Cleaning apparatus and cleaning method

Abstract

To provide a cleaning apparatus and cleaning method that can improve cleaning effectiveness. [Solution] The holding member 4 is pre-configured to be positioned on the extension of the spray direction d of the nozzle 10 that sprays cleaning water, and includes a recovery step in which the recovery port 6 recovers cleaning water from the cleaning tank 4, a bubble generation step in which a bubble generation mechanism 9 generates fine bubbles in the cleaning water recovered in the recovery step, and a collision step in which the cleaning water obtained in the bubble generation step is sprayed from the nozzle 10 and collides with an object 3 inside the holding member 4.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning device and a cleaning method for cleaning objects such as pipes and filters, and more particularly to a cleaning device and a cleaning method capable of improving the cleaning effect.

Background Art

[0002] Various cleaning devices using fine bubbles have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The cleaning device described in Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which two nozzles for generating fine bubbles in the passed cleaning water and four nozzles for injecting the cleaning water to generate a swirling flow are installed in a cleaning tank. The cleaning water containing fine bubbles swirls to clean objects such as dishes.

[0003] The cleaning water containing fine bubbles swirls around the object, but depending on the shape of the object, there are parts where the fine bubbles do not reach. There are cases where the fine bubbles do not collide with a specific part of the object and dirt or the like is not removed, and the cleaning effect is not sufficient.

[0004] In addition, since the cleaning water is branched and injected into six nozzles, the amount of water passing through the nozzle for generating fine bubbles is relatively small. When the amount of water passing through the nozzle for generating fine bubbles is small, the amount of generated fine bubbles also decreases. In the cleaning device described in Patent Document 1, since the amount of supplied fine bubbles is small, a sufficient cleaning effect could not be obtained.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] A cleaning apparatus for achieving the above objective comprises a cleaning tank for storing cleaning water, a holding member installed in the cleaning tank and for storing an object to be cleaned, and a drive mechanism for rotating the holding member with the vertical direction as its central axis, wherein the cleaning apparatus includes a recovery port for collecting cleaning water from the cleaning tank, a pipe connected to the recovery port, a pump installed in the middle of the pipe, a bubble generating mechanism installed in the middle of the pipe for generating fine bubbles in the cleaning water passing through the pipe, and a device installed on the inner wall surface of the cleaning tank and connected to the other end of the pipe for spraying cleaning water into the interior of the cleaning tank. multiple The device comprises a nozzle, and the holding member is positioned on the extension of the spray direction of the nozzle. The plurality of nozzles are configured to be arranged on both sides of the holding member in the horizontal direction. It is characterized by the following:

[0008] A cleaning method for achieving the above objective is a cleaning device comprising a cleaning tank for storing cleaning water, a holding member installed in the cleaning tank for storing an object to be cleaned, and a drive mechanism for rotating the holding member about a vertical axis, wherein the object to be cleaned is cleaned using the cleaning device, Multiple nozzles are arranged horizontally on both sides of the holding member, The holding member sprays cleaning water. The aforementioned The nozzle is pre-configured to be positioned on the extension of the spray direction, and includes a recovery step of recovering cleaning water from the cleaning tank, a bubble generation step of generating fine bubbles in the cleaning water recovered in the recovery step, and the cleaning water obtained in the bubble generation step being sprayed from the nozzle into the object inside the holding member. From both sides in the horizontal direction It is characterized by comprising a collision step that collides with the object. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the holding member is positioned on the extension of the nozzle's spray direction, causing the fine bubbles sprayed from the nozzle to directly collide with the object stored in the holding member. This makes it easier for the fine bubbles to come into contact with dirt and other contaminants on the object, which is advantageous for improving the cleaning effect. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of a cleaning device in a side view. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a part of the cleaning apparatus in a plan view. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating a nozzle. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating a modified example of Figure 1. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating a modified example of Figure 2. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating a modified example of Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The cleaning apparatus and cleaning method will be described below based on the embodiment shown in the figure. In the figure, the horizontal direction of the cleaning apparatus is indicated by arrow x, the vertical direction by arrow y, and the up and down direction by arrow z.

