Cleaning facility

Abstract

To enable measurement of contamination of cleaning water without using an expensive sensor, and enable measurement of contamination of the cleaning water without stopping a cleaning facility.SOLUTION: A cleaning facility 10 includes a cleaning machine 15 that cleans components after processing, a first tank 100 that stores cleaning wastewater W1 discharged from the cleaning machine 15, and a second tank 200 that stores filtered cleaning wastewater W2 pressure-fed from the first tank 100 via filters 102, 22f. The cleaning facility supplies, as cleaning water, the filtered cleaning wastewater W2 pressure-fed from the second tank 200 via a filter 202. The cleaning facility further includes two return flow paths 25 that return a part of the filtered cleaning wastewater W2 stored in the second tank 200 to the first tank 100, and a blocking device that blocks a flow path of one of the return flow paths 25. In a state where the flow path of the return flow path 25 is blocked by the blocking device, an investigation of deposits to a wall surface of the return flow path 25 is performed to determine contamination of the filtered cleaning wastewater W2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present technology relates to a cleaning facility that includes a cleaning machine that uses cleaning water to clean processed parts, a first tank that stores cleaning wastewater discharged from the cleaning machine, and a second tank that stores filtered cleaning wastewater that is pressure-fed from the first tank through a filter, and that supplies the filtered cleaning wastewater that is pressure-fed from the second tank through the filter to the cleaning machine as the cleaning water. [Background technology]

[0002] In the above-mentioned cleaning equipment, if the post-filter cleaning wastewater (hereinafter referred to as cleaning water) becomes more contaminated, the amount of foreign matter caused by microorganisms will increase, which may cause the equipment to shut down. Therefore, if the cleaning water contamination exceeds an allowable value, the cleaning water in the first and second tanks must be replaced with clean water. Here, the contamination of cleaning water occurs due to an increase in foreign matter in the water, and the contamination of cleaning water causes a loss of pressure in the piping and a decrease in the pump discharge flow rate over time. For this reason, it is possible to continuously measure the pressure loss in the piping and the decrease in the pump discharge flow rate using pressure sensors, flow sensors, etc., and monitor the contamination state of the cleaning water.

[0003] Furthermore, as shown in Patent Document 1, it is also possible to directly measure the degree of contamination of wash water in a washing facility using a turbidity sensor that continuously measures the turbidity of raw water. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-65120 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the method of continuously measuring the pressure in the pipes using a pressure sensor, flow rate sensor, etc., the sensors are expensive, which increases the equipment cost. Also, in the method of directly measuring the dirtiness of the cleaning water using a turbidity sensor, the turbidity sensor is expensive, which increases the equipment cost.

[0006] This technology has been developed to solve the above problems, and the problem that the present invention aims to solve is to make it possible to measure the dirtiness of cleaning water without using expensive sensors, and to make it possible to measure the dirtiness of cleaning water without stopping the cleaning equipment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The above-mentioned problems can be solved by various technologies. The first technology is a cleaning equipment that includes a cleaning machine that uses cleaning water to clean machined parts, a first tank that stores the cleaning wastewater discharged from the cleaning machine, and a second tank that stores the filtered cleaning wastewater that is pressure-fed from the first tank through a filter, and supplies the filtered cleaning wastewater that is pressure-fed from the second tank through the filter to the cleaning machine as cleaning water, and the equipment also includes a plurality of return water channels that return a portion of the filtered cleaning wastewater stored in the second tank to the first tank, and a blocking device that blocks the flow path of at least one of the return water channels, and with the flow path of the return water channel blocked by the blocking device, an investigation of deposits on the wall of the return water channel is performed to determine the degree of contamination of the filtered cleaning wastewater.

[0008] According to the first technology, the contamination of the post-filter cleaning wastewater is determined by inspecting the wall surfaces of the return water channel. This eliminates the need for a sensor to continuously measure the contamination of the post-filter cleaning wastewater. In addition, multiple return water channels are provided, and the flow path of at least one of the return water channels is blocked to inspect the wall surfaces for contamination. This allows the contamination of the post-filter cleaning wastewater to be determined without stopping the cleaning equipment.

[0009] According to the second technology, the return water channel is formed as a groove that returns the post-filter cleaning wastewater that overflows from the second tank to the first tank, improving the workability of investigating deposits on the wall surface of the return water channel.

[0010] According to the third technology, the shutoff device is a dam structure that blocks the groove-shaped return water channel, which makes the shutoff device simple in structure and highly reliable.

