Cleaning device for self-propelled transport vehicle for transporting receiving containers for slivers, textile machine and construction unit consisting of such cleaning device, and corresponding cleaning method

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning device for a self-propelled transport vehicle (28) for transporting receiving containers (35) for slivers, comprising: a movement path (3) having a surface (4) on which the self-propelled transport vehicle (28) can be moved and which has a cleaning section (6) on which the self-propelled transport vehicle (28) can be positioned; wherein the cleaning section (6) comprises an air guide channel (7), which is open to the environment of the cleaning device (1) in a channel opening direction (K) transverse to the surface (4) of the movement path (3); and an air supply device (21), which is designed as a suction manifold or a compressed air source and is fluidically connected to the air guide channel (7).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a cleaning device for a self-propelled transport vehicle for transporting receiving containers for fiber sliver in a spinning mill or spinning preparation machine, a construction unit consisting of a textile machine and such a cleaning device, and a cleaning device for transporting receiving containers for fiber sliver using the cleaning device.

[0002] Method of self-propelled transport vehicle. Background Art

[0003] In the spinning preparation machine, the textile fibers are prepared for the spinning process. In several steps, the fibers are separated, parallelized and formed into slivers. After the individual processing steps, the slivers are placed in a sliver coil in a receptacle designed as a transport can by means of a sliver coiler in order to transport the sliver from one processing station to another. In this case, the transport cans are fed to the sliver coiler as empty cans before filling and are then fed to the sliver coiler as a receptacle after filling.

[0004] The full cans are transported from the fiber sliver coiling device to the next processing device.

[0005] In order to move the transport can to the sliver coiling device or from the sliver coiling device to the

[0006] To move to the next processing device, an automatic transport vehicle is known. For example, DE102022111675A1

[0007] A self-propelled transport vehicle for transporting transport cans is known which is integrated into the transport can.

[0008] The transport vehicle has an electrical energy store and a charging interface for charging the energy store at an external charging station. Summary of the invention

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a device which enables low-interference self-propelled transport vehicles.

[0010] In addition, the present invention is to provide a textile machine and such a device.

[0011] A manufacturing unit and a method for cleaning a self-propelled transport vehicle for transporting receiving containers for fiber strands by means of the device.

[0012] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a cleaning device for a self-propelled transport vehicle for transporting a receiving container for fiber strips is proposed, comprising: a moving path having a surface on which the self-propelled transport vehicle can move, and the moving path having a cleaning section on which the self-propelled transport vehicle can be positioned; wherein the cleaning section includes an air guide channel, which is open to the environment of the cleaning device in a channel opening direction transverse to the surface of the moving path and can be fluidically connected to an air conveying device.

[0013] Since the air guide channel is open in the channel opening direction transverse to the surface of the travel path, the underside of the self-propelled transport vehicle for transporting the receiving container for the fiber strip can be sucked or blown clean. Since the wheels of the self-propelled transport vehicle are mounted on the underside, these wheels are also freed of dirt, such as fiber deposits. Thus, the invention can reduce the downtime of the transport vehicle caused by wheel blockage due to contamination and / or save costly manual cleaning.

[0014] The air delivery device can be designed as a suction sink or a compressed air source. The air delivery device can be integrated into the cleaning device. Alternatively or in combination, the air delivery device can be an external air delivery device, which is, for example, fluidically connected to a plurality of cleaning devices. For example, the air delivery device can be configured as a central suction device of a spinning mill. The air delivery device can be arranged in a layer of the spinning mill, which is located below the layer where the cleaning device is arranged.

[0015] In a possible embodiment, the air guide channel may have a first clean opening in the surface of the moving path. The air guide element may be connected to the moving path. The first clean opening may be at least partially surrounded by the air guide element. In particular, at least a portion of the air guide element may be arranged to overlap with the first clean opening in the channel opening direction. The air guide element may have an extension orthogonal to the surface of the moving path, the extension being smaller than the ground clearance of the self-propelled transporter.

[0016] In a possible embodiment, the air guide element can be designed as an at least partially flexible element, in particular as a flexible sealing element. The extension of the air guide element orthogonal to the surface of the movement path can then be equal to or greater than the distance of the self-propelled transporter from the ground. The air guide element can in particular be designed as a brush seal.

[0017] In one possible embodiment, the air guide channel can have a second cleaning opening in the surface of the movement path. The first cleaning opening and the second cleaning opening can have a maximum distance that is smaller than the average distance between the first wheel and the second wheel of the self-propelled transporter.

[0018] In a possible embodiment, the air guide channel may have a third cleaning opening and a fourth cleaning opening in the surface of the moving path. The third cleaning opening and the fourth cleaning opening may have a maximum spacing, which is less than the average spacing between the third wheel and the fourth wheel of the self-propelled transporter. Alternatively or in combination, the air guide channel may have a fifth cleaning opening and a sixth cleaning opening in the surface of the moving path. The fifth cleaning opening and the sixth cleaning opening may have a minimum spacing, which is greater than the average spacing between the third wheel and the fourth wheel of the self-propelled transporter.

[0019] In a possible embodiment, the moving path may have an ascending ramp and a descending ramp, which are connected by a cleaning section. The cleaning section may include a portion of the surface of the moving path, which is elevated relative to a base surface where the cleaning device can be placed.

[0020] In one possible embodiment, the cleaning section of the movement path can have a position marker, which marks the cleaning position of the self-propelled transport vehicle. The position marker can be detectable by the self-propelled transport vehicle. The position marker can be designed in particular as an RFID transponder.

