Cleaning system and cleaning process for coated components

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a cleaning system (100) for coated components, comprising: - a conveying arrangement (110) configured to move a cleaning belt (RB) along a conveying direction (FR), wherein the coated components can be arranged on the cleaning belt (RB); and - a rotating device (120) arranged above the cleaning belt (RB) and rotatable about a rotational axis (RA), wherein the rotating device (120) comprises at least one blade element (122) configured to move the coated components on the cleaning belt (RB) by rotating the at least one blade element (122) relative to the cleaning belt (RB) in order to partially remove a coating material from the coated components.

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cleaning system for coated components and a cleaning process for coated components. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an automatic sleeve cleaning system. State of the art

[0002] Dowel pins are essential components for the precise alignment and fixing of parts. To protect the pins from corrosion, they are typically coated with a protective layer. However, this protective layer, combined with the low weight of the dowel pins, significantly impairs their sliding properties on vibratory conveyor belts used for automated feeding in a production process.

[0003] The increased adhesion and blockage behavior of the dowel sleeves causes operational disruptions that jeopardize the continuous material supply to the production facilities. In practice, this leads to significant disruptions, requiring employees to spend considerable working time manually cleaning the dowel sleeves or troubleshooting malfunctions in the equipment and restoring its sliding properties as quickly as possible. Disclosure of the invention

[0004] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a cleaning system and a cleaning method for coated components that enable the reliable and automatic partial removal of a component coating. In particular, it is a purpose of this disclosure to ensure the feeding of components in a production process.

[0005] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0006] According to an independent aspect of the present disclosure, a cleaning system for coated components, in particular dowel pins, is specified. The cleaning system comprises: - a conveying arrangement configured to move a cleaning belt along a conveying direction, wherein the coated components can be arranged on the cleaning belt; and - a rotating device arranged above the cleaning belt and rotatable about an axis of rotation, wherein the rotating device comprises at least one blade element configured to move the coated components on the cleaning belt by rotating the at least one blade element relative to or over the cleaning belt in order to partially remove a coating material from the coated components.

[0007] According to the invention, the coated components are additionally set in motion by the rotating device on a moving cleaning belt. The rotation on the cleaning belt and the moving belt gently remove the coating, simultaneously polishing and improving the lubricity of the components. In particular, the coating can be reduced to a minimum without being completely removed, so that the components remain protected against corrosion, for example, while their lubricity is improved. As a result, a reliable feed of components into a production process can be ensured, and personnel requirements can be reduced.

[0008] Preferably, the coated components include, or are, dowel pins, such as dowel pins coated with a preservative layer. Dowel pins are precision-manufactured, cylindrical components used to precisely align or fix two or more components relative to each other. They are frequently used in mechanical engineering, automotive engineering, or other industrial applications to ensure accurate positioning of components. Typically, they are made of metal or plastic and are inserted into bores to precisely center bolts, screws, or shafts.

[0009] Preferably, the coated components, in particular the fitting sleeves, comprise a magnetic material, such as a diamagnetic or ferromagnetic material, or consist of the magnetic material.

[0010] Preferably, the conveying arrangement includes a drive, such as a motor, which is set up to move the cleaning belt along the conveying direction.

[0011] Preferably, the conveying direction is a substantially horizontal direction.

[0012] Preferably, the conveying arrangement is configured to move the cleaning belt essentially linearly along the conveying direction.

[0013] Preferably, the conveying arrangement comprises a support, a first conveying roller, and a second conveying roller, wherein the first conveying roller and the second conveying roller are arranged on opposite sides of the support, and wherein the first conveying roller and the second conveying roller are configured to move or guide the cleaning belt along the conveying direction over the support. In particular, the support can be a stationary plate arranged substantially horizontally, over which the cleaning belt moves from one side of the support to the other.

[0014] Preferably, the first and second conveyor rollers are cylindrical rollers rotatably mounted about their respective axes of rotation. Typically, these axes of rotation are essentially horizontal.

