Tilting Workpiece Spindle Conveyor for Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spindle conveyor systems for vehicle wheels face contamination issues during cleaning, as coating materials drip onto the chassis and rail system, increasing maintenance and cleaning efforts.
Innovation Solution
The workpiece spindle is tilted laterally during cleaning, allowing the cleaning solution to be applied from above, preventing material from dripping onto the chassis or rail system, using a tilting device such as a pivoting rail, torsion section, or joint to position the spindle for effective cleaning without contaminating the conveyor components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the workpiece spindle is cleaned by spraying from the side while remaining in the transport carriage, then the cleaning process is simple, but coating material drips onto the chassis and rail system causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The workpiece spindle is made tiltable relative to the transport carriage, allowing it to be dynamically repositioned from a vertical transport position to a tilted cleaning position. This dynamic adjustment enables cleaning solution to be applied from above while preventing contaminated material from dripping onto the chassis and rail system, thus resolving the contradiction between cleaning simplicity and contamination prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning approach is changed from horizontal side-spraying to vertical top-spraying by tilting the spindle. This dimensional change in the cleaning direction allows the cleaning solution to be applied from above, and any dripping material falls away from the chassis and rail system rather than onto them, eliminating contamination while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the workpiece spindle is removed from the transport carriage for cleaning, then contamination of components is avoided, but the cleaning process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of removing the spindle entirely for cleaning, the invention employs a tilting mechanism that allows the spindle to be repositioned to a cleaning position while remaining mounted on the transport carriage. This dynamic positioning enables in-situ cleaning, avoiding the complexity of removal and reinstallation procedures while still preventing contamination of the chassis and rail system
Solution Approach 2:
The contaminated cleaning material is effectively extracted or redirected away from the chassis and rail system by tilting the spindle. The cleaning solution and removed coating material are directed to fall into a collection area or away from sensitive components, achieving contamination prevention without requiring complete separation of the spindle from the transport carriage
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the workpiece spindle is tilted to the side for cleaning, then contamination of chassis and rail system is prevented, but additional tilting mechanism is required
Solution Approach 1:
A tilting mechanism is introduced that allows the workpiece spindle to be dynamically repositioned between a vertical transport position and a tilted cleaning position. This dynamic capability enables the spindle to be tilted during cleaning operations, preventing contamination of the chassis and rail system while maintaining operational flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The tilting function is integrated into the existing transport carriage structure, combining the transport and cleaning functions into a single unified system. The tilting mechanism is merged with the spindle mounting arrangement, allowing the same structural elements to serve both transport and cleaning purposes, thereby minimizing additional complexity
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
This design reduces the risk of contamination by directing drips away from critical components, enhancing cleaning efficiency and reducing maintenance needs by allowing intermittent cleaning of transport carriages with a separate drive or continuous passage through a torsion section.
Implementation Method 1
the workpiece spindle is coupled at its lower end remote from the workpiece holder (40) to the chassis (30) of the transport carriage (16) via a joint (78), by means of which the workpiece spindle (38) can be bent to the side about a pivot axis (80)
Implementation Method 2
cleaning solution can be applied to the workpiece spindle from above and material dripping from the workpiece spindle falls down into an area in which there are no longer any components and parts of the spindle conveyor
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 5~7
AI summary
In a spindle conveyor (12) for conveying workpieces, in particular vehicle wheels, there is a rail system (14) which comprises at least one supporting rail (18). A plurality of transport carriages (16) each have a chassis (30) that is able to move on the supporting rail (18) in a transporting direction (52) and a carrying device (34) for workpieces which are carried along by the chassis (30). The carrying device (34) comprises at least one workpiece spindle (38) for receiving the workpiece. The workpiece spindle (38) of a transport carriage (16) located on the rail system (14) is pivotable, at least in a particular section (44) of the spindle conveyor (12), between a conveying position and a particular position different from the conveying position wherein the workpiece spindle (38) is tilted in the particular position with respect to a vertical plane (V) which extends parallel to the transporting direction (52). Furthermore, there is specified a plant for treating workpieces, in particular vehicle wheels, having such a spindle conveyor (12), by means of which the workpieces are conveyable through the plant (10).