Container cleaning apparatus

Abstract

To safely and easily attach a washing unit to a large container SOLUTION: A vessel washing device 2 for washing a vessel 1 positioned so as to be switchable between a standing state in which an opening part 1a is directed upward and a lying state in which the opening part 1a is directed sideways is provided. In a state in which the washing unit holding means 5 holds the washing unit 3 in the fallen state, the injection nozzle 13 of the washing unit 3 in the fallen state is inserted into the 1a of the opening of the vessel 1 in which the washing unit holding means 5 is positioned in the fallen state, and when the lid 11 is connected to the 1a of the opening of the vessel 1 by the first connecting means 15 (b), the washing unit 3 is detached from the washing unit holding means 5 (c), and the vessel 1 switched to the standing state is washed (d).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a container cleaning device, and more particularly to a container cleaning device that inserts a spray nozzle into the inside of a container and sprays a cleaning liquid from the spray nozzle to clean the inside of the container. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a container cleaning device for cleaning the inside of a container is known that includes a cleaning unit having a spray nozzle that is inserted into the inside of the container to spray cleaning liquid and a lid that is installed on the opening of the container, and a main body that supplies cleaning liquid to the cleaning unit (Patent Documents 1 and 2). In these patent documents, when attaching a cleaning unit to a container, the cleaning unit is lowered from above the upright container, the spray nozzle is inserted into the container through the opening, and the lid is placed on the opening of the container. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7112645 [Patent Document 2] Utility Model Registration No. 3175984 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Here, in the above Patent Document 2, a large container is cleaned, and therefore, in order to install the above cleaning unit in the container, it is necessary to lift the cleaning unit with a device such as a crane and insert the spray nozzle into the inside of the container. In this case, the worker must work at the height of the container's opening, which is dangerous as it involves working at a high altitude.In addition, since the spray nozzle is attached to the lower end of a rod-shaped member attached to the bottom of the lid, in order to insert the spray nozzle and rod-shaped member into the container, the cleaning unit must be raised to a height where it does not interfere with the container, which requires a high ceiling in the workplace. In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a container washing device that allows a washing unit to be safely and easily attached even to a large container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] That is, the container cleaning device according to the invention of claim 1 comprises a cleaning unit having an injection nozzle inserted into the container to inject a cleaning liquid and a lid body to be placed on the opening of the container, a cleaning unit holding means for holding the cleaning unit in a sideways position, and a first connecting means for connecting the lid body to the opening of the container, A container washing device for washing a container that is held switchably between an upright state in which an opening faces upward and a rolled-over state in which the opening faces sideways, When the cleaning unit holding means holds the cleaning unit in an overturned state, the spray nozzle of the overturned cleaning unit is inserted into the opening of the container in which the cleaning unit holding means is positioned in an overturned state, and when the lid body is connected to the opening of the container by the first connecting means, the cleaning unit is detached from the cleaning unit holding means and the container switched to an upright state is washed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the above invention, the cleaning unit can be attached while the container is in an overturned position, eliminating the need for workers to work at heights and making it possible to use the container cleaning device to clean containers even in work environments with low ceilings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1]1 is a plan view of a container cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a front view of a container cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] Enlarged view of the main part showing the connection between the container and the cleaning unit [Figure 4] A diagram illustrating a first connection means. [Figure 5] A diagram illustrating a second connection means. [Figure 6] A diagram explaining how to use the container cleaning device DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] This embodiment will be described below. Figures 1 and 2 show a container cleaning device 2 for cleaning the inside of a large container 1 such as a mixer tank, with Figure 1 showing a plan view, Figure 2 showing a front view, and Figure 3 showing an enlarged view of the main part of Figure 2. These figures also show the preparation stage for cleaning the container 1. The container cleaning device 2 includes a cleaning unit 3 that is attached to the container 1 and that sprays cleaning liquid into the inside of the container 1 to perform cleaning, a main body 4 that supplies cleaning liquid to the cleaning unit 3, a cleaning unit holding means 5 that holds the cleaning unit 3 in a horizontal position, and a moving means 6 that moves the cleaning unit holding means 5. The container 1 to be cleaned in this embodiment is a metal tank with a total height of approximately 3 m and a diameter of approximately 2 m, with an opening 1a formed in the center of the top and a drain outlet 1b formed at the lower end of the tapered section formed at the bottom. When in use, the container 1 is used in an upright position with the opening 1a facing upward (see Figure 4(d)), but when connecting the cleaning unit 3 to the container 1, it is placed in a rolled-over position with the opening 1a facing sideways as shown in Figure 2. Here, the overturned state is not limited to a state in which the central axis of the container 1 faces horizontally as shown in Figure 2, but also includes a state in which the central axis is tilted, and it is particularly desirable for the opening 1a to face diagonally downward as in this embodiment.

