Cleaning equipment and method for piston rod

Abstract

The invention discloses a cleaning device and method for a piston rod. The device comprises a rack, a cleaning tank, a driving rotating mechanism, a bearing mechanism, a brushing unit, a spraying assembly and a drying unit, wherein the driving rotating mechanism, the bearing mechanism, the brushing unit, the spraying assembly and the drying unit are integrated on the cleaning tank. The driving rotating mechanism is clamped through clamping rotating seats at the two ends and drives the piston rod to rotate around the axis of the piston rod. The bearing mechanism can bear the piston rod during feeding and discharging and avoid the piston rod during cleaning. In the cleaning process, the brushing unit conducts physical brushing on the outer wall of the rotating piston rod, meanwhile, the spraying assembly sprays cleaning liquid to conduct chemical flushing, combination of flushing and soaking is achieved, and the cleaning effect is improved. And after cleaning is completed, the drying unit directly dries the rotating piston rod, the transferring step is reduced, efficiency is improved, and secondary pollution is avoided. According to the method, the complete automatic process from automatic feeding, clamping centering, rotary scrubbing and spraying to in-situ drying and discharging is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of piston rod cleaning, and more particularly to a cleaning device and method for piston rods. Background Technology

[0002] This invention relates to a cleaning device for piston rods, belonging to the field of mechanical parts cleaning technology. Specifically, it relates to a surface cleaning device for piston rods in actuators such as hydraulic cylinders and pneumatic cylinders before assembly.

[0003] As a key component in linear motion actuators such as hydraulic cylinders and pneumatic cylinders, the piston rod's processing quality and cleanliness directly affect the lifespan and reliability of the entire product.

[0004] Piston rod surfaces typically require a high degree of surface roughness, and during machining, structures such as threads and grooves may be formed, making them prone to the adhesion and embedding of oil, metal shavings, and other impurities. Before assembly, these impurities must be thoroughly cleaned to prevent them from being introduced into the sealing system, damaging components, and affecting the stable operation of the hydraulic or pneumatic system.

[0005] Currently, piston rod cleaning technology has evolved from inefficient methods such as early manual wiping and handheld spray gun blowing to various automated or semi-automated cleaning equipment.

[0006] In the prior art, a representative solution is the hydraulic cylinder piston rod cleaning device disclosed in Chinese Patent Publication No. CN114589150A. This device, through the setting of a swingable arm, a cleaning fluid tank, and a rotating support mechanism (roller), realizes the function of immersing the piston rod in the cleaning fluid and causing it to rotate around its own axis. At the same time, the piston rod is dried after cleaning using an L-shaped plate and a wiping layer on the swing arm.

[0007] However, after in-depth analysis, several technical problems still need to be solved in this type of existing technical solution, which limits the further improvement of cleaning effect and efficiency:

[0008] The cleaning force is passive and limited, resulting in poor cleaning of stubborn impurities: The cleaning process in the comparative document mainly relies on the piston rod's rotation in the cleaning fluid and possible fluid scouring, lacking active, mechanical scrubbing action. For mixed oil stains firmly attached to the piston rod surface, especially particles within complex surfaces such as threads and grooves, the fluid shear force generated by immersion and rotation alone is insufficient to effectively remove them. Furthermore, the piston rod is usually supported and rotated by rollers, which can easily cause wear on the outer wall during rotation.

[0009] The drying method is inefficient and prone to leaving water stains: The comparison document uses an absorbent cloth wiping method for drying. Although this method can absorb some moisture, its effect on removing cleaning fluid remaining in micro-grooves or threads is limited. During the rolling drying process of the piston rod, moisture may be squeezed deeper or unevenly distributed, ultimately leading to incomplete drying, watermarks and stains on the surface, affecting subsequent processes or assembly quality.

[0010] The level of automation and collaborative operation needs improvement: In the comparative document's scheme, the loading, unloading, and transfer of the piston rod between the cleaning and drying stations rely on the swinging of the swing arm and the rolling of the piston rod itself. This transfer method may affect the stability and positioning accuracy of piston rods with different diameters, weights, or surface conditions. The automation integration of the entire process, especially the precise coordination and continuous operation capabilities of multiple processes such as clamping, brushing, spraying, and drying, still has room for improvement. Some existing cleaning devices also suffer from poor component stability and inefficient collaborative operation.

