EP0956163B1 - Industrial cleaning facility - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an industrial cleaning facility comprising at least one treatment chamber (8) which can be put in an open position or a closed position (operating position). To ensure that the treatment chamber (8) can be loaded and unloaded without difficulty and to permit easy adaptation to a discontinuous production line (2; 3), the treatment chamber is divided up and consists of at least one lower part (13) and at least one upper part (26). The lower parts (13) can be fixed to a rotating column (9) having several arms and the upper parts (26) can be fixed to immovable holding posts (7) and be height-adjustable. In holding stations (7) the upper parts (26) and the lower parts (13) can be connected by means of lifting devices (38) and moved into the operating position.

Description

The invention relates to an industrial cleaning system for surface treatment of Objects, especially machined workpieces, with a Treatment medium such as cleaning fluid, steam, compressed air, heat or the like, wherein at least one treatment chamber is provided for the treatment is for loading and unloading in an open position and as a working position in a closed position is brought.

In US-PS 37 06 317 is a system for washing and rinsing Food containers for equipment on board airplanes or others Transport described. The system designed for continuous operation contains a washing chamber arranged in a straight row and a rinsing chamber, the are each lockable with swing doors. For transporting the food containers mobile trailers are provided, which run on rails and which with the help of a endless chain in a row in a row at a certain time Be pulled through the system step by step. Everyone owns this system Pendant has a hook and the chain has several spaced apart arranged carriers on which the trailers are hooked. The The distance between the carriers corresponds exactly to the size of a transport step the circulating chain, through which a first trailer from the wash chamber into the Rinsing chamber and a second trailer is transported to the washing chamber. There is each trailer placed in the middle of each chamber so that the doors opened or can be closed. Through this training of the plant are the followers positively guided on the chain so that the required distance can be maintained. The exact positioning of the trailers in the chambers is controlled by the Chain movement dependent. In order to operate this system, a Operator always commute back and forth from the loading side to the unloading side a partial load operation and in a small system like this one without a drying stage is economically justifiable. With full load operation or with a large industrial plant are such a long way from loading to Discharge that the use is not economically viable.

The device according to EP 227 275 A1 discloses a device in which objects to be treated are moved linearly in the vertical and horizontal directions. The objects are treated in chambers that are to the side of the movement path are arranged and in which the objects to be treated by a lateral, from which linear transport path outgoing movement inserted and from these be included. The way to work is due to the linear, straightforward design of the Direction of transport at last and the processing chambers to be loaded are on the side arranged. Another disadvantage of the presented technical solution is that that the sides of the receiving chambers can be moved on several sides and are therefore very susceptible to faults are.

EP document 160 362 A1 discloses a cleaning device which is attached to a vertical upward and downward movable center axis has fixed arms. To the The ends of the arms are arranged with differently arranged basket conveyors the workpieces to be cleaned are immersed in baths. The basket deliverers work at the same time as grass catchers, which after their positioning in a certain position of the Arms with raised center axis a drip of the cleaned parts after the Allow lifting. The grass catchers and baths have different shapes. The Solution according to the invention has the disadvantage that cleaning is more intensive Basis cannot be made because the facility is not hermetically sealed locked cleaning chambers.

From DE 42 20 927 A1 a continuous cleaning system is known with which in a row of wash basins arranged one behind the other, which are for the Treatment medium are permeable. The well-known cleaning system has three treatment chambers arranged one behind the other, namely a cleaning chamber, a Rinsing chamber and a drying chamber. The system is operated in such a way that the Container in the cleaning chamber and the container in the rinsing chamber and the Containers in the drying chamber are transported together to the next station become. At the entrance and exit openings of the treatment chambers Lids or doors attached to the chambers during the treatment phase are closed. To transport the wash boxes from chamber to chamber rollers and slide rails are installed in the treatment chambers form a transport route. There is a rotating device in each treatment chamber built-in, which receives the wash box and which by a motor in the longitudinal direction the treatment chamber can be brought into rotation so that the one located therein Washbasin rotates during the treatment phase. For that the wash box is still with closed a lid so that the laundry cannot fall out. The engine for the drive of the rotation device is on the outer wall of the treatment chamber attached and drives the rotation device via a gear. Furthermore are Operating devices of the individual treatment chambers, such as pumps; Valves, Sliders, control and regulating devices installed on or in the chambers and above Pipe networks to the stationary facilities such as cleaning and Detergent containers, distillation devices and blowers to dry the Treated goods connected during the treatment phase Treated goods through built-in nozzles in the cleaning chamber Suspended detergent flow, with which the laundry from adhering oil or greasy processing residues is cleaned. By rotating the Washing basket is mixed well, so that the detergent all parts of the Can wash laundry. The treatment phase in the rinsing chamber is similar, are installed in the spray nozzles and the laundry wetted with washing liquid Flushing detergent stream is exposed, the adhering to the material to be treated Wash liquid residues. Here too, the rotation process causes the Rinsing effect improved. The rotation of the laundry also improves the Drying process. With a continuous rinse liquid preparation Distillation, multiple use of the energy given off from the distillation process, for example for heating the cleaning and / or rinsing liquid or Heating the drying air completes the system. Also are diving or Spray rinsing possible, blowing off the material to be treated with compressed air, Vacuum drying, infrared drying and the use of aqueous or hydrocarbon-containing washing liquids.The well-known system has been put into practice proven. However, the system can only be used effectively if that Treated goods are filled into special containers that are permeable to the treatment medium is, for example, in such transport boxes made of perforated sheet metal or bars because the normal transport boxes made of sheet metal the treatment material from the treatment medium shield, so there is no intensive contact. Therefore, in the known Cleaning system the items to be transported in normal transport boxes in appropriate special containers decanted, which is cumbersome and time-consuming because therefore no continuous treatment and further processing of the material to be treated is possible.

