Degreasing device

Abstract

The object of the invention is a degreasing device for continuous cleaning of a metal strip (1 ) comprising a support structure (2), an upper wiping frame (3) comprising a wiping element carrier (4) and a wiping element (5) for wiping the upper side of the metal strip (1 ) attached in the wiping element carrier (4), and, furthermore, a lower wiping frame (6) comprising a wiping element carrier (4) and a wiping element (5) for wiping the lower side of the metal strip (1 ) attached in the wiping element carrier (4), wherein the upper wiping frame (3) and the lower wiping frame (6) are connected to the support structure (2). At least one wiping element carrier (4) is divided into at least two separate parts (7) of the wiping element carrier arranged side by side along the width of the metal strip (1 ), wherein each wiping element carrier part (7) has at least a part of the wiping element (5) attached. The degreasing device further comprises an upper brushing frame (8) comprising a brushing element (9) for brushing the upper side of the metal strip (1 ) and a lower brushing frame (10) comprising a brushing element (9) for brushing the lower side of the metal strip (1 ), wherein the upper brushing frame (8) and the lower brushing frame (10) are connected to the support structure (2) and precede the upper wiping frame (3) and the lower wiping frame (6).

Description

[0001] Degreasing device

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to the structure of a degreasing device for multi-stage continuous degreasing and / or surface cleaning of a cold-rolled metal strip.

[0004] Background of the Invention

[0005] When rolling a metal strip or during other mechanical processing of metal, lubricants, usually oil emulsions, are generally used to reduce friction and dissipate heat generated during forming. However, it is desirable to remove these emulsions from the metal surface before rolling up the metal strip and other processing of the metal, e.g., annealing or electroplating, as they may cause imperfections in the surface finish or direct damage to the final product. One method of degreasing a metal strip is to arrange a cleaning line comprising a set of trays for application of degreasing agents, wherein the metal strip is immersed in the degreasing agent as it passes through the line. Subsequently, the wringing of the metal strip by wringing rollers, wiping, drying of the strip surface with hot air, etc. takes place. Wringing and the subsequent hot air drying of the metal strip is inefficient and very energy consuming. In addition to dipping the sheet metal, direct spraying of the metal strip surface with the degreasing agent is also known, but it is difficult to regulate the dosage of the agent evenly over the entire surface of the metal strip, especially when applied to the underside of the strip, where there is a higher risk of fallout due to gravity.

[0006] Patent document CN214321320U U describes a device for removing degreasing agent residues on both sides of a metal strip by means of a stream of compressed air and wipers. The wipers and compressed air inlet are housed on upper and lower parts of a floating frame, between which the metal strip passes, wherein the floating frame is movable relative to a rigid support frame. The pressure of the wipers on the surface of the metal strip is regulated by hydraulic or pneumatic rollers. A high pressure force is necessary, for example, to eliminate vibrations and waves of the moving strip. However, this device does not address the application of a degreasing agent and the problem of wiper pressure evenness and wiper life.

[0007] Another known device arrangement for continuous cleaning of a material strip is described in document CN211989858U U. The device comprises a rigid cabinet structure with inlet and outlet openings for the strip material, wherein on both upper and lower sides of the strip, the structure contains first drive rollers and then brushing rollers, to which the cleaning agent is applied by spraying. The cleaning agent is applied to the brushing rollers as well as the strip itself by nozzles located on rigid frames. Before exiting the device, the strip passes through a wiper frame and a catch tray for the cleaning agent is located in the bottom part of the structure. Said solution is neither more advantageous in terms of space saving or cleaning agent consumption nor does it address the pressure of the wipers or brushing rollers on the strip as the brushing rollers, nozzle frame, and wiper frame are attached to the wall of the cabinet structure and are not height adjustable.