[0011] In summary, existing piston rod cleaning devices still have significant shortcomings in terms of the thoroughness of cleaning (especially for stubborn stains in the grooves), the efficiency and thoroughness of drying, and the smoothness of full-process automation and process coordination.

[0012] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a cleaning device and method for piston rods to solve the problems of incomplete cleaning of stubborn stains in threads and grooves, low drying efficiency and easy residue of water stains in existing piston rod cleaning devices, as well as poor automation and coordination of various processes. Summary of the Invention

[0013] To address the problems of incomplete cleaning of stubborn stains in threads and grooves, low drying efficiency, and poor automation and coordination in existing piston rod cleaning devices, this invention proposes a cleaning device and method for piston rods, the specific solution of which is as follows:

[0014] A cleaning device for piston rods includes a frame and a cleaning tank disposed on the frame, and further includes:

[0015] The drive rotation mechanism includes two clamping rotation seats respectively disposed at both ends of the cleaning tank along its length. The clamping rotation seats are used to clamp both ends of the piston rod and can drive the piston rod to rotate synchronously around its own axis after clamping.

[0016] At least one of the two clamping rotary seats moves axially relative to the piston rod via a linear motion unit to achieve the clamping function;

[0017] A supporting mechanism is provided in the cleaning tank to support the piston rod before the driving rotation mechanism clamps the piston rod. The supporting mechanism switches between a supporting position and a clearance position. When the supporting mechanism supports the piston rod in the supporting position, the piston rod and the clamping rotation seat are on the same axis. After the driving rotation mechanism clamps the piston rod, the supporting mechanism moves to the clearance position.

[0018] A scrubbing unit, located within the cleaning tank, is used to scrub the outer wall of the rotating piston rod.

[0019] The scrubbing unit includes a scrubbing component and an actuator that drives the scrubbing component to move.

[0020] A spray assembly, located on the side of the cleaning tank, is used to spray cleaning liquid onto the piston rod surface;

[0021] A drying unit, located above the cleaning tank, is used to dry the piston rod after cleaning.

[0022] Furthermore, the clamping rotary seat includes an active rotary seat and a driven rotary seat;

[0023] The active rotating seat is located at one end of the cleaning tank, and is coaxially passed through the inner wall of the cleaning tank via a rotating shaft, and is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the first drive motor mounted on the frame.

[0024] The driven rotating seat is located at the other end of the cleaning tank. The driven rotating seat is rotatably connected to the output end of a linear motion unit. The linear motion unit can drive the driven rotating seat to move along the piston rod axis, and work with the active rotating seat to clamp or release both ends of the piston rod.

[0025] Furthermore, both the active rotating seat and the driven rotating seat have positioning recesses on their end faces facing the piston rod that match the shape of the piston rod end, and the inner surface of the positioning recesses is covered with anti-slip pads.

[0026] Furthermore, the scrubbing unit includes:

[0027] The brushing component is a brushing strip, the length of which is not less than the length of the area to be cleaned on the piston rod in the cleaning tank. The brushing strip is arranged parallel to one side of the piston rod, and its surface facing the piston rod is provided with bristles for brushing.

[0028] The actuator is a pushing unit disposed on the cleaning tank, used to drive the brush strip to move linearly in a direction perpendicular to the piston rod axis, so that the bristles on the brush strip contact or move away from the piston rod surface.

[0029] Furthermore, the support mechanism includes at least one pair of V-shaped roller brackets, symmetrically arranged within the cleaning tank;

[0030] Two rollers are rotatably mounted on each V-shaped roller bracket, and the piston rod can be supported in the groove formed by the V-shaped rollers;

[0031] Connectors are provided between the V-shaped roller brackets to form an integral structure;

[0032] The supporting mechanism also includes a lifting drive component, which is mounted in the cleaning tank and can drive the V-shaped roller bracket to move up and down between the supporting workstation and the avoidance workstation.

[0033] Furthermore, the spray assembly includes liquid pipes equidistantly arranged along the length of the cleaning tank, and multiple spray nozzles equidistantly arranged along the liquid pipes. The bottom of the cleaning tank is connected to an external filtration and circulation system for filtering the cleaning liquid and injecting it into the liquid pipes for spraying.

[0034] Furthermore, the drying unit includes a high-pressure airflow nozzle, which is positioned above the cleaning tank and is used to spray high-pressure gas onto the piston rod surface for drying.