From DE 195 09 645 A1 a washing system is known in which a washing zone and a rinsing zone and a drying zone in the arc, preferably arranged in a circle and which are connected to each other by a transport route. Furthermore, between the Washing zone and the drying zone provided a loading and unloading zone with which a connection between the drying zone and the washing zone is established. The Objects can thus be brought onto the transport route at the loading zone and are conveyed in a circle and pass through the washing, rinsing and Drying zone of the plant. The objects finally come out of there Out where they got dirty into the system. As Transport route is a roller conveyor arranged in a circle or one as a sieve or grate trained rotary table on which the objects are transported Objects are brought into the system at about the same location and again removed, one operator is sufficient for loading and unloading. In each In this case, the operator's work is made easier, since it no longer has to go far Paths are covered to get from loading to unloading. What for manual operation of the system applies, of course also applies to automatic Loading and unloading, whereby integration into a production line is possible. In In this case, however, the production line itself is not extended because of the installation not spatially in the production line, but next to it. Overall, the System little space, so that it can be used in a confined space Hall or outdoors, for example, can be arranged in a corner. The attachment is for continuous throughput, but not for clocked operation intended. Furthermore, the objects cannot move during treatment, For example, be rotated or put into an oscillating movement in order to to experience all-round treatment with the treatment medium. Besides, there is no Carrier for the objects provided on the transport route, so that the means Conveying and handling equipment placed on the conveyor line during the treatment can change its position, making the removal more difficult designed as the load. With the known system there is also no flooding of the chambers possible with the treatment medium to be able to immerse the objects.

DE 41 25 891 C2 describes a cleaning device that is hermetically sealed lockable treatment chamber for holding a basket for dirty items Contains laundry. The treatment chamber is stationary and has one for the basket Recording on a cover that closes the treatment chamber upwards hanging, which in turn hangs on a lifting device, which is on a horizontal rail is movable between a working position and a basket loading station. The The basket can be moved into the holder in the basket loading station become. Then the lid with the attached basket is lifted up and move horizontally to a position above the treatment chamber and then lowered into the treatment chamber until the lid is on the walls of the Treatment chamber rests and hermetically seals it. The Cleaning device is for use in automatic manufacturing, For example, not suitable in the clock method, because for the here in addition to actual cleaning times are very long because all Steps that have nothing to do with the actual cleaning process must be carried out one after the other. This has the disadvantage that the Treatment chamber is installed in a fixed position and the cover that holds the receptacle for the Basket carries back and forth between the working position and the basket loading station must be moved. The basket with dirty laundry is in one direction and moved in the other direction with cleaned laundry, the Transport device in succession a lifting distance, a horizontal distance and one Lowering section in one direction and the reverse process in the other Direction must be in order to start a new cleaning cycle. At a cleaning system with which even heavy laundry has to be handled to place special requirements on the lifting device with regard to the load capacity, which requires a complex and expensive construction. Furthermore, add up the braking and acceleration times of the lifting device, resulting in an overall leads to a further increase in additional costs. In the known cleaning device there is no possibility of using both parts (treatment chamber and cover Recording) to move independently of each other, thereby a faster To achieve the working position of the treatment chamber. Also are only one part of each of the two parts (treatment chamber and lid), so that a new cleaning cycle can only take place when the cleaned laundry removed and brought to the basket loading station and the new laundry from the basket loading station is brought to the treatment chamber.

The invention has for its object to provide an industrial cleaning system Surface treatment of objects, especially machined workpieces, with a treatment medium such as cleaning liquid, steam, compressed air, heat or the like, with at least one treatment chamber for the treatment is provided in an open position for loading and unloading and in one closed position is brought into a working position to create the one exactly fixed working method and safe functioning of the treatment chamber enables that Handling and transport of the workpieces are simplified and the loading of the Plant improved.

This task is solved with a first variant of the cleaning system According to the invention with the in claim 1 and in a second variant Cleaning system with the features specified in claim 3.