[0021] In one possible embodiment, the movement path can have a guide track, which marks the travel direction of the self-propelled transport vehicle. The guide track can be detectable by the self-propelled transport vehicle and in particular be formed by a magnetic strip. The guide track can meet the position marking.

[0022] The cleaning device may include a control device for controlling the cleaning device. The cleaning device may include a position sensor device for detecting the position of the self-propelled transport vehicle on the cleaning section. The air delivery device may be controllable by the control device of the cleaning device and / or the central transport vehicle control device according to the position of the self-propelled transport vehicle on the cleaning section. The central transport vehicle control device is designed to control or coordinate one or more self-propelled transport vehicles.

[0023] In order to achieve this object, a construction unit is also proposed which consists of a textile machine and a cleaning device according to the above-described embodiments, wherein the cleaning section is integrated into the base of the textile machine.

[0024] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a method for cleaning a self-propelled transport vehicle for transporting a receiving container for fiber strips by means of a cleaning device is also proposed, comprising the following steps: the self-propelled transport vehicle moves to a cleaning position of the cleaning device; the underside of the self-propelled transport vehicle is cleaned by means of an air conveying device of the cleaning device; and the self-propelled transport vehicle moves away from the cleaning position to the cleaning device.

[0025] The cleaning of the underside of the self-propelled transport vehicle can be carried out in a certain time interval by means of the air conveying device. This time interval can especially start with a cleaning start time point and end with a cleaning end time point.

[0026] The movement of the self-propelled transport vehicle can be controlled by the central transport vehicle control device. The cleaning start time point and the cleaning end time point can be determined by the central transport vehicle control device and / or the control device of the cleaning device.

[0027] The cleaning start time can be defined based on the signal of a position sensor device for detecting the position of the self-propelled transport vehicle on the cleaning device. Alternatively or in combination, the cleaning end time can be defined based on the signal or another signal of the position sensor device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] A possible embodiment of the cleaning device according to the invention, a construction unit consisting of a textile machine and such a cleaning device, and a method for cleaning a self-propelled transport vehicle for transporting a receiving container for a fiber strand by means of the cleaning device are described below with reference to the drawings.

[0029] Figure 1 A perspective view of a cleaning device according to the invention in a first embodiment is shown with a transport can in the cleaning position;

[0030] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 A perspective view of the cleaning device in FIG. 1 without the transport can in the cleaning position;

[0031] Figure 3 Show Figure 1 A top view of the cleaning device in FIG. 1 without the transport can in the cleaning position;

[0032] Figure 4 Show Figure 1 The cleaning equipment in Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of section IV-IV in FIG.

[0033] Figure 5 Show Figure 1 The cleaning equipment in Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of section VV in FIG.

[0034] Figure 6 Show Figure 1 The cleaning equipment in Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of section VI-VI in FIG.

[0035] Figure 7 Show Figure 1 The cleaning equipment in Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of section VII-VII in FIG.

[0036] Figure 8 Shown in a view from below Figure 1 Self-propelled transport vehicles;

[0037] Figure 9a A detailed view of an air guide element with an air guide plate is shown;

[0038] Figure 9b A detail view showing an air guide element with a brush assembly;

[0039] Fig.9c A detail view showing an air guide element with a flexible lip;

[0040] Fig.10 A perspective view of a cleaning device according to the invention in a second embodiment is shown with a transport can in the cleaning position;

[0041] Fig.11 A perspective view of a cleaning device according to the invention in a third embodiment is shown with a transport can in the cleaning position;

[0042] Fig.12 Show Fig.11 A front view of the cleaning device in FIG.

[0043] Fig.13 A textile machine with an integrated cleaning device according to the invention is shown; and

[0044] Fig.14 A method for cleaning a self-propelled transport vehicle for transporting receiving containers for fiber strands by means of a cleaning device is shown in a flow chart. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Described later together Figure 1 FIG. 9 shows a cleaning device 1 according to the invention in a first embodiment for a self-propelled transport vehicle 28 for transporting a receiving container 35 for a fiber strip (not shown). The cleaning device 1 can also be referred to as a suction device or a lower bottom suction device. The cleaning device 1 is placed on a placement surface 2 of a spinning mill. The receiving container 35 can also be referred to as a transport can.

[0046] The transport drum 35 is designed as a round drum and comprises a cylindrical container wall 36 in a known manner, which defines a receiving space 38. The receiving space 38 is open vertically upward and is variably defined vertically downward by a spring-supported bottom plate. As the transport drum 35 is gradually filled with fiber strips, the bottom plate of the transport drum 35 moves vertically downward due to the deadweight of the fiber strips against the spring force. The self-propelled transport vehicle 28 is integrated into the lower end section of the transport drum 35 in the present case. However, it is also conceivable that the transport drum 35 is mounted on a corresponding self-propelled transport vehicle or connected to it.

[0047] The self-propelled transporter 28 has two drive wheels 29, 29' and four support wheels 30, 30'. In the figure, the wheels arranged on the left side of the self-propelled transporter 28 in the direction of travel are marked with additional primes. The drive wheels 29, 29' and the support wheels 30, 30' each have tires in a known manner, which can be designed in particular as rubber tires, hard plastic tires, solid tires, etc.

[0048] The two drive wheels 29, 29' can be driven independently of each other by a drive unit 31 designed as a motor. The drive axis of the drive wheel 29 here extends substantially horizontally. The two drive wheels 29, 29' have an average distance B29 from each other. Here, the average distance B29 corresponds to the distance between the contact points of the drive wheels 29, 29'. If the drive wheels 29, 29' each have a contact surface, the average distance B29 corresponds to the distance between the contact surfaces of the drive wheels 29, 29'. The drive unit 31 includes a vehicle control unit.