[0012] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the cleaning device 1 comprises a cleaning tank 2 for storing cleaning water, a holding member 4 installed in the cleaning tank 2 and for storing the object to be cleaned 3, and a drive mechanism 5 for rotating the holding member 4 with the vertical direction z as its central axis.

[0013] The cleaning device 1 is a device for cleaning the object 3. The object 3 consists of, for example, small parts of filling machines used in food processing plants or cosmetics manufacturing plants, as well as pipes, filters, and mixing components.

[0014] The cleaning device 1 includes a recovery port 6 for recovering cleaning water from the cleaning tank 2, a pipe 7 connected to the recovery port 6, a pump 8 installed in the middle part of the pipe 7, a bubble generation mechanism 9 installed in the middle part of the pipe 7 for generating fine bubbles in the cleaning water passing through the pipe 7, and a nozzle 10 installed on the inner wall surface 2a of the cleaning tank 2 and having the other end of the pipe 7 connected thereto for injecting the cleaning water into the cleaning tank 2, and is configured such that the holding member 4 is arranged on the extension line of the injection direction d of the nozzle 10.

[0015] The cleaning tank 2 is configured to clean the object 3 in a state where the cleaning water is stored. The cleaning water can be, for example, warm water at 80°C. The cleaning water may contain a neutral or alkaline cleaning agent added thereto. The temperature of the cleaning water is not limited to the above and can be set to any temperature within the range of 15°C or higher and 100°C or lower.

[0016] The holding member 4 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape with an open upper surface and the peripheral surface and the bottom surface are composed of lattice-shaped members. The holding member 4 only needs to be able to accommodate at least the object 3 and have a configuration in which the cleaning water and the fine bubbles can move inside and outside the holding member 4.

[0017] The holding member 4 may have a fixture for fixing the object 3 accommodated therein. The fixture can suppress the change in the posture of the object 3 inside it as the holding member 4 rotates. Specifically, the fixture can be composed of a string-shaped body such as a wire for fixing the object 3 to the holding member 4.

[0018] The drive mechanism 5 is connected, for example, to the lower surface of the holding member 4 and has a configuration for rotating the holding member 4 counterclockwise around the vertical direction z as the central axis. The rotation direction of the holding member 4 may be clockwise, or may be configured to repeat while switching between clockwise and counterclockwise. Specifically, the drive mechanism 5 is composed of a motor or the like. In FIG. 2, the rotation direction of the holding member 4 is indicated by an arrow for the sake of explanation.

[0019] The recovery port 6 is constituted by, for example, an opening formed on the bottom surface of the washing tank 2. The recovery port 6 may be formed on the side surface of the washing tank 2. One end of the pipe 7 is connected to the recovery port 6. The pipe 7 is constituted by, for example, a rigid polyvinyl chloride pipe, a cast iron pipe, a stainless steel pipe, or the like. The washing water recovered from the recovery port 6 is pressurized by a pump 8 installed in the middle part of the pipe 7 and sent to the bubble generation mechanism 9.

[0020] In this embodiment, the pump 8 is arranged at a position downstream of the recovery port 6 and upstream of the bubble generation mechanism 9. The position where the pump 8 is arranged is not limited to this, and it may be arranged downstream of the bubble generation mechanism 9. Further, the cleaning device 1 may be provided with two pumps 8 respectively arranged on the upstream side and the downstream side of the bubble generation mechanism 9.

[0021] The bubble generation mechanism 9 has a configuration through which the entire amount of the washing water passing through the pipe 7 passes. The bubble generation mechanism 9 generates fine bubbles in the washing water by a known method such as a pressurization method in which pressure is applied to the washing water to dissolve gas and then the pressure is released to generate the dissolved gas as bubbles, a shearing method in which bubbles in the washing water are torn by a water flow to be finely crushed to generate bubbles, or a tornado mist method in which a high-speed vortex is generated to atomize the washing water to generate bubbles.