The embodiments according to claims 1 and 3 relate to the Application of the invention in different designs and sizes of Cleaning systems, the variant on which the claim 1 is based, more in Towards small plants, with one or two treatment stages, is aimed while the Variant, which is the basis of claim 3, more in the direction of larger systems is aligned, which provide a multi-stage surface treatment, for example a washing, rinsing and drying stage. Furthermore, other stages, such as prewash stage, pre-rinse stage or ultrapure rinse stage. For every Treatment stage, a separate treatment chamber can be provided. A Such cleaning system with many treatment stages is advantageous for one Final cleaning of objects to use, for example, a workpiece To be able to perform final assembly, while the system according to claim 1 advantageous used for intermediate cleaning of workpieces, for example Workpieces between two processing steps of coarse processing residues, like oil, grease or shavings. According to the invention, this is a small compact and simply constructed and uncomplicated system to be created.

According to the invention, such a system should contain a stationary assembly, which in consists essentially of a stand or gallows-like mast, on which on his upper end of one part of the treatment chamber rigid, i.e. fixed immovably and can be equipped with devices with which the treatment medium on the Workpiece is brought into action. These facilities can be spray or Spray nozzles for a cleaning liquid, or it can be an air shower act, with which compressed air is expelled and the workpiece is blasted. It is also within the scope of the invention if this device consists of steam jet nozzles or Heaters for drying is formed. This stationary assembly can be used with a movable assembly interact, which is a transport device for the second Part of the treatment chamber, which has a receptacle for at least one workpiece owns. The receptacle is advantageously designed to be rotatable or pivotable and with one Provide drive. The part of the movable with the transport device Treatment chamber is a lower part; it can be designed like a tub or container and is supplemented by the first part of the treatment chamber, which is an upper part and can be designed like a hood. With the transport device, the lower part the treatment chamber can be brought into a loading and an unloading position. In the The loading and unloading position is the object, a workpiece to be treated, in the Insert used and both parts, i.e. upper and lower part, are in one to the other aligned position, assembled with the transport device and in the Brought to work position in which the treatment of the object takes place. Is the Treatment ends, the lower and upper part with the transport device separated from each other and brought the lower part into the loading and unloading position in which the object is removed from the lower part. This can be done manually or automatically respectively. It is advantageous according to the invention if the system is for a treatment stage is equipped with a treatment chamber. Several such systems can be used interact with different treatment levels, one of them with one system cleaned (wet or dry), rinsed with another and dried with another can be.

In a reverse arrangement, this is on the stand or boom-like mast arranged upper part adjustable in height compared to the lower part, the Lower part can be immobile. Both parts are advantageously arranged to be movable, namely the upper part vertically with a lifting device and the lower part horizontally the transport device slidably or pivotally attached. That has the advantage, that a simple separation of the upper and lower part even with a pressure or vacuum-tight execution of the treatment chamber can take place, for loading and Unload the objects a laterally offset position of the upper and lower part is brought about so that loading and unloading can be carried out conveniently. Even over the edge Objects protruding from the lower part hinder the assembly of the Treatment chamber is not. Through the development of the invention, a clocked Operation of the system possible. While the treatment chamber from Obert- and Lower part is assembled, the second lower part in the loading and Unloading station can be loaded or unloaded with an object. This allows the Reduce the downtime of the system. The transport device can be made from a consist of two-armed, rotatable column, on the arms of which the lower parts are attached.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the Downtime possible. While an item is being treated in the treatment chamber, For example, if it is blasted with compressed air, another can be used in one loading station Place the object and remove a cleaned object in the unloading station become. According to the invention, the transport device is formed from a column, on the column three or six arms the lower parts are attached. In a system with two Treatment chambers can also use a column with three arms and bases become. The surplus lower part can be from a loading and unloading station be equipped. A four-armed column can be advantageous with two treatment chambers and separate loading and unloading stations or three treatment chambers and one common loading and unloading station.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the two parts of the Treatment chamber can be moved independently. During one part with the transport device performs a movement in a movement position, the other part perform a movement relative to the plane of movement of the part for example, runs across the first level. These end in the fixed station Movements in the working position of the treatment chamber, this is a significant reduction in idle times. Furthermore, the invention needs Workpiece in only one movement position, for example in a horizontal plane, to be transported. There is no need to raise or lower it. Herewith even heavy workpieces can be handled easily, which leads to a simple construction of the transport device and to further shorten the Non-productive times. Because the part with the holder for the workpiece is double is available, the one part in the fixed station can be used to position the Treatment chamber are brought about and with the other part in the loading and Unloading the loading and unloading with a workpiece, so that a further reduction in idle times is achieved.

