CLEANING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CLEANING PARTS, PREFERRED TO AUTOMOTIVE BODY PARTS - Patent application

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning installation (100) for cleaning a part (C), preferably an automotive body part, in particular laterally along a wetted partial area (S) of the part (C), comprising a cleaning station (1), a conveyor device (2) for conveying the part (C) through the cleaning station (1) and a first cleaning device (10) for cleaning the part (C), preferably over a large area. The cleaning installation (100) is particularly characterized in that it comprises a multi-axis robot (21) carrying a second cleaning device (20) for cleaning the part (C), preferably with clearly defined edges, the multi-axis robot (21) being adapted to guide said second cleaning device (20) laterally along the partial area (S) of the part (C). The invention also comprises a corresponding cleaning method.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning installation and method for cleaning parts, in particular automotive body parts. [Background technology]

[0002] A cleaning installation for cleaning automotive body parts is known from DE 10 200 03 133 A1. Since the painting result can be impaired by contamination of the automotive body parts, for example dust, such a cleaning installation is usually used in painting installations for painting automotive body parts to clean the automotive body parts before the actual painting process. In fact, feather rollers (for example emu feathers) and sword brushes in particular have established themselves as particularly efficient cleaning devices, since they can perform thorough and fast cleaning. However, a well-defined edge cleaning, in particular with feather rollers and sword brushes, is not possible or at least insufficient, which may be necessary, for example, along wet seams (for example sealing seams) of the parts that are not yet completely dry. If the feather roller or sword brush enters the seam that is not yet completely dry, this can lead to contamination of the cleaning device (for example feathers or bristles) and the parts and / or damage to the seam. Sword brushes are also relatively expensive. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] DE 102009020114 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning device and a cleaning method for cleaning parts, in particular automobile body parts, which in particular allows cleaning of the automobile body parts, in particular with clearly defined edges, appropriately laterally along partial areas of the parts, in particular partial areas whose surface has not yet completely dried. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention are given in the dependent claims or are derived from the following preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0006] The present invention relates to a cleaning installation for cleaning parts, preferably automotive body parts.

[0007] The cleaning facility is particularly useful for cleaning the component along the (particularly still) wet partial areas of the component at the sides.

[0008] The cleaning facility includes a cleaning station and a conveyor apparatus for transporting the parts (eg, continuously or continuously) through the cleaning station.

[0009] The cleaning facility also includes at least one first cleaning device for cleaning the parts, preferably over a large area.

[0010] For example, the first cleaning device may be part of an automated moving machine, such as, for example, a multi-axis robot, a roof machine, and / or a side machine.

[0011] The cleaning installation is particularly characterized in that it comprises at least one multi-axis robot including a second cleaning device for cleaning the parts, preferably with clearly defined edges, in particular over a small area, the multi-axis robot being particularly adapted to guide the second cleaning device laterally along the part area of ​​the part in order to clean the part in an advantageous manner laterally next to the part area, preferably without the second cleaning device entering the part area.

[0012] The part regions of the component may for example be (in particular) wet (eg moist) part regions and / or part regions whose surface has not yet completely dried.

[0013] For example, the part region may be a seam (e.g. a sealing seam) whose surface has not yet completely dried, in particular a wet seam. Alternatively or additionally, the part region may be a coating surface whose surface has not yet completely dried.

[0014] Coated surfaces may include, for example, painted surfaces, sealed surfaces, insulating surfaces, and / or protective surfaces.

[0015] The coating surface may include, for example, polyvinyl chloride.

[0016] The second cleaning device may be a cleaning brush, in particular a plastic cleaning brush.

[0017] For example, the second cleaning device may be a cleaning roller (especially a plastic cleaning roller) preferably having an outer roller diameter of, for example, less than 40 cm, less than 35 cm, less than 32 cm, or less than 29 cm, and / or greater than 5 cm, greater than 10 cm, greater than 15 cm, or greater than 20 cm.

[0018] In particular, the second cleaning device may, for example, advantageously comprise a cleaning filament for cleaning with clearly defined edges, preferably a plurality of (appropriately relatively long or relatively short) fibers, bristles and / or blades, preferably made of plastic (e.g. plastic fibers, plastic bristles and / or plastic blades). Alternatively or additionally, the second cleaning device may, for example, comprise a cleaning felt and may, for example, form a cleaning felt roller.

[0019] For example, the fibres, bristles or blades or, in a broader sense, cleaning filaments may in particular be relatively short, for example up to 3cm, up to 2cm, up to 1cm or up to 0.5cm, but may also be longer if appropriate.