[0022] Fine bubbles refer to those among the bubbles dispersed in the washing water whose average bubble diameter is less than 100 μm. Further, the fine bubbles may be composed of those with a diameter of 1 μm or more and less than 100 μm, those with a diameter less than 1 μm, or a mixture of these.

[0023] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the nozzle 10 is constituted by four nozzles, namely, a first nozzle 10a, a second nozzle 10b, a third nozzle 10c, and a fourth nozzle 10d. The nozzle 10 is provided on the inner wall surface 2a of the washing tank 2 and on its side surface. The cleaning device 1 only needs to have at least one nozzle 10. The cleaning device 1 may be provided with one nozzle 10 or five or more nozzles 10.

[0024] The spray direction d of nozzle 10 refers to the direction of the center line of the opening of nozzle 10. If the opening of nozzle 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape, the direction of its central axis is the spray direction d. The fine bubbles sprayed from nozzle 10 travel through the inside of the cleaning tank 2 while slightly spreading out from the spray direction d. In Figure 2, the spray direction d of nozzle 10 is shown by a dashed line for illustrative purposes.

[0025] In the plan view illustrated in Figure 2, the extension of the spray direction d of the nozzle 10 passes through the holding member 4. Therefore, the fine bubbles sprayed from the nozzle 10 come into direct contact with the object 3 inside the holding member 4.

[0026] Next, a cleaning method using the cleaning device 1 will be described. The cleaning method comprises a recovery step S10 for recovering cleaning water from the cleaning tank 2, a bubble generation step S20 for generating fine bubbles in the cleaning water recovered in the recovery step S10, and a collision step S30 in which the cleaning water obtained in the bubble generation step S20 is sprayed from the nozzle 10 and collides with the object 3 inside the holding member 4.

[0027] Specifically, first, the object 3 is placed inside the holding member 4. At this time, the object 3 may be fixed to the holding member 4 by a fastener. If the washing tank 2 is not filled with washing water, it is filled with washing water. With this, the washing preparation is complete.

[0028] As cleaning by the cleaning device 1 begins, the drive mechanism 5 activates and the holding member 4 starts to rotate. Also, a portion of the cleaning water inside the cleaning tank 2 is recovered from the recovery port 6 (recovery step S10). The cleaning water recovered from the recovery port 6 is a portion of the cleaning water inside the cleaning tank 2. Therefore, as long as the cleaning of the object 3 continues, a certain amount or more of cleaning water is maintained inside the cleaning tank 2.

[0029] The recovered washing water reaches the bubble generation mechanism 9 via pipe 7. At this time, the washing water is supplied to the bubble generation mechanism 9 under pressurization by pump 8. The entire amount of washing water recovered in recovery step S10 is supplied to the bubble generation mechanism 9. The bubble generation mechanism 9 generates fine bubbles in the washing water (bubble generation step S20).

[0030] The cleaning water containing fine bubbles is sprayed through the nozzle 10 towards the holding member 4 inside the cleaning tank 2. At this time, at least a portion of the holding member 4 and the nozzle 10 are immersed in the cleaning water. When cleaning the object 3, the water level in the cleaning tank 2 is maintained above the nozzle 10. Because the holding member 4 is located on the extension of the spray direction d of the nozzle 10, the fine bubbles sprayed from the nozzle 10 come into direct contact with the object 3 inside the holding member 4 (collision step S30).

[0031] The cleaning device 1 can clean the object 3 by repeating the recovery step S10, the bubble generation step S20, and the collision step S30. The cleaning water is circulated back to the cleaning tank 2 from the cleaning tank 2 via the pipe 7 and the bubble generation mechanism 9.

[0032] This configuration allows the cleaning device 1 to more easily bring fine bubbles into contact with dirt and other contaminants, thereby improving the cleaning effect. The configuration, in which the holding member 4 is positioned on the extension of the spray direction d of the nozzle 10, allows the fine bubbles sprayed from the nozzle 10 to directly contact the object 3 stored in the holding member 4. This makes it easier for the fine bubbles to come into contact with dirt and other contaminants on the object 3, which is advantageous for improving the cleaning effect.

