Cleaning device, cleaning system, arrangement and conveyor for cleaning device assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning device for cleaning a device component of a conveyor for conveying bulk material, comprising: at least one cleaning tool for cleaning at least one component of the device component; the cleaning device is designed to spontaneously advance a cleaning process for cleaning at least one component of the device assembly, and wherein the cleaning device is designed to spontaneously advance a cleaning process for cleaning the at least one component of the device assembly, and wherein the cleaning device has a support section for fastening the cleaning device to the device assembly, the transport device and / or the third target. The invention further relates to a cleaning system having such a cleaning device and a service station, to an arrangement comprising a cleaning device and a device assembly, and to a conveyor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning device for cleaning device components, such as impeller gates. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a cleaning system, a configuration, and a conveyor having a cleaning device of this type. Background Art

[0002] In practice, the cleaning of device components of bulk material conveyors poses great challenges in terms of cleaning effect, repeatability, and workload. In particular, the manual cleaning of device components has disadvantages. Also, there is a high risk of injury for employees who have to manually clean the device components. Safety and effective cleaning play an important role especially when dealing with health-hazardous substances (such as for battery or pharmaceutical manufacturing), but also in the case of processed foods with high hygiene requirements or high cleanliness requirements (such as to avoid specific allergies). Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to structurally and / or functionally improve the cleaning device described at the beginning. Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to structurally and / or functionally improve the cleaning system, the configuration, and the conveyor.

[0004] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning device that, in addition to a comprehensive cleaning effect, is also capable of safely and effectively cleaning device components.

[0005] This object is achieved by a cleaning device having the features described in claim 1. Furthermore, this object is achieved by a cleaning system having the features described in claim 13. Furthermore, this object is achieved by a configuration having the features described in claim 14 or a conveyor having the features described in claim 17. Advantageous embodiments and / or improvements are the subject matter of the dependent claims, the description, and / or the drawings.

[0006] Not only the features given in the claims, but also the features given in the following embodiments of the device according to the present invention are suitable for improving the subject matter of the present invention individually or in combination with each other. In terms of improving the subject matter of the present invention, the corresponding feature combinations do not represent any limitation, but are basically merely of an exemplary nature.

[0007] The core of the present invention lies in particular in that the cleaning device spontaneously advances the cleaning process for cleaning device components and, in particular, can perform the cleaning automatically.

[0008] According to one aspect, a cleaning device is provided that is designed to clean a device component of a conveyor. The cleaning device may also be referred to as a cleaning satellite and / or implemented as a cleaning robot. Here, the conveyor is designed to convey bulk materials. In one variant, the conveyor may be adapted to be a pneumatic conveyor. The bulk goods may be granules, particulate materials, particles, powders, or flakes. For example, the bulk goods may be plastic materials, foodstuffs (such as milk powder or milk replacer), animal feed, medicinal materials or drugs, pharmaceutical agents, or battery materials (such as coating mixtures or anode or cathode materials).

[0009] To clean at least a part of the device component, the cleaning device has at least one cleaning tool. In particular, the cleaning device and / or its cleaning tool may be adapted for dry, wet, and / or water-containing cleaning. For example, the at least one cleaning tool may be a blowing device, a spraying device, a brush device, a blade device, and / or a wiping device. A suction device may also be used as a cleaning tool. Alternatively, the cleaning tool may additionally have a suction device. The cleaning tool may, for example, have at least one spray head, at least one spray nozzle, at least one air nozzle, at least one brush, at least one blade / scraper, and / or at least one wiper. In one variant, the cleaning element may also be designed to be rotatable or turnable. The blowing device may include at least one air nozzle. For example, the blowing device may be designed to blow out dry or moist air. In one variant, the blowing device may be designed to provide and / or blow out conditioned air, such as cold, warm, or hot air. In addition, the blowing device may be connected to an air source, such as a compressed air source. Thereby, the blowing device may also blow out compressed air. For example, the cleaning tool may have at least one wet wiper or at least one wet brush. In one variant, the cleaning tool may have at least one spray ball, spray gun, target jet cleaner, or orbital cleaner. Thereby, the cleaning tool may be designed to, for example, rinse the device component or a part thereof with a cleaning agent. In another variant, the cleaning tool may include a laser device, an ultrasonic device, or a spraying device (such as a sandblasting device or a glass bead blasting device). Thereby, at least one cleaning tool can clean the device component or at least a part of the device component and thereby remove dirt and / or deposits.

[0010] In addition, the cleaning device has a carrying section which is designed to fasten the cleaning device to a device component, a transport device and / or a third target. Thus, in one variant, the cleaning device can be designed as a stationary cleaning device, for example mounted at a device component or a third target. For example, the third target can be a part or section of a conveyor or a part of a building in which the conveyor is installed, such as a wall, ceiling or floor of the building. The connection of the cleaning device to the device component or the third object can be designed as a flange connection, a threaded connection and / or a clamping connection, or the carrying section can have such a connection. In addition, the carrying section can have hinges, arms (such as robotic arms or telescopic arms), cylinders and / or guides (such as linear guides). In one variant, the carrying section can include docking elements for docking to a device component, a transport device and / or a third target. In another variant, the cleaning device can be designed as a mobile cleaning device, for example by means of a transport device by which the cleaning device can move spontaneously or can be moved in the application space. In this case, the cleaning device can be connected to the transport device by means of the carrying section.