[0049] Of the four support wheels 30, 30', two are arranged in the area of ​​the vehicle head and two are arranged in the area of ​​the vehicle tail. The support wheels 30, 30' are rotatably supported around a rotation axis, which is located in a plane substantially parallel to the drive axis of the drive wheels 29, 29'. In addition, the support wheels 30, 30' are supported on the chassis of the self-propelled transporter 28 in a manner that they can pivot around a pivot axis S30, S30', wherein the pivot axis S30, S30' is oriented orthogonal to the drive axis of the drive wheel 29. The pivot axes S30, S30' of the support wheels 30, 30' in the head area extend in parallel and have a spacing B30. The pivot axes S30, S30' of the support wheels 30, 30' in the tail area also extend in parallel and have a spacing B30. It is therefore ensured that the support wheels 30, 30' in the head area and the support wheels 30, 30' in the tail area can travel on a common track when traveling in a straight line.

[0050] In the present case, the drive wheels 29, 29' are arranged centrally in the direction of the longitudinal axis L_28 of the transport vehicle 28 between the support wheels 30, 30' in the head region and the support wheels 30, 30' in the tail region. Therefore, the distance BR_V between the front wheel plane, in which the pivot axis S30, S30' of the support wheels 30, 30' in the head region is located, and the drive wheel plane, in which the drive axis of the drive wheel 29 is located, is the same as the distance BR_H between the rear wheel plane, in which the pivot axis S30, S30' of the support wheels 30, 30' in the tail region is located, and the drive wheel plane. The front wheel plane, the drive wheel plane and the rear wheel plane extend parallel to each other and are orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L_28. In principle, it is also conceivable that the drive wheels 29, 29' are arranged eccentrically in the direction of the longitudinal axis L_28 of the transport vehicle 28 between the support wheels 30, 30' in the head region and the support wheels 30, 30' in the tail region, and the distance BR_V and the distance BR_H are different.

[0051] The self-propelled transporter 28 is therefore designed to perform a translational movement along the longitudinal axis L_28, a rotational movement about a vertical axis and a combined translational-rotational movement. At least some of the support wheels 30, 30' may be spring-mounted in the direction of the pivot axis S30, S30'.

[0052] The self-propelled transporter 28 further comprises an energy store 32 which can supply energy to the drive unit 31. The energy store 32 is designed as a battery in the present case and is connected via an onboard charger to a charging interface 33. The charging interface 33 is in the present case formed on the outer circumference of the self-propelled transporter 28 in the rear region.

[0053] The cleaning device 1 comprises a moving path 3, on which a self-propelled transport vehicle 28 for transporting a transport can 35 can move. The moving path 3 has an ascending ramp 5 and a descending ramp 13, which are connected to each other via a cleaning section 6. The surface 4 of the cleaning section 6 together with the surfaces 4 of the ascending ramp 5 and the descending ramp 13 form a carriageway of the moving path 3. The transport vehicle 28 should move along a route marked by a guide rail 14, which can be detected by a guide rail sensor device 34 of the self-propelled transport vehicle 28. The guide rail sensor device 34 is arranged in the head area of ​​the self-propelled transport vehicle 28. The guide rail sensor device 34 and the charging interface 33 are therefore constructed on the end section of the transport vehicle 28 that is away from the longitudinal axis L_28.

[0054] The guide track 14 consists of one or more straight route sections. In the present case, the guide track 14 is designed to be straight. The guide track 14 can be, for example, an image mark on the roadway of the moving path 3 or, as in the present case, a magnetic strip 15. Markings are provided at the defined road markings of the guide track 14. In the present case, a cleaning position marking 24 is provided at the cleaning position 23 of the cleaning transport vehicle 28. The cleaning position 23 is arranged on the cleaning section 6.

[0055] The cleaning position mark 24 can also be detected by the guide rail sensor device 34 of the self-propelled transport vehicle 28. The cleaning position mark 24 is designed as an RFID transponder in the current example. The guide rail sensor device 34 includes an RFID reader / writer corresponding thereto. The self-propelled transport vehicle 28 is moved along the guide rail 14 until the RFID reader / writer passes the RFID transponder at the cleaning position 23. The self-propelled transport vehicle 28 performs the previous movement until the self-propelled transport vehicle 28 is centrally positioned above the cleaning position mark 24. The self-propelled transport vehicle 28 establishes a wireless connection with the central transport vehicle control device 43 and notifies the central transport vehicle control device of the identification code read out by the RFID transponder. In response, the central transport vehicle control device 43 sends a motion command or a motion command sequence to the self-propelled transport vehicle 28 based on the identification code, and the motion command or motion command sequence is subsequently processed by the transport vehicle. Here, the motion command can include a command about a motion rotating around a specific angle amount, a command about a motion translating to the next mark, and a waiting time in the motion command sequence.

[0056] Specifically, in the present example, the self-propelled transport vehicle 28 first moves upward along the guide rail 14 on the movement path 3, passes the ascending ramp 5 and reaches the cleaning section 6. The guide rail sensor device 34 detects the magnetic strip 15 and can react automatically in the event of a possible deviation from the guide rail 14. Next, the self-propelled transport vehicle 28 drives over the cleaning position mark 24 with the guide rail sensor device 34, reads the identification code of the cleaning position mark 24 with the RFID reader and sends the identification code to the central transport vehicle control device 43.