[0008] Document CN211 100809U U discloses a device for continuous cleaning of a metal strip by passing it between two pairs of degreasing rollers and blowing it with compressed air. Each pair of degreasing rollers is located in a separate frame and pneumatically height-adjustable, the compressed air inlet is located in the space between the frames. A disadvantage of this solution is that it does not include a section for the application of the degreasing agent or a solution for the pressure of the rollers along the width of the metal strip.

[0009] A disadvantage of the above degreasing devices in removing dirt and excess degreasing agent from the surface of the metal strip is the large and uneven pressure of the wipers, which leads to rapid wear. The wipers are worn unevenly, especially in the case of wide strips, because the strip surface waves, vibrates, and comprises a lot of unevenness. High pressure is also not suitable for degreasing very thin metal strips and foils. Although EP35191 17 B1 describes wipers with pressure on the metal strip regulated by a pressure mechanism along the length of the wipers, the solution relates only to the wiping device and not to a complex device for degreasing and cleaning the metal strip. There is currently no known degreasing device that comprises application of the degreasing agent and subsequent wiping and drying of the metal strip, while occupying a small floor area, using the minimum amount of degreasing agent possible, effectively removing degreasing agent residues along the width of a wide or very thin metal strip, and minimizing uneven and rapid wear of the wipers.

[0010] Summary of the Invention

[0011] The above shortcomings are to some extent eliminated by a degreasing device for continuous degreasing of a metal strip of this invention. The degreasing device comprises a support structure, an upper wiping frame comprising a wiping element carrier and a wiping element for wiping an upper side of a metal strip attached in the wiping element carrier, and, furthermore, a lower wiping frame comprising a wiping element carrier and a wiping element for wiping a lower side of the metal strip attached in the wiping element carrier, wherein the upper wiping frame and the lower wiping frame are connected to the support structure. At least one wiping element carrier of the degreasing device is divided into at least two separate parts of the wiping element carrier arranged side by side along the width of the metal strip, wherein each wiping element carrier part has at least a part of the wiping element attached. The degreasing device further comprises an upper brushing frame comprising a brushing element for brushing the upper side of the metal strip and a lower brushing frame comprising a brushing element for brushing the lower side of the metal strip, wherein the upper brushing frame and the lower brushing frame are connected to the support structure and precede the upper wiping frame and the lower wiping frame. The degreasing device thus enables multi-stage cleaning of the metal strip by brushing and wiping the metal strip surface, wherein the frame structure of the device occupies a small floor area. By dividing the wiping element carrier into parts arranged along the width of the metal strip, the pressure of the wiping element against the metal strip can be adjusted separately for each segment along the width of the metal strip from its top and / or bottom side. All parts of the wiping element carrier, and thus the wiping element segments attached therein, are independent of the others and can thus react to various surface unevenness separately without affecting adjacent segments. The advantage also lies in a greater wiping efficiency and more even wear of the wiping element.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, a part of the wiping element is attached in each wiping element carrier part, wherein all these wiping element parts belong to one wiping element. Dividing the wiping element carrier into several parts with the same wiping element attached partially provides clearance for each segment of the wiping element separately when pressed against the metal strip, wherein the wiping element itself remains whole and evenly wipes the metal strip along its entire width. The adjacent parts of the wiping element carrier are, in a preferred embodiment, connected to each other by a flexible element that provides partial cohesion of the wiping element carrier when the carrier is divided, while protecting the wiping element from increased stress and possible breakage at the point of contact of the adjacent parts of the wiping element carrier.

[0013] Each wiping element carrier part preferably comprises its own pressure mechanism adapted to control the pressure of the wiping element carrier part against the metal strip. The pressure mechanism enables targeted and individual pressure regulation of the carrier part and therefore also of the wiping element segments in all or selected parts of the wiping element carrier.

[0014] The upper wiping frame and the lower wiping frame are preferably connected by lateral pneumatic rollers adapted for vertical adjustment of the relative position of the upper wiping frame and the lower wiping frame. The lateral pneumatic rollers can be used to regulate the mutual distance between the upper wiping frame and the lower wiping frame, or the clamping force of the metal strip depending on the properties of the metal strip such as thickness, width, material, etc.

