Cleaning device for small parts, especially watches

Abstract

Cleaning device (1) for small parts with several treatment containers (2 to 6) for the small parts, in which at least partially different solvent-containing cleaning and / or rinsing liquids are provided and into which a cleaning basket (1.6) with the small parts can be immersed one after the other, wherein the treatment containers (2 to 6) are arranged in a closed treatment room B and an extraction device (7) is provided in the area of ​​at least one treatment container (2 to 6), which transports any potentially explosive gas-air mixtures originating from the solvent-containing cleaning and / or rinsing liquids from the interior of the cleaning device (1) to the outside, characterized in that that an explosion-proof fan serves as the extraction device (7) and has pipes (7.1; 7.2) leading to the outside.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a cleaning device for small parts, in particular for watches, with several treatment containers for the small parts, in which at least partially different solvent-containing cleaning and / or rinsing liquids are provided and into which a rotatable cleaning basket for the small parts can be immersed. State of the art

[0002] Various cleaning devices for small parts are already known, of which those used in connection with watches are generally also called watch cleaning machines.

[0003] For example, CH 340 455 discloses a watch cleaning machine which has treatment containers arranged in a circular arc for different cleaning and rinsing liquids, into which a rotatable cleaning basket with the small parts to be cleaned can be immersed one after the other, pivoting about a central axis and moving up and down.

[0004] US 5113882 A discloses a cleaning system with a conveyor belt for the continuous cleaning of printed circuit boards.

[0005] DE 741303 A and DE 764820 A disclose a cleaning machine for clockworks in liquid containers with a rotating basket.

[0006] DE 762840 A also discloses a cleaning machine for clockworks, wherein the parts to be cleaned are cleaned by means of a mechanical mechanism can be immersed in different containers.

[0007] WO 2006 / 050332 A2 and DE 20 2006 014 557 U1 disclose steam cleaning appliances in which the cleaning agent is converted into a liquid state in a condensation or drying zone.

[0008] EP 2 140 947 A1 discloses a cleaning device for painting equipment.

[0009] DE 693 15 249 T2 discloses a cleaning plant for the removal of some oil-containing articles, using non-flammable solvents.

[0010] In many cases, aqueous cleaning and rinsing liquids are used for the cleaning processes of small parts, which are generally safe to handle with regard to the risk of explosion.

[0011] The situation is different when solvent-based media are used for cleaning and / or rinsing, as their cleaning power is usually better than that of aqueous liquids. This can mean that these media release volatile substances and potentially flammable air-gas mixtures can form, which in turn pose a latent danger to the user. Object of the invention

[0012] The object of the invention is, in particular, to avoid this disadvantage of a possible explosion hazard when using solvent-containing media in cleaning devices for small parts, such as watch cleaning machines. Solution to the task

[0013] The embodiment according to the invention is characterized by the features of claim 1. Advantages of the invention

[0014] Preferably, an automated system in the form of a tabletop device is provided. This device is suitable for automatically cleaning small parts, preferably in different processing steps.

[0015] The device has a processing chamber containing individual treatment containers into which the small parts to be cleaned are immersed. The treatment containers are located in an enclosed space, within which the individual containers are fixed. At least some of the treatment containers are filled with different liquids, enabling a cleaning process.

[0016] The item to be cleaned is placed in a cleaning basket, which is guided into and out of the respective treatment containers by a manipulator unit. The cleaning basket is also designed to perform at least one rotational movement.

[0017] The treatment containers are filled with cleaning fluids that support the processing of the cleaning of the small parts.

[0018] An ultrasonic transducer is arranged in a processing container, preferably the first in the processing process series, to support the cleaning process.

[0019] In addition, at least one processing container may be equipped with a heating or cooling device.

[0020] Another processing container provides for the arrangement of a blower, which serves to dry the cleaned small parts that are arranged in the basket.

[0021] To prevent the development of potentially flammable gas concentrations within the interior, an extraction device is provided. This extraction device is located in the housing of the device, with intake slots connected to the interior via fluid flow. The intake slots are preferably located in the upper area of ​​the processing containers, specifically at the points where they are open.

[0022] This makes it advantageously possible to use flammable cleaning and / or rinsing fluids safely for cleaning small parts without the risk of explosion. Furthermore, the use of solvent-based cleaning and / or rinsing fluids allows for the utilization of their generally superior cleaning power compared to purely aqueous cleaning and / or rinsing fluids.