[0015] The term "horizontal" is to be understood in contrast to "vertical." The term "horizontal" refers specifically to a horizontal orientation, for example, of surfaces or axes, whereby a deviation of a few degrees, e.g., up to 5° or even up to 10°, from a precise horizontal orientation is still considered "essentially horizontal." The vertical direction can be essentially parallel to gravity.

[0016] Preferably, the conveying arrangement comprises a disentanglement roller for the cleaning belt and a rewinding roller for the cleaning belt. This allows the cleaning belt to run from the disentanglement roller to the first conveying roller, across the storage area, to the second conveying roller, and then to the rewinding roller.

[0017] Preferably, the unwind roller and / or the rewind roller are arranged below the support. For example, the unwind roller can be arranged (e.g., substantially vertically) below the first conveyor roller, and the rewind roller can be arranged (e.g., substantially vertically) below the second conveyor roller. This allows the first and second conveyor rollers to act as deflection rollers, ensuring that the cleaning belt is guided substantially horizontally across the system.

[0018] Preferably, the cleaning system further comprises a magnetic arrangement positioned to apply a magnetic force to the coated components arranged on the cleaning belt, in order to hold, press, or squeeze the coated components against the cleaning belt. This makes it possible to reliably and efficiently remove the coating even from components with a low weight, so that the components are simultaneously polished and made more slippery.

[0019] Preferably, the magnet arrangement is arranged on the support and / or in the support and / or below the support.

[0020] Preferably, the magnet arrangement comprises a plurality of individual magnets, such as a plurality of permanent magnets.

[0021] Preferably, the conveying arrangement is configured to continuously move the cleaning belt while the rotation of at least one paddle element partially removes the coating material from the coated components. The continuous conveying of the cleaning belt gently removes the coating from the components, simultaneously polishing and improving their lubricity.

[0022] Preferably, the cleaning belt comprises, or is, a fleece, in particular a cleaning fleece. A cleaning fleece is a material intended for cleaning, polishing, and / or surface treatment. A cleaning fleece consists, for example, of synthetic fibers such as nylon, woven together and optionally coated with abrasive particles.

[0023] Preferably, the abrasive material, especially the cleaning abrasive, is dry. In other words, the abrasive material cannot contain any damp or wet cleaning agent. This helps ensure that the coating is only partially removed from the components, without being completely abraded.

[0024] Preferably, the rotating device comprises a drive, such as a motor, which is configured to rotate the at least one blade element around the axis of rotation.

[0025] Preferably, the axis of rotation of the rotating device is essentially perpendicular to the conveying direction of the cleaning belt and / or to a surface of the support of the conveying arrangement and / or to a surface of the cleaning belt.

[0026] The term "perpendicular" refers to an essentially perpendicular alignment, e.g., of axes or directions, whereby a deviation of a few degrees, e.g., up to 5° or even up to 10°, from an exact perpendicular alignment is still considered an "essentially perpendicular alignment." Similarly, the term "parallel" refers to an essentially parallel alignment, e.g., of axes or directions, whereby a deviation of a few degrees, e.g., up to 5° or even up to 10°, from an exact parallel alignment is still considered an "essentially parallel alignment."

[0027] Preferably, at least one blade element is attached to an axis rotatable about the axis of rotation and acts on the components to be moved through the rotational movement.

[0028] Preferably, at least one blade element protrudes radially from or in front of the axis of rotation or the rotatable axis.

[0029] Preferably, the at least one blade element comprises a plurality of blade elements. The plurality of blade elements can project radially from the axis of rotation of the rotating device.

[0030] Preferably, the multitude of blade elements form a paddle wheel.

[0031] Preferably, the rotating device comprises a housing with an interior space in which at least one blade element is arranged.

[0032] Preferably, one underside of the housing is open and faces the cleaning belt, so that the coated components are held inside the housing during the rotation of the at least one blade element.

[0033] Preferably, a gap is provided between the underside of the housing and the cleaning belt, which is smaller than a minimum dimension of the coated components. This ensures that the housing and the cleaning belt do not contact each other while the coated components are held inside the housing during the rotation of the at least one blade element.