Another embodiment advantageously includes larger systems in the invention, the provide a multi-stage surface treatment, for example a washing, rinsing and a drying stage. Furthermore, other stages such as pre-washing, pre-rinsing or High-purity rinse stage. There can be a separate one for each treatment level Treatment chamber. be used. Such a cleaning system with many Treatment stages are advantageously provided for a final cleaning of objects, for example to be able to feed a workpiece to a final assembly. Through the Advantageous training according to the invention, the idle times and thus the Shorten cycle times of a multi-chamber system further because the workpieces at the Going through the cleaning system are not implemented in the sense that they are from the removed from one treatment chamber and inserted into the other. Thereby Transport through the cleaning system is also necessary for workpieces with a Great weight simplified and finally the workpiece experiences the greatest possible Protection during transport through the cleaning system.

Another embodiment of the invention is on larger systems with three, four, five or even more treatment chambers. The invention sees in detail Transport system for the workpieces, which works in a clocked mode. There are also fixed stops on the transport route of the transport system intended. Divided treatment chambers are advantageous within the meaning of the invention used, preferably consisting of two separate parts treatment chambers provided that of a trough-like lower part and a hood-shaped upper part consist. The two parts of the treatment chambers have at the dividing edges Seals or sealing surfaces interacting with the seals, such are trained that all upper parts of treatment chambers with all lower parts of the Treatment chambers fit together and are interchangeable. The Upper parts of the treatment chambers are at the stationary holding stations Transport route of the transport system, preferably perpendicular to the Transport route, attached and vertically adjustable. For this are at the fixed Holding stations suspensions are provided on which the tops with Lifting devices are suspended. Pneumatic or Hydraulic cylinders are used, with their housings fixed to the suspensions connected and with the piston rods on the fastening eyes of the tops of the upper parts are connected. The lower parts of the treatment chambers are with one Transport device connected, which the lower parts in cycles on the transport route can move. The lower parts are advantageously rigidly connected to the transport system and are along a transport route specified by the transport system moves, which can be circular or straight.

At least one receptacle or holder is in the lower parts of the treatment chambers installed at least one object to be cleaned. The recording can be rotated or be pivoted so that the object during treatment with the Treatment medium, for example a cleaning liquid, can be moved. The lower parts and the upper parts of the treatment chambers are with their open sides trimmed in such a way that upper and lower parts are joined together in the holding stations and can be transferred to the working position. This is done by pressing the Lifting devices, which press the upper parts firmly onto the lower parts, a hermetic Establish connection, but assemble both parts so that a shield towards the environment.

In the working position of the treatment chambers, the treatment of the workpieces made with the treatment medium, the during the treatment Workpieces, lying on the workpiece holders, are moved so that one side good effectiveness of the treatment medium is achieved. Advantageously, in each treatment chamber has a different surface treatment. For example, in the workpiece is prewashed in a first treatment chamber. For this there are facilities in the upper, in the lower part or in the lower and in the upper part installed, with which the treatment chambers are flooded with cleaning liquid be rough, and in this liquid bath by moving the workpiece Processing residues are removed. You can also spray or Spray nozzles are used to hold the cleaning fluid on the workpiece is sprayed. Dry cleaning can also be provided as pre-cleaning, where the workpiece is blasted with compressed air.

In another treatment chamber, a final cleaning is to be carried out with which the Workpiece, for example with a cleaning fluid under high pressure, is treated, deburring of the workpiece is also possible at the same time. The cleaning liquid advantageously contains water-based detergents Detergent or hydrocarbon-based solvents. In a Another treatment chamber can be pre-rinsed and in a subsequent one Treatment chamber a main rinse take place, both in the immersion process is also carried out by spraying or spraying. Here are the workpieces from Remaining washing liquid residues. Finally, another can Treatment chamber a drying of the workpieces can be carried out. That can by introducing an air stream, advantageously a warm air stream, a built-in one Radiant heating, for example infrared heating, or by vacuum drying respectively. All of these types of treatment are known per se and can be used in the Training of the cleaning system according to the invention are used, wherein of course also other treatment methods, for example one Steam cleaning or steam drying and an ultrapure rinse can be provided can. The number of treatments depends on the type and scope of the treatment stages Treatment chambers.

The invention allows stationary stations for every desired treatment level Provide treatment chambers, for example cleaning systems with up to eight or ten fixed stations with treatment chambers. The transfer of the workpieces from one station to the next is advantageously clock-controlled and simultaneous. If the Treatment phases in the individual treatment chambers completed, all Units for the operation of the treatment chambers are stopped, that Treatment medium drained from the treatment chambers and a possible Pressure equalization is brought about, the lifting devices can be actuated, the upper parts separated from the lower parts, i.e. be lifted off so that the connection is interrupted. Then the transport system is activated and all lower parts with the Workpieces transported to the next fixed station. In this secured position then the tops located at the fixed stations are actuated and into their Brought to work position. This process is repeated until the workpieces have run through the first station of the cleaning system to the last station. The loading and Unloading of the lower parts with workpieces can take place at holding stations There are stops for lower parts and no upper parts on the transport route assigned. This training is particularly advantageous for a circular one or U-shaped transport route, at the free leg ends of the U the empty Stations for loading and unloading are placed.