[0011] The cleaning device is in particular designed to advance spontaneously and / or to carry out a cleaning process for at least one component of the device component. Thereby, the cleaning device can clean the device component spontaneously, in particular by means of at least one cleaning tool. Spontaneously can also be understood as that the cleaning device can automatically advance the cleaning process and / or can automatically carry out the cleaning of the device component or at least one of its components. The cleaning device can also be adapted to receive an external command for starting the cleaning process and / or to automatically start the cleaning process, for example after a defined time interval and / or based on an assessment of whether cleaning is required. Thereby, the cleaning device can be designed to carry out cleaning self-sufficiently.

[0012] Thereby, manual work for cleaning the device component is reduced or completely avoided. The cleaning of the device component can be achieved spontaneously and / or automatically by the cleaning device. In particular, the cleaning device can achieve automated cleaning of the device component, for example autonomously or partially autonomously. Thus, the cleaning device creates the preconditions for partial or full automation of the cleaning of the device component. In particular, thereby, the hygiene requirements can be better met, and in particular reliable and effective cleaning can be achieved without human intervention. The health risks caused by harmful, in particular toxic substances, for example due to the use of toxic or irritating cleaning agents and / or in the pharmaceutical production field and / or during battery manufacturing, during the cleaning of the device component are also reduced or completely avoided.

[0013] In a variant, the cleaning device can have a communication interface. The communication interface can be adapted to communicate with the control devices of the device components and / or the conveyor. In particular, the communication interface can be designed to receive and / or transmit signals and / or data. For example, the communication interface can be adapted to receive cleaning signals. To process the signals and / or data, the cleaning device can have control means, for example having a processor and / or a memory. In a variant, the cleaning device can be designed to initiate and / or carry out a cleaning process after receiving a cleaning signal by means of the communication interface.

[0014] Preferably, the device components are or include a conveying device, a feeding mechanism, a supply device, a metering device, a gate, a rotating member, a preselector, a slide valve, a flap or a screw conveyor. For example, the gate can be an impeller gate, a blow-through gate or a discharge gate. The slide valve can be designed as a shut-off valve. In a variant, the device components can be designed to supply bulk material into or discharge bulk material from the conveying line of the conveyor. In another variant, the device components can be or include a mixing device or a separating device. The separating device can be a device for classifying solids according to defined criteria, such as a sieve.

[0015] In a preferred variant, the device component can be designed as an impeller gate. The impeller gate can have a housing including an interior space and a pull-out side cover detachably fastened to the housing. In addition, the impeller gate can have an impeller. In the operating position, the impeller can be arranged to be rotatably driven about a longitudinal axis in the housing and held at the pull-out side cover. In a variant, the impeller gate has a pull-out device for displacing the impeller between the operating position and the pull-out position. The pull-out device can have a guiding unit for guiding the impeller in a pull-out direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. In addition, the pull-out device can include a pull-out drive, in particular an electric pull-out drive, arranged to be fixed to the housing and coupled to the pull-out side cover, for mechanically driving the pull-out side cover with the impeller. Thus, the impeller can be displaced between the operating position and the pull-out position in a manner driven and guided by means of the pull-out device. Thereby, it is possible to achieve an automated or fully automated displacement of the impeller into the pull-out position for the cleaning process.

[0016] The cleaning device can have an identification sensor system. In particular, the identification sensor system can be adapted to identify the state of the device components, for example, to identify whether the device components are in an open state or a closed state. Additionally or alternatively, the identification sensor system can be adapted to identify whether the device components are in a state of being driven out or a state of being driven in. Here, the cleaning device can be designed to advance and / or perform a cleaning process according to the identified state. In one variant, the identification sensor system can be adapted to identify the open state or the closed state of the impeller gate and / or to identify the state of the impeller gate being driven out or driven in, that is, the state of the impeller being in the operating position or the pulled-out position. Here, the cleaning device can be designed to advance and / or perform a cleaning process if it has been identified that the impeller gate is in the open or driven-out state or the impeller is in the pulled-out position.

[0017] In one variant, the cleaning device can include a cleaning section that is designed to delimit a cleaning space together with the device assembly or its components. Here, the cleaning section can be designed to correspond to or be complementary to the device assembly or its components. For example, the cleaning section can be designed as a covering part, such as a side cover. Thus, the cleaning section can be designed as the side cover of the impeller gate. For example, the cleaning section can be implemented as a cleaning side cover that can be clamped or pressed onto the housing of the device assembly. At least one cleaning tool can be arranged at the cleaning section. At least one drive for the cleaning tool and / or at least one drive for the moving element of the device assembly can also be provided at the cleaning section, for example, on the side of the cleaning section facing away from the cleaning tool or the moving element. Additionally or alternatively, a drive module can be provided. The drive module can have at least one drive for the cleaning tool and / or at least one drive for the moving element of the device assembly. At least one drive can be designed to drive the moving element of the device assembly, for example, to rotate it. Furthermore, at least one pipeline for supplying auxiliary substances (such as energy, current, air, water, abrasive, cleaning agent, etc.) and / or at least one pipeline for discharging pollutants can also be provided at the cleaning section, for example, on the side of the cleaning section facing away from the cleaning tool. In one embodiment, the cleaning section can be designed to be movable by means of a motion device (such as by means of at least one linear guide), a rotating device, or an arm (such as an articulated arm, a swinging arm, and / or a guiding arm). Thus, when the device assembly is opened, the cleaning tool can be inserted into the internal space of the housing of the device assembly by means of the cleaning device, specifically its motion device. Thus, the cleaning tool can be designed to be insertable into the housing of the device assembly. Here, the cleaning section can enclose the device assembly, especially such that the internal space of the housing forms a cleaning space. Thus, the cleaning section can be designed to delimit a closed cleaning space together with the device assembly or its components. Thus, the internal space of the housing of the device assembly can be cleaned in a simple manner by means of the cleaning device, specifically its cleaning tool.

