Mobile Cleaning Robot for Packaging Plants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning devices for packaging systems are bulky, limited in reach, and require significant space within the production facility, making them inefficient and inflexible for cleaning hard-to-reach areas and requiring manual operation.
Innovation Solution
A mobile cleaning device equipped with a multi-axis robot and a control system that allows for fully automated cleaning, using mechanical, chemical, or radiation methods, and is designed to be decoupled from the production facility for maximum accessibility and space efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an integrated cleaning device is permanently installed within the packaging system, then cleaning coverage is limited to areas along guide rails, but the device requires a lot of space within the packaging system and impairs accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is extracted from the packaging system and placed on a mobile base device that can move independently. This separation allows the cleaning device to access all areas of the packaging system without requiring permanent installation and guide rails, thereby saving space within the packaging system while maintaining comprehensive cleaning coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning device transitions from a static, permanently installed position to a dynamic, mobile configuration. The mobile base device with multi-axis robot enables the cleaning head to dynamically position itself anywhere within the packaging system, providing both space efficiency and comprehensive cleaning capability
2Ease of operation
If manual cleaning is performed by personnel, then flexibility in cleaning approach is maintained, but cleaning quality is highly dependent on personnel skills and cannot be reproduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device performs cleaning operations autonomously through automated control systems. The multi-axis robot executes pre-programmed cleaning paths and sequences, eliminating dependence on personnel skills while maintaining operational flexibility through programmable control, thereby ensuring consistent and reproducible cleaning quality
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning device incorporates sensors and control systems that provide feedback on cleaning progress and effectiveness. This automated feedback mechanism ensures consistent execution of cleaning tasks regardless of operator variability, while the programmable control maintains flexibility in adapting to different cleaning requirements
3Adaptability or versatility
If different cleaning tasks are assigned to personnel, then various cleaning requirements can be met, but cleaning planning becomes difficult due to varying time requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device uses programmable control to dynamically adjust cleaning parameters, paths, and sequences based on different cleaning tasks. This automation eliminates the need for manual time estimation and planning complexity, while maintaining versatility through software-configurable cleaning programs for various cleaning scenarios
4Reliability
If a cleaning device is laterally assigned to the packaging system, then cleaning function is provided, but accessibility to the packaging system is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device transitions from a fixed lateral position to a mobile configuration that can enter and exit the packaging system as needed. The mobile base device allows the cleaning system to be positioned within the packaging system during cleaning operations and removed when not needed, maintaining both cleaning functionality and system accessibility
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The mobile cleaning device ensures consistent and reproducible cleaning results, reduces the need for manual labor, and allows for easy planning of cleaning cycles, while maintaining high accessibility to all processing stations within the production facility.
Implementation Method 1
A) mechanically (e.g. with a rotating brush head as the cleaning head)
Implementation Method 2
B) by applying a cleaning medium (e.g. Steam)
Implementation Method 3
C) by exposing the production facility to radiation (e.g., ultrasound, infrared, laser light)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention comprises a cleaning device (1) for cleaning one or more production plants (100), in particular a packaging plant for packaging small-sized articles, wherein the cleaning device (1) comprises: a mobile base device (2) which is movable on a plane (E), at least one multi-axis robot (3) which is arranged on the mobile base device (2) and has at the free end at least one cleaning head (32) which is configured to clean a production plant, and a control device (4) which is configured to control the movements of the mobile base device (2) and/or the multi-axis robot (3) and to carry out a cleaning of the production plant.