[0020] The second cleaning device (preferably formed as a cleaning roller) is provided with at least one lateral shielding device (e.g. sidewall or limiting plate, etc.), which can prevent, for example, the plastic fibers, plastic bristles or plastic blades, or in a broader sense, the cleaning filaments, from deflecting (e.g. being deformed) laterally outward (e.g. into a partial area) beyond the shielding device, in case the plastic fibers, plastic bristles or plastic blades, or in a broader sense, the cleaning filaments, can act on the parts during cleaning and thus be deflected, for example, laterally. In this way, cleaning with clearly defined edges can be supported and / or guaranteed in an advantageous manner.

[0021] The second cleaning device can be provided with a side shielding device on one or both sides.

[0022] The shielding device may, for example, be made of a material that is not elastically deformable or that is only minimally elastically deformable.

[0023] The multi-axis robot may include at least five or at least six axes of movement and / or the second cleaning device may be mounted on the multi-axis robot hand.

[0024] The first cleaning device, especially for large area cleaning, can for example be a rotating sword brush, a feather brush, a feather roller, in particular an emu feather roller, or a cleaning roller.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment, the first cleaning device may be a first cleaning roller having a first roller outer diameter and the second cleaning device may be a second cleaning roller having a second roller outer diameter, in particular the first roller outer diameter, preferably for large area cleaning, may preferably be larger than the second roller outer diameter, in particular for cleaning in small areas with clearly defined edges.

[0026] The outer diameter of the first roller can be, for example, at least 1.5 times or at least 2.0 times larger than the outer diameter of the second roller.

[0027] The second cleaning device may be formed as a cleaning roller and may, for example, include a (suitably own) drive motor for rotating the cleaning roller. Alternatively or additionally, the first cleaning device may preferably be formed as a cleaning roller and may include a (suitably own) drive motor for rotating the cleaning roller.

[0028] For example, the driving rotation speed of the drive motor of the second cleaning device can be higher than the driving rotation speed of the drive motor of the first cleaning device, for example at least 1.5 times, at least 2.0 times, at least 2.5 times, or at least 3.0 times higher.

[0029] For example, the cleaning rotation speed of the second cleaning device may preferably be at least 1.5 times, at least 2.0 times, at least 2.5 times, or at least 3.0 times as high as the cleaning rotation speed of the first cleaning device.

[0030] As a result, cleaning by the second cleaning device can be performed at a higher (eg, at least 1.5 times, at least 2.0 times, at least 2.5 times, or at least 3.0 times higher) cleaning rotation speed than cleaning by the first cleaning device.

[0031] In addition to the multi-axis robot, the cleaning installation may optionally include at least one further automated motion machine (e.g., having at least one, at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, or at least six axes of movement) carrying the first cleaning device.

[0032] Thus, the first cleaning device is preferably carried by its own automated movement means, in particular an automated movement machine, and the second cleaning device is preferably carried by its own automated movement means, in particular a multi-axis robot.

[0033] For example, the automated motion machine may be a multi-axis robot (e.g., having at least four, at least five, or at least six axes of movement) adapted to guide the first cleaning device along the part so as to clean the part accordingly.

[0034] However, the automated exercise machines may also include so-called roof machines or side machines.

[0035] For example, a cleaning installation for cleaning components may comprise at least one roof machine, preferably having a first cleaning device, and / or a side machine, preferably having a first cleaning device.

[0036] The cleaning installation may for example comprise at least one first cleaning device as described above and / or at least one second cleaning device as described above, respectively, on either side of the conveyor device.

[0037] Thus, the cleaning installation may, for example, include at least one automated moving machine (e.g., a multi-axis robot, a side machine, etc.) having a first cleaning device, and at least one multi-axis robot having a second cleaning device, on both sides of the conveyor device, and optionally, for example, a roof machine, preferably having the first cleaning device.

[0038] The multi-axis robot can be adapted to guide the second cleaning device laterally along the sub-area, in particular without the second cleaning device entering the sub-area. Alternatively or additionally, the multi-axis robot can be adapted to guide the second cleaning device laterally along the sub-area with a lateral distance between the second cleaning device and the sub-area of ​​less than 2 cm, less than 1 cm, less than 0.5 cm, or less than 0.25 cm, or with a lateral distance of substantially 0 cm.

[0039] In the context of the present invention, it is to be understood that the first cleaning device also cleans the component, in particular without penetrating the part region, but since the first cleaning device is accordingly designed for cleaning large areas and is therefore not suitable for cleaning, for example, with clearly defined edges, the first cleaning device can preferably only clean an area of ​​the component that is appropriately well away from the component region, for example at least 2 cm, at least 3 cm, at least 4 cm, at least 5 cm or at least 6 cm.

[0040] The first cleaning device may then be particularly adapted to clean the part with a lateral distance between the first cleaning device and the part area of, for example, at least 2 cm, at least 3 cm, at least 4 cm, at least 5 cm, or at least 6 cm.