[0018] Additionally or alternatively, the cleaning section can be designed to enclose the device component or its parts in a cleaning space. In this case, the cleaning section can be designed as a housing (such as a cylindrical housing) or a drum (such as a cleaning drum). This housing can also be referred to as a cleaning housing. In one variant, the housing can be designed to be open on one side, for example, designed as a hollow cylinder open on one side. Additionally or alternatively, the housing can also be designed as multi-piece, for example, two-piece. At this time, two half-shells that can be designed to move relative to each other can form the housing. Furthermore, the housing can limit or define an internal space, such as a cleaning space. Thus, the cleaning section can form at least a part of the device component, such as a housing for an impeller. In the housing or in its internal space, at least one cleaning tool can be arranged. Additionally, at least one drive for the cleaning tool and / or at least one drive for the moving element of the device component can also be provided at the housing. Additionally or alternatively, a drive module can be provided. The drive module can have at least one drive for the cleaning tool and / or at least one drive for the moving element of the device component. The at least one drive can be designed to drive the moving element of the device component, for example, to make it rotate. Additionally, at least one pipeline for supplying auxiliary substances (such as energy, current, air, water, abrasive, cleaning agent, etc.) and / or at least one pipeline for discharging pollutants can also be provided at the housing. In one embodiment, the cleaning section can be designed to be movable by means of a moving device (such as by means of at least one linear guide), a rotating device or an arm (such as an articulated arm, a swinging arm and / or a guiding arm). Thus, when the device component is opened, the cleaning section or the housing can surround the parts of the device component (such as an impeller) or be put over it. Here, the cleaning section can surround the device component or its parts, for example, such that the internal space of the cleaning section and the parts of the device component together form a cleaning space. Thus, the cleaning section can be designed to limit a closed cleaning space together with the device component or its parts. Thus, at least one part of the device component, such as an impeller, can be cleaned in a simple manner by means of the cleaning device, specifically its cleaning tool.

[0019] For connecting and / or docking to the device component or its parts, the cleaning section can include a connecting section. For example, the connecting section can be designed as a flange. In one variant, the connecting section can be arranged at or constituted by the covering of the cleaning section. In another variant, the connecting section can be arranged at or constituted by the housing of the cleaning section, for example, arranged at or constituted by the open housing side. Additionally, the connecting section can have a sealing device, which is designed to seal the cleaning section and the device component or its parts to each other.

[0020] The cleaning device can have at least one extraction device for sucking away dirt. For example, the extraction device can be adapted for dry and / or wet extraction. In one variant, the extraction device can have at least one suction line, which is arranged, for example, at the cleaning section and / or extends into or leads into the cleaning space. Furthermore, a suction pump can be provided, which is in particular movably connected to at least one suction line.

[0021] For storing auxiliary substances or contaminants, the cleaning device can have at least one storage container. In one variant, the cleaning device can have a storage container for contaminants and at least one storage container for auxiliary substances. For example, the auxiliary substances can be energy (such as electrical energy or current), air (such as flushing air, compressed air, hot air or cold air), water (such as fresh water, flushing water, hot water or cold water), blasting agent (such as sand or glass) or cleaning agent (such as solvent, flushing agent or foam concentrate). For example, the contaminants can be dirt in dry, wet or liquid form, such as particles, powder, dust or sewage. Thus, at least one storage container can be a can or storage device for storing auxiliary substances, such as an accumulator, such as a storage battery or cell. Additionally or alternatively, the cleaning device can have at least one transfer interface for transferring auxiliary substances or contaminants. For this purpose, the transfer interface can have at least one transfer line. The at least one transfer interface or its at least one transfer line can be designed to be connectable to a service station. The service station can be a separately provided service station, or can be a service station arranged at and / or assigned to a device component. In this case, the contaminants and / or at least one auxiliary substance can be transferred from the cleaning device to the service station. Thereby, the storage container can be emptied, but if provided, the storage container can also be filled and / or charged. Additionally or alternatively, the transfer interface can also be or can also be connected to an interface provided at a device component or a transporter for discharging contaminants and / or supplying auxiliary substances.

[0022] In a variant, the carrier section may have a motion device. The motion device may have at least one linear guide, for example two or three linear guides. Here, the linear guides may be arranged substantially perpendicular to each other, for example so that linear guidance along two or three mutually perpendicular axes can be carried out. Additionally or alternatively, the motion device may have a swinging mechanism, such as a rotating device, by means of which swinging or rotation about an axis, for example about a vertical axis, a longitudinal axis or a transverse axis, can be carried out. In one embodiment, an arm may be provided, such as an articulated arm, a swinging arm and / or a guiding arm. The arm may also be designed as a robotic arm, for example uniaxial, biaxial, triaxial or multi-axial. Alternatively, the carrier section may be designed as articulated or have at least one articulation element. The cleaning device can be moved relative to the device assembly by means of the motion device. In particular, the cleaning section may be connected to the motion device so that movement of the cleaning section relative to the device assembly can be achieved.