[0011] According to the fourth technology, there is provided a first valve that discharges the cleaning wastewater stored in the first tank, a second valve that discharges the filtered cleaning wastewater stored in the second tank, a water supply valve that supplies raw water to the second tank, a level meter that can detect the liquid level in the second tank, and a control unit that operates the first valve, the second valve, and the water supply valve based on a signal from the level meter when a deposit inspection reveals that the contamination of the filtered cleaning wastewater exceeds a specified value, thereby replacing the filtered cleaning wastewater in the second tank with raw water. In other words, the filtered cleaning wastewater in the second tank can be automatically replaced with raw water, reducing the amount of work required. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the technology of the present application, it is possible to determine the degree of contamination of post-filter washing wastewater without using expensive sensors, etc. Furthermore, it is possible to determine the degree of contamination of post-filter washing wastewater without stopping the washing equipment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a cleaning facility according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a return water channel of the cleaning facility. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a shutoff device that shuts off the return water channel. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a wiring block diagram of the cleaning equipment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a first flowchart showing the control for determining the degree of contamination of wash water in the washing facility. [Figure 6]FIG. 2 is a second flowchart showing the water replacement control of the tank of the washing equipment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] [Embodiment 1] A cleaning equipment 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 6. The cleaning equipment 10 according to this embodiment is equipment for cleaning aluminum parts after cutting, and is equipped with a device for automatically replacing the cleaning water depending on the degree of contamination of the cleaning water.

[0015] <Overview of Cleaning Equipment 10> As shown in Fig. 1, the washing equipment 10 includes a washing machine 15, a first tank 100, and a second tank 200. The washing machine 15 is a device that washes aluminum parts using washing water. The first tank 100 is a tank that stores washing wastewater W1 discharged from the washing machine 15. The second tank 200 is a tank that stores filtered washing wastewater W2 that is pressure-fed from the first tank 100 through filters 102 and 22f.

[0016] 1, the washer 15 is connected to the first tank 100 by a drainage pipe 21 that sends the cleaning wastewater W1. The first tank 100 is also connected to the second tank 200 by a drainage pressure pipe 22 and a return water line 25. The drainage pressure pipe 22 is a pipe that pressure-feeds the cleaning wastewater W1 from the first tank 100 that has been filtered by a suction filter 102 and a bag filter 22f to the second tank 200.

[0017] That is, as shown in Fig. 1, a drainage water pressure pump 22p is installed in the drainage water pressure pipe 22, and the upstream end of the drainage water pressure pipe 22 is connected to a suction filter 102 in the first tank 100. In addition, a bag filter 22f is installed in the drainage water pressure pipe 22 downstream of the drainage water pressure pump 22p. Here, as shown in Fig. 4, the drainage water pressure pump 22p is configured to operate based on a signal from the control unit 30 of the cleaning equipment 10. The return water passage 25 is a water passage that returns the filtered cleaning drainage W2 that has overflowed from the second tank 200 to the first tank 100.

[0018] The cleaning wastewater W1 discharged from the washer 15 contains a large amount of oil solids used in machining aluminum parts and aluminum powder generated by cutting and other processes. Furthermore, as the amount of oil solids increases, the amount of foreign matter caused by microorganisms also increases. The suction filter 102 is a relatively coarse-mesh filter whose primary purpose is to capture oil solids. In contrast, the bag filter 22f is a relatively fine-mesh filter whose primary purpose is to capture fine aluminum powder and other particles.

[0019] The cleaning wastewater W1 in the first tank 100 is filtered by a suction filter 102 and a bag filter 22f as shown in Fig. 1 by driving a drainage pressure pump 22p, and then pressure-fed to the second tank 200 through a drainage pressure pipe 22. Therefore, the filtered cleaning wastewater W2 stored in the second tank 200 has a significantly reduced amount of foreign matter such as oil solids and aluminum powder compared to the cleaning wastewater W1 in the first tank 100, and is kept in a relatively clean state.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 1, the second tank 200 is connected to the washer 15 by a cleaning water supply line 23. The cleaning water supply line 23 is a line that supplies filtered cleaning wastewater W2 (cleaning water) filtered by a suction filter 202 in the second tank 200 to the washer 15, and a cleaning water pressure-feed pump 23p is installed in the middle of the line. As shown in Fig. 4, the cleaning water pressure-feed pump 23p is configured to operate based on a signal from the control unit 30 of the cleaning equipment 10. When the cleaning water pressure-feed pump 23p is driven, the filtered cleaning wastewater W2 in the second tank 200 is filtered by the suction filter 202 and then supplied to the washer 15 as cleaning water.

[0021] In this way, in the washing equipment 10, the washing wastewater W1 from the washer 15 is filtered through the suction filter 102 in the first tank 100, the bag filter 22f in the wastewater pressure pipe 22, and the suction filter 202 in the second tank 200, and is then supplied to the washer 15 again as washing water. For this reason, as the number of times aluminum parts are washed in the washer 15 increases, the washing water becomes contaminated, and the washing efficiency of the aluminum parts decreases. Furthermore, if the contamination of the washing water increases, foreign matter caused by microorganisms may increase, which may cause the equipment to stop operation. For this reason, in the washing equipment 10 according to this embodiment, the contamination level of the washing water is periodically determined, and when the contamination of the washing water is determined, the filtered washing wastewater W2 in the second tank 200 is replaced with raw water (well water, tap water, etc.).