[0041] The cleaning installation may include a control device for controlling, in particular automatically, the second cleaning device (e.g. its rotational speed and / or its rotational direction) and / or the multi-axis robot for guiding the second cleaning device laterally along the partial area.

[0042] For example, a multi-axis robot can be specially adapted for guiding the second cleaning device laterally along the partial area and can be controllable by the control device, appropriately by control commands.

[0043] The control device (eg, control and computing means, computer, etc.) may be suitably connected to the multi-axis robot in particular and may include, for example, a central control device and / or a distributed control device.

[0044] For example, the control device may comprise control and computing means capable of storing a control program for controlling the multi-axis robot in order to guide the second cleaning device appropriately laterally along the partial area in particular a predetermined manner.

[0045] Within the scope of the present invention, for example, a controller may have its functionality distributed across several different hardware components.

[0046] It should be mentioned that cleaning of the part may be, for example, internal cleaning and / or external cleaning of the part.

[0047] It should also be mentioned that the first cleaning device is particularly useful for surface cleaning, for example for surface cleaning of one or more side parts and / or of the roof of the component.

[0048] In particular, the first cleaning device serves for cleaning components at a lateral distance to the partial area.

[0049] The multi-axis robot for carrying the second cleaning device is preferably smaller than the multi-axis robot for carrying the first cleaning device.

[0050] The multi-axis robot and / or the multi-axis robot preferably comprises multiple pivotable robot arms and may therefore in particular be an articulated arm robot.

[0051] The multi-axis robot is preferably disposed on a pedestal and / or the multi-axis robot is preferably disposed on a pedestal, the pedestal of the multi-axis robot being, for example, higher than the pedestal of the multi-axis robot.

[0052] The cleaning station may, for example, include a lock, in particular an air curtain gate, on the inlet side and / or on the outlet side.

[0053] The conveyor apparatus may be configured, for example, to transport parts from a cleaning station to a paint booth downstream of the cleaning station, where the paint booth may include, for example, a lock on the entry side and / or the exit side.

[0054] The multi-axis robot having the second cleaning device and the automated motion machine having the first cleaning device are preferably located at the same cleaning station.

[0055] A multi-axis robot, for example, may carry only a single second cleaning device, and / or an automated motion machine, for example, may carry only a single first cleaning device.

[0056] Cleaning felts and / or cleaning filaments of the second cleaning device, for example as plastic fibers, plastic bristles or plastic blades, serve accordingly to clean the component, in particular laterally and along the component area.

[0057] The designations "first" and "second" cleaning device serve in particular to distinguish the cleaning devices and do not, for example, prescribe the order in which they are arranged, so that, for example, a second cleaning device and / or a multi-axis robot can be arranged, for example, before or after the first cleaning device and / or the automated motion machine, relative to the direction of transport / conveyance of the parts.

[0058] The present invention also includes a cleaning method for cleaning parts, preferably automotive body parts, in particular performed by the cleaning apparatus described herein, and the disclosure relating to the cleaning installation also applies to the cleaning method accordingly.

[0059] The cleaning method serves in particular to clean the component laterally along (in particular still) wet partial areas of the component.

[0060] The cleaning method particularly includes the following steps: conveying the parts by a conveyor apparatus through a cleaning station; cleaning the part, preferably over a large area, with a first cleaning device; and Cleaning the component by means of a second cleaning device which is guided by a multi-axis robot laterally along the part area of ​​the component in order to clean the part laterally beside the part area, preferably for cleaning with clearly defined edges, in particular for cleaning small areas.

[0061] The order of method steps in the claims may, for example, be arbitrary but not necessarily dictate the order of method steps.

[0062] Thus, for example, a large area cleaning (face cleaning) may be performed first, followed by a cleaning of particularly small areas with clearly defined edges (precision cleaning), or vice versa; alternatively or additionally, the large area cleaning and the cleaning of particularly small areas with clearly defined edges may be performed simultaneously, for example at least occasionally.

[0063] Cleaning with the second cleaning device may, for example, be performed at a higher cleaning rotation speed (eg, at least 1.5 times, at least 2.0 times, at least 2.5 times, or at least 3.0 times higher) than cleaning with the first cleaning device.

[0064] For example, cleaning of the parts by the second cleaning device can occur at least occasionally simultaneously with cleaning by the first cleaning device.

[0065] Alternatively or additionally, cleaning of the parts by the second cleaning device may occur at least occasionally prior to and / or at least occasionally after cleaning by the first cleaning device.

[0066] The wetted partial areas can be applied to the component prior to the cleaning method and / or the component can be coated after the cleaning method.