[0023] In a preferred variant, the cleaning device may include a transport device. Here, the cleaning device may be fastened or mounted at the transport device by means of the carrier section. In particular, the transport device may be designed for transporting the cleaning device. In one variant, the transport device may be designed as a vehicle or a self-flying aircraft that is autonomously or partially autonomously self-driving. Here, the transport device may be, for example, a motor vehicle or a flyable drone. The vehicle or aircraft may include at least one storage container for storing auxiliary substances and / or contaminants. In one variant, the vehicle or aircraft may include at least one energy storage device, such as an accumulator, such as a battery or a cell. Additionally, the vehicle or aircraft may include at least one cleaning tool, such as a spraying device. Thus, the cleaning device may also be implemented as a cleaning vehicle or a cleaning drone. For this purpose, the transport device may include at least one drive, such as a motor, such as an electric motor and / or a rotor. Additionally, the transport device may include wings, rotatably driven wheels and / or rotating blades. In one variant, the transport device may be adapted for autonomous or partially autonomous driving operation. Additionally or alternatively, the transport device may be adapted for remote control operation and / or manual operation. In particular, autonomous or partially autonomous driving operation, or alternatively remote control operation, is advantageous when handling or transporting health-hazardous substances (such as those used in pharmaceutical production or battery manufacturing) by means of a transporter.

[0024] The transport device may further include a control device adapted to control the transport device. For this purpose, an environmental sensor system may be provided, which is adapted to provide the control device with environmental data reflecting the surroundings of the cleaning device. Additionally or alternatively, a navigation device may be provided, which is adapted to determine the current position of the cleaning device. The control device may be connected, in particular wirelessly or via radio, to the central control device and / or the control device of the conveyor. The control device may be adapted to receive and / or transmit data, information or signals.

[0025] Thus, the cleaning device can move spontaneously and / or independently by means of the transport device, especially within the application space or application area. Thereby, it is achieved that the cleaning device can clean a plurality of and / or hard-to-reach device components of the conveyor. The cleaning device may be implemented to orient itself independently at least within the application space or application area, for example by processing the position detected by means of the environmental sensor system and / or provided by means of the navigation device. For this purpose, the navigation device may include, for example, stored map data for determining and / or comparing positions and / or may access map data via an interface. For example, the navigation device may be or have a GPS navigation device. The application space or application area may be an area or space determined and / or limited by the conveyor, or alternatively only a partial area thereof.

[0026] According to another aspect, a cleaning system for cleaning the device components of a conveyor is provided. The conveyor is used for conveying bulk materials. The device components and / or the conveyor may be designed as described above and / or below. In particular, the cleaning system includes at least one cleaning device that may be designed as described above and / or below. Additionally, the cleaning system may have at least one service station. The cleaning device is adapted such that the cleaning device can move to the service station spontaneously and / or automatically, for example by means of the transport device. For example, the cleaning device can recognize whether it is necessary to drive to the service station. For example, if the storage containers of the cleaning device (such as the auxiliary material tank and / or the dirt tank) are substantially emptied or filled, it is necessary to drive to the service station. This may also include the charging requirement of the battery of the cleaning device.

[0027] At a service station, the cleaning device can extract at least one auxiliary substance and / or energy for charging the battery from the service station. In addition, the cleaning device can transfer at least one pollutant to the service station. Here, the service station can be adapted to transfer at least one auxiliary substance to at least one cleaning device and / or to transfer pollutants from at least one cleaning device. For this purpose, the service station can have at least one service connection for connecting to at least one cleaning device. Then, in order to connect to at least one service connection, the cleaning device can include at least one connection joint. The transfer of the auxiliary material or the extraction of the pollutant can be carried out as needed. In order to store at least one auxiliary material and / or pollutant, the service station can have at least one tank. In addition, the service station can have at least one charging device adapted to charge the battery and / or accumulator of at least one cleaning device.

[0028] For example, after receiving one or more auxiliary materials via the connection, after the charging process, and / or after discharging pollutants, the cleaning device can return to the location of the cleaning task again, drive to a new cleaning task, or be in a ready mode for future cleaning tasks.

[0029] According to another aspect, a configuration is provided that includes at least one cleaning device and at least one device component. At least one cleaning device can be designed as described above and / or below. In one variant, the cleaning device can be fastened to the device component by means of a carrying section. In another variant, the cleaning device can be fastened to a third target.

[0030] At least one device component can be designed as described above and / or below. For example, the device component can be or include a conveying device, a feeding mechanism, a supply device, a metering device, a gate, a rotating member, a preselector, a slide valve, a flap valve, or a screw conveyor. For example, the gate can be an impeller gate, a blow-through gate, or a discharge gate. The impeller gate can be designed as described above and / or below. The slide valve can be designed as a shut-off valve. In one variant, the device component can be designed to supply bulk material into the conveying pipeline of a conveyor or to output it from the conveying pipeline of a conveyor. In another variant, the device component can be or include a mixing device or a separation device. The separation device can be a device for classifying solids according to defined criteria, such as a sieve.

[0031] In a preferred variant, at least one device component is designed to be opened manually or automatically. For this purpose, the device component may have a pulling device for shifting an active element of the device component between a running position and a pulled-out position. Thereby, the active element may be designed to be movable out of the housing of the device component. For example, the active element may be a rotating part, an impeller, a slide valve, a flap or a screw conveyor. The pulling device may have a guiding unit for guiding the active element to shift along a pulling direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. In addition, the pulling device may include a pulling drive for driving the active element to shift in a mechanically driven manner, such as an electric pulling drive. Therefore, the active element can be shifted between the running position and the pulled-out position in a manner of being driven and guided by means of the pulling device. Thereby, it is possible to achieve a partial or full automation of the shifting of the active element into the pulled-out position for the cleaning process.

