The feeding mechanism 32 is located on one side of the inlet end 100. A conveyor belt 35 for conveying the EVA sheet out of the separation box 31 is provided on one side of the outlet end 200.

[0026] Combination Figure 5 The feeding mechanism 32 includes a support platform 33 and at least one set of feeding rollers respectively disposed at both ends of the support platform 33. The removal mechanism 34 is disposed above the support platform 33. The feeding rollers can feed the EVA sheet to be cleaned into the separation box 31. The support platform 33 is horizontally installed between the feeding rollers.

[0027] Combination Figure 6 The feeding roller includes a first drive roller 321 and a second drive roller 322, with a feeding gap 320 between the first drive roller 321 and the second drive roller 322. The outer surfaces of the first drive roller 321 and the second drive roller 322 are provided with a plurality of protrusions 323. Of course, the protrusions 323 can be provided on any of the drive rollers. The protrusions 323 are needle-shaped and can be inserted into the EVA sheet to achieve stable conveying of the EVA sheet.

[0028] In this embodiment, the support platform 33 is provided with at least one guide roller 38. The guide roller 38 is rotatably connected to the support platform 33 and is used to guide the movement of the EVA sheet, ensuring that the EVA sheet can pass smoothly through the support platform 33 and avoiding the EVA sheet from adhering tightly to the support platform 33 and causing blockage.

[0029] The removal mechanism 34 includes a brush roller assembly and a rinsing assembly. The rinsing assembly provides rinsing medium (water) to flush out the impurities (polyurethane foam) removed by the brush roller assembly. A collection assembly is located at the bottom of the separation box 31 and can collect and filter the impurities flushed out by the rinsing assembly. The brush roller assembly can be a bristle brush roller; the rinsing assembly includes a nozzle and a filter, as well as a supply device connecting the nozzle and the collection assembly, used to supply the medium from the collection assembly to the nozzle, which can be connected via a hose; the filter is used to filter the medium and is located between the supply device and the collection assembly, and the supply device is a pump. Alternatively, the removal mechanism 34 can be provided on both the upper and lower sides of the support platform 33, allowing simultaneous cleaning of both the upper and lower surfaces of the EVA sheet to improve cleaning quality.

[0030] In some embodiments, the brush roller assembly can move along the z-axis direction to adjust the distance between the brush roller assembly and the support platform 33. This adjustment can be achieved by setting cylinders at both ends of the brush roller assembly, thereby adjusting the brushing force on the EVA sheet.

[0031] The collection assembly is located at the bottom of the separation box 31, at the bottom of the feeding mechanism 32 and the conveyor belt 35. From top to bottom, the collection assembly includes a filter component 36 and a storage tank 37. The filter component 36 can be a filter basket with tiny holes on its surface. The filter component 36 is located between the storage tank 37 and the feeding mechanism 32, and is used to collect and filter polyurethane foam. The filter component 36 is slidably connected to the separation box 31, and can move along the x-axis. Pulling out or pushing in the filter component 36 allows for the removal of polyurethane foam from it; this movement can be achieved by using a slide rail.

[0032] In some embodiments, a temperature control mechanism is further included, which is used to adjust the temperature of the soaking medium inside the chamber 11. This can be achieved by heating the soaking medium inside the chamber 11 with a heating rod to stabilize the soaking medium, shorten the soaking time, and improve efficiency.

[0033] After the soaking unit 1 pushes the EVA sheet out of the box 1, the operator puts the EVA sheet into the cleaning unit 3 one by one; this can replace manual cleaning and improve cleaning efficiency and cleaning effect.

[0034] Example 2 Based on Example 1, Example 2 differs from Example 1 in that it combines... Figure 1 and Figure 7At least one transport unit 2 is provided between the soaking unit 1 and the cleaning unit; the transport unit 2 can be a trolley, and the transport unit 2 is used to receive the EVA sheet pushed out by the pushing mechanism and transport it to the cleaning unit 3; the cleaning unit can simultaneously correspond to multiple soaking units 1 through the transport unit 2, further improving the cleaning efficiency.