[0035] The cleaning method using the aforementioned cleaning device includes:

[0036] S1. Place the piston rod to be cleaned on the support mechanism located at the support station, so that the axis of the piston rod is aligned with the two clamping rotating seats of the drive rotation mechanism;

[0037] S2. At least one of the two clamping rotating seats moves toward the end of the piston rod, and the two clamping rotating seats together clamp both ends of the piston rod; then, the supporting mechanism is controlled to switch from the supporting position to the avoidance position.

[0038] S3. Drive the piston rod to rotate around its own axis, and simultaneously start the brushing unit; wherein, the actuator of the brushing unit controls the brushing component to contact the outer wall of the rotating piston rod, and brushing is performed by utilizing the relative motion between the two; and the spraying assembly is simultaneously started to spray cleaning liquid onto the surface of the piston rod.

[0039] S4. Drying: Keep the piston rod rotating and start the drying unit to dry the surface of the piston rod;

[0040] S5. Reset and unloading: Control the support mechanism to switch back to the support position; then, operate the drive rotation mechanism to release the clamping of the piston rod; remove the piston rod from the support mechanism.

[0041] Furthermore, in step S3, the brushing unit is activated to brush the outer wall of the rotating piston rod.

[0042] The scrubbing unit includes:

[0043] A scrubbing strip, the length of which is not less than the length of the area to be cleaned on the piston rod in the cleaning tank, is arranged parallel to one side of the piston rod, and its surface facing the piston rod is provided with bristles for scrubbing.

[0044] A pushing unit is disposed on the cleaning tank; when the brushing unit is activated, the pushing unit is controlled to drive the brushing strip to move linearly in a direction perpendicular to the piston rod axis, so that the bristles on the brushing strip contact the surface of the rotating piston rod, and the brushing is performed by utilizing the relative motion between the rotation of the piston rod and the brushing strip.

[0045] Furthermore, in step S4, the drying unit is activated to dry the piston rod surface; wherein, the drying unit includes a high-pressure airflow nozzle disposed above the cleaning tank, for spraying high-pressure gas onto the piston rod surface for drying.

[0046] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0047] The cleaning device integrates composite cleaning functions to achieve thorough cleaning without dead angles: This device innovatively integrates a cleaning tank, an active scrubbing unit, a spray assembly, and a drying unit into the same workstation. Among them, the scrubbing unit (such as a scrubbing strip) can actively contact the surface of the rotating piston rod, providing mechanical friction, which can effectively remove stubborn oil stains and metal particles embedded in threads and grooves that are difficult to remove by traditional single soaking or spraying.

[0048] The device integrates a drying unit (such as a high-pressure air jet nozzle) above the cleaning tank. With the piston rod lifted off the liquid surface and rotating, the drying unit activates, using high-pressure gas to quickly remove residual liquid droplets from the workpiece surface and micro-grooves.

[0049] The device achieves full automation of the entire process from loading, centering, clamping, brushing, spraying, drying to unloading through programmed linkage control of the drive rotation mechanism (clamping rotating seat), the lifting and avoidance support mechanism, and the brushing execution mechanism. This design avoids the tedious manual flipping and clamping adjustments of traditional methods, as well as positioning errors during workpiece transfer.

[0050] Compact and adaptable structure, protecting the workpiece surface: The piston rod is driven by a two-end clamping and rotating method, replacing the traditional roller support friction drive, fundamentally avoiding wear on the high-precision surface of the piston rod during the cleaning process.

[0051] The cleaning method enhances the cleaning process through a combination of brushing and spraying. In step S3, the piston rod rotates in the cleaning fluid sprayed by the spraying assembly while the brushing unit is simultaneously activated to contact the surface. This allows mechanical scraping and fluid impact to act on the workpiece surface simultaneously, creating a synergistic effect, especially effective against dirt in complex shapes.

[0052] The entire method forms a complete closed-loop automated process from S1 to S5. The programmable controller precisely controls parameters such as clamping force, rotation speed, brushing pressure, spraying time, and drying time, ensuring that each piston rod undergoes the exact same processing conditions. Attached Figure Description

[0053] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the support station of the support mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0054] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the support mechanism avoiding the workstation in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0055] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the non-clamping state of the clamping rotary seat in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0056] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the clamping state of the clamping rotary seat in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] In the above attached figures:

[0058] Frame 1, Cleaning tank 2, Active rotating seat 3, Driven rotating seat 4, V-shaped roller bracket 5, Brush strip 6, Liquid pipe 7, Spray nozzle 8, High-pressure airflow nozzle 9, First drive motor 10, Linear motion unit 11, Pushing unit 12, Lifting drive component 13, Rotating shaft 14, Coupling 15, Positioning recess 16, Anti-slip pad 17, Piston rod 18. Detailed Implementation

[0059] To make the objectives and technical solutions of the present invention clearer, the specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples.