[0034] Preferably, the interior of the housing is essentially cylindrical. For example, the cylindrical interior can correspond to the shape of the impeller, so that the coated components are efficiently moved within the interior of the housing during the rotation of the at least one blade element.

[0035] Preferably, the rotating device is movably arranged so that the coated components can be inserted into the cleaning system. For example, the rotating device, in particular the housing, can be mounted so that it can be tilted and / or rotatably mounted on one side (e.g., by means of at least one hinge), so that a space between the rotating device and the cleaning belt is accessible.

[0036] According to another independent aspect of the present disclosure, a cleaning method for coated components, in particular dowel pins, is specified. The cleaning method comprises: - Arranging the coated components on a cleaning belt; - Moving the cleaning belt along a conveying direction by a conveying arrangement; and - Rotating a rotating device arranged above the cleaning belt about an axis of rotation, wherein the rotating device comprises at least one blade element which moves the coated components on the cleaning belt by rotating the at least one blade element relative to or over the cleaning belt in order to partially remove a coating material from the coated components.

[0037] The cleaning process can implement the aspects of the cleaning system described in this document. Brief description of the drawings

[0038] Examples of the manifestation of the revelation are shown in the figures and are described in more detail below. They show: Fig. 1 schematically a cleaning system for coated components according to embodiments of the present disclosure, Fig. 2 schematically a rotary device of a cleaning system for coated components according to embodiments of the present disclosure, and Fig. 3 a flowchart of a cleaning process for coated components according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Implementations of the revelation

[0039] Unless otherwise noted, the same reference symbols are used for identical and equivalent elements in the following.

[0040] Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a cleaning system 100 for coated components according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows a rotary device 120 of the cleaning system 100.

[0041] The cleaning system 100 comprises a conveying arrangement 110 configured to move a cleaning belt RB along a conveying direction FR, wherein the coated components can be arranged on the cleaning belt RB; and a rotation device 120 arranged above the cleaning belt RB and rotatable about a rotation axis RA, wherein the rotation device 120 comprises at least one blade element 122 configured to move the coated components on the cleaning belt RB by rotating the at least one blade element 122 relative to or over the cleaning belt RB in order to partially remove a coating material from the coated components.

[0042] The cleaning system 100 can be designed to receive a complete batch of coated components in their delivered state. After a preset time, the treated components can then be automatically returned to their container. This allows an employee to efficiently and quickly refill an assembly line without the need for additional manual cleaning or maintenance of the assembly machine.

[0043] In some embodiments, coated components are fitted sleeves coated with a preservation layer; however, the present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0044] The conveying arrangement 110 can include a drive, such as a motor, which is set up to move the cleaning belt RB along the conveying direction FR.

[0045] The conveying direction FR is essentially a horizontal direction, with the cleaning belt RB moving essentially linearly along the horizontal conveying direction FR.

[0046] In some embodiments, the conveying arrangement 110 comprises a support 112, a first conveying roller 114a, and a second conveying roller 114b, wherein the first conveying roller 114a and the second conveying roller 114b are arranged on opposite sides of the support 112, and wherein the first conveying roller 114a and the second conveying roller 114b are configured to move or guide the cleaning belt RB along the conveying direction FR over the support 112. In particular, the support 112 can be a stationary plate arranged substantially horizontally, over which the cleaning belt RB moves from one side to the other of the support 112.

[0047] The first conveyor roller 114a and the second conveyor roller 114b can be cylindrical rollers rotatably mounted about their respective axes of rotation DA1 and DA2. Typically, the axes of rotation DA1 and DA2 are essentially horizontal.

[0048] In some embodiments, the conveying arrangement 110 further comprises an unwinding roller 116a for the cleaning belt RB and a winding roller 116b for the cleaning belt RB. This allows the cleaning belt RB to run from the unwinding roller 116a to the first conveying roller 114a, via the storage tray 112, to the second conveying roller 114b and then to the winding roller 116b.