[0009] As shown in FIG. 1, the container 1 is held by a container holding means 7, which rotatably supports the container 1 at approximately the center of the side thereof, and the container 1 can be tilted to the required angle by a motor (not shown) which can be controlled by a control means (described later). The control means has the angles of the container 1 in the upright and overturned states registered in advance, and by controlling the motor, it is possible to place the opening 1a in the upright or overturned state. The container holding means 7 may have a configuration in which the container 1 is manually rotated to a required angle and fixed in place.

[0010] The cleaning unit 3 has the same configuration as that described in Patent Document 1, so a detailed explanation will be omitted, but it comprises a lid body 11 installed at the opening 1a of the container 1, a tubular member 12 connected to the lid body 11, a spray nozzle 13 provided at the tip of the tubular member 12, and a driving means 14 provided on the lid body 11 and for rotating the spray nozzle 13. 2, the cleaning unit 3 is connected to the container 1 in an overturned state, and the cleaning unit 3 is also in an overturned state. Specifically, the tubular member 12 is oriented in a substantially horizontal direction. The lid 11 is provided to cover the opening 1a of the container 1, and prevents the cleaning liquid from splashing out from the inside during cleaning of the container 1. A through-hole 11a to which the tubular member 12 is connected is formed in the center of the lid 11 (see FIG. 4). The lid body 11 of this embodiment and the flange portion 1A provided at the opening 1a of the container 1 are connected by a first connecting means 15 described later, so that the cleaning unit 3 will not fall off from the container 1 even if the container 1 is turned over on its side.

[0011] The base of the tubular member 12 is fixed to the position of the through hole 11a of the lid body 11, and when the cleaning unit 3 is attached to the container 1, the tip of the tubular member 12 is positioned approximately in the center inside the container 1. In addition, a rotation mechanism 12a for rotating the injection nozzle 13 is provided at the tip of the tubular member 12, and an outer tube and an inner tube (not shown) are provided inside the tubular member 12 for transmitting the driving force of the driving means 14 to the rotation mechanism 12a. The driving means 14 is composed of a plurality of servo motors housed inside a case provided on the outside of the container 1 in the lid body 11, and drives the rotation mechanism 12a via the outer tube and inner tube. Detailed explanation of the rotation mechanism 12a will be omitted, but it is composed of a rotation shaft that rotates around the central axis of the tubular member 12, multiple gears, etc., and the injection nozzle 13 is arranged to rotate around the rotation shaft. With the above configuration, when the driving means 14 rotates the outer tube and the inner tube, the injection nozzle 13 revolves around the tubular member 12 by the rotation of the swivel rotation shaft, and also rotates on its own axis by the rotation of the swivel rotation shaft, so that the injection port 13a located at the tip of the injection nozzle 13 moves in a three-dimensional movement trajectory.

[0012] The main body 4 is equipped with a pump 4a for supplying cleaning liquid to the cleaning unit 3, and a control means 4b for driving the spray nozzle 13 of the cleaning unit 3 and controlling the entire container cleaning device 2, and the control means 4b is provided with an operation panel (not shown) for operation by an operator. A cleaning liquid pipe for circulating the cleaning liquid is provided between the pump 4a and the cleaning unit 3, and electrical wiring for driving the motor is provided between the control means 4b and the cleaning unit 3, making it possible to use the main body 4 and the cleaning unit 3 at separate locations. The moving means 6 is composed of a cart that moves the pump 4a and the control means 4b of the main body 4, and is capable of moving the container cleaning device 2 to a plurality of containers 1.

