Device for the collective treatment of surfaces of a large number of objects

Abstract

Device (1) for the collective treatment of surfaces of a plurality of objects comprising a receiving device (2) with a drum (6) having a receiving chamber (8) formed by a bottom wall (14) and a circumferential wall (15) for receiving objects to be treated, which is accessible through an upper drum opening (7), a drum receptacle (9) into which the drum (6) can be inserted, a drive device (10) designed to drive the drum (6) inserted into the drum receptacle (9) in a rotating or wobbling manner about an axis of rotation (X) relative to the drum receptacle (9), and a pivoting device (11) receiving the drum receptacle (9) which is designed to arrange the drum receptacle (9) in different pivoting positions by pivoting about a pivot axis (S), wherein the drum (6) has at least one driver (17, 18) designed for circulating objects received in the receiving chamber (8) in the form of an elongated,in the receiving space (8) has a projection which has at least one driver section (17a, 18) arranged on the circumferential wall (15) or consists of one which, when viewing the drum (6) in a side view, extends at least partially transversely to the axis of rotation (X).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for the collective treatment of surfaces of a plurality of objects.

[0002] Such devices are generally known. They are primarily used to simultaneously clean, roughen, or otherwise treat the surfaces of a large number of components. A device known from EP 3 932 572 A1 comprises a receiving unit that defines a receiving chamber into which the components to be treated are placed in loose bulk. Furthermore, an irradiation unit is provided to irradiate the components located in the receiving chamber with laser radiation. The components to be irradiated are mixed by moving the receiving unit as a whole or a drum of the receiving unit that holds the bulk material.

[0003] However, it has been shown that moving the entire receiving unit or rotating the drum does not ensure sufficient circulation and / or mixing of the bulk material. Therefore, depending on the type and / or quantity of the bulk material, only inadequate treatment results are achieved. The use of drums with integrated agitators designed to circulate objects within the receiving chamber—in the form of elongated projections extending into the chamber and parallel to the axis of rotation when viewed from the side—has also proven ineffective. This is because such agitators primarily prevent the bulk material from slipping through during drum rotation. They contribute little to proper circulation and mixing.

[0004] Against this background, the present application is based on the task of creating a device for the collective treatment of surfaces of a large number of objects of the type mentioned above with an improved design.

[0005] To solve this problem, the present invention provides a device for the collective treatment of surfaces of a plurality of objects, comprising a receiving device with a drum having a receiving chamber formed by a bottom wall and a circumferential wall for receiving objects to be treated, which is accessible through an upper drum opening, a drum receptacle into which the drum can be inserted, a drive device designed to drive the drum inserted into the drum receptacle in a rotating or wobbling manner about an axis of rotation relative to the drum receptacle, and a pivoting device receiving the drum receptacle, which is designed to arrange the drum receptacle in different pivoting positions by pivoting about a pivot axis, wherein the drum has at least one driver designed for circulating objects received in the receiving chamber in the form of an elongated,The drum has a projection extending into the receiving space, which includes at least one drive section arranged on the circumferential wall or consists of such a section which, viewed from the side, extends at least partially transversely to the axis of rotation. It has been shown that with such drive sections, both a very uniform circulation and a very uniform mixing of objects arranged in the receiving space of the drum can be achieved, resulting in very good and uniform treatment of the object surfaces, especially when using a laser beam or similar device directed into the receiving space. In this way, a very good working result is achieved.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one driver section arranged on the circumferential wall of at least one driver extends in a straight line.

[0007] Preferably, the at least one drive element section arranged on the circumferential wall of at least one drive element extends in an arc-shaped and / or crescent shape and / or has at least one section bent at an angle. This results in even better circulation.

[0008] At least one driver can have, in addition to the driver section arranged on the circumferential wall, a driver section arranged on the bottom wall.

[0009] The drive section arranged on the bottom wall preferably extends from the circumferential wall in the direction of the axis of rotation and ends in particular at a distance from it.

[0010] Preferably, several drivers are provided, which improves the rotation of objects recorded in the recording space.

[0011] Advantageously, the drive lugs are arranged in a repeating pattern, evenly distributed around the drum when viewed from above. The segments of the drive lugs forming the repeating pattern are thus identical. Alternatively, the drive lugs can be arranged with an uneven distribution around the drum. The shape of the drive lugs can be identical or different in both the case of a repeating pattern and in the case of an uneven distribution. Likewise, the positions of the drive lugs can vary.