[0067] The preferred embodiments and features of the invention described above can be combined with one another. Advantageous developments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims and result from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the attached drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0068] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic top view of a cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2]1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a cleaning installation, in particular two automatically operated machines each having a first cleaning device. [Diagram 3] 3 shows another schematic cross-sectional view of a cleaning installation, in particular with two multi-axis robots, each with a second cleaning device. [Figure 4] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a particularly wetted partial area and a second cleaning device. [Diagram 5] 2 shows a schematic diagram of a first cleaning device and a second cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] 1 illustrates a cleaning method according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 2 shows a schematic top view of a cleaning apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0069] Since the preferred embodiments of the present invention described with reference to the drawings are partially the same, similar or identical parts are given the same reference numerals, and their description may refer to the description of another embodiment to avoid repetition.

[0070] Figures 1 to 3 show different perspective views of a cleaning installation 100 for cleaning a part C, in particular an automotive body part. The cleaning installation 100 serves in particular for cleaning the part C along the still wet partial areas S of the part C at the sides (see Figure 4).

[0071] The cleaning installation 100 comprises a cleaning station 1 and in particular a conveyor device 2 for linearly transporting parts C past the cleaning station 1, with dashed arrows in Fig. 1 indicating the direction of transport / conveyance of parts C through the cleaning station 1. The cleaning station 1 may comprise, for example, a lock on the inlet side and / or on the outlet side.

[0072] Prior to the cleaning station 1 in the direction of the arrow, the part C can be provided with a wetted partial area S (see FIG. 4), which can for example include a seam, in particular a sealed seam such as a PVC seam. After the cleaning station 1 in the direction of the arrow, for example, a dip painting station and / or one or more painting booths can be arranged, in which the part C can be painted after cleaning. However, the wetted partial area S is not limited to a seam but can also for example broadly include a coating surface, such as a painted, sealed, insulating or protective surface, which can be applied to the part C before the cleaning station 1 in the direction of the arrow.

[0073] The cleaning installation 100 comprises, on one side of the conveyor arrangement 2, an automatic moving machine 11, preferably formed as a multi-axis robot (e.g. with at least five or at least six axes of movement), which carries a first cleaning device 10 for large-area cleaning of the parts C. The cleaning device 10 can be, for example, a rotating sword brush, a feather brush, a feather roller or a cleaning roller. Preferably, however, the first cleaning device 10 is an emu feather roller. The same arrangement can be provided accordingly on the other side of the conveyor arrangement 2. However, the automatic moving machine 11 can also be formed, for example, as a roof machine or a side machine (see FIG. 7).

[0074] The cleaning installation 100 comprises, in addition to the automated motion machine 11, a multi-axis robot 21 (e.g. with at least five or at least six axes of movement), which carries a second cleaning device 20 for cleaning the parts C in a suitably small area with clearly defined edges. The second cleaning device 20 may for example be mounted on a multi-axis robot hand. The same arrangement may suitably be provided on the other side of the conveyor device 2.

[0075] The first cleaning device 10 serves for cleaning a large area of ​​the part C, for example for cleaning the roof and / or one or more side parts of the part C.

[0076] The second cleaning device 20 serves for a particularly precise cleaning of the component C along a laterally predetermined partial region S, with clearly defined edges and over a small area.

[0077] The multi-axis robot 21 and / or the second cleaning device 20 can be arranged in front of the first automated moving machine 11 and / or in front of the first cleaning device 10 with respect to the transport direction of the parts C, as shown in Fig. 1. However, in the context of the present invention, embodiments are also possible in which the multi-axis robot 21 and / or the second cleaning device 20 are arranged, for example, after the first automated moving machine 11 and / or after the first cleaning device 10 with respect to the transport direction of the parts C.

[0078] The multi-axis robot 21 with the second cleaning device 20 is conveniently arranged in the same cleaning station 1 as the automated moving machine 11 with the first cleaning device 10. However, embodiments are also possible in which the multi-axis robot 21 with the second cleaning device 20 and the first cleaning device 10, preferably with the automated moving machine 11, are arranged in different cleaning stations.

[0079] As can be seen in particular from schematic Figure 4, the robot 21 is adapted to guide a second cleaning device 20 laterally along a particularly still wet partial area S of the part C, along the dashed arrow direction in Figure 4, so that the part C can be cleaned laterally beside the partial area S. The second cleaning device 20 is preferably a (particularly relatively small) plastic roller.

[0080] The partial area S may in particular be a seam having a surface that is not yet completely dry (e.g. a sealing seam, in particular a PVC seam) and / or a coating surface having a surface that is not yet completely dry (e.g. a painted, insulating, sealing or protective surface).

[0081] The preferred aim is to prevent the second cleaning device 20 from penetrating into the still wet partial area S whilst keeping the lateral distance x between the second cleaning device 20 and the still wet partial area S as small as possible. If the second cleaning device 20 were to enter the still wet partial area S, the second cleaning device 20 and the component C would be at risk of being contaminated, whilst the partial area S itself would be at risk of being damaged.