[0060] like Figure 1-4As shown, a cleaning device for a piston rod 18 includes a frame 1 and a cleaning tank 2 disposed on the frame 1. It also includes a drive rotation mechanism comprising two clamping rotating seats respectively disposed at both ends of the length of the cleaning tank 2. The clamping rotating seats are used to clamp both ends of the piston rod 18 and, after clamping, can drive the piston rod 18 to rotate synchronously around its own axis. At least one of the two clamping rotating seats moves axially relative to the piston rod 18 via a linear motion unit 11 to achieve the clamping function. A supporting mechanism is disposed in the cleaning tank 2 to support the piston rod 18 before the drive rotation mechanism clamps it. The supporting mechanism switches between a supporting position and a clearance position. When the supporting mechanism supports the piston rod 18 in the supporting position, the piston rod 18 and the clamping rotating seat are on the same axis. After the driving rotating mechanism clamps the piston rod 18, the supporting mechanism moves to the clearance position. A brushing unit is set in the cleaning tank 2 and is used to brush the outer wall of the rotating piston rod 18. The brushing unit includes a brushing component and an actuator that drives the brushing component to move. A spraying assembly is set on the side of the cleaning tank 2 and is used to spray cleaning liquid onto the surface of the piston rod 18. A drying unit is set above the cleaning tank 2 and is used to dry the cleaned piston rod 18.

[0061] like Figure 3-4 As shown, preferably, the clamping rotating seat includes an active rotating seat 3 and a driven rotating seat 4; the active rotating seat 3 is disposed at one end of the cleaning tank 2, and coaxially penetrates the inner wall of the cleaning tank 2 through a rotating shaft 14 (a sealing measure is provided at the penetration point to prevent leakage of cleaning fluid; how to seal is an application of existing technology, such as an oil seal, mechanical seal, etc., which will not be elaborated here), and is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the first drive motor 10 disposed on the frame 1; more preferably, the first drive motor 10 is a servo motor or a three-phase asynchronous motor with a reducer, which is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft 14 through a coupling 15. This configuration can provide precise speed control and sufficient drive torque. It should be noted that a bearing seat and bearing need to be installed at the penetration point of the rotating shaft 14 through the frame 1 to share the radial force borne by the output shaft of the first drive motor 10.

[0062] like Figure 3-4As shown, the driven rotating seat 4 is located at the other end of the cleaning tank 2. The driven rotating seat 4 is rotatably connected to the output end of a linear motion unit 11. The linear motion unit 11 can drive the driven rotating seat 4 to move along the axis of the piston rod 18, cooperating with the active rotating seat 3 to clamp or release both ends of the piston rod 18. This structure achieves stable centering and synchronous rotation of the piston rod 18 through an active drive and a driven clamping mechanism, providing a stable and reliable rotational power foundation for subsequent brushing and drying. At the same time, the linear motion unit 11 enables adjustable and automated control of the clamping force. More preferably, the linear motion unit 11 is a hydraulic cylinder, with its fixed end mounted on the frame 1 and its output end coaxially rotatably connected to the driven rotating seat 4 to provide precise and stable axial driving force. More preferably, the linear motion unit 11 is a hydraulic cylinder, and more preferably a cylinder with reinforced guidance, which has a longer guide sleeve and can withstand more radial load. Alternatively, a combination of a flange-type cylinder and an external guide sleeve can be used, which can better withstand the radial force brought by the weight of the piston rod 18 after the driven rotating seat 4 and the driving rotating seat 3 clamp the piston rod 18. The linear motion unit 11 is fixedly installed on the side wall of the cleaning tank 2 or on an independent bracket.

[0063] like Figure 3-4 As shown, preferably, both the active rotating seat 3 and the driven rotating seat 4 have positioning recesses 16 on their end faces facing the piston rod 18, which match the shape of the end of the piston rod 18. The inner surface of the positioning recesses 16 is covered with anti-slip pads 17. This design ensures accurate positioning of the end of the piston rod 18 during clamping, preventing axial movement or circumferential slippage during rotation. The anti-slip pads 17 increase friction while effectively preventing indentations or scratches caused by direct metal-to-metal contact on the end face of the piston rod 18, thus protecting the workpiece.

