EP0340104A1 - Device for treating a cylindrical object with a frangible surface by immersion in a bath - Google Patents

Abstract

The device comprises a vessel (2) for a treatment bath (3), a support (5) for the object (6) articulated on a carriage (7) sliding vertically on the slide tracks (8), and means (9) for actuating the carriage (7) to pivot relative to the support (5), in such a way that the immersion of the object (6) in the bath (3) takes place progressively. Furthermore, since the object (6) is tubular, means (M) are provided for driving it in rotation, at least during immersion. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a device for the treatment by immersion in a bath of a tubular object having a fragile wall. This device is used in particular for cleaning stencils or stencils used in printing machines.

Various types of treatment devices are already known for immersing an object in a bath. This bath can contain various chemical agents for attacking the object and / or constitute a medium for transmitting ultrasonic waves. Such devices include a bath, an object support associated with a manual or automatic handling system, the latter generally consisting of a nacelle suspended from a winch or the like. These devices can also include means for rotating the object to be treated around a horizontal axis to increase the effectiveness of the physical or chemical action of the bath. However, if these devices are capable of processing a wide variety of objects, the manipulation of the objects through them is often too rough to be suitable for objects which are not very rigid and have large external surfaces and fragile walls, such as rotary stencils. or stencils used in printing machines. Indeed, if we do not take special precautions for the penetration of these parts in the bath, the resistance to penetration that the bath offers can cause deformations and wilting of the fragile outer wall of objects.

The main purpose of the invention is to remedy this situation by proposing a device which allows progressive immersion in a treatment bath of a tubular object having a fragile wall, which also has a large external surface.

With a view to achieving this aim, a device according to a first embodiment of the invention is proposed for treatment by immersion in a bath of a tubular object having a fragile outer surface comprising a frame vertical along which slides an object support, means for driving the object support, along the frame, a tank containing a bath, the object support being movable between a loading position in which the object is loaded horizontally and a position of penetration and immersion in the bath in which the object is inclined relative to the bath. In accordance with the invention, the object support is articulated on a mobile carriage sliding along the frame and comprises pivoting actuation means between a loading position and a position of penetration and immersion of the support of the object. 'object, harnessed between the object support and the carriage.

Thus, by an inclined penetration of the object into the bath, the surface of the object is reduced directly in contact with the bath during immersion, and this eliminates all risks of damage to the object. In addition, such a device allows, if necessary, to evacuate the air trapped inside the object during immersion in the bath, thereby improving the effectiveness of the treatment, and in particular the transmission of ultrasound. .

According to a second embodiment of the invention, there is provided a device for the treatment by immersion in a bath of a tubular object having a fragile outer surface comprising a vertical frame along which slides a support for the object, means drive the object support along the frame, a tank containing a bath, the object support being movable between a loading position in which the object is loaded horizontally and a position of penetration and immersion in the bath in which the object is inclined relative to the bath, in which the object support is mounted directly sliding on a guide path carried by the frame, this guide path constituting the means for pivoting actuation of the object support between a loading position substantially parallel to the surface of the bath and a penetrating position in the bath inclined with respect to this surface.

According to a first variant of the second embodiment of the invention, the guide path comprises an upper section along which the support of the object is in the loading position and a lower section forming an inclined ramp along which the support is in the position of penetration into the bath.

Thus, by the mere fact of the sliding of the object support on the guide path, the object support and therefore the object tilt when entering the bath so that the object gradually penetrates in the bath.

According to a second variant of the second embodiment of the invention, the guide path is rectilinear along the frame, the frame being articulated by its lower end around an axis on a fixed base and coupled to establishment means and adjusting its inclination around the axis of articulation.