[0082] The robot 21 is then adapted in particular to guide the second cleaning device 20 laterally along the partial area S, in particular to guide the second cleaning device 20 without entering the still wet partial area S, but nevertheless the part C is cleaned as far as possible relative to the partial area S, for example with a lateral distance x between the second cleaning device 20 and the partial area S of, for example, less than 0.5 cm, or even with a lateral distance x of substantially 0 cm.

[0083] Thus, even if the partial area S is not yet completely dry and is still wet, the component C can nevertheless also be cleaned laterally along the partial area S. It is therefore not necessary to wait until the partial area S is completely dry in order to clean the component C.

[0084] The second cleaning device 20 may optionally be provided with at least one lateral shielding device 22 (e.g. sidewall or limiting plate), as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 4, in order to substantially prevent, in particular for cleaning with clearly defined edges, the cleaning filaments of the second cleaning device 20, e.g. as plastic fibers, plastic bristles or plastic sheets, from being deflected (e.g. deformed) laterally outward, e.g. into a partial region S, beyond the shielding device 22, e.g. when the cleaning filaments are acted upon a part C during cleaning and are thereby deflected, e.g. to the side, as the shielding device 22 may be provided on one or both sides. The shielding device 22 may, for example, consist of a material that is not elastically deformable or that is only minimally elastically deformable.

[0085] It should be understood that the first cleaning device 10 is also guided along the part C so as not to enter the part region S. However, since the first cleaning device 10 is appropriately designed for large-area cleaning and is not particularly suitable for cleaning with clearly defined edges, the first cleaning device 10 can preferably only clean an area of ​​the part that is sufficiently distant from the part region S.

[0086] The cleaning installation 100 may for example comprise a control device 30 (e.g. control and computing means, computer etc.) shown only diagrammatically, in which a control program for controlling for example the robot 21 and / or the second cleaning device 20 may be stored. It is possible that the robot 21 on one side of the conveyor arrangement 2 and / or the robot 21 on the other side of the conveyor arrangement 2 are controllable by the control device 30 to guide the second cleaning device 20 laterally along the partial area S as explained above. However, alternatively or additionally it is also possible that both robots 21 are controlled by different control devices. The same applies accordingly to the second cleaning device 20.

[0087] In the embodiment being described, the first cleaning device 10 is preferably a cleaning roller having a first roller outer diameter d1 and the second cleaning device 20 is preferably a cleaning roller, in particular a plastic cleaning roller, having a second roller outer diameter d2, the first roller outer diameter d1 being larger than the second roller outer diameter d2, as shown, for example, diagrammatically in FIG. 5.

[0088] The first roller outer diameter d1 can be, for example, at least 1.5 times or at least 2.0 times as large as the second roller outer diameter d2.

[0089] FIG. 6 illustrates a cleaning method according to one embodiment of the present invention, which may be performed by the cleaning equipment 100 described herein.

[0090] In step S0, a wet partial area S can be applied to the component C, in particular before the cleaning method is carried out.

[0091] In step S1, the parts C may be transported through a cleaning station 1 by a conveyor device 2.

[0092] In step S2, cleaning of the component C, preferably over a large area, can be carried out by a first cleaning device 10.

[0093] In step S3, cleaning of the part C with clearly defined edges, especially in small areas, can be carried out by a second cleaning device 20, which is guided laterally along the still-wet partial area S of the part C by a multi-axis robot 21 in order to clean the part C beside the still-wet partial area S on the side.

[0094] In step S4, the part C may be coated, for example with paint, later on in the cleaning process.

[0095] Steps S1, S2, and / or S3 may be performed at least sometimes simultaneously and / or at least sometimes sequentially, and step S3 may, for example, at least sometimes be performed prior to step S3, or vice versa.

[0096] Cleaning by the second cleaning device 20 is preferably performed at a higher cleaning rotation speed (eg, at least 1.5 times, at least 2.0 times, or at least 2.5 times higher) than cleaning by the first cleaning device 10.

[0097] The order of method steps in the claims, for example, may not necessarily dictate the order of the method steps.

[0098] FIG. 7 illustrates a cleaning installation 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0099] A special feature is that the cleaning installation 100 comprises a roof machine RM with a first cleaning device 10, in particular for large-area cleaning of parts C, and preferably on both sides of the conveyor device 2 a side machine SM with a first cleaning device 10. The cleaning devices 10 of the roof machine RM and of the side machine SM may be identical or different, but in any case serve for cleaning parts C, in particular over a large area.

[0100] The present invention is not limited to the above-described preferred embodiment. Rather, many variations and modifications are possible using the concept of the present invention, which are also within the scope of the present invention. Moreover, the present invention claims protection for the subject matter and features of the dependent claims independently of the features and claims they refer to.