[0049] In some embodiments, the unwind roller 116a and / or the rewind roller 116b are arranged below the support 112. For example, the unwind roller 116a can be arranged (e.g., substantially vertically) below the first conveyor roller 114a, and the rewind roller 116b can be arranged (e.g., substantially vertically) below the second conveyor roller 114b. This allows the first conveyor roller 114a and the second conveyor roller 114b to serve as deflection rollers, so that the cleaning belt RB is guided substantially horizontally over the system 112.

[0050] In some embodiments, the conveying arrangement 110 is configured to continuously move the cleaning belt RB, while the rotation of the at least one blade element 122 serves to partially remove the coating material from the coated components. The continuous conveying of the cleaning belt RB gently removes the coating from the components, simultaneously polishing and smoothing them.

[0051] The cleaning belt RB can comprise or be a fleece, in particular a cleaning fleece. In some embodiments, the fleece, in particular the cleaning fleece, is dry. In other words, the fleece cannot contain a moist or wet cleaning agent. This helps to ensure that the coating is only partially removed from the components, without being completely abraded.

[0052] The rotating device comprises a drive, such as a motor, configured to rotate the at least one blade element 122 about the axis of rotation RA. The axis of rotation RA of the rotating device 120 can be substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction FR of the cleaning belt RB and / or to a surface of the support 112 of the conveying arrangement 110 and / or to a surface of the cleaning belt RB.

[0053] The at least one blade element 122 is attached to an axis rotatable about the axis of rotation and acts on the components to be moved through the rotational movement. In particular, the at least one blade element 122 can project radially from or outward from the axis of rotation RA or the rotatable axis.

[0054] In some embodiments, the at least one blade element 122 comprises a plurality of blade elements. The plurality of blade elements can project radially from the axis of rotation RA of the rotating device 120 and, for example, form a turbine wheel.

[0055] In some embodiments, the rotating device 120 comprises a housing 124 with an interior IR in which the at least one blade element 122 is arranged. A bottom surface US of the housing 124 can be open and face the cleaning belt RB, so that the coated components are held in the interior IR of the housing 124 during the rotation of the at least one blade element 122.

[0056] A gap smaller than a minimum dimension of the coated components may exist between the underside US of the housing 124 and the cleaning belt RB. This ensures that the housing 124 and the cleaning belt RB do not contact each other while the coated components are held inside the housing IR during the rotation of the at least one blade element 122.

[0057] The interior IR of the housing 124 can be essentially cylindrical. For example, the cylindrical interior can correspond to the shape of the impeller, so that the coated components are efficiently moved within the interior IR of the housing 124 during the rotation of the impeller.

[0058] In some embodiments, the rotating device 120 is movably arranged so that the coated components can be inserted into the cleaning system 100. For example, the rotating device 120, in particular the housing 124, can be mounted to tilt and / or be rotatably mounted on one side (e.g. by means of at least one hinge 126), so that a space between the rotating device 120 and the cleaning belt RB is accessible.

[0059] In some embodiments, the cleaning system 100 further comprises a magnetic arrangement (not shown) positioned to apply a magnetic force to the coated components arranged on the cleaning belt RB, in order to hold, press, or squeeze the coated components against the cleaning belt RB. This makes it possible to reliably and efficiently remove the coating even from components with a low weight, so that the components are simultaneously polished and made lubricious.

[0060] The magnet arrangement can be arranged on the surface 112 and / or in the surface 112 and / or below the surface 112, but the present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0061] In some embodiments, the magnet arrangement comprises a multitude of individual magnets, such as a multitude of permanent magnets.

[0062] Fig.Figure 3 schematically shows a flowchart of a cleaning process 300 for coated components according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0063] The cleaning method 300 comprises, in block 310, arranging the coated components on a cleaning belt; in block 320, moving the cleaning belt along a conveying direction by means of a conveying arrangement; and in block 330, rotating a rotating device arranged above the cleaning belt about an axis of rotation, wherein the rotating device comprises at least one blade element which moves the coated components on the cleaning belt by rotating the at least one blade element relative to or over the cleaning belt in order to partially remove a coating material from the coated components.