[0032] According to another aspect, a conveyor for conveying bulk materials is provided. The conveyor includes at least one configuration designed as described above and / or below. Additionally or alternatively, the conveyor may have a cleaning system. Here, the cleaning system may be designed as described above and / or below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which, schematically and by way of example:

[0034] Figure 1 A cleaning system for a device component of a conveyor is shown;

[0035] Figure 2 A variant of the cleaning device is shown

[0036] Figure 3 Another variant of the cleaning device is shown; and

[0037] Figure 4 A variant of the cleaning tool is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] Figure 1 Schematically shown is a cleaning system 100 for a device component 102 of a conveyor 104. The conveyor 104 is designed to convey bulk materials 106 and includes at least one conveying pipeline 108, and the device component 102 is integrated into the conveying pipeline. In the current embodiment, the device component 102 is designed as a flap gate 102. The flap gate 102 has a housing 110 including an internal space and an impeller 112 rotatably supported in the housing 110. In addition, the flap gate 102 includes a pull-out side cover detachably fastened to the housing 110 (at Figure 1(not shown in the figure). In the operating position, the impeller 112 is arranged to be rotatably driven about the longitudinal axis in the housing 110 and is held at the pull-out side cover. In addition, the impeller gate 102 has a pull-out device (not shown in the figure) for shifting the impeller 112 between the operating position and the pull-out position. The pull-out device may have a guiding unit for guiding the impeller 112 to shift along the pull-out direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. In addition, the pull-out device may include a pull-out driver, which is arranged to be fixed to the housing and coupled to the pull-out side cover, especially an electric pull-out driver, for mechanically driving the pull-out side cover with the impeller 112 to shift. Therefore, the impeller 112 can be shifted between the operating position and the pull-out position in a guided manner by means of the pull-out device. Since the impeller gate 102 is designed to be automatically opened, especially for the cleaning process, it is possible to achieve partial or full automation of the impeller 112 to shift to the pull-out position or the cleaning position. Figure 1 (not shown in the figure) for shifting the impeller 112 between the operating position and the pull-out position. The pull-out device may have a guiding unit for guiding the impeller 112 to shift along the pull-out direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. In addition, the pull-out device may include a pull-out driver, which is arranged to be fixed to the housing and coupled to the pull-out side cover, especially an electric pull-out driver, for mechanically driving the pull-out side cover with the impeller 112 to shift. Therefore, the impeller 112 can be shifted between the operating position and the pull-out position in a guided manner by means of the pull-out device. Since the impeller gate 102 is designed to be automatically opened, especially for the cleaning process, it is possible to achieve partial or full automation of the impeller 112 to shift to the pull-out position or the cleaning position.

[0039] Now, the cleaning system 100 includes at least one cleaning device 114 for cleaning the impeller gate 102 and at least one service station 116 for delivering at least one auxiliary substance to at least one cleaning device 114 and / or transferring pollutants from at least one cleaning device 114. For example, the auxiliary substance may be energy, current, air, water, abrasive blasting agent, cleaning agent, etc. In the current embodiment, the cleaning device 114 is designed to receive at least one auxiliary substance from a can or reservoir of the service station 116. For this purpose, the cleaning device 114 may be connected to the service station 116, for example, by means of a transfer interface (such as a pipeline or a connector), so that at least one storage container or reservoir of the cleaning device 114 can be filled with the corresponding auxiliary substance or charged. The storage container is used to store the auxiliary substance. In a similar manner, the pollutants stored in the can of the cleaning device 114 (which are generated by the cleaning process and received by the cleaning device 114) can be discharged to the service station 116 to empty the pollutant can of the cleaning device 114.

[0040] In Figure 1 the cleaning device 114 is schematically shown, and the cleaning device 114 includes at least one cleaning tool 118 for cleaning at least one component of the impeller gate 102. Preferably, the cleaning device 114 is designed to spontaneously and / or automatically advance and / or perform a cleaning process for cleaning at least one component of the impeller gate 102. The cleaning tool 118 may be adapted for dry, wet and / or water-containing cleaning. For example, the cleaning tool may be a spraying device, a blowing device, a brushing device, a blade device and / or a wiping device. In order to receive the pollutants generated by cleaning with the cleaning tool 118, the cleaning device 114 has at least one extraction device 120 for evacuating the pollutants after or during the cleaning process.

[0041] In Figure 1 the embodiment shown, the cleaning device 114 has a transport device 122 and a bearing section 124. The cleaning device 114 is fastened to the transport device 122 by means of the bearing section 124. Additionally or alternatively, the bearing section 124 can be designed to fasten the cleaning device 114 to the impeller gate 102 and / or to a third object, such as a conveyor 104, to its conveying line 108, or to the wall, ceiling or floor of a building in which the conveyor is installed. Preferably, the bearing section 124 includes a movement device which is designed to move the cleaning device 114 relative to the impeller gate 102. Thereby, an optimal positioning of the cleaning tool 118 relative to the impeller gate can be achieved.