[0015] The upper brushing frame and the lower brushing frame preferably comprise a degreasing agent inlet oriented towards the brushing element, wherein the degreasing agent inlet is adapted to apply degreasing agent to the brushing element. The advantage of applying the degreasing agent to the brushing element and then, using the brushing element, to the metal strip lies in the lower consumption and efficient application of the degreasing agent. In the case of application to the lower brushing element, the waste of degreasing agent by gravity is further eliminated. The upper brushing frame and the lower brushing frame preferably further comprise at least one cover brush that can wipe the surface of the metal strip while preventing spraying of the degreasing agent outside the space of the brushing section of the device.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the degreasing device comprises a catch vessel located below the lower wiping frame, which holds dirt and degreasing agent residues removed from the surface of the metal strip.

[0017] Description of Drawings

[0018] A summary of the invention is further clarified using exemplary embodiments thereof, which are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] Fig. 1 shows a view of the degreasing device.

[0020] Fig. 2 shows a horizontal longitudinal section through the degreasing device.

[0021] Fig. 3 shows a vertical longitudinal section through the wiping section of the degreasing device (upper and lower wiping frame).

[0022] Fig. 4 shows a vertical view of the upper wiping frame.

[0023] Fig. 5 shows a lateral view of the upper wiping frame.

[0024] Fig. 6 shows a vertical cross section through the upper wiping frame.

[0025] Fig. 7 shows a cross section and views of the wiping element carrier.

[0026] Fig. 8 shows a detail of the connection of the parts of the wiping element carrier and the pressure mechanism.

[0027] Fig. 9 shows a vertical cross section through the degreasing device when clamping the metal strip. Embodiments of the Invention

[0028] The invention will be further clarified using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the respective drawings. One exemplary embodiment is the structure of the degreasing device shown schematically in sections in Fig. 1 and 2. The degreasing device comprises a support structure 2 in the form of a welded steel frame that comprises a total of 6 lateral stands 6, wherein a catch vessel 15 is located below the entire degreasing device. In the direction of longitudinal axis of the support structure 2 (y-axis), there are three lateral stands 6 on each side of the device, wherein a metal strip 1 passes through the device between the two triplets of stands 2, in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support structure 2 (the direction of movement of the metal strip corresponds to the x-axis). The stands 6 are made of steel U-profiles, wherein between the three stands 6 on each side of the support structure 2 there are vertical tracks 17. The first track 17 houses the upper wiping frame 3 and the lower wiping frame 6, and the second track 17 houses the upper brushing frame 8 and the lower brushing frame 10. All frames are housed on rolling pulleys 18 in the track 17 and are provided with a supporting bearing 19 in the corners, which blocks the movement of the frames outside the track 17 in the direction of movement of the metal strip 1 (x-axis). The longitudinal cavity of the U- profiles is oriented outside of the device, wherein in each cavity also contains a spring hinge (not shown in the figure) by which the lower wiping frame 6 and the lower brushing frame 10 are suspended from the upper end of the stands 16 of the support structure 2.