[0064] According to the invention, the coated components are additionally set in motion by the rotating device on a moving cleaning belt. The rotation on the cleaning belt and the moving belt gently remove the coating, simultaneously polishing and improving the lubricity of the components. In particular, the coating can be reduced to a minimum without being completely removed, so that the components remain protected against corrosion, for example, while their lubricity is improved. As a result, a reliable feed of components into a production process can be ensured, and personnel requirements can be reduced.

[0065] Although the invention has been further illustrated and explained in detail by means of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations can be derived from them by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the invention. It is therefore clear that a multitude of possible variations exist. It is also clear that the embodiments mentioned as examples are truly only examples and are not to be understood in any way as limiting, for example, the scope of protection, the possible applications, or the configuration of the invention.Rather, the preceding description and the description of the figures enable the person skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments in concrete terms, whereby the person skilled in the art, with knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept, can make various changes, for example with regard to the function or the arrangement of individual elements mentioned in an exemplary embodiment, without leaving the scope of protection defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanations in the description.

Claims

[1] Cleaning system (100) for coated components, comprising - a conveying arrangement (110) configured to move a cleaning belt (RB) along a conveying direction (FR), wherein the coated components can be arranged on the cleaning belt (RB); and - a rotating device (120) arranged above the cleaning belt (RB) and rotatable about a rotational axis (RA), wherein the rotating device (120) comprises at least one blade element (122) configured to move the coated components on the cleaning belt (RB) by rotating the at least one blade element (122) relative to the cleaning belt (RB) in order to partially remove a coating material from the coated components. [2] Cleaning system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the coated fitting sleeves are, in particular fitting sleeves coated with a preservative layer. [3] Cleaning system (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the conveying arrangement (110) comprises a support (112), a first conveying roller (114a) and a second conveying roller (114b), wherein the first conveying roller (114a) and the second conveying roller (114b) are arranged on opposite sides of the support (112), and wherein the first conveying roller (114a) and the second conveying roller (114b) are configured to move or guide the cleaning belt (RB) along the conveying direction (FR) over the support (112). [4] Cleaning system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a magnet arrangement which is positioned to apply a magnetic force to the coated components arranged on the cleaning belt (RB) in order to hold or press the coated components against the cleaning belt (RB), in particular wherein the magnet arrangement is arranged on the support (112) and / or in the support (112) and / or below the support (112). [5] Cleaning system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the conveying arrangement (110) is configured to continuously move the cleaning belt (RB) while the rotation of the at least one blade element (122) is carried out to partially remove the coating material from the coated components. [6] Cleaning system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cleaning belt (RB) comprises or is a fleece. [7] Cleaning system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the axis of rotation (RA) of the rotation device (120) is substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction (FR) of the cleaning belt (RB). [8] Cleaning system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one blade element (122) comprises a plurality of blade elements, in particular wherein the plurality of blade elements form a paddle wheel. [9] Cleaning system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the rotation device (120) comprises a housing (124) with an interior (IR) in which the at least one blade element (122) is arranged, wherein a bottom side (US) of the housing (124) is open and faces the cleaning belt (RB), so that the coated components are held in the interior (IR) of the housing (124) during the rotation of the at least one blade element (122), in particular wherein the interior (IR) is substantially cylindrical. [10] Cleaning method (300) for coated components, comprising: - Arranging the coated components on a cleaning belt (RB); - Moving (320) the cleaning belt (RB) along a conveying direction (FR) by a conveying arrangement (110); and - Rotating (330) a rotating device (120) arranged above the cleaning belt (RB) about an axis of rotation (RA), wherein the rotating device (120) comprises at least one blade element (122) which moves the coated components on the cleaning belt (RB) by rotating the at least one blade element (122) relative to the cleaning belt (RB) in order to partially remove a coating material from the coated components.

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