[0042] The transport device 122 is designed for transporting the cleaning device 114. In the current embodiment according to Figure 1 the transport device 122 is adapted to an automatically or partially automatically driven vehicle. For this purpose, the transport device 122 has a drive (e.g. an electric motor) and at least three wheels. Thereby, the transport device 122 is able to effect an automatic or partially automatic driving operation of the cleaning device 114. Additionally or alternatively, a remote control operation and / or a manual operation mode can be provided. For navigation in an automatic or partially automatic driving operation, the transport device 122 includes an environmental sensor system. The environmental sensor system can have, for example, a plurality of radar sensors, lidar sensors, etc. In particular, the environmental sensor system is adapted to provide environmental data reflecting the surroundings of the cleaning device 114 to a control device. Furthermore, a navigation device can be provided which is adapted to determine the current position of the cleaning device 114 within the application space or application area in order to effect, for example, navigation from the service station 116 to the impeller gate 102 to be cleaned.

[0043] Furthermore, the cleaning device 114 has a communication interface 126 which is adapted for communication with the control device of the impeller gate 102 and / or with the conveyor 104 (not shown in Figure 1 ). The communication interface 126 includes in particular a transmitting unit, a receiving unit and an antenna. The controller of the cleaning device 114 is electrically connected to the communication interface 126, so that data and signals can be received and / or transmitted by means of the communication interface 126. In a variant, the cleaning device 114 can be designed to initiate the cleaning process after a cleaning signal has been received by means of the communication interface 126.

[0044] Additionally or alternatively, it is feasible that the cleaning device 114 has an identification sensor system which is adapted to identify the state of the impeller gate 102, in particular to identify whether the impeller gate 102 is in an open state or a closed state and / or in a state of moving out or moving in, that is, in an operating position or a pulled-out position. For this purpose, the identification sensor system can have, for example, an optical identification device such as a camera. Then, the cleaning process is carried out only when it has been identified that the impeller gate 102 is in the pulled-out position and thus the impeller 112 is exposed.

[0045] In order to optimally clean the impeller gate 102 or at least one of its components, the cleaning device 114 includes a cleaning section 128. A cleaning tool 118 is arranged at the cleaning section 128. Additionally, as in the illustrated embodiment, an extraction device can be arranged at the cleaning section 128. In the variants described below Figure 2 In the variant described below, the cleaning section 128 can delimit a cleaning space 130 together with the impeller gate 102 or its components. In the variants described below Figure 3 In an alternative embodiment described below, the cleaning section 128 can be designed to enclose the impeller gate 102 or its components (such as, for example, the impeller 112) in the cleaning space 130. In Figure 1 In it, the cleaning space 130 is only schematically shown in dashed lines.

[0046] Figure 2 A variant of the cleaning device 200 is shown. The cleaning device 200 includes a carrier section 202, a cleaning section 204 fastened to the carrier section, and a cleaning tool 206 arranged at the cleaning section 204.

[0047] According to the embodiment shown in Figure 2 the carrier section 202 has a fastener 208 for fastening to the transport device 122, the equipment assembly 102 or a third target. For example, the fastener 208 can be designed as a flange. Additionally, the carrier section 202 has a motion device 210 assembled at the fastener 208. In the present variant, the motion device is designed as a robotic arm 210, a three-axis robotic arm in this case, and is further used to move the cleaning section 204 fastened to the robotic arm 210 relative to the equipment assembly 102. In particular, the equipment assembly 102 can be the impeller gate 102.

[0048] As shown in Figure 2 the cleaning section 204 is designed to delimit a cleaning space 212 together with the equipment assembly 102 or its components. Here, the cleaning section 204 is designed to correspond to or be complementary to the equipment assembly 102 or its components. In the case of the impeller gate 102, as shown in Figure 2As shown, the cleaning section 204 is designed as a covering member 204, such as a side cover. Thus, the cleaning section 204 is designed to be substantially the same as the side cover 214 of the impeller gate, and the side cover can be clamped or pressed onto the housing of the impeller gate 102 to enclose the housing when the impeller 112 exits and clean the interior space of the housing by means of the cleaning tool 206.

[0049] The cleaning tool 206 is arranged on one side of the covering member 214 and is designed as a spraying device 206 in the current embodiment. The spraying device 206 is assembled at a movable and / or rotatable spray gun 206, and the spraying device 206 can be moved along at least one axial direction and / or rotated about an axis by the spray gun. For cleaning, the spraying device 206 has a spray head 218 and a spray nozzle 220, from which cleaning agents, water, air, etc. can be ejected. A driver 222 is provided on the opposite side of the covering member 214, and the driver is movably connected to the spray gun 216 to achieve linear and / or rotational movement of the spray gun 216. Thus, the spraying device 206 can be further shifted into the interior space of the housing of the impeller gate 102. In addition, a supply line 224 is arranged on the side of the covering member 214 facing away from the spraying device 206, and the supply line is used to supply the medium to be ejected from the spraying device 206. For this purpose, the supply line 224 is connected to the spraying device 206.

[0050] Thus, when the impeller gate 102 is opened, the spraying device 206 can enter the interior space of the housing of the impeller gate 102 by means of the articulated arm 210. Advantageously, the housing of the impeller gate 102 is closed by the covering member 214, especially such that the interior space of the housing forms a cleaning space 212. Thus, the interior space of the housing of the impeller gate 102 can be cleaned in a simple manner by means of the cleaning device 200, specifically its spraying device 206.

[0051] Supplementary, for the rest, please refer specifically to Figure 1 and the relevant description.

[0052] Figure 3 Another variant of the cleaning device 300 is shown. The cleaning device 300 includes a carrier section 302, a cleaning section 304 fastened to the carrier section, a cleaning tool (not shown in Figure 3 arranged at the cleaning section 204) and a drive module 306.