[0029] The upper wiping frame 3 and the lower wiping frame 6, or the upper brushing frame 8 and the lower brushing frame 10, are mutually height-adjustable by means of the lateral pneumatic rollers 13, wherein the upper wiping frame 3 and the upper brushing frame 8 comprise at each end a holder 20 attached to the body 21 of the lateral pneumatic roller 13, and the lower wiping frame 6 and the lower brushing frame 10 are attached to the piston rod 22 of the lateral pneumatic roller 13. In a first exemplary embodiment, the degreasing device comprises three pairs of lateral pneumatic rollers 13, wherein two pairs of the lateral pneumatic rollers 13 control the brushing frames 8,10 and one pair of the lateral pneumatic rollers 13 controls the wiping frames 3, 6. The holder 20 of the lateral pneumatic rollers 13 also secures the position of the flexible hinge in the cavity of the stand 16. The wiping frames 3, 6 and the brushing frames 8, 10 are movable in the z-axis direction (vertical movement in the track 17) and also in the yz plane (plane of the wiping frames 3, 6, plane of the brushing frames 8, 10). The connection of the frames by the lateral pneumatic rollers 13 allows the distance between the frames and the pressure of the frames on the surface of the metal strip 1 to be continuously regulated, the suspension on the spring hinge also allows the frames to be lightened, which is preferable, for example, when there is very little or no pressure on the metal strip T The vertical position of the wiping frames 3, 6 and the vertical position of the brushing frames 8, 10 are controlled separately and independently of each other, and therefore, when cleaning the metal strip 1, it is possible to use only one of these sections in addition to the brushing and wiping sections.

[0030] The structure of the wiping frames 3, 6 of the degreasing device is shown in Fig.

[0031] 3, wherein the detailed embodiment will be described on the example of the upper wiping frame 3 (Fig. 4, 5 and 6). The upper wiping frame 3 is a welded steel structure that comprises two vertical lateral columns and two longitudinal beams. Furthermore, it comprises wiping elements 5 attached in the wiping element carriers 4, a pneumatic line

[0032] 23 and a number of pressure mechanisms 12 regulating the pressure of the wiping element 5. The detailed embodiment of the upper wiping frame 3 is shown in Fig. 5 and 6, wherein the upper wiping frame 3 comprises, at each upper end of the vertical column, a holder 20 of the lateral pneumatic rollers 13 and the pneumatic line 23 housed under the upper beam along the length of the upper wiping frame 3. The lower beam of the upper wiping frame 3 in this embodiment comprises exactly two wiping element carriers

[0033] 4, each of these carriers 4 has one wiping element 5 attached which covers the entire width of the metal strip. The two wiping element carriers 4 within the upper wiping frame 3 are arranged one behind the other with a spacing in the x-axis direction, approximately 3 to 50 cm, preferably 5 to 15 cm. Further, the upper wiping frame 3 comprises an air bar

[0034] 24 comprising a row of air nozzles 25 arranged along the lower beam and oriented downwards to the surface of the metal strip T The air bar 24 is attached to a source of compressed air (not shown in the figure) and adapted to clean the surface of the metal strip 1 in the space between the wiping elements 5, since it is located between the two wiping element carriers 4 and partially forms a sliding line 26 adapted to house the wiping element carrier 4. The wiping element carrier 4 is removably housed in the sliding line 26 and is thus easily replaceable.

[0035] The design of the lower wiping frame 6 is analogous to the design of the upper wiping frame 3 and differs only in its connection to the lateral pneumatic rollers 13, since it is attached to the piston rods 22 of the lateral pneumatic rollers 13. The dirt removed from the metal strip 1 during wiping and treatment with compressed air is drained into the lateral enclosures from the upper wiping frame 3 and the lower wiping frame 6, wherein the dirt from the lateral enclosures drains into the catch vessel 15 under the degreasing device and further into the waste sludge canister (not shown in the figure) by gravity.

[0036] The wiping elements 5 are flexible plastic or rubber rods with one or more wiper blades on the back, or may be in form of a flexible hose with multiple blades around the entire circumference, which are attached to the wiping element carrier 4. The wiping element carrier 4 is divided along the length of the wiping element 5 into the wiping element carrier parts 7. The wiping element carrier parts 7 are close together and their ends are adjacent to each other, wherein each wiping element carrier part 7 has a segment of the same wiping element 5 attached, which is thus held along the entire length by the carrier parts 7. Each wiping element carrier part 7 has a length of 200 mm, wherein in the first exemplary embodiment the wiping element carrier 4 comprises a total of 7 wiping element carrier parts 7, as shown in the detail of the wiping element carrier 4 in Fig. 7. The entire wiping element carrier 4 is therefore 1.4 m long. The adjacent wiping element carrier parts 7 are connected to each other by a flexible element 11 inserted into the longitudinal notches of the two adjacent wiping element carrier parts 7 (Fig. 6 and 7). The flexible element 11 is, in the first exemplary embodiment, a bendable plate. Each wiping element carrier part 7 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 7 can be disassembled and comprises two portions, wherein the given segment of the wiping element 5 is sandwiched between the two portions of the carrier 4 and the two portions are connected by a screw such that the wiping element 5 can be easily replaced.