[0057] The central transport vehicle control device 43 then informs the self-propelled transport vehicle 28 at the cleaning position mark 24 that it should wait for a time interval T at the cleaning position 23 and continue to move forward along the guide rail 14 after the time interval T has expired. Here, the time interval T is defined by the cleaning start time t_s and the cleaning end time t_e, both of which can be specified as time intervals from reaching the cleaning position 23, for example. The cleaning start time t_s can be 0 seconds, for example. Therefore, the time interval T starts directly with the self-propelled transport vehicle 28 arriving at the cleaning position 23. During the time interval T, the underside of the self-propelled transport vehicle 28 is sucked or blown clean from the underside.

[0058] For this purpose, an air guide channel 7 is formed in the cleaning section 6, which is fluidically connected to the air delivery device 21. The air guide channel 7 is open to the environment of the cleaning device 1 on the side facing away from the air delivery device 21, in a channel opening direction K transverse to the surface 4 of the movement path 3 (see Figure 2 ). For this purpose, a plurality of openings are formed in the surface 4 of the cleaning section 6, which are part of the air guide channel 7. Of course, the channel opening direction K can be different for the plurality of openings.

[0059] Specifically, the cleaning section 6 has two inner front cleaning openings 8, 8'. The cleaning section 6 also has two outer front cleaning openings 9, 9'. The two inner front cleaning openings 8, 8' and the two outer front cleaning openings 9, 9' overlap axially with respect to the guide rail 14. The inner front cleaning openings 8, 8' and the outer front cleaning openings 9, 9' are located in a common head opening plane VV, in particular with the midpoint of their longitudinal extension located in this plane.

[0060] The two inner front cleaning openings 8, 8' have a maximum spacing B8_max of the outer opening edges in a direction parallel to the head opening plane VV. The maximum spacing B8_max is smaller than the spacing B30 of the pivot axes S30, S30'. The spacing of the pivot axes S30, S30' can be referred to as the average spacing of the support wheels 30, 30' in the head area.

[0061] The two outer front cleaning openings 9 , 9 ′ have a minimum spacing B9_min from the inner opening edges in a direction parallel to the head opening plane VV. The minimum spacing B9_min is greater than the spacing B30 of the pivot axes S30 , S30 ′.

[0062] One of the inner front cleaning openings 8, 8' and one of the outer front cleaning openings 9, 9' form a front opening pair. The two front opening pairs are symmetrical to each other about the longitudinal axis L_1 of the cleaning section 6 or the guide track 14 and are arranged in the front area of ​​the cleaning section 6 in the driving direction. Each front opening pair is configured with a connecting piece between the inner front cleaning opening 8, 8' and the outer front cleaning opening 9, 9', through which the support wheels 30, 30' in the head area and the support wheels 30, 30' in the tail area can move. The width of the connecting piece is equal to half of the difference between the spacing B9_min and the spacing B8_max. Here, the width of the connecting piece is at least equal to the tire width of one support wheel 30, 30' and is at most equal to four times the tire width of one support wheel 30, 30', in particular at most equal to twice the tire width of one support wheel 30, 30'. The average spacing of the connecting pieces of the two opening pairs is equal to the spacing of the pivot axis B30.

[0063] The cleaning section 6 also has two inner rear cleaning openings 11, 11'. The cleaning section 6 also has two outer rear cleaning openings 12, 12'. The two inner rear cleaning openings 11, 11' and the two outer rear cleaning openings 12, 12' overlap axially with respect to the guide rail 14. The inner rear cleaning openings 11, 11' and the outer rear cleaning openings 12, 12' are located in a common rear opening plane VI-VI, in particular with the midpoint of their longitudinal extension located in this plane.

[0064] The two inner front cleaning openings 8, 8' and the two inner rear cleaning openings 11, 11' are arranged symmetrically with respect to a transverse plane IV-IV, which is arranged orthogonally to the longitudinal axis L_1 or the guide rail 14 and in which the cleaning position 23 is located. The two outer front cleaning openings 9, 9' and the two outer rear cleaning openings 12, 12' are arranged symmetrically with respect to the transverse plane IV-IV.

[0065] The two inner rear cleaning openings 11, 11' have a maximum spacing B11_max of the outer opening edges in a direction parallel to the rear opening plane VI-VI. The maximum spacing B11_max is smaller than the spacing B30 of the pivot axes S30, S30'. The spacing of the pivot axes S30, S30' can be referred to as the average spacing of the support wheels 30, 30' in the rear region.

[0066] The two outer rear cleaning openings 12 , 12 ′ have a minimum spacing B12_min from the inner opening edges in a direction parallel to the rear opening plane VI-VI. The minimum spacing B12_min is greater than the spacing B30 of the pivot axes S30 , S30 ′.

[0067] One of the rear cleaning openings 11, 11' in each interior and one of the rear cleaning openings 12, 12' in the exterior form a rear opening pair. The two rear opening pairs are symmetrical to each other about the longitudinal axis L_1 of the cleaning section 6 or the guide track 14 and are arranged in the rear region of the cleaning section 6 in the travel direction. Each rear opening pair is configured with a connecting piece between the rear cleaning opening 11, 11' in the interior and the rear cleaning opening 12, 12' in the exterior, through which the support wheels 30, 30' in the head region and the support wheels 30, 30' in the tail region can move. The width of the connecting piece is equal to half of the difference between the spacing B12_min and the spacing B11_max. Here, the width of the connecting piece is at least equal to the tire width of one support wheel 30, 30' and is at most equal to four times the tire width of the support wheel 30, 30', in particular at most equal to twice the tire width of one support wheel 30, 30'. The average spacing of the connecting pieces of the two opening pairs is equal to the spacing of the pivot axis B30.

