SPRAY CLEANER

Abstract

Spray cleaning device for cleaning a local section of a material to be cleaned by spraying it with a fluid jet and removing the used cleaning fluid by means of a suction device, wherein the spray cleaning device has a spray bell with at least one spraying device arranged therein and spraying over the free end face of the spray bell and a suction bell surrounding the spray bell in such a way that a gap, usually in the form of an annular gap, is formed between the spray bell and the suction bell, through which used spray fluid can be suctioned out of the area to be cleaned after it has hit it.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a spray cleaning device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a spray cleaning system according to the preamble of claim 14 and a method for spray cleaning according to the preamble of claim 15. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0003] Spray nozzles with a simple bell surrounding them for sucking up the spray fluid thrown back from the object to be cleaned are well known. However, with such designs, it is easy for the rebounding spray fluid, which no longer forms a sharp jet and is therefore used up, to turbulently collide with the sharp jet of spray fluid that is just beginning to reach the surface to be cleaned. This causes the sharp, still unused jet to become "defocused," meaning its focus is disrupted. This impairs the cleaning effect. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Accordingly, the object of the invention is to provide a means by which the cleaning effect of a spray cleaning device with integrated suction is improved. THE INVENTIVE SOLUTION

[0005] This problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0006] For this purpose, a spray cleaning device is proposed for cleaning a localized section of a material to be cleaned by spraying it with a fluid jet and removing the used cleaning fluid through a suction system. This spray cleaning device is characterized by having a spray bell with at least one spray device arranged therein and spraying over the free end face of the spray bell, and a suction bell surrounding the spray bell. The suction bell surrounds the spray bell in such a way that a gap, usually in the form of an annular gap, is formed between the spray bell and the suction bell. Used spray fluid can be suctioned out of the area to be cleaned via this annular gap after it has hit it, without first having the opportunity to exert an overly intensive disruptive effect on the unused spray fluid.

[0007] In general, a strong suction force is required to remove the cleaning fluid that has impacted the surface of the workpiece to be cleaned. On the other hand, the powerful jet of the cleaning fluid must not be further fanned out or deflected before it hits the surface to be cleaned. According to the invention, the fluid jet, which is only just en route to the workpiece, is kept largely separate from the jet or surge of the extracted, used cleaning fluid. This ensures that a sharp fluid jet truly reaches the surface to be cleaned and hits the exact spot on the surface that is optimal for achieving the desired cleaning effect.

[0008] As mentioned, a gap forms between the injection bell and the suction bell – usually in the form of an annular gap. This annular gap is preferably endless in the circumferential direction.

[0009] The free end surface of the injection bell mentioned is preferably the surface spanned by the edges of the open side of the injection bell.

[0010] The spraying device in question is preferably designed as a spray nozzle that applies the cleaning fluid in a spray jet onto the surface of the material to be cleaned. This spray nozzle does not have to be a nozzle in the fluidic sense and therefore does not need to have a cross-sectional constriction to accelerate the cleaning fluid. However, the spray nozzle can be designed in this way, which is particularly advantageous. PREFERRED TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

[0011] A preferred embodiment of the spray cleaning device is that the suction cup has a sealing edge in the area of ​​its free front opening – preferably directly or indirectly adjacent to the edge of the free front opening – that is adapted to the topography of the material to be cleaned. The free front opening of the suction cup preferably rests at least partially on the surface of the material to be cleaned. Adapting to the topography of the material to be cleaned results in a better seal. The sealing edge is preferably adapted to the topography of the edges of the area of ​​the material to be cleaned that is to be sealed.

[0012] Furthermore, it is particularly preferred if the sealing edge, which the suction cup has in the area of ​​its free front opening, is replaceable. The sealing edge is preferably produced for each area of ​​a material to be cleaned, which is why a large number of sealing edges are required. If the sealing edge is replaceable, a new suction cup is not required for each change process and the suction cup can also remain on the spray cleaning device and only the sealing edge needs to be replaced. In the sense of the invention, "replaceable" preferably means that the sealing edge can be removed from the suction cup as needed with or without an external auxiliary device, i.e. without tools or at least essentially without tools, wherein preferably both the sealing edge and the suction cup remain undamaged during the disassembly process and can therefore be used multiple times.