[0053] According to what is shown in Figure 3In the embodiment shown, the carrier section 302 has a fastener 308 designed as a fastening plate for fastening to the transport device 122, the equipment assembly 102, or a third target. Additionally, the carrier section 302 has a motion device 310 mounted at the fastener 308. In the current variant, the motion device is designed as a linear guide device 310 and is further used to move the cleaning section 304 fastened to the linear guide device 310 relative to the equipment assembly 102. As shown in Figure 3 , the equipment assembly 102 can be the impeller 112 of the impeller gate 102. The linear guide device 310 includes two linear guides 312 arranged perpendicular to each other, each having a guide rod or a drive. Thereby, the cleaning section 304 can be adjusted not only vertically but also horizontally and can move relative to the impeller 112.

[0054] In the current embodiment according to Figure 3 , the cleaning section 304 is designed to enclose the impeller 112 of the impeller gate 102 in a cleaning space 314. Preferably, the cleaning section 304 is designed as a housing 316 (designed here as a cylindrical housing) or a drum, such that the interior space of the housing 316 defines or forms the cleaning space 314. As shown in Figure 3 , the housing 316 is designed to be open on one side, through which the impeller 112 can reach the cleaning space. Thereby, the cleaning section 304 is a type of cleaning drum or washing drum and forms a housing for the impeller 112 for cleaning purposes. On the opposite side of the housing opening, cleaning tools extend into the cleaning space 314 and can be driven, for example, by a first driver of the drive module 306 for cleaning. In the current variant, a plurality of spray nozzles 318 leading into the cleaning space 314 are additionally arranged at the housing 316. With the help of these spray nozzles 318, auxiliary substances (such as cleaning agents, water, or air), and also rinsing agents can be sprayed into the cleaning space 314 and thus onto the impeller 112. To supply the auxiliary substances or rinsing agents, a supply line 320 connected to the spray nozzles 318 is provided. Additionally, a discharge line 322 for discharging contaminants is provided. Preferably, the discharge line is arranged near the bottom of the housing 316 and has one of its ends leading into the cleaning space 314.

[0055] When the impeller gate 102 is opened, the housing 316 of the cleaning section 304 can now be moved by means of the linear guide 310 and, if necessary, by means of the transport device 122 such that the impeller 112 is guided into and surrounded by the cleaning space 314. At this time, in the end position, the side cover 324 on which the impeller 112 is supported contacts the housing 316 of the cleaning section 304. Preferably, the housing opening is thereby sealed. For this purpose, flange elements and / or sealing elements can be provided at the housing 316. Now, the impeller 112 is enclosed in the cleaning space 314, and the cleaning process for cleaning the impeller 112 can be started by means of the cleaning tool and the spray nozzle 318. In a variant, the impeller 112 can be implemented to be coupled to the second drive of the drive module 306. Thereby, the impeller 112 can be driven by the second drive of the drive module 306 and rotated within the cleaning space 314. Thereby, the cleaning effect is improved again.

[0056] Supplementally, for the rest, please refer specifically to Figure 1 and Figure 2 the relevant description.

[0057] Figure 4 Another variant of the cleaning tool 400 is shown. The cleaning tool 400 can be arranged, for example, at the cleaning section described above.

[0058] The cleaning tool 400 includes a brush device 402 and an extraction device 404. The brush device 402 is designed for cleaning equipment components or their parts. For this purpose, the brush device 402 has a carrier element 406 and brush elements 408 rotatably and / or pivotably supported at the carrier element. The brush elements 408 are designed as rotatable brushes and include a rotatable disk 410, and the bristles 412 of the brush are arranged at the circumference of the disk. The brush elements 408, specifically their disks 410, can be rotated by means of a drive (not shown in Figure 4 )). Furthermore, the extraction device 404 is arranged at the carrier element 406, specifically so arranged that the suction opening 414 of the extraction device 404 faces the brush element 408. The extraction device 404 is designed for sucking away contaminants.

[0059] Furthermore, the cleaning tool 400 is movable (for example in Figure 4 ) in the left - right direction). For this purpose, a drive and / or an actuator can be provided. Thus, the cleaning tool 400 can drive into the inner space of the housing of the impeller gate 102, for example, or towards the impeller 112 of the impeller gate 102. Thereby, the inner space of the housing of the impeller gate 102 or the impeller 112 can be cleaned in a simple manner by means of the rotating brush element 408, and the contaminants generated can be sucked away by means of the extraction device 404 during the cleaning process.

[0060] Supplementary, for the remaining parts, please refer specifically to Figures 1 to 3 and the related descriptions.

[0061] In particular, "may" indicates an optional feature of the present invention. Therefore, there are also improved solutions and / or embodiments of the present invention that additionally or alternatively have a corresponding feature or corresponding features.

[0062] Isolated features can also be selected from the feature combinations disclosed herein as needed, and used in combination with other features under the condition of eliminating the possible structural and / or functional connections between the features to define the subject matter of the claims.

