Guide Beam Cleaning Locking for Automated Work Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing production plants face challenges in maintaining product purity and efficiency due to manual cleaning of work unit components, which is time-consuming, prone to errors, and disrupts production, especially for components like filling tubes or needles.
Innovation Solution
An automated production plant with a cleaning device that includes a guide beam and locking bar system to securely position work tools for cleaning, allowing for automated and standardized cleaning without disrupting the production process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual cleaning of work unit components is performed, then cleaning can be done with simple equipment, but production downtime increases and cleaning reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The work tools are extracted from the production area and moved to a dedicated cleaning station on the guide beam, where they can be cleaned automatically without disrupting the production process. This separation allows independent cleaning operations while maintaining production continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning device enables self-service cleaning of the work tools through automated cleaning heads that apply cleaning agents and remove contaminants without human intervention, improving both productivity and reliability while maintaining reasonable equipment complexity.
2Device complexity
If manual cleaning is performed, then equipment complexity is low, but cleaning standardization and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives feedback signals from the cleaning device to monitor cleaning status and automatically control the cleaning process, ensuring standardized and reliable cleaning operations. The system can detect when cleaning is complete and coordinate with the production control unit.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical cleaning operations are replaced with an automated cleaning system that uses controlled mechanical movements, automated cleaning agent application, and electronic control, significantly improving cleaning reliability and standardization.
3Manufacturing precision
If production plant is stopped for cleaning, then thorough cleaning can be performed, but production efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device enables continuous cleaning operations during production by positioning the cleaning station on the guide beam where tools can be cleaned while the production plant continues to operate. This maintains the continuity of useful action without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system performs preliminary cleaning of work tools before they are returned to production use, ensuring thorough cleaning is completed in advance. This allows tools to be cleaned proactively rather than reactively, maintaining both thoroughness and production efficiency.
4Reliability
If automated cleaning device is added, then cleaning reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide beam structure serves multiple functions: it positions work tools during production and also serves as the mounting structure for the cleaning device. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining cleaning reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning device is merged with the existing guide beam and control system infrastructure, integrating cleaning functionality into the existing production plant architecture rather than adding completely separate systems, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to an automated production plant with at least one work unit (5, 6) comprising several movable work elements (7, 9) arranged along a line for the automated processing and/or handling of serially produced product units (3). The production plant includes a guide beam (20) with several guide elements (22) arranged along a line for guiding the work elements (7, 9) and a control unit for the automated control of the production plant. An automated cleaning device for cleaning the work elements (7, 9) is provided, comprising at least one cleaning unit (28) which includes a locking bar (25) that interacts with the guide beam (20) to lock the work elements (7, 9) between the guide beam (20).The locking bar (25) is fixed and the guide bar (20) is arranged to be movable relative to the locking bar (25), so that the guide bar (20) can be moved from a starting position located away from the locking bar (25) in a working area of the work unit (5, 6) to a locking position located on the locking bar (25), in which the locking bar (25) engages the working means (7, 9) for fixation.