[0013] The cleaning unit holding means 5 includes a wagon 21 that holds the cleaning unit 3 and a linear guide 22 that moves the wagon 21 back and forth laterally using a driving means such as a cylinder or a motor, and is movable together with the main body 4 by the moving means 6. The linear guide 22 is inclined at the same angle as the container 1 that has been turned over by the container holding means 7, and the wagon 21 reciprocates obliquely up and down along the linear guide 22. 1 and 2 show the state in which the cleaning unit 3 held by the cleaning unit holding means 5 is positioned in the forward position by the linear guide 22, and in this state the cleaning unit 3 can be connected to the container 1. On the other hand, when the wagon 21 is moved backward to the backward position, the tubular member 12 and the injection nozzle 13 inserted inside the container 1 are exposed to the outside of the container 1 (see FIG. 6). The washing unit 3 of this embodiment is connected to the wagon 21 by a second connecting means 16, which will be described later.

[0014] Figure 4 is a diagram explaining the first connecting means 15, where (a) shows the first connecting means 15 as viewed from above the lid body 11 of the cleaning unit 3, and (b) shows a cross-sectional view of the main part in (a). A ring-shaped flange 1A is provided at the opening 1a of the container 1, and multiple bolt holes 1c are provided in the flange 1A. In contrast, four bolt holes 11b are drilled in the lid 11 of the cleaning unit 3 at the same positions as the bolt holes 1c in the flange 1A. The first connecting means 15 is composed of four clamps 15a that screw into the bolt holes 1c of the flange portion 1A and the bolt holes 11b of the cover body 11, and the levers 15b for operating these four clamps 15a are configured to face in the same direction as shown in (a) when the flange portion 1A and the cover body 11 are connected.

[0015] Figure 5 is a diagram explaining the second connection means 16, where (a) shows the drive means 14 of the cleaning unit 3 as viewed from the back side of Figure 1, and (b) shows a cross-sectional view of the main part in (a). A plate-shaped bracket 14A is fixed to the driving means 14, and the bracket 14A has four bolt holes 14a formed along the driving means 14. In contrast, the wagon 21 of the cleaning unit 3 has four bolt holes 21a formed at the same positions as the bolt holes 14a of the bracket 14A. The second connecting means 16 is composed of four clamps 16a that screw together the bolt holes 14a of the brackets 14A of the cleaning units 3 and the bolt holes 21a of the wagon 21 in a state where they are overlapped with each other. Furthermore, the levers 16b for operating these four clamps 16a are oriented in the same direction when the bracket 14A and the wagon 21 are connected together, as shown in (a).

[0016] Next, we will explain the safety mechanism 31 that operates when operating the first connecting means 15 and the second connecting means 16. For example, if the second connecting means 16 releases the connection between the cleaning unit 3 and the cleaning unit holding means 5 before the cleaning unit 3 is connected to the container 1 by the first connecting means 15, the cleaning unit 3 will fall, and this mechanism prevents such an accident. The safety mechanism 31 is composed of covers 32, 33 that cover the clamps 15a, 16a that constitute the first connecting means 15 and the second connecting means 16, and electromagnetic locks 34, 35 that maintain the covers 32, 33 in a closed state. The covers 32, 33 are U-shaped or L-shaped as shown in Figs. 4(b) and 5(b), and are pivotally supported by the lid body 11 or bracket 14A via hinges 32a, 33a. The covers 32 and 33 cannot be closed unless all of the levers 15b and 16b of the two aligned clamps 15a and 16a are facing in the coupled state.