[0013] Furthermore, it is particularly preferred if the sealing edge is a flexible, initially flat strip, preferably a flat sheet metal strip, which, after contour cutting, can be bent appropriately around the free front opening of the suction cup and secured thereto, ideally with the aid of magnetic forces. This allows the sealing edge to be manufactured in a simple and cost-effective manner, and also allows it to be removed from the suction cup and reattached to the suction cup just as easily.

[0014] Furthermore, it is preferred that the injection bell and / or the injection device is pivotable within the suction bell 6.

[0015] During assembly line cleaning with, for example, a robotic arm or a one-dimensional sliding arm, the suction cup can be pressed against the workpiece to be cleaned during the teach-in process to ensure the best possible seal. This eliminates the need to consider the spray device once the suction cup is in contact with the surface to be cleaned. The spray cup and spray device can thus be optimally aligned to precisely target the area to be cleaned.

[0016] Furthermore, it is particularly preferred if the spraying device is supplied with spray fluid through a pipe that is guided through a side wall of the suction bell and a side wall of the spray bell into the interior of the spray bell. This way, the pipe does not impede suction and can be part of the pivot axis of the spray bell. Furthermore, this offers the possibility of moving the spray bell transversely within the suction bell and thus adjusting it.

[0017] Further possible embodiments, modes of operation and advantages emerge from the dependent claims and / or the following description of the embodiment and / or from the figures. LIST OF FIGURES The Fig. 1 shows a spray cleaning device according to the invention without a sealing edge or sealing element in a three-dimensional view. The Fig. 2 shows a spray cleaning device according to the invention without a sealing edge or sealing element in a sectional plan view. The Fig. 3 shows a spray cleaning device according to the invention with a sealing edge in the form of a metal sheet strip roughly adapted to the topography of the material to be cleaned in a three-dimensional view. The Fig. 4 shows the spray cleaning device according to the invention from Fig. 3 with a sealing element in the form of an elastomer hollow bead in three-dimensional view. The Fig. 5 shows a spray cleaning device according to the invention with a sealing edge in the form of a metal sheet strip precisely adapted to the topography of the material to be cleaned in a three-dimensional view. The Fig. 6 shows a spray cleaning device according to the invention with a sealing element in the form of a contour gauge seal in a three-dimensional view. The Fig. 7 shows analogous to Fig. 6 the spray cleaning device according to the invention with contour gauge seal in the starting position - before adapting the contour gauge seal to the topography of the material to be cleaned - in three-dimensional view. The Fig. 8 shows a spray cleaning device according to the invention without a sealing edge or sealing element in a sectional side view with the spray bell pivoted to the upper stop. The Fig. 9 shows a spray cleaning device according to the invention without a sealing edge or sealing element in a sectional side view with the spray bell pivoted to the lower stop. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] First show Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shows a spray cleaning device 1 according to the invention without a sealing edge or sealing element. The spray cleaning device 1 comprises a spray bell 3, which is surrounded by the suction bell 6. The spray bell 3 in question is preferably substantially completely surrounded by the suction bell 6, so that the entire spray bell 3 is received by the suction bell 6 - and also in any pivoting position of the spray bell 3 preferably does not protrude beyond the free front opening of the suction bell 6 (see Fig. 8 and Fig. 9). Individual attachments of the injection bell, such as the axle stub 12, can and must even partially protrude from the suction bell 6; however, not from the free front opening 4 of the suction bell 6.

[0019] The spray bell 3 also preferably completely surrounds the spray device 5, which discharges the fluid jet onto the material to be cleaned. This spray device 5 preferably also comprises a curved connecting pipe, which is preferably curved at a 90° angle. The spray device 5 is also preferably connected to a further pipe 11, which preferably protrudes at least partially from the suction bell 6. The spray device 5 is preferably supplied with spray fluid (also: cleaning fluid) through this pipe 11, which is guided through a side wall of the suction bell 6 and a side wall of the spray bell 3 into the interior of the spray bell 3. The container with cleaning fluid or the apparatus for supplying the spray device 5 with cleaning fluid has been omitted from the figures shown.