[0012] The drive lugs, viewed from the side, can point in the same direction or in different directions, or be wedge-shaped.

[0013] The drive lugs can have different heights.

[0014] The floor wall can be flat or curved towards the recording room.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the receiving chamber is conically tapered in the lower area towards the bottom wall.

[0016] Advantageously, the receiving chamber has a constant diameter from a medium height to the drum opening or widens conically. This facilitates the emptying of objects contained in the receiving chamber.

[0017] Preferably, the recording space is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the axis of rotation.

[0018] The swiveling device is advantageously designed to move the drum holder by swiveling it about a pivot axis into a loading position, in which the drum can be inserted vertically from above into the drum holder and removed vertically upwards from it, into a working position, in which the drum holder is tilted relative to the loading position by a first swivel angle to the vertical, which is in particular in a range between 30° and 60°, and optionally into an unloading position, in which the drum opening points downwards in order to empty objects received in the receiving space.

[0019] The device preferably has an irradiation device which is arranged and designed to introduce radiation into the receiving space of the drum received in the drum receiving in the working position of the drum receiving and thus to treat surfaces of the objects received in the receiving space, wherein the irradiation device is in particular held on an articulated robot or on a multi-axis linear system and is movable relative to the receiving device.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the treatment is a surface cleaning and / or surface roughening treatment, in particular of bulk material, preferably metallic bulk material.

[0021] Regarding further embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the following description of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing.

[0022] The drawing shows Fig. 1 a schematic front view of a device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which serves for the collective treatment of surfaces of a plurality of objects, wherein a drum having objects to be processed is inserted into a drum holder which is arranged in a loading position; Fig. 2 a schematic front view of the in Fig. 1 device shown, in which the drum is received in the drum holder; Fig. 3 a schematic front view of the in Fig. 1 device shown during surface treatment, wherein the drum holder is in a working position; Fig. 4 a schematic front view of the in Fig. 1 device shown, wherein the drum holder is in an unloading position; Fig. 5 a side view of a drum according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 a sectional view along line VI-VI in Fig. 5; Fig. 7 a top view of the in Fig. 5 drums shown; Fig. 8 a perspective sectional view of the in Fig. 5 drums shown; Fig. 9 a side view of a drum according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 10 a sectional view along line XX in Fig. 9; Fig. 11 a top view of the in Fig. 9 drums shown; Fig. 12 a side view of a drum according to a third embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 13 a sectional view along line XIII-XIII in Fig. 12; Fig. 14 a top view of the in Fig. 12 drums shown; Fig. 15 a perspective view of the in Fig. 12 drums shown; Fig. 16 a side view of a drum according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 17 a sectional view along line XVII-XVII in Fig. 16; Fig. 18 a side view of a drum according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 19 a sectional view along line XIX in Fig. 18; Fig. 20 a top view of the in Fig. 18 drums shown; Fig. 21 a side view of a drum according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 22 a sectional view along line XXI-XXI in Fig. 21; Fig. 22 a top view of the in Fig. 21 drum shown; Fig. 23 a side view of a drum according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 24 a sectional view along line XXIV-XXIV in Fig. 23; Fig. 25 a top view of the in Fig. 23 drums shown; Fig. 26 a perspective view of the in Fig. 23 shown drum and Fig. 27 a schematic front view of a device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, which serves for the collective treatment of surfaces of a plurality of objects, wherein a drum holder is in a working position.

[0023] The same reference numbers subsequently denote identical or similar components.

[0024] The Fig. Figures 1 to 4 show an embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention for the collective treatment of the surfaces of a plurality of objects. More precisely, the device 1 serves for the surface treatment of bulk materials, particularly metallic ones, in the form of screws, nuts, clips, fittings, or other small parts. The aim of the treatment is, in particular, to clean and / or roughen and / or deburr the object surfaces. The device 1 comprises as its main components a receiving device 2 and an irradiation device 4 held on an articulated robot 3, which are preferably arranged in a protective cabinet or the like, although this is not shown here.