In the case of a transport system which is designed as a "circular rotor", that is to say a circular one Owns transport route, the loading and unloading between two fixed stations inserted with tops. For this are those described above Empty stations provided. In this case, the transport system has two lower parts more than tops at the stationary holding stations, namely an empty station for Loading and an empty station for unloading the workpieces. The two are advantageous Empty stations directly next to each other. The loading and unloading station can be in advantageously to a production line for the workpieces controlled in cyclic operation can be connected, which are also larger machine parts, for example Engine blocks, which can act on or between individual stages of manufacture To be cleaned, possibly with subsequent drying adhering processing residues of oil or fat type, or solid metallic or remove non-metallic particles such as chips. In the case of a "circular rotor", the result is additional advantage that its integration into the production line is not an essential one spatial extension of the production line, but a placement, offset laterally, can be done next to the production line, the production line is separated and the corresponding end section of the production line functions is connected to the baladestation and the corresponding initial section of the Production line should be connected to the unloading station. With suitable Handling devices or robots can be removed from the production line and Handover to the cleaning system and removal from the cleaning system and Handover to the production line.

The transport system is advantageously designed as a single-column device, which by the Arms protruding equally long and equally spaced arms or consoles, according to the number of available lower parts. To the Free ends of the arms or consoles are the lower parts of treatment chambers attached. At least one rail is advantageously concentric around the column laid on which the lower parts are supported on rollers. So that through the The forces transmitted by the upper parts are at least partially absorbed by the rail become. The transport system can be driven centrally or through the column The rollers are driven individually. Alternatively, the arms or brackets be movably supported on the column and pivoted up and down with lifting devices to assemble the entire treatment chamber. To the workpieces To be able to move during the individual treatment phases are for the workpieces in the lower parts can each be coupled with an external drive. Therefor are drives with coupling elements at every stationary holding station with upper parts attached, which in the resting position of the lower parts with outer coupling elements Recordings are brought into operative connection. This can be done automatically.

For the disposal of treatment media or for draining a treatment medium from the treatment chambers are at the fixed stations with tops Collection container attached. The lower parts have closable drain ports for Empty into the collection container. This can be done from the collecting containers Treatment medium, for example cleaning liquid, with a line removed and for treatment of the workpieces in the treatment chamber again be fed. This is advantageously done with the interposition of a Processing facility.

Fig. 1:

Eine schematische Darstellung einer Reinigungsanlage,

Fig. 2:

Eine Draufsicht auf eine andere Ausführung der Reinigungsanlage,

Fig. 3:

Den Schnitt A-B in Fig. 2.

The invention will be explained in more detail with the aid of exemplary embodiments. In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1:

A schematic representation of a cleaning system,

Fig. 2:

A top view of another version of the cleaning system,

Fig. 3:

The section AB in Fig. 2nd

The types of cleaning system shown schematically in the drawing are for surface treatment, such as cleaning, rinsing and drying industrial Workpieces 1, for example engine parts, such as engine blocks, transmission housings, Cylinder heads and the like are provided. Fig. 1 shows the schematic representation of a Compact cleaning system with a treatment chamber 8 for treating the Workpieces 1 which can be assembled from upper and lower parts 13; 26 and in Fig. 1 in is shown in its open position. The parts are the upper part 26 and the lower part 13 educated. The upper part 26 is on a protruding arm 37 of a lifting device 38 attached and has built-in means 30 for supplying the treatment medium. These can be spray or spray nozzles for spraying or spraying one Cleaning liquid or one or more air showers with which in the Working position of the treatment chamber 8, the workpiece 1 is blasted with compressed air becomes. The upper part 26 is rigidly attached to the arm 37 and can be lifted 38 can be adjusted in the direction of the double arrow. The lifting device 38 is as gallows-like mast, which can be lengthened and shortened. It can it is a hydraulically or pneumatically adjustable column. The lower part 13 the treatment chamber 8 is shown in a position aligned with the upper part 26, as Fig. 1 shows. When the jack 38 is confirmed, the top 26 lowers on the lower part 13 and both parts become a complete treatment chamber 8 composed. The edges of the upper part 26 and the lower part 13 can have complementary sealing surfaces that hermetically seal the Bring the treatment chamber 8. In the lower part 13 is a receptacle 18 for Workpiece 1 installed, the rotatable or pivotable, and with one at the Transport device 9; 10 arranged drive 39 is coupled.