[0022] <About the equipment used to determine the dirtiness of cleaning water> The contamination level of the flush water is determined in a return water channel 25, which returns the filtered flushing wastewater W2 that has overflowed from the second tank 200 to the first tank 100. As shown in Figure 2, the return water channels 25 are square groove-shaped channels that are inclined so that the first tank 100 side (the left side of the drawing) is lower, and are used in pairs. One of the return water channels 25 is equipped with a shutoff device 27 that can block the return water channel 25.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 3, the shutoff device 27 includes a shutoff plate 27s capable of blocking the return waterway 25, a support frame 27k that supports the shutoff plate 27s so that it can move up and down, bolt and nut mechanisms 27b and 27n that move the shutoff plate 27s up and down, and a handle 27h. The return waterway 25 can be blocked by operating the handle 27h to lower the shutoff plate 27s to its lowest position using the bolt and nut mechanisms 27b and 27n (see Fig. 2). Note that Fig. 2 omits all parts of the shutoff device 27 except for the shutoff plate 27s.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2, the contamination level of the wash water is determined by inspecting the deposits on the wall surface T of one of the return water channels 25 while the flow of the return water channel 25 is blocked by the shutoff device 27. The deposit inspection is performed using the ATP wipe test method. The ATP wipe test method is a test method that uses ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is contained in living organisms (many organic substances including microorganisms), as an indicator of contamination. As the contamination of the wash water increases and the amount of oil solids increases, the number of microorganisms also increases, and the ATP value increases. Therefore, the contamination level of the post-filtration wash wastewater W2 can be determined by measuring the ATP value of the deposits on the wall surface T of the return water channel 25.

[0025] The specific procedure for the ATP wipe test is to rub a certain area of ​​the wall surface T (for example, an area of ​​10 cm length x 10 cm width) with the test swab of the ATP wipe test device to sample the deposits, and then measure the ATP value by immersing the test swab in the test solution of the test device. In this embodiment, the ATP wipe test is performed approximately once every two hours while the cleaning equipment 10 is in operation. In this embodiment, the cleaning water is determined to be contaminated if the ATP value exceeds 200.

[0026] <Water replacement device for second tank 200> A first valve 104 is attached to the bottom of the first tank 100 for discharging the cleaning wastewater W1 stored in the first tank 100. A second valve 204 is attached to the bottom of the second tank 200 for discharging the filtered cleaning wastewater W2 stored in the second tank 200. A water supply valve 205 is attached to the top of the second tank 200 for supplying raw water to the second tank 200. A level gauge 207 is also installed in the second tank 200 for detecting the water level in the tank.

[0027] The signal from the level meter 207 is input to the control unit 30 of the washing equipment 10, as shown in Fig. 4. The first valve 104, the second valve 204, and the water supply valve 205 are configured to operate based on the output signal from the control unit 30. When the control unit 30 determines that the washing water is dirty, it operates the first valve 104, the second valve 204, and the water supply valve 205 based on a program (described later) to replace the water in the second tank 200.

[0028] <How to determine whether the cleaning water is dirty and how to control water replacement in the tank> Next, the determination of the contamination of the wash water and the control of water replacement in the tank will be described with reference to the flowcharts in Figures 5 and 6. First, one of the return water channels 25 is blocked by the shutoff device 27 (Figure 5, step S101), and an ATP wipe test is performed on the wall surface T of the return water channel 25 (Figure 5, step S102). Then, the ATP value obtained by the ATP wipe test is entered from the keyboard of the control unit 30 (Figure 5, step S103). If the ATP value is equal to or less than the specified value (200) (Figure 5, step S104: YES), that is, if the contamination of the post-filtration washing wastewater W2 is within the allowable range, the washing equipment 10 is operated as is, and aluminum parts are washed with the washer 15 (Figure 5, step S105).

[0029] Furthermore, if the ATP value exceeds the specified value (200) (FIG. 5, step S104 NO), that is, if the contamination of the filtered cleaning wastewater W2 exceeds the allowable range, a tank water replacement process is performed (FIG. 5, step S110). The tank water replacement process is performed based on the flowchart of FIG. 6. First, the first valve 104 of the first tank 100 and the second valve 204 of the second tank 200 are opened (FIG. 6, step S111), and the cleaning wastewater W1 in the first tank 100 and the filtered cleaning wastewater W2 in the second tank 200 are discharged. Then, the level meter 207 determines whether the level of the filtered cleaning wastewater W2 in the second tank 200 is at the lower limit (FIG. 6, step S112).