[0020] The spray bell 3 surrounds the suction bell 6 in such a way that a gap - usually in the form of an annular gap 2 - is formed between the spray bell 3 and the suction bell 6. Used spray fluid is sucked out of the area to be cleaned via this gap or annular gap 2 after it has hit the area therefrom. For this purpose, a connection piece 16 for the spray fluid suction line is preferably attached to the suction bell 6. The complete suction system is again not shown in the figures for the sake of clarity. However, it is connected to the connection piece 16. The connection piece 16 is preferably attached to the end of the suction bell 6 facing away from the free end of the bells.

[0021] The annular gap 2 mentioned is preferably a circumferentially endless gap. However, it should be emphasized that this gap – especially in the most extreme pivoting positions (injection bell 3 abuts the suction bell 6 at the bottom or top) – can also be temporarily designed as a non-circumferentially closed gap (compare Fig. 8 and Fig. 9).

[0022] As mentioned, the injection bell 3 and / or the injection device 5 is pivotable within the suction bell 6. This results in an adjustability of the fluid jet F. It is preferred that the said tube 11, together with a separately formed axle stub 12, forms the pivot axis 14 of the injection bell 3. The pivot position is preferably adjusted by the suction bell 6 carrying two position adjustment screws 15 - preferably in a plane perpendicular to the imaginary plane containing the pivot axis 14 of the injection bell 3. These position adjustment screws 15 are preferably held adjustably in the casing of the suction bell 6 by means of weld nuts 17. The weld nuts 17 are preferably attached directly to the casing of the suction bell 6, and the position adjustment screws 15 are screwed in and unscrewed further in the direction of the injection bell 3 depending on the desired pivot position.The position adjustment screws 15 preferably have direct contact with the casing of the injection bell 3, whereby the latter is pivoted about the pivot axis 14. The position adjustment screws 15 are preferably mounted opposite one another in the casing of the suction bell 6. The preferred screw-in depth of the position adjustment screws 15 in the two extreme pivot positions can be determined by the . Fig. 8 and the Fig. 9 can be found.

[0023] It is also preferred that the suction cup 6 has a window in the passage area of ​​the pipe 11, within which the said pipe 11 can be secured in different positions. This window is not shown in the figures for clarity; however, it is a cutout in the casing of the suction cup 6. This cutout or window is located below the plate 18. The pipe 11 preferably has an external thread with two threaded nuts 19 and ideally a plate 18 in front of and behind the window. The threaded nut 19 and also the plate 18, which are attached to the inside of the suction cup 6, are not absolutely necessary, but are preferred. This threaded nut 19 and also this plate 18 are not shown in the figures for clarity. The plates 18 and the threaded nuts 19 together clamp the window reveal between them, thereby sealing the window opening.As mentioned, this can also be achieved using only one plate 18 and one threaded nut 19. Within said window, the pipe 11 and thus the spray device 5 and preferably also the spray bell 3 can be displaced transversely or vertically within the suction bell 6.

[0024] In order to achieve a preferential seal between the suction cup 6 and the surface of the material to be cleaned, the suction cup 6 has a sealing edge 7, preferably in the area of ​​its free front opening 4. This sealing edge 7 is preferably adapted to the topography of the material to be cleaned and is preferably, but not necessarily, designed to be replaceable. Fig. 3 to Fig. 7 show various preferred embodiments of this sealing edge 7, whereby, for clarity, the sealing edge 7 is shown only on one side. According to the invention, the sealing edge 7 is, of course, designed to be circumferential.

[0025] In general, the sealing edge 7 can be designed as a flexible, initially flat strip - in some cases also as a strip that can be removed as required - and preferably as a flat sheet metal strip. However, it can also be an integral, one-piece component of the suction cup, which is advantageous where work is required in confined spaces with the smallest possible suction cup. This is then preferably applied after contour cutting (analogous to the topography of the material to be cleaned) or, by appropriate bending, placed around the free front opening 4 of the suction cup 6 and secured thereto. A sheet metal strip adapted in a specific way to the topography of the material to be cleaned is available in Fig. 3. It is used to accommodate an elastic seal, as Fig. 4. Its course is designed taking into account the contour-following capability of the elastomer seal and is constructed in such a way that the elastomer seal can better adhere to the topography of the material to be cleaned, compared to its installation along a straight edge.