[0064] like Figure 1-2 As shown, preferably, the scrubbing unit includes: a scrubbing strip 6, the length of which is not less than the length of the area to be cleaned on the piston rod 18 within the cleaning tank 2; the scrubbing strip 6 is arranged parallel to one side of the piston rod 18, and its surface facing the piston rod 18 is provided with bristles for scrubbing; the actuator is a pushing unit 12, disposed on the cleaning tank 2, for driving the scrubbing strip 6 to move linearly in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the piston rod 18, so that the bristles on the scrubbing strip 6 contact or move away from the surface of the piston rod 18. This design allows the scrubbing strip 6 to cover the entire length of the piston rod 18 to be cleaned in one go, achieving full-range synchronous scrubbing without missing any areas; through the linear drive of the pushing unit 12, the bristles can be made to abut against the surface of the piston rod 18, ensuring effective mechanical scrubbing force to remove stubborn stains. More preferably, the pushing unit can be a linear motion cylinder.

[0065] like Figure 1-4 As shown, preferably, the supporting mechanism includes at least one pair of V-shaped roller brackets 5, symmetrically arranged within the cleaning tank 2; each V-shaped roller bracket 5 has two rollers rotatably mounted on it, and the piston rod 18 can be supported in the groove formed by the V-shaped rollers; a connecting member is provided between the V-shaped roller brackets 5, forming an integral structure through the connecting member; the supporting mechanism also includes a lifting drive 13, which is mounted in the cleaning tank 2 and can drive the V-shaped roller brackets 5 to switch between the supporting position and the avoidance position. The V-shaped roller structure facilitates the automatic centering and stable placement of the piston rod 18, and the roller design reduces the frictional resistance of the piston rod 18 during placement and adjustment. By controlling the overall lifting through the lifting drive 13, the supporting mechanism can quickly and accurately switch between the "feeding support" and "cleaning avoidance" positions, ensuring that the supporting mechanism will not interfere with the rotating piston rod 18, brushing unit, etc., during the cleaning and drying stages, resulting in a high degree of automation. More preferably, the lifting drive component 13 is a hydraulic cylinder or a pneumatic cylinder, with its cylinder body or fixed end mounted on the frame 1 or a special bracket outside the cleaning tank 2, and its output end fixedly connected to the bottom of the V-shaped roller bracket 5 or the connecting member, to provide a vertical linear driving force to drive the entire support mechanism to lift stably.

[0066] like Figure 1-4 As shown, preferably, the spray assembly includes liquid pipes 7 arranged at equal intervals along the length of the cleaning tank 2, and multiple spray nozzles 8 arranged at equal intervals along the liquid pipes 7. The bottom of the cleaning tank 2 is connected to an external filtration and circulation system for filtering the cleaning fluid and injecting it into the liquid pipes 7 for spraying. The equidistantly arranged spray nozzles 8 ensure that the cleaning fluid evenly and comprehensively covers the entire outer surface of the piston rod 18, forming a continuous fluid scouring effect. The external filtration and circulation system enables the recycling of the cleaning fluid, removing impurities through filtration, thus saving cleaning fluid costs and ensuring the cleanliness of the spray fluid, thereby maintaining a stable and efficient cleaning effect, in line with the concept of environmental protection and energy conservation. More preferably, the liquid circuit configuration of the spray assembly includes: the liquid pipeline 7 is connected to the outlet of a circulation pump via a pipeline, and the inlet of the circulation pump is connected to the liquid storage area at the bottom of the cleaning tank 2 via a pipeline; a filter and a pressure regulating valve are also provided on the outlet pipeline of the circulation pump, forming a closed-loop liquid circulation system that can filter and pressurize. The liquid circuit configuration of the spray assembly is only a brief description of the application of the prior art and will not be elaborated in detail in the accompanying drawings and the specification.