The transport device 9; 10 consists of the column 9 with two diametrically protruding Arms 10. It is coupled to a drive 11 and rotatable. On the arms 10 is ever a lower part 13 each with a receptacle 18 attached. Each receptacle 18 has one Drive 39 connected, which is located on the transport device 9; 10. In Fig. List a position of the transport device 9, 10 shown, in which the lower part 13, such already mentioned, is in a position in alignment with the upper part 26 and a further lower part 13 is brought into a loading and unloading position. In the field of A loading and unloading station 7a, 7b is formed in the loading and unloading position a workpiece 1 from an unspecified belt, such as conveyor belt or Conveyor belt, a production line is used in the receptacle 18. Is the Treatment of the workpiece 1 is completed in the treatment chamber 8, and the Treatment chamber 8 is in the open position shown in FIG. 1, it can Workpiece 1 inserted from the tape into the receptacle 18 and then the Transport device 9; 10 are rotated by 180 °. In the rotated position then the untreated workpiece 1 in a closed position Treatment chamber 8, the treated workpiece 1 from the treatment chamber 8 in the Loading and unloading position and can be placed on another belt for removal become. By operating the lifting device 38, the treatment chamber 8 closed and brought into the working position. The two lower parts 13 of the Treatment chamber 8 have a drain port 17 on the bottom with one illustrated flap. Through the nozzle 17, the used Treatment medium, such as cleaning liquid, discharged into a collecting container 33, which is located under the treatment chamber 8 on the lifting device 38. The Cleaning liquid can be returned to the upper part 26 via the line 32 be fed in, advantageously with the interposition of a Reprocessing device for used cleaning fluid. The lower parts 13 the treatment chamber 8 can be of the same design.

In the cleaning system according to Figures 2 and 3, the workpieces 1 are one Production line, a volume 2, with the help of handling devices, not shown or robots and inserted in the cleaning system. At the exit of the Cleaning system, the workpieces 1 with the above Handling devices removed and fed back to the production line, Volume 3. The individual components of the cleaning system are on or on a stable Frame construction 4 built on or attached. The cleaning system consists in detail a horizontal transport system 5 for the workpieces 1, which in a clocked Operation is controllable and fixed on the transport route 6 of the transport system 5 Holding stations 7 has. Furthermore, four divided treatment chambers 8 are arranged in where the individual treatment stages are carried out.

As FIG. 2 shows, the transport system 5 is for a circular transport route 6 provided and designed as a single column system. On a rotatably mounted column 9 are six radially protruding, equal lengths and in angular divisions of 60 ° to each other arranged arms 10 attached. The column 9 is by a gear or Stepper motor 11 driven. In the first case, the transport steps or cycles are carried out Turning the engine on and off, e.g. controlled by limit switches. The transport route 6 consists of two rails 12 concentrically laid around the column 9 with one certain gauge. The arms 10 are at a functionally determined height above the Rails 12 are attached to the column 9 and extend approximately with their free ends up to the inner rail 12. Viewed from the center of the column 9, the are fixed Stop stations 7 arranged around the transport route 6. There are six in total Holding stations 7 available, which coincide with the six arms 10 Division planes lie, so that all arms 10 exactly in one with each work cycle Holding station 7 are controllable. There are four fixed stops 7 for the Surface treatment of workpieces 1 and two stations as loading station 7a and Unloading station 7b available. More or fewer stops can be provided become. The number of stops 7 depends on the type and scope of the Treatment levels.

The lower parts 13 of the treatment chambers 8 are rigid on the end faces of the arms 10 attached and stiffened via struts. All lower parts 13 can have the same design. The lower parts 13 are designed as open containers or tubs and each with one Bottom 14 and an open side 15 opposite the bottom equipped has a straight edge which forms a sealing surface 16. In the bottom 14 is a Drain connector 17 installed with a closing flap, not specified, through which as will be explained in more detail below, the treatment medium can be drained can. A receptacle 18 for a workpiece 1 is installed in the lower part 13. The Recording 18 has unspecified holders for the workpiece 1, the cause the workpiece 1 during transportation or treatment is held. The receptacles 18 are, as shown in FIG. 2, in the extension direction of the Arms 10 built into the lower parts 13 and have unspecified Support legs that are parallel and spaced from opposite side walls of the Lower parts 13 run and can be rotated in the lower parts 13 with two bearing pins 19 are stored. For this, trunnion mounts on the side walls of the lower parts 13 may be present, or the bearing pins 19, sealed by the side walls, be guided to the outside, on the one hand in a bearing on the end face of the arms 10 and on the other hand inserted into a bearing receptacle 20 attached to the outside of the side wall, support. The end of the bearing journal 19 protrudes from the bearing journal receptacle 20 out and has a coupling element 21. At the holding stations 7 is a stationary Drive 22 with a coupling element 23 that matches the coupling element 21 set up. The drive 22 can be coupled to the receptacles 18 in the holding stations 7 and can make them spin or rock.