[0026] A metal sheet strip adapted more precisely to the topography of the material to be cleaned as a sealing edge 7 is in Fig. 5. Ideally, the contour against which the sealing edge is to rest was cut out using a laser, preferably by more than + / - 10 mm or ideally 15 mm in the direction in which the suction cup is advanced against the workpiece to be cleaned. The edge of the suction cup essentially follows the topography of the object to be cleaned in a lifelike manner in order to form a gap seal. The installation of an elastic seal, which would then at least predominantly form a contact seal, is not provided for in this embodiment. Of course, the contour is usually not cut out just on one side of the suction cup, as shown here as an example, but usually all around. This also applies to the alternative embodiments.

[0027] The sealing edge 7 can also carry a sealing element in the form of an elastomer hollow bead 10, which in Fig. 4. For this purpose, it is preferable if the sealing edge 7 has been previously adapted to the topography of the material to be cleaned, taking into account the contour-following capability of the respective elastic seal. In particular, the elastomer seal is not required to make any sharp changes in direction that it is unable to handle. In many cases, this will lead to a so-called mixed seal by the elastomer seal: Preferably, the elastomer seal functions as a contact seal over the majority of its length, and in areas with sharp, overtaxing changes in direction, it functions only as a gap seal.

[0028] This elastomer hollow bead 10, which preferably forms the elastic seal here, is ideally designed in the manner of an edge protector, which in Fig. 4. As a rule, such a sealing element has a slot provided with a retaining means for inserting the sealing element onto the sealing edge 7 of the suction cup 6. The hollow elastomer bead 10 shown is preferably designed to be flexible enough to follow a meandering course of the sealing edge 7, preferably for the purpose of approximating the topography of the area to be cleaned.

[0029] In addition, the sealing edge 7 of the suction cup 6 or the edge of the free front opening 4 of the suction cup 6 can have a sealing element in the form of a contour gauge seal 8, which is particularly preferred because it results in a self-optimizing or at least self-adjusting gap seal. This contour gauge seal consists of a number of individually longitudinally displaceable material strips 9 - usually in the form of metal strips or metal needles. These material strips 9 adapt to the contour of the section of the material to be cleaned. A contour gauge seal 8 adapted in this way is Fig. 6. The initial state of the not yet adjusted contour gauge seal 8 is shown in Fig. 7 shown.

[0030] It is important that the individual metal strips or metal needles are designed to be resistant to bending moments, so that they do not bend significantly inward under the suction pressure (= partial vacuum) prevailing inside the suction cup. At the same time, it may be advisable to provide the individual strips with tongue and groove contours or other "labyrinth gap formers" on the surfaces where they (adjacently) touch each other to minimize the amount of air sucked in through the contact area of ​​neighboring strips. MISCELLANEOUS

[0031] Protection is also claimed for a method for spray cleaning an uneven or jagged local section of a material to be cleaned, comprising the following steps: - Scanning the topography of the material to be cleaned, which is relevant for sealing the system-associated suction cup 6, - calculating the contour of the sealing edge 7 of a suction cup 6 (ideally with a shape accuracy of predominantly or essentially + / - 3 mm, better + / - 1.25 mm, even better + / - 0.75 mm) or - calculating therefrom an approximate contour of the sealing edge 7 of a suction cup 6, taking into account the contour tracking capability of the elastic sealing element intended for use, such that the sealing element can be mounted along the entire sealing edge 7, - and based thereon, trimming, in particular laser cutting, or machining of the sealing edge 7 so that it has the contour intended for the suction cup. - Place the suction cup against the topographical area of ​​the material to be cleaned which is relevant for its sealing, - Spraying the area to be cleaned with spray fluid while extracting the used spray material. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 1 spray cleaning device 2 Annular gap 3 spray bell 4 Free front opening of the suction cup 5 Spraying device 6 suction cup 7 Sealing edge 8 Contour gauge seal 9 material strips 10 elastomer hollow bead 11 pipe 12 axle stubs 13 not assigned 14 Swivel axis of the spray bell 15 Position adjustment screw 16 connecting pieces 17 Weld-on nut 18 plate 19 Threaded nut F Fluid jet

