Rotary Table Cleaning Apparatus for Side-Surface Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleaning apparatuses face difficulties in effectively cleaning the right and left side surfaces of workpieces due to backlash issues or nozzle shape limitations, particularly with L-shaped nozzles.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning apparatus and rotary table design that includes a support table rotating about a horizontal axis, a cleaning table rotating about a perpendicular axis, and a nozzle base that moves laterally, vertically, and rotationally, with couplers connecting to a working fluid source, allowing for comprehensive surface cleaning using downward nozzles or lances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If an L-shaped nozzle is used to clean the right and left side surfaces of the workpiece, then the cleaning coverage is improved, but the cleaning effectiveness deteriorates due to backlash in rotation direction or jet shape from the nozzle
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using an L-shaped nozzle to reach side surfaces, the invention inverts the approach by rotating the workpiece on a rotary table to present all surfaces to a downward-facing nozzle. The workpiece rotation brings right and left side surfaces into the cleaning path of a vertically oriented jet, eliminating the need for complex L-shaped nozzle geometry and rotation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic rotation of the workpiece on the rotary table to enable a stationary downward nozzle to clean all surfaces including side surfaces. The rotational motion dynamically presents different workpiece surfaces to the cleaning jet, achieving comprehensive coverage without requiring the nozzle to physically reach or adapt to each surface.
2Device complexity
If a downward nozzle is used for cleaning, then the nozzle structure is simplified, but the ability to clean side surfaces and hard-to-reach areas is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention adds the dimension of workpiece rotation to the cleaning system. By rotating the workpiece on the rotary table, a simple downward nozzle gains the ability to clean multiple surfaces (top, bottom, left side, right side) that would otherwise require complex multi-directional nozzles. The versatility is achieved through workpiece motion rather than nozzle complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The downward nozzle becomes a universal cleaning device capable of cleaning all workpiece surfaces through the workpiece rotation mechanism. A single simple nozzle structure achieves multi-functionality by cleaning top surfaces, bottom surfaces, and side surfaces sequentially as the workpiece rotates, eliminating the need for specialized nozzles for each surface type.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cleaning table rotates about the second axis to expose the entire surface, then the cleaning accessibility is improved, but the connection stability between couplers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by rotating the cleaning table only to the extent needed to expose the required workpiece surface area to the cleaning jet. The rotation is controlled to provide adequate accessibility while minimizing unnecessary movement that could compromise coupler connection stability. The table rotates to expose needed surfaces, maintains position during cleaning, and can be repositioned when coupler reconnection is required.
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
Enables thorough cleaning of any surface of a workpiece, including hard-to-reach areas, without relying on L-shaped nozzles, by exposing the entire surface and aligning cleaning jets with cleaning target portions.
Implementation Method 1
The cleaning apparatus is, for example, a deburring apparatus that causes the jet to collide with the burr to remove the burr.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a cleaning apparatus that cleans a cleaning target portion of a workpiece by a downward nozzle or a lance. The cleaning apparatus includes: a support table rotatable about a first axis that extends horizontally and having a first through hole that passes through the support table in a direction of a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; a cleaning table on which the workpiece is to be installed and rotatable about the second axis, the cleaning table having a second through hole that passes through the cleaning table in a direction of the second axis to expose substantially entire surface of an installation surface of the workpiece; a nozzle base movable in a lateral direction, a front-rear direction, and a vertical direction relative to the support table; and a nozzle disposed on the nozzle base in a rotatable manner about a nozzle rotational axis extending in the vertical direction.