[0017] The electromagnetic locks 34, 35 equipped with proximity switches are provided adjacent to the covers 32, 33, so that the covers 32, 33 cannot be opened when the electromagnetic locks 34, 35 are activated. The conditions for opening the electromagnetic locks 34, 35 are pre-registered in the control means 4b, and the first condition is that the second connection means 16 cannot be released unless the cleaning unit 3 is connected to the container 1 by the first connection means 15. Specifically, when the lid body 11 of the cleaning unit 3 is placed on the opening 1a of the container 1 and fastened together with the clamp 15a, the lever 15b of the clamp 15a is oriented in the above-mentioned connecting position, and the cover 32 of the lid body 11 on the first connecting means 15 side can be closed. When the operator closes the two covers 32, the proximity switch of the electromagnetic lock 34 is activated, and the control means 4b recognizes that the cleaning unit 3 has been connected to the container 1 based on this signal. The control means 4b then releases the electromagnetic lock 35 of the cover 33 provided on the bracket 14A of the cleaning unit 3 on the second connecting means 16 side, thereby enabling the worker to open the cover 33 and remove the clamp 16a serving as the second connecting means 16. As a second condition, the control means 4b cannot release the first connecting means 15 until the cleaning unit 3 is connected to the cleaning unit holding means 5 by the second connecting means 16. Specifically, when the bracket 14A of the cleaning unit 3 is overlapped with the wagon 21 of the cleaning unit holding means 5 using the second connecting means 16 and these are fastened together using a clamp 16a, the lever 16b of the clamp 16a is brought into the connected position and the cover 33 provided on the bracket 14A can be closed. When the cover 33 is closed and the proximity switch of the electromagnetic lock 35 is activated, the control means 4 b recognizes that the cleaning unit 3 is connected to the cleaning unit holding means 5 by the second connecting means 16 . The control means 4b then releases the electromagnetic lock 34 of the cover 32 on the side of the first connecting means 15 provided on the lid body 11 of the cleaning unit 3, and when the worker opens the cover 32, it becomes possible to remove the clamp 15a serving as the first connecting means 15.

[0018] Hereinafter, a method of using the container cleaning device 2 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6( a ) shows the operation of moving the container cleaning device 2 to the vicinity of the container 1 . The worker operates the moving means 6 to move the main body 4 and the cleaning unit 3 held by the cleaning unit holding means 5 to the vicinity of the opening 1a of the container 1 in the overturned state. At this time, the cleaning unit holding means 5 positions the cleaning unit 3 at the retreated position, so that the spray nozzle 13 of the cleaning unit 3 is positioned near the opening 1 a of the container 1 .

[0019] FIG. 6(b) shows the operation of connecting the cleaning unit 3 to the container 1. The operator operates the operation panel to actuate the linear guide 22 of the cleaning unit holding means 5, thereby moving the cleaning unit 3 from the retreated position to the advanced position. As a result, the spray nozzle 13 of the cleaning unit 3 is inserted into the container 1, and when the lid 11 abuts against the opening 1a of the container 1, the cleaning unit 3 is connected to the container 1 by the first connecting means 15.

[0020] FIG. 6( c ) shows the operation of separating the cleaning unit 3 from the cleaning unit holding means 5 . In the operation (b), when the cleaning unit 3 is connected to the container 1 by the first connecting means 15, the second connecting means 16 can be released by the safety mechanism 31, and the worker opens the cover 33 provided on the bracket 14A of the cleaning unit 3 and removes the clamp 16a to detach the cleaning unit 3 from the cleaning unit holding means 5. Thereafter, the worker operates the moving means 6 to move the main body 4 and the cleaning unit holding means 5 away from the container 1 so that the cleaning unit 3 does not interfere with the main body 4 etc. even when the container 1 rotates.

[0021] FIG. 6( d ) shows the operation of spraying the cleaning liquid from the spray nozzle 13 of the cleaning unit 3 to clean the inside of the container 1 . In the steps (b) and (c), once the cleaning unit 3 is connected to the container 1, the container holding means 7 is operated to change the container 1 from its rolled-over state to an upright state. At this time, the cleaning unit 3 connected to the container 1 also changes from its rolled-over state to an upright state. Next, the operator performs the required operations using the operation panel, which starts cleaning the container 1, and high-pressure cleaning liquid is supplied to the cleaning unit 3 from the pump 4a of the main body 4. The control means 4b controls the drive means 14, which moves the spray nozzle 13a of the spray nozzle 13 three-dimensionally, thereby cleaning the entire interior of the container 1. Furthermore, since the container 1 is in an upright position, the cleaning liquid that has been sprayed from the spray nozzle 13 to clean the inner surface of the container 1 is discharged from the drain outlet 1b provided at the bottom of the container 1.

[0022] FIG. 6(e) shows the process of turning the container 1 from the upright state to the overturned state again. When cleaning of the container 1 is completed in operation (d), the container holding means 7 changes the container 1 from an upright position to a sideways position, and aligns the axial direction of the cleaning unit 3 with the inclination of the linear guide 22 of the cleaning unit holding means 5.