[0025] The receiving device 2 comprises a drum 6, which forms a receiving chamber 8 accessible through an upper drum opening 7 and serves to receive objects to be processed. Furthermore, the receiving device 2 includes a drum receptacle 9, into which the drum 6 can be inserted, and a drive device 10, with which the drum 6 inserted into the drum receptacle 9 can be rotated and / or wobbled about an axis of rotation X relative to the drum receptacle 9. In this case, the axis of rotation X runs centrally through the drum opening 7 of the drum 6 inserted into the drum receptacle 9 and is, in particular, oriented perpendicular to a plane of the drum opening 7. Drive devices suitable for this purpose are generally known in the prior art, which is why they are not shown in detail here.For example, drive wheels positioned extensively inside the drum holder 9 can be used to rotate the drum 6. Furthermore, the holder 2 has a pivoting device 11 on which the drum holder 9 is pivotably mounted about a pivot axis S extending horizontally and perpendicularly to the axis of rotation X. The pivoting device 11 is designed to move the drum holder 9 between a loading position, in which the drum 6 can be inserted vertically from above into the drum holder 9 and removed vertically upwards from it, as shown in the [reference]. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is shown, one in Fig. The device 1 is designed to pivot the drum 6 between the working position shown in Figure 3, in which the drum holder 9 is tilted relative to the vertical V by a pivot angle α1 relative to the loading position, and an unloading position, in which the drum holder 9 is tilted relative to the loading position by a second pivot angle α2 relative to the vertical V. The first pivot angle α1 is preferably in a range between 30° and 60°, and the second pivot angle α2 preferably in a range between 150° and 210°. A further component of the device 1 is an extraction device 12, which is designed to extract process vapors from the receiving chamber 8 of the drum 6 held in the drum holder 9.

[0026] The irradiation device 4 is designed to introduce radiation through the drum opening 7 into the receiving chamber 8 of the drum 6 held in the drum holder 9 in its working position, and thus to treat objects placed in the receiving chamber 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the irradiation device 4 comprises a laser beam device in the form of a laser head. Furthermore, the irradiation device 4 may additionally include optics associated with the laser head.

[0027] The articulated robot 3 preferably has seven axes of movement, so that the irradiation device 4 held on it is freely movable relative to the drum 6 or drum opening 7.

[0028] To process objects, they are first introduced as bulk material into the receiving chamber 8 of the drum 6. Subsequently, the drum 6 is inserted vertically from above into the drum holder 9, which is positioned in its loading position, for example using a crane, as shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is shown. Subsequently, the drum 6 is moved into its position by pivoting the drum mount 9 about the pivot axis S. Fig. The working position shown in Figure 3 is transferred, and the irradiation device 4 is aligned relative to the drum 6 or the drum opening 7 using the articulated robot 3 such that the radiation emitted by the irradiation device 4 is directed at the objects arranged in the receiving chamber 8 of the drum 6. The objects are then cleaned using the irradiation device 4, while the drum is rotated around the axis of rotation X, in particular by wobbling, to mix the objects. After completion of the treatment, the drum holder 9 is returned to its loading position, then the drum 6 with the treated objects is removed and replaced by a drum 6 with new objects to be treated. Alternatively, the processed components can be poured from the drum 6, for example, into a tub 13 by moving the drum holder 9 into the tub 13. Fig. The drum 6 is moved to the unloading position shown in Figure 4. It can then be either replaced or filled with new objects in the loading position of the drum holder 9, for example via a chute (not shown). Overall, this results in a very efficient method for the collective treatment of the surfaces of a large number of objects.

[0029] The Fig. Figures 5 to 8 show a drum 6 according to a first embodiment of the present invention with the receiving chamber 8 formed by a bottom wall 14 and an annular circumferential wall 15, which is accessible through the upper drum opening 7. The drum 6 is designed to receive the drum receptacle 9 of the Fig. The receiving chamber 8, shown in Figures 1 to 4, is to be received by the device 1. In its lower region, the receiving chamber 8 tapers conically towards the bottom wall 14, with a centrally shaped, disc-like depression 16 provided in the middle section of the otherwise flat bottom wall 14. Starting from a mean height, the receiving chamber 8 has a constant diameter up to the drum opening 7. Alternatively, the diameter can also widen conically, which is not shown here.