[0037] In the first exemplary embodiment, each wiping element carrier part 7 is individually pressed against the surface of the metal strip 1 by its own pressure mechanism 12 connected to the pneumatic line 23, wherein the pressure mechanism 12 comprises two pressure pneumatic rollers 27 at opposite ends of the carrier part 7. The pressure force of the wiping element carrier part 7 is provided by this pair of pressure pneumatic rollers 27 which individually press the outermost wiping element carrier parts 7 against the surface of the metal strip 1. (Fig. 8). The pressure mechanism 12 provides a better distribution of the pressure force within one wiping element carrier part 7. The pressure mechanism 12 further comprises pressure elements 28 between the pneumatic pressure rollers 27 and the wiping element carrier part 7, which transmit the pressure force. The brushing frames 8, 10 precede the wiping frames 3, 6 in the direction of movement of the metal strip 1_, wherein the design of the brushing frames 8, 10 is shown in the cross section of the device in Fig. 9. The upper brushing frame 8 as well as the lower brushing frame 10 comprise a single brushing element 9, in this embodiment a brushing roller, and a degreasing agent inlet in the form of a row of wetting nozzles 29, which apply the selected degreasing agent to the brushing roller. The brushing roller and the row of wetting nozzles 29 are arranged on the brushing frame 8, 10 one behind the other in a plane parallel to the plane of the metal strip 1, wherein the row of wetting nozzles 29 is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the brushing roller and the mouth of the wetting nozzles 29 is oriented to the brushing roller. The metal strip 1 first comes into contact with the brushing roller, behind which a row of wetting nozzles 29 is attached. The brushing roller comprises a metal shaft 30 into which any number of brushing bars 31 are inserted, in the first exemplary embodiment the brushing roller comprises ten brushing bars 31 . The brushing roller is electrically driven and moves / rotates in the direction opposite to the direction of the metal strip 1_. The supply of the degreasing agent to the wetting nozzles 29 is provided by a flexible line from the reservoir, which is not shown in the figure. The upper brushing frame 8 as well as the lower brushing frame 10 further comprise cover brushes 14, in this embodiment two cover brushes 14 on each of the brushing frames 8, 10 which are located on either side of the brushing roller. The cover brushes 14 of the frame are connected to the frame protective sheeting, wherein the brushing roller and the wetting nozzles 29 are enclosed in the protective sheeting, which prevents the dispersion of the degreasing agent into the space and also allows the safe use of flammable degreasing agents.

[0038] The process of degreasing the metal strip 1. is shown in the section of the device in Fig. 9. The metal strip 1, when passing through the degreasing device, first enters between the upper brushing frame 3 and the lower brushing frame 6. The metal strip 1 is clamped and brushed between the brushing rollers by means of lateral pneumatic rollers 13, wherein the degreasing agent is continuously applied by the wetting nozzles 29 to the brushing rollers, and then by the brushing rollers to the metal strip T The application of the degreasing agent to the metal strip 1 can be regulated by the speed of rotation of the brushing rollers, or the speed of the passing metal strip 1. and the dosage by the wetting nozzles 29. The metal strip 1 is further clamped between the upper wiping frame 3 and the lower wiping frame 6, wherein the pressure of the brushing frames 8, 10 and the pressure of the wiping frames 3, 6 are controlled independently of each other. In the wiping section, both surfaces of the metal strip 1 are wiped by the wiping elements 5 and at the same time blown by compressed air from the air nozzles 29. The pressure mechanisms 12 pneumatically regulate the pressure of the wiping elements 5 along their entire length, and the dirt is drained into the catch vessel 15 below the device. The metal strip 1. thus exits the device completely clean.