[0068] The cleaning section 6 also has two central cleaning openings 10, 10'. The two central cleaning openings 10, 10' are arranged symmetrically to one another with respect to the longitudinal axis L_1 of the cleaning section 6 or with respect to the guide rail 14. The two central cleaning openings 10, 10' are located in the transverse plane IV-IV, in particular with the midpoint of their longitudinal extension in this transverse plane.

[0069] The two central cleaning openings 10, 10' have a maximum spacing B10_max of the outer opening edges in a direction parallel to the transverse plane IV-IV. The maximum spacing B10_max of the outer opening edges in the transverse plane IV-IV is less than the spacing B29 of the drive wheels 29. Here, the difference between the spacing B29 and the spacing B10_max is at least equal to the tire width of the drive wheels 29, 29' and is at most four times the tire width of the drive wheels 29, 29', in particular at most equal to twice the tire width of the drive wheels 29, 29'.

[0070] There is a spacing BV between the head opening plane VV and the transverse plane IV-IV, and there is a spacing BH between the tail opening plane VI-VI and the transverse plane IV-IV. The spacing BV is equal to the spacing BR_V of the transport vehicle 28 and the spacing BH is equal to the spacing BR_V. Therefore, the spacing BV and the spacing BH are currently the same, but are not limited to this. In other words, the transverse plane IV-IV is centered between the head opening plane VV and the tail opening plane VI-VI. Of course, the transverse plane IV-IV, the head opening plane VV and the tail opening plane VI are imaginary planes arranged parallel to each other and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L_1.

[0071] All previously mentioned cleaning openings have a substantially rectangular cross-section.

[0072] The central cleaning openings 10, 10' are surrounded on the inner side by an air deflector element 16 with respect to the longitudinal axis L_1. The air deflector element 16 comprises a fastening section 17 and an air deflector plate 18 protruding from the fastening section 17. The fastening section 17 is connected to the surface 4 of the cleaning section 6, for example by means of a threaded connection. The air deflector plate 18 is designed to be U-shaped and thus surrounds the corresponding central cleaning opening 10, 10' from three sides. The air deflector plate 18 extends at a right angle to the surface 4 of the cleaning section 6 at a height H16. The height H16 is less than the minimum ground clearance H37 of the self-propelled transport vehicle 28. The minimum ground clearance is the distance between the lowest point of the body of the self-propelled transport vehicle 28 and the flat roadway. As Figure 4 As can be seen in the figure, in the present case, the minimum ground clearance H37 is defined by the bottom end 37 of the transport can 35, wherein the transport can 35 is regarded as the body of the self-propelled transport vehicle 28. However, the lowest point can also be defined by the energy storage device. This ensures that the self-propelled transport vehicle 28 can pass the air guide element 16 without collision.

[0073] The inner front cleaning openings 8, 8' and the inner rear cleaning openings 11, 11' are each surrounded on the inside with respect to the longitudinal axis L_1 by an air guide element 16*. The outer front cleaning openings 9, 9' and the outer rear cleaning openings 12, 12' are each surrounded on the outside with respect to the longitudinal axis L_1 by an air guide element 16*.

[0074] like Figure 9a As can be seen in the figure, the air deflector element 16* comprises a fastening section 17* and an air deflector 18* protruding from the fastening section 17*. The fastening section 17* is connected to the surface 4 of the cleaning section 6, for example by means of a screw connection. The air deflector 18* is designed to be U-shaped and thus surrounds the corresponding cleaning opening from three sides. The air deflector 18* extends transversely to the surface 4 of the cleaning section 6 at an angle deviating from a right angle and a height H16*. The height H16* is less than the minimum ground clearance H37 of the self-propelled transport vehicle 28. The free legs of the U-shaped air deflector 18* extend into the corresponding cleaning openings.

[0075] exist Figure 9bAnother alternative design of the air guide element 16' is shown in FIG. The air guide element 16' comprises a fastening section 17' and a brush assembly 53 protruding from the fastening section 17'. The fastening section 17' is connected to the surface 4 of the cleaning section 6, for example, by means of a threaded connection. The brush assembly 53 comprises a plurality of brush elements 54, which extend transversely to the surface 4 of the cleaning section 6 from the fastening section 17' at an angle deviating from a right angle, and have a maximum orthogonal spacing H16' between the surface 4 of the cleaning section 6 and the brush elements 54. The height H16' can be greater than or equal to the minimum ground clearance H37 of the self-propelled transport vehicle 28, so that when the transport vehicle 28 is positioned in the cleaning position, the brush assembly 53 contacts the lower side of the transport vehicle 28. When the transport vehicle 28 passes over the brush assembly 53, the brush 54 is pressed downward. Therefore, the airflow effect in the wheel area is improved and the risk of damage caused by collision between the transport vehicle and the air guide element is reduced. The air guide element 16 ′ can also be referred to as a brush seal.

