DE20305788U1 - Cleaning system for trolleys for overhead conveyor systems has rectangular frame containing compressed air nozzles, control computer and contact switches - Google Patents

Abstract

The trolley (1) runs on an overhead rail system (2-4) and passes into a cleaning station with a rectangular frame (10). The cleaning assembly incorporates contact switches (14) connected to a control computer (12) which regulates the action of air blast jets (11). An alternative cleaning system may incorporate two rotating brushes on vertical axes, driven by electric motors.

Description

·· PATENT ATTORNEYS

MINOR

PATENT ATTORNEYS MOLL+BITTERICH ■ Westring 17-76829 Landau GERMANY

BITTERICH

Dipl.-Ing. FW MÖLL

Patent Attorney

European Patent Attorney

European Trademark Attorney

Dipl.-Ing. H. CH. BHTERICH

Patent Attorney

European Patent Attorney European Trademark Attorney

Dipl.-Ing. A. KURZ Patent Attorney

European Trademark Attorney

in cooperation with lawyer M. ZILIOX

09.04.03

MOTEX Mode-Textil-Service GmbH & Co. KG, 99880 Hörseigau

Device for cleaning trolleys for overhead conveyor systems

CORRESPONDENCE .Itotfacl^O 89 _# 768W Landau» GERMANY

··· * .* I · *! i : *«^NZlJ=rvietrincji7;7682£Lajidau·· GERMANY

I ' ^ (O)f341·-^β&thgr;&udiagr;.·.Fax *i49 (0^41 -20356

info@patentanwalt-landau.de

Tax number 24 221 01066 ■ VAT ID DE 148 899 146

BANK DETAILS

Deutsche Bank Landau 0 215 400 (bank code 546 700 95)

Postbank Ludwigshafen 275 62-676 (bank code 545 100 67)

Description:

The invention relates to devices for cleaning trolleys that run on the rails of a conveyor system, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Trolleys are used to transport goods in a variety of conveyor systems, particularly overhead conveyor systems. The trolleys, which run on rails, are driven by continuously rotating conveyor chains, by pushers or by hand. The friction between the conveyor chain and the chain profile creates metal abrasion, which, together with the lubricants used in the system, forms a sticky mass. This mass can come loose as a result of the dynamic stress on the conveyor chain during operation and deposit on the trolleys.

This effect is further amplified by the fact that empty trolleys are sometimes stored in various empty trolley magazines for weeks. The conveyor chains are constantly moving over the stored trolleys and are constantly generating abrasion.

Another cause of contamination is the pushers. Pushers are drive units for empty trolleys that use two soft rubber belts rotating in opposite directions to convey goods. The fine rubber abrasion that is created has the property of sticking electrostatically to the trolleys. Together with the other abrasion, there is a significant risk that the customer's sensitive goods will become contaminated.

In order to prevent such damage, it is necessary to remove the deposits on the trolleys regularly and safely. The present invention is therefore based on the task of developing a simple, low-maintenance, inexpensive and at the same time highly effective cleaning device for trolleys.

This object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1.

The device according to the invention makes it possible to remove even firmly adhering dirt by using only compressed air, which is directed from nozzles at the parts of the trolleys that are susceptible to dirt. The device itself and its assembly are comparatively simple. Only a compressed air connection and a low-power AC connection are required. The

•••«■•ff ·

Filters ensure that the blown-off dirt can be safely collected and disposed of.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the frame of the device is built around the rails of the conveyor system.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the filters are replaceable.

According to a preferred development of the invention, the nozzles are adjustable according to the respective trolley type.

It goes without saying that the device according to the invention must have openings for the trolleys on the front sides. This means that there is a risk that the dirt blown off the trolleys can leave the device through these openings. To prevent this, foil doors are provided on the front sides, which close automatically as soon as a trolley has passed through.

According to a further development of the invention, switching contacts are provided inside the device which switch the compressed air nozzles on and off depending on the position of the trolley. This ensures that compressed air is only blown out when the dirty parts are in the area of a certain nozzle. This prevents energy waste.

If a degree of cleaning of the trolleys is desired which cannot be achieved with the compressed air nozzles alone, it is possible to install a second cleaning device as defined by the features of claim 7.

Thanks to the counter-rotating brushes, the trolleys can be cleaned particularly intensively. At the same time, this additional device is also simple, reliable and inexpensive.

Preferably, the frame of the second cleaning device is also built around the rails of the conveyor system.