[0063] List of Reference Numerals

[0064] 100 Cleaning System

[0065] 102 Equipment Component / Impeller Gate

[0066] 104 Conveyor

[0067] 106 Bulk Material

[0068] 108 Conveying Pipeline

[0069] 110 Housing of Impeller Gate

[0070] 112 Impeller

[0071] 114 Cleaning Equipment

[0072] 116 Service Station

[0073] 118 Cleaning Tool

[0074] 120 Extraction Device

[0075] 122 Transportation Device

[0076] 124 Loading Section

[0077] 126 Communication Interface

[0078] 128 Cleaning Section

[0079] 130 Cleaning Space

[0080] 200 Cleaning Equipment

[0081] 202 Loading Section

[0082] 204 Cleaning Section

[0083] 206 Cleaning Tool / Jetting Device

[0084] 208 Fastener

[0085] 210 Movement Device / Joint Arm

[0086] 212 Cleaning space

[0087] 214 Covering part

[0088] 216 Spray gun

[0089] 218 Spray head

[0090] 220 Spray nozzle

[0091] 222 Driver

[0092] 224 Supply pipeline

[0093] 300 Cleaning equipment

[0094] 302 Carrying section

[0095] 304 Cleaning section

[0096] 306 Drive module

[0097] 308 Fastener

[0098] 310 Movement device / Linear guide device

[0099] 312 Linear guide

[0100] 314 Cleaning space

[0101] 316 Housing of the cleaning section

[0102] 318 Spray nozzle

[0103] 320 Supply pipeline

[0104] 322 Outlet pipeline

[0105] 324 Side cover of the impeller gate

[0106] 400 Cleaning tool

[0107] 402 Brush device

[0108] 404 Extraction device

[0109] 406 Carrying element

[0110] 408 Brush element

[0111] 410 Disc

[0112] 412 Bristles

[0113] 414 Suction opening

Claims

1. A cleaning device (114, 200, 300) for cleaning a device component (102) of a conveyor (104) for conveying bulk materials, the cleaning device comprising: - at least one cleaning tool (118, 206) for cleaning at least one component of the device assembly (102); as well as a carrier section (124, 202, 302) for fastening the cleaning device (114, 200, 300) to the device component (102), to the transport device (122) and / or to a third object (104), The cleaning device (114, 200, 300) is designed to autonomously advance a cleaning process for cleaning at least one component of the device assembly (102).

2. The cleaning device (114, 200, 300) according to claim 1, characterized in that The cleaning device (114, 200, 300) has a communication interface (126) for communicating with a control device of the device component (102) and / or the conveyor (104), wherein the cleaning device (114, 200, 300) is designed to advance the cleaning process after receiving a cleaning signal with the help of the communication interface (126).

3. The cleaning device (114, 200, 300) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The equipment component (102) is or includes a conveying device, a feed mechanism, a supply device, a metering device, a mixing device, a separation device, a gate, a preselector, a slide valve, a flap or a screw conveyor.

4. The cleaning device (114, 200, 300) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The cleaning device (114, 200, 300) has a recognition sensor system which is adapted to recognize the state of the device component (102), in particular to recognize whether the device component (102) is in an open and / or extended state or a closed and / or extended state.

5. The cleaning device (114, 200, 300) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The cleaning device (114, 200, 300) comprises a cleaning section (128, 204, 304), which is designed to limit a cleaning space (130, 212, 314) together with the device component (102) or its component (112), or is designed to enclose the device component (102) or its component (112) in the cleaning space (130, 212, 314).

6. The cleaning device (114, 200, 300) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The support section (124, 202, 302) has a movement device (210, 310) which is designed to move the cleaning device (114, 200, 300) relative to the device component (102).

7. The cleaning device (114, 200, 300) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The cleaning device (114, 200, 300) comprises a transport device (122), wherein the cleaning device (114, 200, 300) is fastened to the transport device (122) by means of the support section (124, 202, 302).

8. The cleaning device (114, 200, 300) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The transport device (122) is designed for transporting the cleaning device (114, 200, 300), in particular as an autonomous or partially autonomous self-driving vehicle or an autonomous self-driving aircraft.

9. The cleaning device (114, 200, 300) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The transport device (122) is adapted for autonomous or partially autonomous driving operation, for remote-controlled operation and / or for manual operation.

10. The cleaning device (114, 200, 300) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that An environmental sensor system is provided, which is adapted to provide environmental data reflecting the surrounding environment of the cleaning device (114, 200, 300) to a control device, and / or a navigation device is provided, which is adapted to determine the current position of the cleaning device (114, 200, 300).

11. The cleaning device (114, 200, 300) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The cleaning device (114, 200, 300) has at least one extraction device (120, 322) for extracting dirt.

12. The cleaning device (114, 200, 300) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The cleaning device (114, 200, 300) has at least one storage container for storing auxiliary substances or contaminants, and / or the cleaning device (114, 200, 300) has at least one transfer interface for transferring auxiliary substances or contaminants.

13. A cleaning system (100) for cleaning an equipment component (102) of a conveyor (104) for conveying bulk materials, the cleaning system comprising: - at least one cleaning device (114, 200, 300) according to at least one of the preceding claims; as well as - at least one service station (116) for conveying at least one auxiliary substance to the at least one cleaning device (114, 200, 300) and / or for transferring contaminants out of the at least one cleaning device (114, 200, 300).

14. An arrangement comprising at least one cleaning device (114, 200, 300) according to at least one of claims 1 to 12 and at least one device component (102).

15. The arrangement according to claim 14, characterized in that The cleaning device (114, 200, 300) is fastened to the device component (102) or to the third object (104) by means of the support section (124, 202, 302).

16. The arrangement according to at least one of claims 14 to 15, characterized in that: The at least one device component (102) is designed to be opened manually or automatically.

17. A conveyor (104) for transporting bulk material, comprising at least one arrangement according to at least one of claims 14 to 16 or a cleaning system (100) according to claim 13.

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