[0023] According to the present invention, it is advantageous to use an extraction blower with an explosion-proof fan as the extraction device, which has corresponding pipe connections that allow potentially flammable gas-air mixtures from the interior, in particular above the cleaning containers, to be forcibly guided to the outside, where they can then mix with the outside air and thus no longer pose a danger in terms of their concentration.

[0024] Particularly when using solvent-based cleaning and / or rinsing fluids and simultaneously performing ultrasonic treatment, it is advantageous to cool the respective processing container for the ultrasonic treatment. Preferably, a device is provided which at least partially encompasses a cylindrical processing container and, depending on the application, couples either heat or cold into the processing container, thereby heating or cooling the processing fluid stored in the container.

[0025] Finally, even with such cleaning devices for small parts, especially watches, designed for purely aqueous cleaning and rinsing fluids, it is possible not to install a suction device, since no explosive gas mixtures can form with purely aqueous liquids. In contrast, the previously described options for additional cleaning can include ultrasonic treatment.

[0026] Further details and advantages of the invention are described and explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the drawing. List of characters

[0027] They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a cleaning device according to the invention, which is shown transparently for better explanation, Fig. 2 a top view of a horizontal section through the cleaning device according to , Fig. 1 Fig. 3 a perspective view of a device for providing heat and / or cold and Fig. 4 a side view of the cleaning device shown in Figure 4. Description of an exemplary embodiment

[0028] In the future, a cleaning device 1 according to the invention for small parts in the form of a table-top device is envisioned. Fig. 1 shown.

[0029] The cleaning device comprises a housing G, which is divided into a treatment chamber B, in which preferably several treatment containers 2 to 6 are arranged, and a compartment R for equipment. This treatment chamber B can be closed by the user by means of an opening front panel F.

[0030] This is for a better explanation in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 The table-top device, shown as quasi transparent, has cylindrical treatment containers 2 to 6, preferably arranged in a circle at equal intervals on a base 1.1, which in this embodiment are made of glass or plastic.

[0031] As from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, on the left side of the cleaning device 1 next to the treatment container 2 there is a device 2.1 for generating heat and / or cold, which can be coupled into the treatment container 2 or into the liquid stored in the container 2.

[0032] The device 2.1, which is in Fig. Figure 3, shown in an enlarged view, comprises a receiving shoe 2.2 which encompasses half of one of the treatment containers 2. The receiving shoe 2.2, preferably made of a heat- or cold-conducting material, is coupled to a device 2.3 for generating the heat or cold (optionally or in combination, for example by a Peltier element).

[0033] Depending on the embodiment, one of the treatment containers 2 to 6, preferably the first treatment container 2, can have an ultrasonic transducer 2.4 arranged in the bottom of the treatment container 2 ( Fig. 2) This ultrasonic transducer 2.4 serves to support the cleaning effect of the small parts in the treatment container 2.

[0034] According to Fig. Treatment containers 3, 4, and 5 follow the first treatment container 2. Treatment container 3, like treatment container 2, contains a cleaning fluid containing a solvent, while treatment containers 4 and 5 each contain a corresponding rinsing fluid. It should be noted that the arrangement can be freely selected depending on the application. This descriptive arrangement is merely an example and serves to illustrate the invention.

[0035] The last treatment container 6, on the other hand, is empty and equipped with a device 6.1 for drying the cleaned small parts. For this purpose, this treatment container 6 has a griddled base 6.2 through which heated or cold air can be blown into the treatment container 6. This air, in turn, comes from a blower 6.3, which draws in air from the outside via an intake nozzle 6.4 and, if necessary, directs it, heated or cold, to the griddled base 6.2.

[0036] Above the treatment containers 2 to 6 are two intermediate shelves 1.2 and 1.3, arranged parallel to each other, which together accommodate a mechanism 1.4 known per se. This mechanism includes a sieve-like cleaning basket 1.6 for the small parts to be cleaned, which is attached below the intermediate shelf 1.2 to a rotatable shaft 1.5. The cleaning basket 1.6 can be actuated by the mechanism 1.4 in such a way that it can pivot and move up and down in a manner corresponding to the semicircle of the treatment containers 2 to 6, thereby immersing the cleaning basket 1.6 successively into the individual treatment containers 2 to 6 after a specific dwell time. A cover element 1.7 is provided at a distance above the cleaning basket 1.6, coaxially to it. Fig. 4), which closes the respective treatment containers 2 to 6 when the cleaning basket 1.6 is immersed in them. Furthermore, inside the cleaning device 1 according to the invention is a suction device 7 ( Fig. 2) for extracting any gas-air mixtures that may form, especially in the area of ​​the treatment containers 2 to 6, when working with solvent-containing cleaning and / or rinsing fluids. Therefore, the extraction device 7 according to the invention is explosion-proof and has flexible pipes 7.1 and 7.2 leading to the outside. Extraction takes place in the immediate vicinity at the edge of the treatment containers 2 to 6 via intake slots 7.3 provided in a housing wall within the treatment area B. The intake slots 7.3 are preferably elongated so that sufficient extraction can occur over the entire edge of the respective treatment container.