[0067] like Figure 1-4As shown, preferably, the drying unit includes a high-pressure airflow nozzle 9, which is positioned above the cleaning tank 2 and used to spray high-pressure gas onto the surface of the piston rod 18 for drying. The high-pressure airflow nozzle 9 can generate a concentrated and powerful airflow to quickly blow away large droplets and residual water films adhering to the surface of the piston rod 18. Positioning it above the cleaning tank 2 allows for immediate drying after the piston rod 18 is lifted from the liquid surface, resulting in a compact process. Combined with the rotation of the piston rod 18 itself, it enables rapid and uniform drying of the surface and grooves, effectively preventing water residue and achieving high drying efficiency.

[0068] The air source of the drying unit is as follows: the high-pressure airflow nozzle 9 is connected to an external compressed air station through a pipeline, and a pressure regulating valve and a switching solenoid valve are installed in sequence on the pipeline to provide a stable and controllable high-pressure air source. The air source is only an explanation of the application of existing technology and will not be elaborated in detail in the accompanying drawings and instructions.

[0069] like Figure 1-4 As shown, the cleaning method using the aforementioned cleaning device includes:

[0070] S1. Place the piston rod 18 to be cleaned on the support mechanism located at the support station, so that the axis of the piston rod 18 is aligned with the two clamping rotating seats of the drive rotation mechanism;

[0071] S2. At least one of the two clamping rotating seats moves toward the end of the piston rod 18, and the two clamping rotating seats together clamp both ends of the piston rod 18; then, the supporting mechanism is controlled to switch from the supporting position to the avoiding position.

[0072] S3. Drive the piston rod 18 to rotate around its own axis, and simultaneously start the brushing unit; wherein, control the actuator of the brushing unit to drive the brushing component to contact the outer wall of the rotating piston rod 18, and use the relative motion between the two to perform brushing; and simultaneously start the spraying assembly to spray cleaning liquid onto the surface of the piston rod 18.

[0073] S4. Drying: Keep the piston rod 18 rotating and start the drying unit to dry the surface of the piston rod 18;

[0074] S5. Reset and unloading: Control the support mechanism to switch back to the support position; then, operate the drive rotation mechanism to release the clamping of the piston rod 18; move the piston rod 18 out of the support mechanism.

[0075] like Figure 1-2 As shown, preferably, in step S3, the brushing unit is activated to brush the outer wall of the rotating piston rod 18.

[0076] The scrubbing unit includes:

[0077] The length of the scrubbing strip 6 is not less than the length of the area to be cleaned in the piston rod 18 in the cleaning tank 2. The scrubbing strip 6 is arranged parallel to one side of the piston rod 18, and its surface facing the piston rod 18 is provided with bristles for scrubbing.

[0078] A pushing unit 12 is disposed on the cleaning tank 2. When the brushing unit is activated, the pushing unit 12 drives the brushing strip 6 to move linearly in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the piston rod 18, so that the bristles on the brushing strip 6 contact the surface of the rotating piston rod 18, and brushing is performed by utilizing the relative motion between the rotation of the piston rod 18 and the brushing strip 6. This method clearly defines the synchronous execution of "rotation" and "brushing", creating a highly efficient composite cleaning mode. The rotation of the piston rod 18 causes its entire circumference to pass through the brushing strip 6 sequentially, while the linear feed of the brushing strip 6 ensures stable contact between the bristles and the surface.

[0079] like Figure 1-4 As shown, preferably, in step S4, the drying unit is activated to dry the surface of the piston rod 18; wherein, the drying unit includes a high-pressure airflow nozzle 9 disposed above the cleaning tank 2, for spraying high-pressure gas onto the surface of the piston rod 18 for drying. This method emphasizes keeping the piston rod 18 rotating during the drying stage, which greatly accelerates the drying process and makes the drying more thorough.

[0080] It should also be noted that this embodiment uses a locally deployed control system (i.e., PLC) to control the motion logic of the drive rotation mechanism, support mechanism, brushing unit, spraying unit and drying unit, and relies on the sensors installed on each mechanism and unit to convert the physical state into signals that the PLC can recognize. The specific principles and installation methods are applications of existing technology and will not be elaborated here, only a simple explanation is given.

[0081] The following is a description of the usage method of this embodiment, based on the above-described cleaning device and cleaning method:

[0082] Step 1: Loading and centering

[0083] The operator or auxiliary equipment (using auxiliary equipment is a better option, such as automation via a robotic arm or other transfer device) gently places the piston rod 18 to be cleaned onto the support mechanism located at the "support station".