[0035] This application also provides a method for recycling and cleaning EVA sheets, using the aforementioned EVA sheet recycling and cleaning equipment, including: Step 1: Place the EVA sheet to be cleaned into the box 11. The moving mechanism supports the EVA sheet to be immersed in the box 11. The moving mechanism first fixes the EVA sheet through the support mechanism 12, and then moves it into the box 11 to immerse it, ensuring that the EVA sheet can be completely immersed.

[0036] Step 2: After soaking, the moving mechanism removes the EVA sheet from the box 11 and lets it stand for 1-2 minutes to drain the water, and then pushes the EVA sheet into the transport unit 2 outside the box 11; after the EVA sheet is soaked, the supporting mechanism 12 removes the EVA sheet from the soaking medium to drain, and the pushing mechanism 13 pushes it out of the box 11.

[0037] Step 3: The soaked EVA sheet is moved to the cleaning unit 3 via the transport unit 2; the EVA sheet pushed out of the box will enter the transport unit 2 and be transported to the cleaning unit 3 via the transport unit 2, waiting for the cleaning unit 3 to clean it.

[0038] Step 4: The operator places the soaked EVA sheets one by one into the cleaning unit for cleaning. After cleaning, the EVA sheets are conveyed to the next process.

Claims

1. An EVA sheet recycling and cleaning device, used to clean polyurethane foam from the surface of EVA sheets, characterized in that: Includes at least one soaking unit for pre-treating EVA sheets by soaking; The soaking unit includes a box containing a soaking medium and a moving mechanism located outside the box. The moving mechanism can lift the EVA sheet out of the box and push it to the outside of the box. The moving mechanism includes a support mechanism and a pushing mechanism. The support mechanism can move along the z-axis and is used to place the EVA sheet so that the EVA sheet can be completely immersed in the soaking medium to absorb water and expand, or to retrieve the EVA sheet. The pushing mechanism can move along the x-axis to push the EVA sheet to the outside of the box for cleaning. A cleaning unit is used to clean the soaked EVA sheet; It also includes a transport unit, which is located between the soaking unit and the cleaning unit, for receiving the EVA sheet pushed out by the moving mechanism and transporting it to the cleaning unit; The cleaning unit includes a separation box and a power unit, as well as a removal mechanism and a feeding mechanism disposed in the separation box. The removal mechanism for cleaning the recycled EVA sheet is provided above the feeding mechanism. The power unit is drivingly connected to the feeding mechanism and the removal mechanism. The support mechanism includes a column, a support base, and a pair of openable clamps, as well as a push-pull assembly that can push the clamps to move along the z-axis direction. The clamps are slidably connected to the column. The pushing mechanism includes a push plate and a reciprocating assembly. The reciprocating assembly is respectively located on both sides of the housing and is used to drive the push plate to move along the x-axis. The push plate is slidably connected to the housing.

2. The EVA sheet recycling and cleaning equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The removal mechanism includes at least one brush roller assembly and a rinsing assembly. The brush roller assembly is movable and adjustable along the z-axis. The rinsing assembly is used to provide a rinsing medium to flush out the impurities removed by the brush roller assembly. The collection assembly is located at the bottom of the separation box and can collect and filter the impurities flushed out by the rinsing assembly.

3. The EVA sheet recycling and cleaning equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The feeding mechanism includes at least two sets of feeding rollers and a support platform horizontally disposed between the feeding rollers. The removal mechanism is disposed on the upper side of the support platform, and the conveyor belt is disposed at the rear end of the feeding mechanism for conveying the EVA sheet out of the separation box.

4. The EVA sheet recycling and cleaning equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a temperature control mechanism, which is used to adjust the temperature of the immersion medium inside the chamber.

5. A method for recycling and cleaning EVA sheets, using the EVA sheet recycling and cleaning equipment described in claim 1, characterized in that: include: Step 1: Place the EVA sheet to be cleaned into the box, and the moving mechanism supports the EVA sheet to be immersed in the box; Step 2: After soaking, the moving mechanism removes the EVA sheet from the box and lets it stand for 1-2 minutes to drain the water, and then pushes the EVA sheet into the transport unit outside the box. Step 3: The soaked EVA sheet is moved to the cleaning unit via the transport unit; Step 4: The operator places the soaked EVA sheets one by one into the cleaning unit for cleaning. After cleaning, the EVA sheets are conveyed to the next process.

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