• - la figure 1 est une vue d'ensemble schématique d'un premier mode de réalisation du dispositif selon l'invention, le support de l'objet dessiné en trait plein dans une position de chargement de l'objet à traiter et en trait mixte dans une position de pénétration et d'immersion de l'objet dans le bain,
• - les figures 2 à 7 sont des vues schématiques par­tielles en coupe représentant différents modes de réalisation de moyens d'actionnement en pivotement du support de l'objet par rapport au chariot,
• - la figure 8 est une vue schématique d'ensemble d'une première variante du second mode de réalisation du dispositif selon l'invention, le support de l'objet dessiné en trait mix­te dans une position de pénétration de l'objet dans le bain, et en trait plein dans une position de chargement et d'immer­sion de l'objet dans le bain,
• - la figure 9 est une vue schématique d'ensemble d'une seconde variante du second mode de réalisation selon l'inven­tion, le support de l'objet dessiné en trait plein, dans une position de pénétration de l'objet dans le bain, et en trait mixte dans une position de chargement et d'immersion de l'objet dans le bain.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of nonlimiting embodiments in conjunction with the attached drawings, among which:

• - Figure 1 is a schematic overview of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention, the support of the object drawn in solid lines in a loading position of the object to be treated and in phantom in a position of penetration and immersion of the object in the bath,
• FIGS. 2 to 7 are partial schematic sectional views showing different embodiments of means for pivotally actuating the support of the object relative to the carriage,
• - Figure 8 is a schematic overview of a first variant of the second embodiment of the device according to the invention, the support of the object drawn in phantom in a position of penetration of the object in the bath , and in solid lines in a position for loading and immersing the object in the bath,
• FIG. 9 is a schematic overall view of a second variant of the second embodiment according to the invention, the support of the object drawn in solid lines, in a position of penetration of the object into the bath, and in phantom in a position for loading and immersing the object in the bath.

Referring first to FIG. 1, we see a device for the treatment by immersion of an object designated under the general reference numeral 1. This device comprises a tank 2 of a washer or a stripper, etc. with or without ultrasound containing a treatment bath 3. The device also comprises a frame 4 extending in a vertical direction disposed near the tank, a support 5 for the object to be treated 6 and drive means (not shown ) of the support relative to the frame. The support is mounted articulated in a vertical plane on a carriage 7 sliding on slides 8 coupled to the frame. The device further comprises pivoting actuation means 9 arranged between the carriage 7 and the support 5.

The support 5 is constituted by a metal box of substantially "L" shape comprising in its upper part an articulation 10 allowing the support 5 to pivot relative to the chassis of the carriage 7. And in its lower part a receiving axis 11 of the object to be treated 6 is mounted rotating in bearings 12 of the support 5 and is connected for example by means of a chain-sprocket transmission to the output shaft of a motor M fixed inside the upper part of the box. This receiving axis 11 extends in a substantially horizontal overhang in a loading position of the object to be treated 6 (in solid lines in the figure).

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the object to be treated 6 is constituted by a long tubular piece, for example a rotary stencil. This tubular piece is threaded over its entire length, on the receiving axis 11 and abuts by one end against a first fixed flange 13 disposed near the support 5 and is held in position by a second flange 14 applied to the other end of the part to be treated and immobilized in translation on the axis 11 by a stop screw 15.

Note that the flanges 13, 14 have on their facing faces a series of stepped shoulders to allow the attachment of tubular parts of different diameters. These flanges, which are schematically represented, may include elastic or pneumatic fixing accessories making it possible to tension the tubular object circumferentially and / or axially.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 to 7, we can see different embodiments of actuation means for pivoting the support of the object 5 relative to the carriage 7.

In Figures 2, 3 and 4 are illustrated different configurations of pivoting actuation means 9 constituted by jacks. The jacks 17, 18 and 19 are coupled by one end to the chassis of the carriage 7 and by another end to a support plate 20 secured to the support (FIGS. 2 and 3) or by means of two lever arms 21, 22 (Figure 4). The jack 17 used in the embodiment of Figure 2 is a screw jack actuated for example by an electric motor fixed on the carriage (not shown). The jacks 18, 19 used in the embodiments illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 are hydraulic or pneumatic jacks conventionally controlled by distributors (not shown).

For reasons of minimal space and manufacturing convenience, the support plate 20 is fixed inside the lower part of the support 5 and the jacks pass through a recess 23 provided for this purpose in the wall 24 of the support, arranged opposite the chassis of the carriage.