3 shows, the lower parts 13 are on two opposite sides by rollers 24 supported on rails 12. The track width of the rails 12 corresponds to the radial Distance of the rollers 24 from each other. One roll 24 is at the end of each Armes 10 and one roller 24 stored on the trunnion receptacles 20. For this are Unspecified roller suspensions are provided. The transport system 5 has that is, a drive 11 for the lower parts 13 and a drive 22 in the holding stations 7 for the recordings 18. With the drive 11, the lower parts 13 can gradually from Transported station to station and coupled to the drive 22 for the receptacles 18, be rotated or swiveled.

On the frame structure 4 there are 7 suspensions 25 at the holding stations, to which the upper parts 26 of the treatment chambers 8 are attached. The tops 26 are designed as hoods and adjustable in height by lifting devices 27, i.e. they can be lowered and raised. Serve as lifting devices 27 Pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders which are attached to the suspensions 25. As Fig. 3 shows the upper parts 26 with the hood roof on the lifting device 27 connected and with their open sides 28 the open sides 15 of the lower parts 13 facing. The open sides 28, like the lower parts 13, have straight edges, have the seals 29 which are in contact with the sealing surfaces 16 of the lower parts 13 match. The fit of the parts 13; 26 can be a waterproof, such as splash, drip water, splash water, air as well as dust and pressure or heat insulating Connection, depending on the requirements of the type of treatment of the workpieces 1. The connection needs only one, but can do all types of seals required fulfill. It is important that the parts 13, 26 fit together and form a complete one Complete the cleaning chamber. The open sides 15; 28 are located in the holding stations 7 the lower parts 13 and the upper parts 26 in alignment. Here are the Tops 26 first in a waiting position, which consists in that between the Lower parts 13 and the upper parts 26 there is a distance which is so large that a Workpiece 1 can be used comfortably in the lower part 13 or that over the The workpiece 1 protruding from the edge of the lower part 13 does not have an upper part 26 collided.

From the waiting position, the upper parts 26 can be simultaneously lowered by actuating the lifting devices 27, assembled with the lower parts 13 and the working position of the treatment chambers 8 can thus be brought about. Means 30 for supplying the treatment medium are installed in the upper parts 26. It can be fittings, such as spray and spray nozzles, for introducing a washing or rinsing liquid, or for introducing a compressed air jet for dry cleaning, or for introducing an air stream for drying or electrical heating, for steam nozzles, or for vacuum suction valves and act. As shown in FIG. 3, 8 fittings for spraying or spraying a cleaning liquid are installed in the upper part 26 of the left chamber. These fittings are connected via a line 31 and a pump station 32 to a collecting container 33 for cleaning or rinsing liquid stationed at the holding stations 7. 2, pump stations 32 are also provided for other holding stations 7, which are connected to collecting containers 33 via lines 31a; 31b. Not shown is a variant which provides that the collecting containers 33 are connected via lines to a preparation device for used cleaning or rinsing liquid in order to refresh the cleaning or rinsing liquid contained in the collecting containers 33 or the prepared cleaning or rinsing liquid coming from the preparation device directly feed back into the treatment chambers 8. As further shown in FIG. 3, in the right upper part 26 of the treatment chamber 8 at least one device designed as an air shower 30 is installed, which serves to dry the workpiece 1. Via the air duct 34, the air shower is connected via a heating device 35 to a blower 36 which generates an air flow with which the workpiece 1 is dried. The conduit 34 and the conduits 31; 31a; 31b are advantageously designed to be flexible in order to be able to compensate for the lifting movements of the upper parts 26. 2, the cleaning system has a six-armed column 9 with a division of 60 ° with six lower parts 13 and four stationary holding stations 7 with upper parts 26, which can be assembled with four lower parts 13 to form complete treatment chambers 8. Two empty stations 7a, 7b are provided which have no upper parts 26. Here, the greatest distance from two adjacent upper parts 26 is a triple division (180 °) of the six-armed column 9. The station 7a is used to load the lower parts 13 with workpieces 1 from the belt 2 and the station 7b is used to unload the lower parts 13 onto the belt 3 a production line. The loading station 7a and the unloading station 7b are arranged adjacent to one another in a 60 ° division dimension of the six-armed column 9 and are each separated by a 60 ° division dimension from the next stationary holding station 7. The cleaning system works as follows:
Fig. 2 shows the current state in the course of a treatment cycle. A workpiece 1 has just been inserted from belt 2 into the lower part 13 at the loading station 7a and a workpiece 1 has just been placed onto the belt 3 from the lower part 13 at the unloading station 7b. The treatment of the workpieces 1 is ended in the holding stations 7, the upper parts 26 are brought into the starting positions. Cleaning liquids still present in the lower parts 13 are stored in the collecting containers 33. The drives 22 are uncoupled. The column 9 is rotated one work cycle in the direction of the arrow. The empty lower part 13 of the unloading station 7b is located in the loading station 7a, the workpiece 1 from the loading station 7a in the first stationary holding station 7, in which a prewash stage takes place. The workpiece 1 previously in the first station 7 is now in the second holding station 7, in which the main washing cycle takes place. The workpiece 1 previously in the second station 7 is now in the third holding station 7, in which a rinsing cycle takes place, and the workpiece 1 previously in the third station 7 is now in the fourth holding station 7, in which drying takes place. The workpiece 1 previously in the fourth station 7 has now arrived in the unloading station 7b. This work cycle has ended and the now empty lower part 13 can be reloaded from belt 2 and a workpiece 1 can be placed on belt 3 from the unloading station 7b.