[0084] The supporting mechanism typically employs a V-shaped roller bracket 5, whose structure facilitates the automatic rolling of the piston rod 18 and initial alignment. After placement, the axis of the piston rod 18 is substantially aligned with the axis of the rotating clamping seats at both ends of the cleaning device, preparing for subsequent automated clamping.

[0085] Step 2: Clamping and Preparation

[0086] The control system commands drive the rotating mechanism to start working. The active rotating seat 3, located at one end of the cleaning tank 2, remains stationary, while the driven rotating seat 4 at the other end moves along the piston rod 18 axis toward the end of the workpiece under the drive of the linear motion unit 11 (such as a hydraulic cylinder).

[0087] The positioning recesses 16 on the two rotating seat end faces, together with the anti-slip pads 17, work together to firmly clamp both ends of the piston rod 18. After the clamping action is completed, the control system immediately instructs the lifting drive component 13 (such as a hydraulic cylinder) of the support mechanism to move, driving the entire V-shaped roller bracket 5 from the "support position" to the "avoidance position," so that it is completely submerged below the surface of the cleaning fluid or lowered to a sufficiently low position, thereby making room for the rotation and cleaning of the piston rod 18 and avoiding interference. This step realizes the upgrade from "manual clamping" to "automatic clamping and positioning," and is a key connection point for full automation.

[0088] Step 3: Composite Cleaning

[0089] After clamping is complete, the drive rotation mechanism drives the piston rod 18 to rotate around its own axis. Simultaneously, the device performs a "compound cleaning":

[0090] Synchronous spraying: When the spraying assembly is started, the circulating pump continuously sprays the filtered cleaning liquid onto the surface of the piston rod 18 from the side through the equally spaced spray nozzles 8 at a certain pressure.

[0091] Active scrubbing: The pushing unit 12 (such as a cylinder) of the scrubbing unit drives the scrubbing strip 6 to approach the surface of the piston rod 18, so that the bristles are in close contact with the outer wall of the rotating piston rod 18. The rotation of the piston rod 18 and the fixation (or reciprocation) of the scrubbing strip 6 create relative motion, which mechanically scrapes away stubborn stains on the surface and in the threads and grooves.

[0092] This combined cleaning mode of "mechanical brushing + fluid flushing" can quickly wash away the dirt that has been brushed off, and the cleaning effect is far superior to that of a single mode.

[0093] Step 4: Lifting and efficient drying

[0094] After the cleaning process is complete, the piston rod 18 remains rotating. Then, the drying unit activates, and the high-pressure air jet nozzle 9 sprays dry compressed air onto the surface of the rotating piston rod 18. Compared to traditional simple air-cutting or wiping, this drying method is faster and more thorough, effectively preventing water residue and meeting the dryness requirements of precision parts.

[0095] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention, and all such modifications or substitutions should be covered within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cleaning device for piston rods, comprising a frame (1) and a cleaning tank (2) disposed on the frame (1), characterized in that, Also includes: The drive rotation mechanism includes two clamping rotation seats respectively set at both ends of the cleaning tank (2) along the length direction. The clamping rotation seats are used to clamp both ends of the piston rod (18) and can drive the piston rod (18) to rotate synchronously around its own axis after clamping. At least one of the two clamping rotary seats moves axially relative to the piston rod (18) via the linear motion unit (11) to achieve the clamping function; The supporting mechanism is set in the cleaning tank (2) and is used to support the piston rod (18) before the driving rotation mechanism clamps the piston rod (18). The supporting mechanism switches between the supporting position and the avoidance position. When the supporting mechanism supports the piston rod (18) and is located in the supporting position, the piston rod (18) and the clamping rotation seat are located on the same axis. After the driving rotation mechanism clamps the piston rod (18), the supporting mechanism moves to the avoidance position. A scrubbing unit is installed in the cleaning tank (2) and is used to scrub the outer wall of the rotating piston rod (18); The scrubbing unit includes a scrubbing component and an actuator that drives the scrubbing component to move. A spray assembly is provided on the side of the cleaning tank (2) for spraying cleaning liquid onto the surface of the piston rod (18); A drying unit is located above the cleaning tank (2) and is used to dry the piston rod (18) after cleaning.