[0033] This configuration allows the cleaning device 1 to increase the amount of fine bubbles contained in the cleaning water, thereby improving the cleaning effect. Since the entire volume of cleaning water circulating between the cleaning tank 2 and the pipe 7 passes through the bubble generation mechanism 9, it becomes easier to generate fine bubbles. Regardless of whether the bubble generation mechanism 9 uses a pressurized, shear, or tornado mist method, the higher the flow rate of the cleaning water passing through, the more efficiently fine bubbles can be generated. This increased volume of fine bubbles is advantageous for improving the cleaning effect.

[0034] As illustrated in Figure 2, the multiple nozzles 10 may be configured to spray cleaning water in a direction opposite to the rotational direction of the holding member 4. As illustrated in Figure 2, when the rotational direction of the holding member 4 is counterclockwise, the nozzles 10 are configured to spray cleaning water in a direction opposite to this rotational direction. In this case, the spraying direction d of the nozzles 10 is configured such that its extension does not pass through the center of rotation of the holding member 4. Furthermore, the rotational direction of the holding member 4 is fixed to either clockwise or counterclockwise.

[0035] The spray direction d of the nozzle 10 can also be said to be set in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the object 3, which moves circumferentially as the holding member 4 rotates. The object 3 inside the holding member 4 is configured to move in a direction approaching the fine bubbles sprayed from the nozzle 10. In other words, the direction of movement of the fine bubbles and the direction of movement of the object 3 are opposite to each other.

[0036] This configuration allows the cleaning device 1 to increase the collision speed between the microbubbles and the object 3, thereby improving the cleaning effect. Furthermore, because the object 3 and the microbubbles move toward each other, a greater number of microbubbles can more easily come into contact with the object 3, making it easier for them to combine with dirt and other substances attached to it. This is advantageous for improving the cleaning effect. For example, if the object 3 is a pipe, microbubbles can be easily introduced from one open end of the pipe and passed through its interior.

[0037] In this embodiment, the rotation direction of the holding member 4 may be configured to switch between counterclockwise and clockwise rotation at predetermined intervals. In this case, when the holding member 4 rotates counterclockwise, the nozzle 10 will spray cleaning water in a direction opposite to the rotation direction, and when the holding member 4 rotates clockwise, the nozzle 10 will spray cleaning water in a direction substantially the same as the rotation direction.

[0038] As illustrated in Figure 3, the cleaning device 1 includes a tilting mechanism 11 installed between the inner wall surface 2a of the cleaning tank 2 and the nozzle 10, and the tilting mechanism 11 may be configured to change the spray direction d of the nozzle 10.

[0039] The tilting mechanism 11 is composed of, for example, a spherical bearing. It is desirable that the tilting mechanism 11 be configured to allow the nozzle 10 to tilt in the vertical direction z and the left-right directions x and y. Alternatively, the tilting mechanism 11 may be configured to allow the nozzle 10 to tilt in only one of the vertical direction z or the left-right directions x and y. In Figure 3, for illustrative purposes, the nozzle 10 tilted along the vertical direction z is shown with a dashed line, and the nozzle 10's injection direction d is shown with a dashed line.

[0040] Before cleaning the object 3 by the cleaning device 1 begins, the spray direction d of the nozzle 10 is determined by the tilting mechanism 11. The spray direction d of the nozzle 10 is set in advance by the tilting mechanism 11 according to the size and shape of the object 3. The spray direction d of the nozzle 10 is set so that fine bubbles can spread and easily contact the entire object 3. After cleaning by the cleaning device 1 begins, the tilting mechanism 11 remains in a fixed state.

[0041] With this configuration, the cleaning device 1 can arbitrarily set the spray direction d of the nozzle 10. The spray direction d of the nozzle 10 can be adjusted by the tilting mechanism 11 according to the size and shape of the object 3 stored in the holding member 4. By adjusting the direction in which the fine bubbles are sprayed, it becomes easier to create a state in which the fine bubbles can easily come into contact with the object 3. This is advantageous for improving the cleaning effect.