[0101] [Note] [Appendix 1] A cleaning installation (100) for cleaning a part (C), preferably an automotive body part, in particular laterally along a wetted partial area (S) of said part (C), comprising: Cleaning station (1), a conveyor device (2) for conveying the parts (C) through the cleaning station (1); and a first cleaning device (10) for cleaning said part (C), preferably over a large area; Including, said cleaning installation (100) comprising a multi-axis robot (21) carrying a second cleaning device (20) for cleaning said part (C), preferably with clearly defined edges, said multi-axis robot (21) being adapted to guide said second cleaning device (20) laterally along a partial area (S) of said part (C), Cleaning equipment (100).

[0102] [Appendix 2] 2. The cleaning equipment (100) according to claim 1, wherein the partial area (S) is a wet partial area (S) and / or a partial area (S) whose surface is not yet completely dry.

[0103] [Appendix 3] The cleaning equipment (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the partial area (S) is a seam whose surface is not yet completely dry and / or a coating surface whose surface is not yet completely dry.

[0104] [Appendix 4] 4. The cleaning installation (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second cleaning device (20) is a cleaning brush, in particular a plastic cleaning brush.

[0105] [Appendix 5] 5. The cleaning installation (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second cleaning device (20) is a cleaning roller, in particular a plastic cleaning roller.

[0106] [Appendix 6] 6. The cleaning apparatus (100) of claim 5, wherein the cleaning roller has an outer roller diameter (d2) of less than 35 cm, less than 32 cm, or less than 29 cm and greater than 10 cm.

[0107] [Appendix 7] 7. The cleaning arrangement (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second cleaning device (20) comprises cleaning felt, plastic fibres, plastic bristles or plastic blades.

[0108] [Appendix 8] 8. The cleaning installation (100) of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the multi-axis robot (21) comprises at least five or at least six axes of movement and / or the second cleaning device (20) is mounted on a multi-axis robot hand.

[0109] [Appendix 9] 9. The cleaning installation (100) according to any one of clauses 1 to 8, wherein the first cleaning device (10) is a sword brush, a feather brush, a feather roller, in particular an emu feather roller, or a cleaning roller.

[0110] [Appendix 10] 10. The cleaning installation (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first cleaning device (10) is a cleaning roller having a first roller outer diameter (d1) and the second cleaning device (20) is a cleaning roller having a second roller outer diameter (d2), the first roller outer diameter (d1) being larger than the second roller outer diameter (d2), preferably at least 1.5 times or at least 2.0 times larger.

[0111] [Appendix 11] The cleaning equipment (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the cleaning equipment (100) includes, in addition to the multi-axis robot (21), an automated moving machine (11) carrying the first cleaning device (10).

[0112] [Appendix 12] 12. The cleaning equipment (100) of claim 11, wherein the automated motion machine (11) comprises a multi-axis robot adapted to move the first cleaning device (10) along the part (C).

[0113] [Appendix 13] 13. The cleaning installation (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the cleaning installation (100) comprises at least one first cleaning device (10) and / or at least one second cleaning device (20) on each side of the conveyor device (2), respectively.

[0114] [Appendix 14] The second cleaning device (20) is not allowed to enter the partial area (S), and / or a lateral distance (x) between the second cleaning device (20) and the partial area (S) of less than 0.5 cm, or less than 0.25 cm, or substantially 0 cm, the multi-axis robot (21) is adapted to guide the second cleaning device (20) laterally along the partial area (S), 14. The cleaning equipment (100) of any one of claims 1 to 13.

[0115] [Appendix 15] 15. The cleaning installation (100) according to any one of appendixes 7 to 14, wherein the second cleaning device (20) is provided with at least one lateral shielding device (22) to prevent cleaning felt, plastic fibers, plastic bristles or plastic blades from deflecting beyond the shielding device (22) laterally outward, e.g. into the partial area (S).

[0116] [Appendix 16] 16. The cleaning equipment (100) of any one of claims 1 to 15, comprising a control device (30) for controlling the second cleaning device (20) and / or for controlling the multi-axis robot (21) to guide the second cleaning device (20) laterally along the sub-area (S).

[0117] [Appendix 17] 17. The cleaning installation (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the automatic movement machine (11) is adapted to guide the first cleaning device (10) along the part (C) at a lateral distance with respect to the partial area (S) and without allowing the first cleaning device (10) to enter the partial area (S).

[0118] [Appendix 18] 18. The cleaning equipment (100) of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the multi-axis robot (21) carries only a single second cleaning device (20) and / or the automated motion machine (11) carries only a single first cleaning device (10).