[0076] exist Fig.9c Another alternative design of an air deflector element 16" is shown in FIG. The air deflector element 16" comprises a fastening section 17" and a flexible lip 55, for example a rubber lip, protruding from the fastening section 17". The fastening section 17' is connected to the surface 4 of the cleaning section 6, for example by means of a threaded connection. The flexible lip 55 is designed to be U-shaped and thus surrounds the corresponding cleaning opening from three sides. The flexible lip 55 extends transversely to the surface 4 of the cleaning section 6 at an angle deviating from a right angle and a height H16". The height H16" can be greater than the minimum ground clearance H37 of the self-propelled transport vehicle 28, so that when the transport vehicle 28 is positioned in the cleaning position, the flexible lip 55 contacts the lower side of the transport vehicle 28. When the transport vehicle 28 drives over the flexible lip 55, the flexible lip is pressed downward. As a result, the airflow effect in the wheel area is improved and the risk of damage caused by a collision between the transport vehicle and the air deflector element is reduced.

[0077] Of course, according to the invention, it is possible to freely choose from among the air guide elements 16 , 16 *, 16 ′, 16 ″ at all cleaning openings.

[0078] In the present case, the air delivery device 21 is designed as a blower. The blower can optionally be operated as a suction sink or a compressed air source. During the positioning of the transport vehicle 28 on the cleaning position 23, if the blower is operated as a suction sink, a suction flow F is generated in the air guide channel 7, through which air is sucked into the air guide channel 7 from the area below the transport vehicle 28 via the cleaning opening. The suction flow F is Figures 4 to 6The exhaust gas is drawn with a dotted line in the figure and is guided to the interface 22 by the blower and then to the exhaust system. By this suction, dirt in the wheel area of ​​the transport vehicle 28 is also sucked out. Therefore, the underside of the transport vehicle 28 and especially the wheels of the transport vehicle 28 are cleaned.

[0079] If the blower is operated as a compressed air source while the transport vehicle 28 is positioned at the cleaning position 23, an air flow is generated in the air guide channel 7, by which air is conveyed from the air guide channel 7 through the cleaning opening into the area below the transport vehicle 28. Dirt can be removed from the wheel area of ​​the transport vehicle 28 by this air flow. This air flow is essentially counter to the Figures 4 to 6 The dotted line F shown in FIG.

[0080] In addition, the cleaning device 1 has a position sensor device 25, which is used to detect the positioning of the self-propelled transport vehicle 28 on the cleaning section 6. The position sensor device 25 includes a first position sensor 26 and a second position sensor 27, the former being arranged on a first side of the cleaning section 6 in the direction of the guide rail 14 or the longitudinal axis L_1, and the latter being arranged on a second side facing away from the cleaning section 6. The first position sensor 26 is designed to detect the self-propelled transport vehicle 28 driving into the cleaning section 6. The second position sensor 27 is designed to detect the self-propelled transport vehicle 28 driving out of the cleaning section 6. The position sensors 26 and 27 can be designed, for example, as light barriers or proximity sensors.

[0081] If the first position sensor 26 detects that the self-propelled transport vehicle 28 has entered the cleaning section 6, the air delivery device 21 is activated. If the second position sensor 27 detects that the self-propelled transport vehicle 28 has left the cleaning section 6, the air delivery device 21 is shut down. The air delivery device 21 can be regulated by the central transport vehicle control device 43 or by a separate control device of the cleaning device 1, both of which are connected to the position sensor device 25.

[0082] exist Fig.10 1 shows a cleaning device 1 according to the invention in a second embodiment for a self-propelled transport vehicle 28 for transporting a receiving container 35 for a fiber strand (not shown). The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in that the travel path 6 does not have an ascending ramp 5 and a descending ramp 13. Instead, the cleaning section 6 is inserted flush into the recess of the placement surface 2 so that the surface of the cleaning section 6 is in the same plane as the placement surface 2. With regard to common points, reference is briefly made here to the above description of the first embodiment.

[0083] Described later together Fig.11 and Fig.12, a cleaning device 1 according to the invention is shown in a third embodiment for a self-propelled transport vehicle 28 for transporting a receiving container 35 for a fiber strip (not shown). The third embodiment has all the features of the first embodiment. With regard to these common points, reference is briefly made to the above description of the first embodiment.

[0084] In addition to the first embodiment, the cleaning device 1 also has a can suction device 39 next to the cleaning section 6. The can suction device 39 is designed to suck dirt from the transport can 35 in the area of ​​the receiving space 38 or the spring-supported bottom plate. The can suction device 39 includes a support device 40, on which a suction nozzle 41 is supported in a variable height.

[0085] The carrying device 40 is designed in the form of a gantry which spans the cleaning section 6 in such a way that the self-propelled transport carriage 28 together with the transport can 35 can be moved through it on the travel path 3 .

[0086] The suction nozzle 41 has a gradually widening rectangular cross section which transitions into a cylindrical interface 42. The interface 42 is connected to the central suction device of the spinning mill. A closing valve 44 may be provided which disconnects the suction nozzle 41 from the central suction device fluid of the spinning mill.

[0087] The fluid connection and disconnection of the suction nozzle 41 with the central suction device can be carried out according to the signal of the position sensor device 25, which is used to detect the positioning of the self-propelled transport vehicle 28 on the cleaning section 6. If the first position sensor 26 detects that the self-propelled transport vehicle 28 drives into the cleaning section 6, the closing valve 44 is switched so that the suction nozzle 44 is fluidly connected to the central suction device. If the second position sensor 27 detects that the self-propelled transport vehicle 28 drives out of the cleaning section 6, the closing valve 44 is switched so that the suction nozzle 44 is fluidly disconnected from the central suction device. Here, the switching of the closing valve 44 can be carried out by the central transport vehicle control device 43 or by a separate control device of the cleaning device 1.