Claims

[1] Spray cleaning device (1) for cleaning a local section of a material to be cleaned by spraying it with a fluid jet (F) and removing the used cleaning fluid by suction, characterized by that the spray cleaning device (1) has a spray bell (3) with at least one spray device (5) arranged therein and spraying over the free end face of the spray bell (3) and a suction bell (6) surrounding the spray bell (3) in such a way that a gap, usually in the form of an annular gap (2), is formed between the spray bell (3) and the suction bell (6), through which used spray fluid can be sucked out of the area to be cleaned after it has hit it. [2] Spray cleaning device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the suction cup (6) has a sealing edge (7) in the area of its free front opening (4) which is adapted to the topography of the material to be cleaned. [3] Spray cleaning device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the sealing edge (7) which the suction cup (6) has in the area of its free front opening (4) is replaceable. [4] Spray cleaning device (1) according to claim 2, characterized by that the sealing edge (7) is a flexible, initially flat strip and preferably a flat metal sheet strip which, after contour cutting, can be placed around the free end opening (4) of the suction cup (6) by appropriate bending and can be fixed to it, preferably with the aid of magnetic forces. [5] Spray cleaning device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the sealing edge (7) of the suction cup (6), or the edge of the free front opening (4) of the suction cup (6), carries a sealing element in the form of a contour gauge seal (8), wherein the contour gauge seal (8) consists of a number of individually longitudinally displaceable material strips (9) - usually in the form of metal strips or metal needles - which adapt to the contour of the section of the material to be cleaned against which the suction cup (6) is delivered. [6] Spray cleaning device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the sealing edge (7) carries a sealing element in the form of a solid elastomer bead or hollow elastomer bead (10) or an elastomer lip, which is ideally designed in the manner of an edge protector, i.e. has a slot, usually provided with a retaining means, for inserting the sealing element onto the sealing edge (7) of the suction cup (6). [7] Spray cleaning device (1) according to the immediately preceding claim, characterized by that the elastomer solid bead or elastomer hollow bead (10) or the elastomer lip are designed to be so flexible that they can follow a meandering course of the sealing edge (7), preferably for the purpose of approaching the topography of the area to be cleaned. [8] Spray cleaning device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the spray bell (3) and / or the spray device (5) can be pivoted within the suction bell (6). [9] Spray cleaning device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the spraying device (5) is supplied with spray fluid through a pipe (11) which is guided through a side wall of the suction bell (6) and a side wall of the spray bell (3) into the interior of the spray bell (3). [10] Spray cleaning device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat said tube (11) together with a separately formed axle stub (12) forms the pivot axis (14) of the injection bell (3). [11] Spray cleaning device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the suction bell (6) has a window in the passage area of the said pipe (11) for supplying the spraying device (5) with spray fluid, within which window the said pipe (11) can be fixed in different positions, preferably in that the pipe (11) has an external thread with two threaded nuts (19), and ideally in front of and behind the window carries a plate (18), preferably designed as a sheet metal plate, which together can hold the window reveal clamped between them and seal the window opening. [12] Spray cleaning device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the suction bell (6) carries two position adjustment screws (15), preferably in a plane perpendicular to the imaginary plane containing the pivot axis (14) of the injection bell (3), which are preferably held adjustably in the casing of the suction bell (6) by means of weld nuts (17) or blind rivet nuts. [13] Spray cleaning device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the connection piece (16) for the spray fluid suction line is mounted on the end face of the suction bell (6) facing away from the free end face of the bells (3, 6). [14] Spray cleaning system consisting of a 3D scanner for scanning the topography of the material to be cleaned which is relevant for sealing the system-associated suction cup (6), with a computing unit which determines therefrom the exact contour of a sealing edge (7) of the suction cup (6) and a cutting unit which cuts the exact contour in the sealing edge (7) or which determines therefrom an approximate contour of a sealing edge (7) of the suction cup (6), which a sealing element encompassing the sealing edge (7) can essentially follow. [15] Method for spray cleaning an uneven or jagged local section of a material to be cleaned, comprising the following steps: - Scanning the topography of the material to be cleaned, which is relevant for sealing the system-associated suction cup (6), - calculating the contour of the sealing edge (7) of a suction cup (6) or - calculating therefrom an approximate contour of the sealing edge (7) of a suction cup (6), taking into account the contour tracking capability of the elastic sealing element intended for use, such that the sealing element can be mounted along the entire sealing edge (7), - and based on this, trimming or machining the sealing edge (7) so that it has the intended contour.

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