[0030] For rotating objects recorded in recording chamber 8, drivers 17, 18 are provided in the form of elongated projections extending into recording chamber 8.

[0031] Four first drivers 17, each identical in design, each have a driver section 17a arranged on the circumferential wall 15 and a driver section 17b arranged on the bottom wall 14. The driver section 17a arranged on the circumferential wall 15 extends, viewed from the side of the drum 6, essentially in a straight line and transversely to the axis of rotation X to approximately the mean height of the receiving space 8, wherein the driver section 17a arranged on the circumferential wall 15 and the axis of rotation X enclose an angle β, preferably in the range between 30° and 60°. The driver section 17a arranged on the bottom wall 14 extends straight from the circumferential wall 15 in the direction of the axis of rotation X and terminates at a distance from it.

[0032] In the upper half of the receiving space 8, second drivers 18 are provided, which are identical in this case. The second drivers 18 are arranged exclusively on the circumferential wall 15, i.e., they consist of a driver section arranged on the circumferential wall 15. They each extend straight along a section of the circumferential wall 15 and, viewed from the side, are inclined transversely to the axis of rotation X and to the circumferential direction, with the second drivers 18 and the axis of rotation X forming an angle γ, preferably between 50° and 80°. In the illustrated embodiment, four second drivers 18 are provided, which, viewed from the top, are arranged uniformly around the circumference in a repeating pattern.

[0033] The second drivers 18 are, when viewing the drum 6 from the side, positioned above the first drivers 17 and at a distance from them.

[0034] The Fig. Figures 9 to 10 show a drum 6 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, the structure of which is essentially the same as the structure of the drum described in the Fig. The drum 6 shown in Figures 5 to 8 corresponds to the first embodiment. A first difference is that the bottom wall 14 does not have a central recess 16. Another difference is that the angle γ enclosed by each second driver 18 and the axis of rotation X lies in a range between 110° and 150°. Furthermore, only three first drivers 17 and three second drivers 18 are provided, which, viewed from above, are arranged uniformly around the circumference of the drum in a repeating pattern. In addition, the driver section 17b of the first drivers 17, arranged on the bottom wall 14, extends straight from the circumferential wall 15 in the direction of the axis of rotation X and ends shortly before the axis of rotation X. In other words, the driver sections 17b of the first drivers 17, arranged on the bottom wall 14, are somewhat longer than in the first embodiment described above.

[0035] The Fig. Figures 12 to 15 show a drum 6 according to a third embodiment of the present invention, the structure of which is essentially the same as the structure of the drum described in the Fig. The drum 6 shown in Figures 5 to 8 corresponds to the drum 6. A first difference is that the bottom wall 14 does not have a central recess 16. Another difference is that the first drivers 17 are somewhat longer and project beyond the average height of the receiving space 8. Furthermore, only three first drivers 17 are provided, which, viewed from above, are arranged in a repeating pattern evenly distributed around the drum 6. In addition, the drum 6 shown in the figures 5 to 8 has a central recess 16. Fig. 12 to 15 depicted drum 6 no second driver 18 on.

[0036] The Fig. 16 and Fig. Figure 17 shows a drum 6 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the structure of which is essentially the same as the structure of the drum described in the Fig. The drum 6 shown in figures 12 to 15 corresponds to the drum 6. The only difference is that the bottom wall 14 is curved towards the recording chamber 8.

[0037] The Fig. Figures 18 to 20 show a drum 6 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, the structure of which is essentially the same as the structure of the drum described in the Fig. 16 and Fig. The drum 6 shown in Figure 17 corresponds to the drum 6 shown. One difference is that the drive sections 17a of the first drive 17 arranged on the circumferential wall 15 are sickle-shaped and / or bent at an angle.

[0038] The Fig. Figures 21 to 23 show a drum 6 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, the structure of which is essentially the same as the structure of the drum described in the Fig. 12 and Fig. The drum 6 shown in Figure 15 corresponds to the drum 6. One difference is that three second drivers 18 are provided, which are arranged centrally in the circumferential direction between the first drivers 17 at the midpoint of the receiving space 8 and extend circumferentially. In this case, the second drivers 18 have a triangular cross-section and a trapezoidal cross-section at one free end.