2. The cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The clamping rotary seat includes an active rotary seat (3) and a driven rotary seat (4); The active rotating seat (3) is located at one end of the cleaning tank (2), and is coaxially passed through the inner wall of the cleaning tank (2) by a rotating shaft (14), and is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the first drive motor (10) located on the frame (1); The driven rotating seat (4) is located at the other end of the cleaning tank (2). The driven rotating seat (4) is rotatably connected to the output end of the linear motion unit (11). The linear motion unit (11) can drive the driven rotating seat (4) to move along the axis of the piston rod (18) and work together with the active rotating seat (3) to clamp or release both ends of the piston rod (18).

3. The cleaning device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The active rotating seat (3) and the driven rotating seat (4) are provided with positioning recesses (16) on their end faces facing the piston rod (18), which match the shape of the piston rod end. The inner surface of the positioning recesses (16) is covered with anti-slip pads (17).

4. The cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The scrubbing unit includes: The brushing component is a brushing strip (6), the length of which is not less than the length of the area to be cleaned of the piston rod (18) in the cleaning tank (2). The brushing strip (6) is arranged parallel to one side of the piston rod (18), and its surface facing the piston rod (18) is provided with brush bristles for brushing. The actuator is a push unit (12) disposed on the cleaning tank (2) for driving the brush strip (6) to move linearly in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the piston rod (18) so that the bristles on the brush strip (6) contact or move away from the surface of the piston rod (18).

5. The cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support mechanism includes at least one pair of V-shaped roller brackets (5), which are symmetrically arranged in the cleaning tank (2); Two rollers are rotatably mounted on each V-shaped roller bracket (5), and the piston rod (18) can be supported in the groove formed by the V-shaped roller; Connectors are provided between the V-shaped roller brackets (5) to form an integral structure; The supporting mechanism also includes a lifting drive (13), which is mounted in the cleaning tank (2) and can drive the V-shaped roller bracket (5) to switch between the supporting station and the avoidance station.

6. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The spray assembly includes liquid pipes (7) arranged at equal intervals along the length of the cleaning tank (2) and multiple spray nozzles (8) arranged at equal intervals along the liquid pipes (7). The bottom of the cleaning tank (2) is connected to an external filtration and circulation system for filtering the cleaning liquid and injecting it into the liquid pipes (7) for spraying.

7. The cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drying unit includes a high-pressure airflow nozzle (9), which is located above the cleaning tank (2) and is used to spray high-pressure gas onto the surface of the piston rod (18) for drying.

8. A cleaning method using the cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, include: S1. Place the piston rod (18) to be cleaned on the support mechanism located at the support station, so that the axis of the piston rod (18) is aligned with the two clamping rotating seats of the drive rotating mechanism; S2, at least one of the two clamping rotating seats moves toward the end of the piston rod (18), and the two clamping rotating seats clamp the two ends of the piston rod (18) together; then, the supporting mechanism is controlled to switch from the supporting position to the avoidance position; S3. Drive the piston rod (18) to rotate around its own axis, and start the brushing unit at the same time; wherein, the actuator of the brushing unit drives the brushing component to contact the outer wall of the rotating piston rod (18) and brushes it by means of the relative motion between the two; and simultaneously start the spraying assembly to spray cleaning liquid onto the surface of the piston rod (18); S4. Drying: Keep the piston rod (18) rotating and start the drying unit to dry the surface of the piston rod (18); S5. Reset and unloading: Control the support mechanism to switch back to the support position; then, operate the drive rotation mechanism to release the clamping of the piston rod (18); remove the piston rod (18) from the support mechanism.

9. The cleaning method according to claim 8, characterized in that, In step S3, the brushing unit is activated to brush the outer wall of the rotating piston rod (18); The scrubbing unit includes: The length of the scrubbing strip (6) is not less than the length of the area to be cleaned of the piston rod (18) in the cleaning tank (2). The scrubbing strip (6) is arranged parallel to one side of the piston rod (18), and its surface facing the piston rod (18) is provided with bristles for scrubbing. A push unit (12) is installed on the cleaning tank (2). When the brushing unit is started, the push unit (12) is controlled to drive the brushing strip (6) to move linearly in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the piston rod (18), so that the bristles on the brushing strip (6) contact the surface of the rotating piston rod (18), and brushing is performed by utilizing the relative motion between the rotation of the piston rod (18) and the brushing strip (6).

10. The cleaning method according to claim 8, characterized in that, In step S4, the drying unit is activated to dry the surface of the piston rod (18); wherein the drying unit includes a high-pressure airflow nozzle (9) disposed above the cleaning tank (2) for spraying high-pressure gas onto the surface of the piston rod (18) for drying.

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