It goes without saying that the filters of the second cleaning unit are also replaceable.

Preferably, the brushes are adjustable to suit the type of trolley. This means that different trolleys can be cleaned with one and the same device. Finally, it is also possible to replace the brushes quickly and easily.

In order to prevent the dirt removed by the brushes from spreading in the area surrounding the device, the front sides of the frame are equipped with foil doors that allow the trolleys to pass through and close automatically behind the trolleys.

The brushes are switched on and off by switching contacts that are activated depending on the position of the trolley.

The invention will be explained in more detail in the form of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing. They show, in oblique view and purely schematically,

Fig. 1 shows a cleaning device using compressed air and Fig. 2 shows a cleaning device using brushes.

The compressed air cleaning unit shown in Fig. 1 consists of a stable, welded frame 10 which is built around the rails 2, 3, 4 of an overhead conveyor system. The right and left side walls as well as the base of the frame carry filters 13. The filter cassettes are replaceable. Appropriate mounting rails are provided for this purpose. This makes regular filter changes very easy.

In the area of the ceiling, there are mounts for compressed air nozzles 11. The nozzles 11 can be adjusted in direction and length without great effort, so that the system can be used for different types of trolleys. Solenoid valves are assigned to the compressed air nozzles 11, so that the compressed air can be released to the trolley 1 as required. Next to the guide rail 2 of the trolleys 1, a switching contact 14 is arranged, which switches on, off and on depending on the position of the trolley 1.

and is switched over. The switching signals go to a control box 12, which contains the electrical supply connections and the control system.

During operation, the front sides of the device, where the trolleys I pass through, must be sealed with film doors made of flexible plastic to prevent the dirt blown off by the compressed air nozzles 11 from escaping. Otherwise, there is a risk that the dirt will spread widely around the cleaning device, which must be prevented for quality reasons.

Fig. 2 shows a cleaning unit working with brushes. It consists of a stable welded metal frame 20 which is built around the rails 2, 3, 4 of the overhead conveyor system. The bottom of the frame 20 is closed by a filter cassette 23.

Two rotating cleaning brushes 21 are mounted in the middle of the system, which are driven by electric motors 24 and rotate in the opposite direction to the trolley I. The position of the brushes 21 in relation to the trolley 1 can be changed in order to compensate for wear on the brushes 21 or to be able to clean trolleys 1 of different sizes. The electric motors 24 are supplied from a control box 22, which contains the electrical connections and the electrical control.

In order to prevent the dirt thrown up by the brushes from escaping, the right and left side walls and the ceiling of the frame 20 are covered with transparent plastic panels so that the cleaning can be visually monitored. The front sides are provided with film doors made of flexible plastic which allow the trolleys 1 to pass through and which close again automatically.

Claims (12)

1. Device for cleaning trolleys ( 1 ) which run on guide rails ( 2 ) of a conveyor system and are driven by continuously rotating conveyor chains, by pushers and/or by hand, characterized by - a frame ( 10 ), - therein at least one compressed air nozzle ( 11 ) directed at parts of the trolleys ( 1 ) susceptible to contamination, - a control ( 12 ) for the compressed air nozzles ( 11 ), - a dirt-retaining covering - and filter ( 13 ) to collect the dirt. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame ( 10 ) is built around the rails ( 2 , 34 ) of the conveyor system. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the filters ( 13 ) are exchangeable. 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the nozzles ( 11 ) are adjustable according to the respective trolley type. 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the front sides of the frame ( 10 ) carry foil doors which allow the trolleys to pass through. 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that switching contacts ( 14 ) are provided which switch the compressed air nozzles on and off depending on the position of the trolley ( 1 ). 7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by - a second frame ( 20 ), - therein two counter-rotating brushes ( 21 ), the bristles of which clean the trolleys ( 1 ), - a control ( 22 ) for the brushes ( 21 ), - a dirt-retaining covering - and filter ( 23 ) to collect the dirt. 8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the frame ( 20 ) is built around the rails ( 2 , 3 , 4 ) of the conveyor system. 9. Device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the filters ( 23 ) are exchangeable. 10. Device according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the brushes ( 21 ) are adjustable according to the respective trolley type. 11. Device according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the front sides of the frame ( 20 ) carry foil doors which enable the trolleys ( 1 ) to pass through. 12. Device according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that switching contacts are provided which switch the brushes ( 21 ) on and off depending on the position of the trolleys ( 1 ).