[0039] In the following, alternative embodiments of parts of the degreasing device of the invention will be provided. In another embodiment of the degreasing device, the wiping frames 3, 6 and the brushing frames 8, 10 may be connected to each other and controlled by a different type of force mechanism, for example using hydraulic rollers, electromechanical rollers, springs, etc. Also, the rolling pulleys 18 and the supporting bearings 19 may be replaced by another component, provided that they perform an identical function.

[0040] In an alternative embodiment of the wiping frames 3, 6 of the invention, the pressure mechanism 12 may be attached only to certain wiping element carrier parts 7, for example only to the outermost or central wiping element carrier parts 7. The wiping element carriers 4, which are not provided with a pressure mechanism 12, can be connected to the support frame rigidly, wherein a certain freedom of this part is provided by the flexible fit of the entire wiping frame 3, 6. Given the different pressure of the wiping element 5 across the width of the metal strip 1_, embodiment of the wiping section similar to the first exemplary embodiment might be also preferable, but without the pressure mechanisms 12 which could adjust the pressure force, that is to say with only the wiping element carrier parts 7 rigidly connected to the support structure of the wiping frame 3, 6. In this embodiment, the pressure force can be modified by the relative position of the wiping frames 3, 6 and the metal strip 1, wherein the additional suspension of the wiping elements 5 provides a flexible attachment of the wiping element carrier parts 7 and the pressure force can be further modified, for example, by the material properties of the flexible elements 1 1 providing this flexible connection. The pressure elements 28 of the wiping element carrier parts 7 may also be controlled by different type of pressure mechanism 12, for example by housing the pressure elements 28 on springs.

[0041] In another embodiment of the wiping section, it is possible to use any number and / or different relative arrangement of the wiping element carriers 4, the wiping elements 5, the air bars 24 and the pressure mechanisms 12. An alternative embodiment of the invention may comprise a number of wiping elements 5 within a single wiping element carrier 4 arranged along the width of the metal strip 1_, wherein each wiping element carrier part 7 has its own wiping element 5 attached. The number of wiping elements 5 within a single wiping element carrier 4 may be arranged along the width of the metal strip 1 in various arrangements, wherein for proper function, the wiping elements 5 together cover the entire width of the metal strip 1_. Thus, the ends of the wiping elements 5 may be directly adjacent to each other or some may precede the adjacent ones such that the end parts of the wiping elements 5 overlap each other. Further, the wiping elements 5 may be arranged, for example, in a single row in the y-axis direction, wherein each wiping element 5 is rotated by 3 to 10 degrees relative to the y-axis and the ends of the wiping elements 5 overlap. Another arrangement comprises wiping elements 5 alternately in two rows parallel to the y-axis. The specific arrangement of the wiping elements 5, has corresponding arrangement of the wiping element carrier parts 7.

[0042] In another embodiment of the brushing and wetting section, it is also possible to use other types of brushing elements 9 with respect to the properties of the metal strip 1 to be cleaned, in the case of a brushing roller it is in particular the number of brushing bars 31 and the material from which they are made. In addition to the brushing bars 31 , it is also possible to use brushing element 9 with a textile or other layer. It is also possible to select the relative position of the brushing element 9 and the wetting nozzles 29, the inclination of the wetting nozzles 29, etc. Alternative embodiments of the wetting section may include another type of the degreasing agent inlet, such as a hose from which the degreasing agent drips freely onto the brushing element 9. In addition to the degreasing agent, another cleaning agent or water may also be applied to the brushing element 9, for example during shutdown of the device and cleaning the brushing elements 9.