[0023] FIG. 6(f) shows the state in which the cleaning unit 3 is connected to the cleaning unit holding means 5. In operation (e), when the container 1 is turned over on its side, the worker uses the moving means 6 to move the main body 4 and the cleaning unit holding means 5 to the vicinity of the container 1, and connects the cleaning unit 3 to the cleaning unit holding means 5 using the second connecting means 16.

[0024] FIG. 6(g) shows the state in which the cleaning unit 3 is removed from the container 1. In operation (f), when the cleaning unit holding means 5 and the cleaning unit 3 are connected and the cover 33 on the second connecting means 16 side is closed, the control means 4b uses the safety mechanism 31 to enable the cover 32 on the first connecting means 15 side to be opened and closed. When an operator opens the cover 32 on the side of the first connecting means 15 and removes the clamp 15a from the lid 11 of the cleaning unit 3, the cleaning unit 3 is detached from the opening 1a of the container 1. Next, the operator operates the linear guide 22 of the cleaning unit holding means 5 to move the cleaning unit 3 from the forward position to the backward position, and the spray nozzle 13 is exposed from the inside of the container 1 to the outside. Once the cleaning unit 3 has been completely detached from the container 1 in this manner, the operator operates the moving means 6 to move the container cleaning device 2 away from the container 1 and, if necessary, move it to another container 1 that needs to be cleaned.

[0025] As described above, according to the container cleaning device 2 of this embodiment, even if the container 1 is large, the cleaning unit 3 can be installed by turning the container 1 over on its side, eliminating the need to work at heights, and the cleaning unit 3 can be attached to the container 1 even if the ceiling is low. Conventionally, when attempting to attach the cleaning unit 3 from above the container 1, the worker must work near the opening 1a of the upright container 1, which requires working at a height using scaffolding or the like, posing a risk of falling. Furthermore, the cleaning unit 3 is equipped with the above-mentioned tubular member 12, and in order to insert it through the opening 1a of the container 1, it is necessary to secure enough space between the opening 1a of the container 1 in an upright position and the ceiling to accommodate the entire cleaning unit 3. However, if the ceiling is low, this operation cannot be performed, which is a problem.

[0026] Although the moving means 6 in the above embodiment is capable of moving the main body 4 and the cleaning unit holding means 5 together, they may be moved separately, or the main body 4 may be installed in a predetermined position and only the cleaning unit holding means 5 may be movable. Also, the container holding means 7 that holds the container 1 may be movable. In addition, in the above embodiment, clamps 15a and 16a are used as the first and second connecting means 15 and 16, but these may also be configured using cylinders, motors, etc., and by registering these operations in the control means 4a, they can be operated safely as a safety mechanism 31. [Explanation of symbols]

[0027] 1 Container 2 Container cleaning device 3 Cleaning unit 4 Main body 5 Cleaning unit holding means 6 Moving means 11 lid body 13 spray nozzle 15 First connection means 16 Second connection means 31 Safety mechanism

Claims

1. a cleaning unit having a spray nozzle inserted into the container to spray a cleaning liquid and a lid to be placed on an opening of the container; a cleaning unit holding means for holding the cleaning unit in a rolled-over state; and a first connecting means for connecting the lid to the opening of the container; A container washing device for washing a container that is switchably positioned between an upright state in which an opening faces upward and a rolled-over state in which the opening faces sideways, A container washing device characterized in that, while the washing unit holding means holds the washing unit in an overturned state, the spray nozzle of the overturned washing unit is inserted into the opening of the container positioned in an overturned state, and when the lid body is connected to the opening of the container by the first connecting means, the washing unit is detached from the washing unit holding means and the container switched to an upright state is washed.

2. the cleaning unit holding means and the cleaning unit in the overturned state are connected by a second connecting means; The container cleaning device described in claim 1, characterized in that a safety mechanism is provided that prevents the second connecting means from being released until the cleaning unit is connected and held to the opening of the container by the first connecting means, and prevents the first connecting means from being released until the cleaning unit is connected and held to the cleaning unit holding means by the second connecting means.

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