[0119] [Appendix 19] 19. A cleaning method for cleaning a part (C), preferably an automotive body part, preferably laterally along a wetted partial area (S) of said part (C) and / or performed by a cleaning installation (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, comprising A step (S1) of conveying the part (C) through a cleaning station (1) by a conveyor device (2); A step (S2) of cleaning the part (C), preferably over a large area, by a first cleaning device (10); and a step (S3) of cleaning said part (C), preferably with clearly defined edges, by a second cleaning device (20) guided by a multi-axis robot (21) laterally along said partial area (S) of said part (C) in order to clean said part (C) laterally beside said partial area (S), A cleaning method comprising:

[0120] [Appendix 20] The cleaning method according to claim 19, wherein the partial region (S) is a wet partial region (S) and / or a partial region (S) whose surface is not yet completely dry.

[0121] [Appendix 21] The cleaning method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the partial region (S) is a seam whose surface is not yet completely dry and / or a coating surface whose surface is not yet completely dry.

[0122] [Appendix 22] The second cleaning device (20) is not allowed to enter the partial area (S), and / or a lateral distance (x) between the second cleaning device (20) and the partial area (S) of less than 0.5 cm, or less than 0.25 cm, or substantially 0 cm, The multi-axis robot (21) guides the second cleaning device (20) laterally along the partial area (S), 22. The cleaning method according to any one of claims 19 to 21.

[0123] [Appendix 23] 23. The cleaning method according to any one of appendices 19 to 22, wherein a wet partial area (S) is applied to the part (C) (S0) prior to the cleaning method and / or the part (C) is coated (S4) after the cleaning method.

[0124] [Appendix 24] The cleaning (S3) of the part (C) by the second cleaning device (20) is at least occasionally performed simultaneously with the cleaning (S2) by the first cleaning device (10); at least occasionally prior to the cleaning (S2) by the first cleaning device (10); and / or At least occasionally, the cleaning is performed after the cleaning (S2) by the first cleaning device (10). 24. The cleaning method according to any one of claims 19 to 23.

[0125] [Appendix 25] 25. The cleaning method according to any one of claims 19 to 24, wherein the first cleaning device (10) cleans the part (C) with a lateral distance between the first cleaning device (10) and the partial area (S) of at least 2 cm, at least 3 cm, or at least 5 cm.

[0126] [Appendix 26] 26. The cleaning method according to any one of claims 19 to 25, wherein the second cleaning device (20) is formed as a cleaning roller and the first cleaning device (10) is formed as a cleaning roller, and a cleaning rotation speed of the second cleaning device (20) is at least 1.5 times, at least 2.0 times, or at least 2.5 times as high as the cleaning rotation speed of the first cleaning device (10). [Explanation of symbols]

[0127] 1 Cleaning Station 2 Conveyor device 10 Cleaning device, in particular the first cleaning device 11 Automatic Exercise Machine d1 Roller outer diameter SM Side Machine RM Roof Machine 20 Cleaning device, in particular the second cleaning device 21 Multi-axis robot 22 Lateral shielding device d2 roller outer diameter C Parts, especially auto body parts S subregion, especially the wet subregion x lateral distance between the part area and the second cleaning device 30 Control device 100 Cleaning Equipment

Claims

1. Cleaning equipment (100) for cleaning a component (C), preferably an automotive body component, particularly along a wetted partial area (S) of the component (C) on the side, comprising: A cleaning station (1); A conveyor device (2) for conveying the component (C) through the cleaning station (1); and A first cleaning device (10) for cleaning the component (C), preferably over a large area. The cleaning equipment (100) further comprises a multi-axis robot (21) carrying a second cleaning device (20) for cleaning the component (C), preferably with clearly defined edges, and adapted to guide the second cleaning device (20) along the partial area (S) of the component (C) on the side. Characterized in that the cleaning equipment (100) includes a multi-axis robot (21) adapted to guide the second cleaning device (20) along the partial area (S) of the component (C) on the side. Cleaning equipment (100).

2. The cleaning equipment (100) according to claim 1, wherein the partial area (S) is a wetted partial area (S) and / or a partial area (S) whose surface has not yet completely dried.

3. The cleaning equipment (100) according to claim 1, wherein the partial area (S) is a joint whose surface has not yet completely dried and / or a coated surface whose surface has not yet completely dried.

4. The cleaning equipment (100) according to claim 1, wherein the second cleaning device (20) is a cleaning brush, particularly a plastic cleaning brush.

5. The cleaning equipment (100) according to claim 1, wherein the second cleaning device (20) is a cleaning roller, particularly a plastic cleaning roller.

6. The cleaning equipment (100) according to claim 5, wherein the cleaning roller has a roller outer diameter (d2) of less than 35 cm, less than 32 cm, or less than 29 cm and greater than 10 cm.

7. The cleaning equipment (100) according to claim 1, wherein the second cleaning device (20) includes a cleaning felt, plastic fibers, plastic bristles, or plastic blades.

8. The cleaning equipment (100) according to claim 1, wherein the multi-axis robot (21) includes at least five or at least six moving axes, and / or the second cleaning device (20) is mounted on a multi-axis robot hand.