[0042] For example, if the object 3 is relatively large in the vertical direction z, combining a nozzle 10 that is tilted upwards and a nozzle 10 that is tilted downwards makes it easier to bring the microbubbles into contact with either the top or bottom of the object 3.

[0043] For example, by combining a nozzle that tilts toward the center of the holding member 4 and a nozzle that tilts toward the outer edge in the horizontal directions x and y, it becomes easier to bring the microbubbles into contact with any horizontal surface of the object 3.

[0044] As illustrated in Figure 4, the cleaning device 1 is equipped with a plurality of nozzles 10, and the plurality of nozzles 10 may include upward nozzles whose spray direction d is upward relative to the horizontal direction x, and downward nozzles whose spray direction d is downward relative to the horizontal direction x.

[0045] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, the first nozzle 10a is configured as an upward-facing nozzle, and the third nozzle 10c is configured as a downward-facing nozzle. In this case, for example, the second nozzle 10b may be configured as an upward-facing nozzle, and the fourth nozzle 10d may be configured as a downward-facing nozzle. The number of upward-facing nozzles and downward-facing nozzles among the multiple nozzles 10 may differ. In addition, horizontal nozzles with a spray direction d in the horizontal direction may be combined with the multiple nozzles 10.

[0046] With this configuration, the cleaning device 1 can spray fine bubbles upward and downward from the position where the nozzle 10 is installed. The nozzle 10 can spray fine bubbles over the entire surface of an object 3 that is relatively large in the vertical direction z. This is advantageous for improving the cleaning effect.

[0047] As illustrated in Figure 5, the cleaning device 1 is equipped with a plurality of nozzles 10, and the plurality of nozzles 10 may include inward-facing nozzles whose spray direction d is inclined toward the center o of the holding member 4, and outward-facing nozzles whose spray direction d is inclined toward the outer edge of the holding member 4.

[0048] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, the first nozzle 10a and the third nozzle 10c are configured as inward-facing nozzles, and the second nozzle 10b and the fourth nozzle 10d are configured as outward-facing nozzles. Alternatively, the first nozzle 10a and the second nozzle 10b may be inward-facing nozzles, and the third nozzle 10c and the fourth nozzle 10d may be outward-facing nozzles. The number of inward-facing nozzles and outward-facing nozzles among the multiple nozzles 10 may differ. Furthermore, a central nozzle whose injection direction d is perpendicular to the inner wall surface 2a on which a predetermined nozzle 10 is installed may be combined with the multiple nozzles 10.

[0049] An inward-facing nozzle is one in which, in a plan view, the spray direction d is inclined toward the center o of the holding member 4 with respect to the central nozzle. The fine bubbles sprayed from the inward-facing nozzle are more likely to collide with the object 3 placed near the center o of the holding member 4. An outward-facing nozzle is one in which, in a plan view, the spray direction d is inclined toward the outer edge of the holding member 4 with respect to the central nozzle. The fine bubbles sprayed from the outward-facing nozzle are more likely to collide with the object 3 placed near the outer edge of the holding member 4.

[0050] With this configuration, the cleaning device 1 can spray fine bubbles at different positions in the horizontal x and y directions relative to the holding member 4. For objects 3 that are relatively large in the radial direction of the holding member 4, the nozzle 10 can spray fine bubbles over the entire object 3. This is advantageous for improving the cleaning effect.

[0051] As illustrated in Figure 6, the cleaning device 1 may include a strainer 12 installed in the middle of the pipe 7. The strainer 12 is constructed, for example, by forming multiple through holes in a cylindrical metal plate. The strainer 12 may also be made of a mesh. The strainer 12 is installed, for example, downstream of the collection port 6 and upstream of the pump 8. The strainer 12 can remove impurities such as dirt from the cleaning water passing through it. The location where the strainer 12 is installed is not limited to the above, and it may also be installed downstream of the pump 8 and upstream of the bubble generation mechanism 9, or downstream of the bubble generation mechanism 9 and upstream of the nozzle 10.