[0039] The Fig. Figures 24 to 27 show a drum 6 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, the structure of which is essentially the same as the structure of the drum described in the Fig. 12 and Fig.The drum 6 shown in Figure 15 corresponds to the drum 6. One difference is that the drive sections 17a of the first drive 17, arranged on the circumferential wall 15, enclose an angle β with the axis of rotation X up to approximately the mean height of the receiving space 8, which is preferably in the range between 10 and 30°, and then extend parallel to the axis of rotation X.

[0040] A device 1 according to a further embodiment of the present invention differs primarily from the embodiment described above in that the irradiation device 4 is moved not via an articulated robot 3 but via a multi-axis linear system 19.

[0041] It should be clear that the embodiments described above serve only as examples and are not to be understood as limiting. Rather, changes and modifications are possible without leaving the scope of protection defined by the accompanying claims. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 3 932 572 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Device (1) for the collective treatment of surfaces of a plurality of objects comprising a receiving device (2) with a drum (6) having a receiving chamber (8) formed by a bottom wall (14) and a circumferential wall (15) for receiving objects to be treated, which is accessible through an upper drum opening (7), a drum receptacle (9) into which the drum (6) can be inserted, a drive device (10) designed to drive the drum (6) inserted into the drum receptacle (9) in a rotating or wobbling manner about an axis of rotation (X) relative to the drum receptacle (9), and a pivoting device (11) receiving the drum receptacle (9) which is designed to arrange the drum receptacle (9) in different pivoting positions by pivoting about a pivot axis (S), wherein the drum (6) has at least one driver (17, 18) designed for circulating objects received in the receiving chamber (8) in the form of an elongated,in the receiving space (8) has a projection which has at least one driver section (17a, 18) arranged on the circumferential wall (15) or consists of one which, when viewing the drum (6) in a side view, extends at least partially transversely to the axis of rotation (X). [2] Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the at least one driver section (17a, 18) arranged on the circumferential wall (15) of at least one driver (17, 18) extends in a straight line. [3] Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the at least one driver section (17a, 18) arranged on the circumferential wall (15) of at least one driver (17, 18) extends in an arc-shaped and / or crescent shape and / or has at least one section bent at an angle. [4] Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that at least one driver (17) has, in addition to the driver section (17a) arranged on the circumferential wall (15), a driver section (17b) arranged on the bottom wall (14). [5] Device (1) according to claim 4, characterized by , that the drive section (17b) arranged on the bottom wall (14) extends from the circumferential wall (15) in the direction of the axis of rotation (X) and in particular ends at a distance from it. [6] Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that several drivers (17, 18) are provided. [7] Device (1) according to claim 6, characterized by , that the drivers (17, 18), viewed from above, are arranged either uniformly distributed around the drum (6) in a recurring pattern or unevenly distributed around the drum. [8] Device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by, that the drivers (17, 18), when viewed from the side, point in the same direction or in different directions or are wedge-shaped. [9] Device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized by , that the drive lugs (17, 18) have different heights. [10] Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the floor wall (14) is flat or curved in the direction of the recording room (8). [11] Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the recording space (8) tapers conically in the lower area towards the floor wall (14). [12] Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the receiving chamber (8) has a constant diameter from a mean height to the drum opening (7) or widens conically. [13] Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the recording space (8) is rotationally symmetric with respect to the axis of rotation (X). [14] Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the pivoting device (11) is designed to move the drum holder (9) by pivoting about a pivot axis (S) into a loading position in which the drum (6) can be inserted vertically from above into the drum holder (9) and removed vertically upwards from it, into a working position in which the drum holder (9) is tilted relative to the loading position by a first pivot angle (α1) to the vertical (V), which is in particular in a range between 30° and 60°, and optionally into an unloading position in which the drum opening points downwards in order to empty objects received in the receiving space. [15] Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that this has an irradiation device (4) which is arranged and designed to introduce radiation into the receiving space (8) of the drum (6) received in the drum receiving space (9) in the working position of the drum receiving space (9) and thus to treat surfaces of the objects received in the receiving space (8), wherein the irradiation device (4) is in particular held on an articulated robot (3) or on a multi-axis linear system (14) and is movable relative to the receiving device (2). [16] Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the treatment involves surface cleaning and / or surface roughening, especially of bulk materials.

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