[0088] Fig.13 A textile machine 45 is shown with an integrated cleaning device 1 according to the invention. The textile machine 45 is designed as a draw frame, which in a known manner comprises a drafting mechanism 46 and a fiber sliver coiling device 47. The fiber sliver coiling device 47 has a covered coiling disk and a can turntable 48, both of which can be rotated about their rotation axis in such a way that the drafted fiber sliver can be coiled in a cycloidal manner into a transport can arranged on the can turntable 48.

[0089] The textile machine 45 comprises a frame 51, which supports the drafting mechanism 46 and the part of the fiber coiling device 47 arranged above the can turntable 48. The frame 51 comprises a bottom forming the travel path 3. The cleaning section 6 described in detail in the first embodiment is integrated into the bottom of the frame 51. The design and arrangement of the air guide channel with the cleaning opening and the air guide element in this cleaning section 6 are the same as in the cleaning section of the first embodiment of the cleaning device. The transport can first moves along the guide rail 14 to the cleaning position 23, which is arranged on the cleaning section 6, and is sucked there. Then, the transport can moves to the filling position 50 on the can turntable 48 and is filled there.

[0090] The air guide channel 7 of the cleaning section 6 can be fluidically connected to a central suction device of the spinning mill as an air conveying device. A covered closing valve is provided, which can selectively connect or disconnect the air guide channel 7 to the central suction device of the spinning mill. The air guide channel 7 can be fluidically connected and disconnected from the central suction device based on the signal of a position sensor device 25, which is used to detect the positioning of the self-propelled transport vehicle 28 on the cleaning section 6. This position sensor device 25 is Fig.13 is covered in the cleaning section 6. If the first position sensor 26 detects that the self-propelled transport vehicle 28 has entered the cleaning section 6, the closing valve 44 is switched so that the air guide channel 7 is fluidly connected to the central suction device. If the second position sensor 27 detects that the self-propelled transport vehicle 28 has left the cleaning section 6, the closing valve 44 is switched so that the suction nozzle 44 is fluidly disconnected from the central suction device. Here, the closing valve 44 can be regulated by the central transport vehicle control device 43 or by a separate control device of the cleaning device 1. The air guide channel 7 described here in the context of the textile machine 45 is connected to the central suction device of the spinning mill as an air conveying device, which can also be realized in the previously described embodiment of the cleaning device, so that a separate blower can be omitted there.

[0091] A charging station 49 is provided in the machine frame 51 , which is designed to charge the energy storage device 32 of the transport carriage 28 when the transport carriage is arranged in the cleaning position 23 .

[0092] exist Fig.14 1 shows a method for cleaning a self-propelled transport vehicle 28 for transporting a receiving container 35 for a fiber strand by means of a cleaning device 1. Starting from a starting point S of the method, the self-propelled transport vehicle 28 is moved to a cleaning position of the cleaning device in a process step V10.

[0093] Next, in process step V20, the lower side of the self-propelled transport vehicle 28 is cleaned by means of the air conveying device 21 of the cleaning device 1. The cleaning of the lower side of the self-propelled transport vehicle 28 can be carried out by means of the air conveying device 21 within a time interval T, which in particular starts with the cleaning start time t_s and ends with the cleaning end time t_e. The cleaning start time t_s and the cleaning end time t_e can both be given by the central transport vehicle control device 43 and / or the control device of the cleaning device 1. The cleaning start time t_s can be defined based on the signal of the position sensor device 25, which is used to detect the position of the self-propelled transport vehicle 28 on the cleaning device 1. The cleaning end time t_e can be defined based on the signal of the position sensor device 25 or another signal.

[0094] Subsequently, in process step V30 , the self-propelled transport vehicle 28 is moved from the cleaning position 23 away from the cleaning device 1 , wherein the method end point E is reached.

[0095] The movement of the self-propelled transport vehicles 28 in the individual process steps can be controlled by a central transport vehicle control device 43 .

[0096] In addition, according to Fig.10 The method includes all Figure 1 Details of the method and intermediate steps of method steps V10 to V30 are described in the context of the cleaning device according to the invention to FIG. 9 .

[0097] Reference numerals list

[0098] 1. Cleaning equipment

[0099] 2 Placement surface

[0100] 3 Movement Path

[0101] 4 Surface

[0102] 5 Uphill

[0103] 6 Cleaning Section

[0104] 7 Air guide channel

[0105] 8 Front cleaning opening inside

[0106] 9 Cleaning opening on the outside front

[0107] 10 Cleaning opening in the middle

[0108] 11 Cleaning opening at rear

[0109] 12 Cleaning opening at the rear of the exterior

[0110] 13 Downhill Ramp

[0111] 14 Guide rail

[0112] 15 Magnetic Stripe

[0113] 16 Air guide element

[0114] 17 Fastening section

[0115] 18 Air deflector

[0116] 21 Air conveying device

[0117] 22 Interface

[0118] 23 Cleaning location

[0119] 24 Cleaning position mark

[0120] 25 Position sensor device

[0121] 26 Position sensor (entry)

[0122] 27 Position sensor (exit)