[0052] With this configuration, the strainer 12 can remove dirt and other impurities from the cleaning water, thus suppressing the reduction in the amount of microbubbles supplied to the target object 3 due to microbubbles adhering to impurities. This makes it easier for microbubbles to adhere to dirt and other impurities on the target object 3, which is advantageous for improving the cleaning effect.

[0053] It is preferable that the strainer 12 is positioned upstream of the bubble generation mechanism 9.

[0054] This configuration prevents the loss of fine bubbles generated by the bubble generation mechanism 9 due to contact with impurities collected in the strainer 12. This suppresses the reduction in the amount of fine bubbles supplied to the washing tank 2, which is advantageous for improving the washing effect.

[0055] With this configuration, the cleaning water from which impurities have been removed by the strainer 12 is supplied to the bubble generation mechanism 9, which is advantageous in suppressing deterioration of the bubble generation mechanism 9's function or malfunction. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0056] 1. Washing device 2. Washing tank 2a Inner wall surface 3. Object 4. Retaining member 5. Drive mechanism 6. Collection port 7 pipes 8 pumps 9. Bubble generation mechanism 10 nozzles 10a First nozzle 10b Second nozzle 10c Third Nozzle 10d Fourth nozzle 11 Tilt mechanism 12 Strainer d Injection direction o center S10 Recovery Step S20 Bubble generation step S30 Collision Step

Claims

1. A cleaning apparatus comprising a cleaning tank for storing cleaning water, a holding member installed in the cleaning tank for storing an object to be cleaned, and a drive mechanism for rotating the holding member with the vertical direction as its central axis, The system comprises a recovery port for recovering cleaning water from the cleaning tank, a pipe connected to the recovery port, a pump installed in the middle of the pipe, a bubble generating mechanism installed in the middle of the pipe for generating fine bubbles in the cleaning water passing through the pipe, and a plurality of nozzles installed on the inner wall surface of the cleaning tank, to which the other end of the pipe is connected for spraying cleaning water into the interior of the cleaning tank. The holding member is positioned on the extension of the nozzle's spray direction, A cleaning device characterized in that the plurality of nozzles are arranged on both sides of the holding member in the horizontal direction.

2. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of nozzles are configured to spray cleaning water in a direction opposite to the rotational direction of the holding member.

3. The cleaning tank is equipped with a tilting mechanism installed between the inner wall surface and the nozzle, The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tilting mechanism is configured to change the spray direction of the nozzle.

4. It is equipped with multiple nozzles, The cleaning apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of nozzles include upward-facing nozzles whose spray direction is upward relative to the horizontal direction and downward-facing nozzles whose spray direction is downward relative to the horizontal direction.

5. It is equipped with multiple nozzles, The cleaning apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of nozzles include inward-facing nozzles whose spray direction is inclined toward the center of the holding member and outward-facing nozzles whose spray direction is inclined toward the outer edge of the holding member.

6. The cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a strainer installed in the middle portion of the aforementioned pipe.

7. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the strainer is configured to be positioned upstream of the bubble generation mechanism.

8. A cleaning method for cleaning an object using a cleaning apparatus comprising a cleaning tank for storing cleaning water, a holding member installed in the cleaning tank for storing an object to be cleaned, and a drive mechanism for rotating the holding member about a vertical axis, The system is configured such that multiple nozzles are arranged horizontally on both sides of the holding member, and the holding member is positioned on the extension of the spray direction of the nozzles that spray cleaning water. A recovery step of recovering the washing water from the washing tank, A bubble generation step is performed to generate fine bubbles in the washing water recovered in the recovery step, A cleaning method characterized by comprising: an impact step in which the cleaning water obtained by the bubble generation step is sprayed from the nozzle and collides with the object inside the holding member from both sides in the horizontal direction.

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