9. The cleaning equipment (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first cleaning device (10) is a sword brush, a feather brush, a feather roller, particularly an emu feather roller, or a cleaning roller.

10. The cleaning equipment (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first cleaning device (10) is a cleaning roller having a first roller outer diameter (d1), the second cleaning device (20) is a cleaning roller having a second roller outer diameter (d2), and the first roller outer diameter (d1) is larger than the second roller outer diameter (d2), preferably at least 1.5 times or at least 2.0 times larger.

11. The cleaning equipment (100) according to claim 1, further comprising an automatic moving machine (11) for carrying the first cleaning device (10) in addition to the multi-axis robot (21).

12. The cleaning equipment (100) according to claim 11, wherein the automatic moving machine (11) includes a multi-axis robot adapted to move the first cleaning device (10) along the component (C).

13. The cleaning facility (100) according to claim 1, wherein at least one first cleaning device (10) and / or at least one second cleaning device (20) are respectively included on both sides of the conveyor device (2).

14. The second cleaning device (20) is not allowed to enter the partial region (S), and / or with a lateral distance (x) between the second cleaning device (20) and the partial region (S) that is less than 0.5 cm or less than 0.25 cm or substantially 0 cm, the multi-axis robot (21) is adapted to laterally guide the second cleaning device (20) along the partial region (S). The cleaning facility (100) according to claim 1.

15. The second cleaning device (20) is provided with at least one lateral shielding device (22), and it is prevented that cleaning felt, plastic fibers, plastic bristles, or plastic blades go beyond the shielding device (22) and escape laterally outside, for example, into the partial region (S). The cleaning facility (100) according to claim 7.

16. The cleaning facility (100) according to claim 1, including a control device (30) for controlling the second cleaning device (20) and / or for controlling the multi-axis robot (21) in order to laterally guide the second cleaning device (20) along the partial region (S).

17. The automatic moving machine (11) is adapted to guide the first cleaning device (10) along the component (C) at a lateral distance from the partial region (S) and without allowing the first cleaning device (10) to enter the partial region (S), and / or the automatic moving machine (11) carries only a single first cleaning device (10). The cleaning facility (100) according to claim 11.

18. The multi-axis robot (21) carries only a single second cleaning device (20), and the cleaning facility (100) according to claim 1.

19. A cleaning method for cleaning a component (C), preferably an automotive body component, preferably along a wetted partial area (S) of the component (C) laterally, and / or carried out by the cleaning facility (100) according to claim 1, comprising: a step (S1) of conveying the component (C) by passing it through a cleaning station (1) by means of a conveyor device (2); a step (S2) of cleaning the component (C) by means of a first cleaning device (10), preferably over a large area; and a step (S3) of cleaning the component (C) by means of a second cleaning device (20) guided laterally along the partial area (S) by a multi-axis robot (21) laterally adjacent to the partial area (S) of the component (C), preferably with a clearly defined edge. A cleaning method comprising the above steps.

20. The cleaning method according to claim 19, wherein the partial area (S) is a wetted partial area (S) and / or a partial area (S) whose surface has not yet completely dried.

21. The cleaning method according to claim 19, wherein the partial area (S) is a seam whose surface has not yet completely dried and / or a coated surface whose surface has not yet completely dried.

22. The second cleaning device (20) does not enter the partial area (S) and / or at a lateral distance (x) between the second cleaning device (20) and the partial area (S) of less than 0.5 cm or less than 0.25 cm or substantially 0 cm, wherein the multi-axis robot (21) guides the second cleaning device (20) laterally along the partial area (S). The cleaning method according to claim 19.

23. The wetted partial region (S) is applied to the component (C) (S0) earlier in time than the cleaning method, and / or the component (C) is coated later in time than the cleaning method (S4), the cleaning method according to claim 19.

24. The cleaning (S3) of the component (C) by the second cleaning device (20) is at least sometimes performed simultaneously with the cleaning (S2) by the first cleaning device (10), is at least sometimes performed earlier in time than the cleaning (S2) by the first cleaning device (10), and / or is at least sometimes performed later in time than the cleaning (S2) by the first cleaning device (10), the cleaning method according to claim 19.

25. The first cleaning device (10) cleans the component (C) at a lateral distance between the first cleaning device (10) and the partial region (S) of at least 2 cm, at least 3 cm, or at least 5 cm, the cleaning method according to claim 19.

26. The second cleaning device (20) is formed as a cleaning roller, the first cleaning device (10) is formed as a cleaning roller, and the cleaning rotation speed of the second cleaning device (20) is at least 1.5 times, at least 2.0 times, or at least 2.5 times the cleaning rotation speed of the first cleaning device (10), the cleaning method according to claim 19.

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