[0123] 28 Transporter

[0124] 29 Drive wheel

[0125] 30 Support wheel

[0126] 31 Drivers

[0127] 32 Energy storage device

[0128] 33 Charging port

[0129] 34 Guide rail sensor device

[0130] 35 Receiving container

[0131] 36 container wall

[0132] 37 Bottom end

[0133] 38 Receiving Space

[0134] 39 Can suction device

[0135] 40 Carrying device

[0136] 41 nozzle

[0137] 42 Interface

[0138] 43 Central transport vehicle control device

[0139] 44 Close valve

[0140] 45 Textile machinery

[0141] 46 Drafting mechanism

[0142] 47 Sliver coiling device

[0143] 48 can turret

[0144] 49 Charging Stations

[0145] 50 Filling position

[0146] 51 Rack

[0147] 53 Brush Assembly

[0148] 54 Brush

[0149] 55 Flexible Lip

Claims

1. A cleaning device for a self-propelled transport vehicle (28) for transporting a receiving container (35) for fiber strands, comprising: A movement path (3) having a surface (4) and a cleaning section (6), on which a self-propelled transport vehicle (28) can move and can be positioned; The cleaning section (6) comprises an air guide channel (7). The air guide channel is open toward the environment of the cleaning device (1) in a channel opening direction (K) transverse to the surface (4) of the movement path (3), and The air guide channel can be fluidically connected to an air delivery device (21).

2. The cleaning device according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The air guide channel (7) has a first cleaning opening (10) in the surface (4) of the movement path (3), and An air guide element (16) is connected to the movement path (3), and The first cleaning opening (10) is at least partially surrounded by the air guide element (16), In particular, at least a portion of the air guide element (16) is arranged in the channel opening direction (K) so as to overlap with the first cleaning opening (10).

3. The cleaning device according to claim 2, It is characterized in that The air guide element (16) has an extension (H16) perpendicular to the surface (4) of the movement path (3), which is smaller than the ground clearance (H36) of the self-propelled transport vehicle (28).

4. The cleaning device according to claim 2, It is characterized in that The air guide element (16) is designed as a flexible sealing element and has an extension perpendicular to the surface (4) of the travel path (3) which is equal to or greater than the distance of the self-propelled transport vehicle (28) from the ground. In this case, the air guide element (16) is designed in particular as a brush seal.

5. The cleaning device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, It is characterized in that The air guide channel (7) has a second cleaning opening (10') in the surface (4) of the movement path (3), and The first cleaning opening (10) and the second cleaning opening (10') have a maximum distance (B10_max) that is smaller than an average distance (B29) between a first wheel (29) and a second wheel (29') of the self-propelled transport vehicle (28).

6. The cleaning device according to claim 5, It is characterized in that The air guide channel (7) has a third cleaning opening (8) and a fourth cleaning opening (8') in the surface (4) of the movement path (3), and The third cleaning opening (8) and the fourth cleaning opening (8') have a maximum distance (B8_max) that is smaller than the average distance between the third wheel (30) and the fourth wheel (30') of the self-propelled transport vehicle (28), and / or The air guide channel (7) has a fifth cleaning opening (9) and a sixth cleaning opening (9') in the surface (4) of the movement path (3), and The fifth cleaning opening (9) and the sixth cleaning opening (9') have a minimum distance (B9_min) that is greater than the average distance between the third wheel (30) and the fourth wheel (30') of the self-propelled transport vehicle (28).

7. The cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, It is characterized in that The moving path (3) has an ascending ramp (5) and a descending ramp (13), the ascending ramp and the descending ramp being connected via a cleaning section (6), and The cleaning section (6) comprises a portion of the surface (4) of the movement path (3) which is elevated relative to a base surface (2) on which the cleaning device (1) can be placed.

8. The cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, It is characterized in that The cleaning section (6) of the travel path (3) has a position marking (24) which marks a cleaning position (23) of the self-propelled transport vehicle (28). The position marker (24) is detectable by the self-propelled transport vehicle (28) and is in particular designed as an RFID transponder.

9. The cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, It is characterized in that The travel path (3) has a guide rail (14) which marks the travel direction of the self-propelled transport vehicle (28). The guide rail (14) can be detected by the self-propelled transport vehicle (28) and is in particular formed by a magnetic strip (15).

10. The cleaning device according to claim 9, It is characterized in that The guide rail (14) meets the position mark (24).

11. The cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, It is characterized in that The cleaning device (1) comprises a control device for controlling the cleaning device (1) and a position sensor device (25) for detecting the position of a self-propelled transport vehicle (28) on the cleaning section (6). The air delivery device (21) can be controlled by a control device according to the position of the self-propelled transport vehicle (28) on the cleaning section (6).

12. A construction unit consisting of a textile machine (45) and a cleaning device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, It is characterized in that The cleaning section (6) is integrated into the bottom of the textile machine (45).

13. A method for cleaning a self-propelled transport vehicle (28) for transporting a receiving container (35) for fiber strands by means of a cleaning device (1), comprising the following steps: The self-propelled transport vehicle (28) moves to the cleaning position (23) of the cleaning device (1); Cleaning the underside of the self-propelled transport vehicle (28) by means of an air conveying device (21) of the cleaning device (1); The self-propelled transport vehicle (28) moves from the cleaning position (23) away from the cleaning device (1).

14. The method according to claim 12, It is characterized in that The underside of the self-propelled transport vehicle (28) is cleaned by means of an air conveying device (21) within a time interval (T) which in particular begins at a cleaning start time (t_s) and ends at a cleaning end time (t_e).

15. The method according to claim 13, It is characterized in that The movement of the self-propelled transport vehicle (28) is controlled by a central transport vehicle control device (43); and The cleaning start time (t_s) and the cleaning end time (t_e) are given by the central transport vehicle control device (43).

16. The method according to claim 13, It is characterized in that The cleaning start time (t_s) is defined based on a signal from a position sensor device for detecting the position of the self-propelled transport vehicle (28) on the cleaning device (1), and The cleaning end time (t_e) is defined based on the signal of the position sensor device.

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