In FIG. 5 is shown another embodiment of the means of pivoting actuation 9 of the support 5 relative to the carriage constituted by a deformable parallelogram 25 actuated by an inverted pitch screw 26 connected to suitable drive means for example an electric motor 11 disposed in the box of the support 5. This parallelogram is coupled by two opposite ends, to the chassis of the carriage 7 on the one hand, and to the support plate 20 secured to the support 5, on the other hand.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the pivoting actuation means 9. In this case, the actuation means consist of a cam 27 rotatably mounted on a yoke 28 integral with the carriage 7, the top of the cam cooperating with one face of the support plate 20 secured to the support 5, the cam being driven in a rotational movement, for example by an electric motor.

Thus, when the above-described pivoting actuation means are controlled, the support of the object, and consequently the axis of reception of the object, tilt upwards (in the direction of the arrow F, figure 1).

For reasons of particular arrangement of the whole device, the person skilled in the art may have the articulation 10 between the carriage 7 and the support 5 so that the inclination takes place downwards.

Finally, FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the pivoting actuation means comprising a follower roller 29 integral with the lower part of the support 5 sliding along a guide path 30 associated with the vertical slides 8 along which slides the carriage 7. This guide path 30 associated with the slides comprises at least one section along which the carriage-support assembly moves in a position for loading the object and at least one inclined ramp 31 along which the articulated support 5 can tilt when the follower roller moves on the latter.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the use of the pivoting actuation means described above, and other alternative embodiments of these actuation means will easily come to mind of the person skilled in the art. job. It will be possible to provide pivoting actuation means comprising, for example, a step-by-step electric motor directly engaged on the articulation 10, or even to replace the actuators of the actuation means described above by a toothed wheel system. rack.

In another exemplary embodiment of the immersion treatment device according to the invention illustrated in FIG. 8, where the elements identical to those of FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, it can be seen that the support of the object makes integral part of the carriage 7. In addition, the means for actuating the support in pivoting are external to the latter. As emerges from the figure, the actuating means comprise a guide path 32 along which slides the carriage-support assembly 7; 5. This guide path 32 extends vertically and is coupled to the frame 4. It will be noted in passing that in this embodiment, the frame 4 is mounted for manufacturing reasons, inside the tank. According to the invention, the guide path 32 comprises on the one hand a section 32 a along which the carriage-support assembly 7; 5 moves to a loading position, and further comprises an inclined ramp 32 b along which the carriage-support assembly 7; 5 moves to a position of penetration and immersion in the bath.

FIG. 9 illustrates a final embodiment of the device according to the invention in which the same numerical references designate the same parts described above. As in the previous embodiment, the object support is an integral part of the carriage 7 which slides along the slides 8 secured to the frame 4. The frame 4, with the slides 8 is articulated by its end lower part, around an axis 34 carried by a yoke 36 secured to a fixed base 35. The axis is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the support-carriage 5 assembly; 7 and substantially orthogonal to the axis 11 of the support 5. This device also comprises pivoting actuation means 32 constituted for example by a jack coupled on the one hand to the frame 4, 8 and on the other hand, to the base fixed 35 preferably at a point distant from the joint 34, 26 to establish and maintain the inclination of the frame 4 desired for the inclined penetration of the object into the bath.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and it is possible to make alternative embodiments without departing from its scope. In particular, provision may be made to treat parts having fragile external surfaces of different shapes, for example a frame; it is also possible to provide between the frame 4 and the tank 3 actuation means 33 in alternating movement of small amplitude of the frame relative to the tank 2 (Figure 1) or of the tank relative to the frame in order to animate the submerged parts to be treated with a reciprocating movement of small amplitude with respect to the bath, and in particular with respect to the ultrasonic radiation and thus improve the effects of the treatment on the part.

The immersion treatment device according to the invention, which is shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 1 and 8 and 9, is used as follows:

First of all, the device 1 is loaded with a tubular part to be treated 6, for example a rotary stencil. The stencil is threaded manually or, if necessary, automatically onto the receiving axis 11 of the support 5 of the object then is fixed on the axis while the latter occupies a horizontal position above the bath 3.