[0030] When the level of the filtered cleaning wastewater W2 in the second tank 200 falls below the lower limit and drainage is completed (FIG. 6, step S112: YES), the first valve 104 of the first tank 100 and the second valve 204 of the second tank 200 are closed (FIG. 6, step S113). Then, the water supply valve 205 of the second tank 200 is opened (FIG. 6, step S114). This allows raw water (tap water, etc.) to be supplied into the second tank 200. Then, when the level of the raw water in the second tank 200 reaches the upper limit (FIG. 6, step S115: YES), the water supply valve 205 is closed (FIG. 6, step S116). In this state, the second tank 200 is filled with raw water. Next, as shown in step S105 of FIG. 5, the cleaning equipment 10 is driven, and the cleaning machine 15 cleans the aluminum parts.

[0031] When aluminum parts are washed in the washer 15, the washing wastewater W1 from the washer 15 is led to the first tank 100 by the drainage pipe 21. Here, raw water from the second tank 200 is supplied to the washer 15, and when the level of the raw water in the second tank 200 falls below the upper limit value (FIG. 6, step S115 NO), the water supply valve 205 is opened and raw water is supplied to the second tank 200 again.

[0032] <Regarding the correspondence between the terms used in this embodiment and the terms used in the present invention> The suction filters 102 and 202 and the bag filter 22f in this embodiment correspond to the filters of the present invention. The ATP wipe test in this embodiment corresponds to the deposit inspection of the present invention.

[0033] <Advantages of the cleaning equipment 10 according to this embodiment> According to the cleaning equipment 10 of this embodiment, the contamination of the post-filtration cleaning wastewater W2 is determined by inspecting the wall surface T of the return water channel 25 for deposits. This eliminates the need for a sensor that continuously measures the contamination of the post-filtration cleaning wastewater W2. Two return water channels 25 are provided, and the flow path of at least one return water channel 25 is blocked to inspect the wall surface T for deposits. This eliminates the need to stop the cleaning equipment 10 when determining the contamination of the post-filtration cleaning wastewater W2. The return water channel 25 is groove-shaped, which improves the workability of inspecting the wall surface T for deposits. Furthermore, the shutoff device 27 has a dam structure that shuts off the groove-shaped return water channel 25, making the shutoff device 27 simple in configuration and highly reliable. The post-filtration cleaning wastewater W2 in the second tank 200 can be automatically replaced with raw water, reducing the amount of work required.

[0034] Here, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, in this embodiment, an example in which the shutoff device 27 is installed in one of the two return water channels 25 is shown, but it is also possible to install a shutoff device 27 in each of the two return water channels 25 so that the water channel in which the wall surface T is inspected for deposits can be changed. Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example in which the shutoff device 27 is operated by the handle 27h is shown, but it is also possible to configure the shutoff device 27 to be motor-driven and to drive the motor based on a signal from the control unit 30. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 10. Cleaning equipment 15. Washing machine 22f··Bag filter (filter) 25...Return waterway 27. Circuit breaker 30 Control unit 100··1st Tank 102··Suction filter (filter) 104··First valve 200··Second Tank 202··Suction filter (filter) 204··Second valve 205··Water supply valve 207··Level meter T····Wall W1: Washing wastewater W2: Post-filtration cleaning wastewater

Claims

1. A cleaning facility comprising: a cleaning machine that cleans machined parts with cleaning water; a first tank that stores cleaning wastewater discharged from the cleaning machine; and a second tank that stores filtered cleaning wastewater that is pressure-fed from the first tank through a filter, and the filtered cleaning wastewater that is pressure-fed from the second tank through the filter is supplied to the cleaning machine as cleaning water, a plurality of return water channels for returning a portion of the post-filtration cleaning wastewater stored in the second tank to the first tank; a shutoff device that shuts off the flow path of at least one of the return water channels; It has A cleaning facility that inspects the wall surface of the return water channel for deposits while the flow path of the return water channel is blocked by the blocking device to determine the contamination of post-filter cleaning wastewater.

2. 2. The cleaning equipment according to claim 1, The return water channel is formed in a groove shape to return post-filter cleaning wastewater that has overflowed from the second tank to the first tank.

3. The cleaning equipment according to claim 2, The blocking device is a cleaning facility that has a dam structure that blocks the groove-shaped return water channel.

4. 2. The cleaning equipment according to claim 1, a first valve for discharging the flushing wastewater stored in the first tank; a second valve for discharging the post-filter cleaning wastewater stored in the second tank; a water supply valve for supplying raw water to the second tank; a level meter capable of detecting the liquid level of the second tank; a control unit that operates a first valve, a second valve, and a water supply valve based on a signal from the level meter when the contamination of the post-filtered cleaning wastewater exceeds a specified value as a result of the deposit inspection, and replaces the post-filtered cleaning wastewater in the second tank with raw water; The cleaning equipment has:

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