[0037] The housing G of the cleaning unit 1 provides access to the treatment containers 2 to 6, for example, via two quarter-circle curved hinged doors made of glass or plastic. A one-piece glass front is also possible. This arrangement of the treatment containers and the doors creates the enclosed processing chamber, which is ventilated via the extraction device 7. Furthermore, this table-top unit has an operating area on its front, inclined towards the center of the unit, with a control panel 1.9, from which all cleaning functions can be conveniently accessed and then run automatically.

[0038] Finally, the described cleaning device 1 can also be designed for use with purely aqueous cleaning and rinsing fluids, thus eliminating the risk of explosion. In this case, the extraction device 7 could also be omitted. Commercial applicability

[0039] The cleaning device 1 according to the invention, designed particularly in its tabletop form, is constructed in such a way that its individual components can be equipped with individual modules. Depending on the desired use of the cleaning device, it can thus be advantageously equipped accordingly, which also results in price differences for the overall device.

[0040] With the cleaning device 1 fully equipped, it can be operated in an explosion-proof manner with solvent-based cleaning and / or rinsing fluids by first placing the filled treatment containers 2 to 5 onto the base 1.1 in its designated positions with the front window F of the table-top unit open. For example, containers 2 and 3 are pre-filled with a suitable solvent-based cleaning fluid, and containers 4 and 5 with a solvent-based rinsing fluid. The first treatment container 2 is designed to be additionally coolable or heatable, and / or to have an ultrasonic transducer 2.1 in its base to achieve improved cleaning performance.

[0041] By pressing a button on the control panel 1.9, an automatically running cleaning program is started, namely by first lowering the cleaning basket 1.6 into the first treatment container 2 by the mechanism 1.4 until the lid element 1.7 closes it: Subsequently, a rotational movement of the sieve-like cleaning basket 1.6 is performed and, in the embodiment shown here, the ultrasonic transducer 2.1 simultaneously applies ultrasound to the cleaning fluid in the treatment container 2.

[0042] After a certain dwell time of the rotating cleaning basket 1.6 in the treatment container 2, it moves upwards and is then pivoted to the next treatment container 3, where it is immersed until the lid element 1.7 also closes this container. The cleaning basket 1.6 then rotates again, repeating the previously described movements until it reaches the last treatment container 6 after its previous rinsing cycles. Here, the blower 6.3 is activated and blows warm air, for example, through the sieve-like cleaning basket 1.6 via the grid floor 6.2 to dry the cleaned small parts. After a drying time of, for example, 5 to 10 minutes, the cleaning basket 1.6 returns to its starting position above the treatment container 2 and switches off.

[0043] The small parts can then be cleaned and removed from the cleaning basket 1.6 after opening the front of the table device.

Claims

[1] Cleaning device (1) for small parts with several treatment containers (2 to 6) for the small parts, in which at least partially different solvent-containing cleaning and / or rinsing liquids are provided and into which a cleaning basket (1.6) with the small parts can be immersed one after the other, wherein The treatment containers (2 to 6) are arranged in a closed treatment room B and an extraction device (7) is provided in the area of ​​at least one treatment container (2 to 6), which transports any potentially explosive gas-air mixtures originating from the solvent-containing cleaning and / or rinsing liquids from inside the cleaning device (1) to the outside. characterized by , that an explosion-proof fan serves as the extraction device (7) and has pipes (7.1; 7.2) leading to the outside. [2] Cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized by, that the cleaning basket (1.6) is rotatable and a mechanism (1.7) automatically guides the cleaning basket (1.6) from one treatment container (2 to 6) to the other. [3] Cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized by , that the cleaning device (1) has a device for ultrasonic treatment and / or a device for drying the small parts. [4] Cleaning device according to claim 3, characterized by , that an ultrasonic transducer (2.1) is used for ultrasonic treatment, which is arranged at least in front of the treatment container (2). [5] Cleaning device according to claim 3, characterized by , that a blower (6.3) is provided inside a processing container (6) for drying. [6] Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a treatment vessel (2 to 6) is equipped with a device (2.3) for generating heat or cold. [7] Cleaning device according to claim 6, characterized bythat at least one Peltier element is provided for cooling.

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