[0043] The degreasing device of the invention is a complex solution for cleaning both sides of the metal strip 1, which can preferably be directly added to the production lines for the metal strip T The degreasing device is space-saving as well as compact, as it does not include any soaking containers for the application of the degreasing agent or energy-intensive methods of drying and wiping excess degreasing agent. The movable connection of the brushing frames 8, 10 and the wiping frames 3, 6 with the support structure 2 and the lateral pneumatic rollers 13 allows the clamping and pressure of the sections to the metal strip to be adjusted independently. Attachment of the wiping elements 5 to the carriers 4 with their own pressure mechanisms 12 increases the wiping efficiency and also the life of the wiping elements 5.

[0044] Industrial Applicability

[0045] The device described above can be used for continuous cleaning of flat strips made also of other types of materials with sufficient stiffness for this cleaning process.

[0046] List of Reference Signs

[0047] 1 . Metal strip

[0048] 2. Support structure

[0049] 3. Upper wiping frame

[0050] 4. Carrier

[0051] 5. Wiping element

[0052] 6. Lower wiping frame

[0053] 7. Carrier part

[0054] 8. Upper brushing frame

[0055] 9. Brushing element

[0056] 10. Lower brushing frame

[0057] 11. Flexible element

[0058] 12. Pressure mechanism

[0059] 13. Lateral pneumatic roller

[0060] 14. Cover brush

[0061] 15. Catch vessel

[0062] 16. Stand

[0063] 17. Track

[0064] 18. Rolling pulley

[0065] 19. Supporting bearing

[0066] 20. Holder

[0067] 21. Body

[0068] 22. Piston rod

Claims

CLAIMS1. A degreasing device for continuous cleaning of a metal strip (1 ) comprising a support structure (2), an upper wiping frame (3) comprising a wiping element carrier (4) and a wiping element (5) for wiping the upper side of the metal strip (1 ) attached in the wiping element carrier (4), and a lower wiping frame (6) comprising a wiping element carrier (4) and a wiping element (5) for wiping the lower side of the metal strip (1 ) attached in the wiping element carrier (4), wherein the upper wiping frame (3) and the lower wiping frame (6) are connected to the support structure (2), characterized in that at least one wiping element carrier (4) is divided into at least two separate wiping element carrier parts (7) arranged side by side along the width of the metal strip (1 ), wherein each wiping element carrier part (7) has at least a part of the wiping element (5) attached, and that it further comprises an upper brushing frame (8) comprising a brushing element (9) for brushing the upper side of the metal strip (1 ) and a lower brushing frame (10) comprising a brushing element (9) for brushing the lower side of the metal strip (1 ), wherein the upper brushing frame (8) and the lower brushing frame (10) are connected to the support structure (2) and precede the upper wiping frame (3) and the lower wiping frame (6).

2. The degreasing device of claim 1 , characterized in that each wiping element carrier part (7) has a part of the wiping element (5) attached, wherein all these parts of the wiping element (5) belong to one wiping element (5).

3. The degreasing device of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that adjacent wiping element carrier parts (7) are connected to each other by a flexible element (11 ).

4. The degreasing device of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each wiping element carrier part (7) comprises its own pressure mechanism (12) adapted to control the pressure of the wiping element carrier part (7) against the metal strip (1 ).

5. The degreasing device of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the upper wiping frame (3) and the lower wiping frame (6) are connected by lateral pneumatic rollers (13) adapted to vertically adjust the relative position of the upper wiping frame (3) and the lower wiping frame (6).

6. The degreasing device of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the upper brushing frame (8) and the lower brushing frame (10) preferably comprise a degreasing agent inlet oriented towards the brushing element (9), wherein the degreasing agent inlet is adapted to apply the degreasing agent to the brushing element (9).

7. The degreasing device of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the upper brushing frame (8) and the lower brushing frame (10) each comprise at least one cover brush (14).

8. The degreasing device of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a catch vessel (15) under the lower wiping frame (6).

Images