The work is then lowered from the workpiece to the bath, communicating an inclination of a few degrees upwards to the object support (see Figures 1, 8,9) intermediate of the pivoting actuation means 9, 32, 37 described above. The part then enters the bath 3 at one end until it is completely immersed, then it undergoes its treatment. During the treatment, the workpiece can be arranged either in a horizontal position or in an inclined position.

By tilting the part during its penetration into the bath, the resistance offered by the bath to penetration of the part is considerably reduced, so that the risk of damage to the part is reduced. In addition, this allows air trapped in the room to escape. Furthermore, by rotating the part on itself, the effects of the impact are distributed over a larger surface, and the rigidity of the part is improved while correspondingly reducing the risks of deformation thereof.

During the treatment phase, the rotation of the part can be kept, in order to standardize its treatment. Once the desired treatment has been carried out, the part is raised by tilting it beforehand as was done previously during the phase of penetration of the part into the bath, so as to evacuate the liquid remaining in the part. when it emerges.

The support 5 is finally disposed in its initial position in order to unload the treated part and to be able to start a new cycle with another part.

Similarly, we can continue to communicate a rotational movement to the part during its ascent phase and after its emergence in order to facilitate its drainage.

All of these operations can be carried out using manual commands or using automatic commands managed for example by a conventional programmable controller.

Claims (10)

1. Device for the treatment by immersion in a bath of a tubular object (6) having a fragile outer surface comprising a vertical frame (4) along which slides a support (5) of the object, drive means of the object support along the frame, a tank (2) containing a bath (3), the object support (5) being movable between a loading position in which the object is loaded horizontally, and a position of penetration and immersion in the bath (3) in which the object (6) is inclined relative to the bath (3), characterized in that the support (5) of the object is articulated on a mobile carriage (7) sliding along the frame (4, 8) and in that it comprises pivoting actuation means (9) between a loading position and a position of penetration and immersion of the support (5) the object, coupled between the support (5) of the object and the carriage (7). 2. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the pivoting actuating means (9) comprise motor means coupled on the one hand to the carriage (7) and on the other hand to the support (5) of the object. 3. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the pivoting actuating means (9) comprise a guide path (30) integral with the frame (4) and arranged parallel to the latter, along which rolls a follower roller ( 29) secured to the support (5) of the object, the guide path comprising at least one inclined ramp (31). 4. Device for the treatment by immersion in a bath of a tubular object (6) having a fragile outer surface comprising a vertical frame (4) along which slides a support (5) of the object, drive means of the object support along the frame, a tank (2) containing a bath (3), the object support (5) being movable between a loading position in which the object is loaded horizontally, and a position of penetration and immersion in the bath (3) in which the object (6) is inclined relative to the bath (3), characterized in that the support (5) of the object (6) is mounted directly sliding on a guide path 32, 8) carried by the frame (4), this guide path constituting the means for pivotally actuating the support (5) of the object between a loading position substantially parallel to the surface of the bath and a position of penetration into the bath inclined with respect to this surface. 5. Device according to claim 4 characterized in that the guide path (32) comprises an upper section (32 a ) along which the support (5) of the object is in the loading position and a lower section forming a ramp inclined (32 b ) along which the support (5) is in the position of penetration into the bath. 6. Device according to claim 4 characterized in that the guide path (8) is rectilinear along the frame, the frame 4 being articulated by its lower end around an axis (34) on a fixed base (35) and coupled to means (37) for establishing and adjusting its inclination around the axis (34) of articulation. 7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tank (2) and the frame (4) are horizontally movable relative to one another, actuating means (33) being coupled between them. 8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (5) of the object comprises a receiving axis (11) of the object (6) to be treated arranged in overhang. 9. Device according to claim 8 characterized in that the receiving axis comprises means for fixing the objects to be treated (6) in the form of removable flanges (13, 14, 15). 10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (5) of the object comprises an axis (11) for receiving the object and means (M) for driving this axis in rotation. on himself .

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