List of the reference symbols used

1

workpiece

2; 3

tape

4th

Frame construction

5

Transport system

6

Transport route

7

Stop station

7a

Loading station

7b

Unloading station

8th

Treatment chamber

9

pillar

10th

poor

11

drive

12th

rail

13

Lower part

14

ground

15

page

16

Sealing surface

17th

Drain connector

18th

admission

19th

Bearing journal

20th

Bearing journal

21; 23

Coupling element

22

drive

24th

roll

25th

Suspensions

26

Top

27

Lifting device

28

page

29

Seals

30th

Air shower

31

management

31a; 31b

cables

32

Pumping station

33

Collecting container

34

Conduit

35

Heating device

36

fan

37

poor

38

Lifting device

39

drive

Claims (24)

1. Industrial cleaning installation for the surface treatment of workpieces (1), using a treatment medium such as cleaning liquid, steam or compressed air, wherein treatment of the workpieces is provided in a treatment chamber (8), which comprises devices (30) for supplying the treatment medium and a receiver (18) for at least one workpiece (1), the treatment chamber (8) is divided and comprises two separate parts (13; 26), the open sides (15; 28) of which fit together and of which one part (26) is disposed at a stationary station (7) and the other part (13) may be brought with the aid of a conveying apparatus (9; 10) from a loading and unloading station (7a; 7b) to the stationary station (7), in which the parts (13; 26) of the treatment chamber (8) are movable into a mutually aligned position and transferable into the working position, characterized in that of the part (13) of the treatment chamber (8) movable by means of the conveying apparatus (9; 10) there are two lower parts (13), in which are installed receivers (18) each for at least one workpiece (1), and the lower parts (13) are movable into different positions by means of the conveying apparatus (9; 10), and that one lower part (13) is situated at the loading and unloading station (7a; 7b), and the other lower part (13), having been moved into a position of alignment with the upper part (26) of the treatment chamber (8) disposed at the stationary station (7), is transferable at the stationary station (7) into the working position of the treatment chamber (8).
2. Industrial cleaning installation according to claim 1, characterized in that of the lower part (13) movable by means of the conveying apparatus (9; 10) three parts (13) are provided, which have receivers (18), and in the working position of the treatment chamber (8) one lower part (13) is situated in a loading station (7a) and another lower part (13) is situated in an unloading station (7b).
3. Industrial cleaning installation according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of treatment chambers (8) are provided, and the treatment chambers (8) comprise two parts (13; 26), the open sides (15; 28) of which fit together and the lower parts (13) of which have built-in receivers (18) each for at least one workpiece (1), are fastened equidistantly from one another to the conveying apparatus (9; 10) and are movable simultaneously step by step, wherein the upper parts (26) are provided at stationary stations (7) of a conveying section (6) and the lower parts (13) conveyable by means of the conveying apparatus (9; 10) are displaceable, rotatable or slewable into positions of alignment with the upper parts (26) of the stationary stations (7), the upper parts (26) provided at the stationary stations (7) are transferable into the working positions of the treatment chambers (8), and of the lower parts (13) conveyed by means of the conveying apparatus (9; 10) there is at least one lower part (13) more than there are of the upper parts (26) disposed at the stationary stations (7), and the loading and unloading station (7a; 7b) is provided at a station (stopping station) of the supernumerary lower part (13).
4. Industrial cleaning installation according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the receiver (18) is of a rotatable or slewable design.
5. Industrial cleaning installation according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the upper part (26) of the treatment chamber (8) is movable at least in terms of its height relative to the lower part (13).
6. Industrial cleaning installation according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that devices for supplying the treatment medium are installed in the upper part (26) of the treatment chamber (8) provided at the stationary station (7).
7. Industrial cleaning installation according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the plane of division of the treatment chamber (8) extends horizontally.
8. Industrial cleaning installation according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the treatment chamber (8) comprises a container- or trough-like part, a lower part (13), and a hood-like part as an upper part (26), of which the trough-like lower part (13) is fastened to the conveying apparatus (9; 10) and the hood-like upper part (26) is disposed at the stationary stopping station (7).
9. Industrial cleaning installation according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the lower parts (13) of the treatment chamber (8) movable by means of the conveying apparatus (9; 10) are of an identical construction.
10. Industrial cleaning installation according to one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that of the lower parts (13) of the treatment chamber (8) conveyed by means of the conveying apparatus (9; 10) there are two lower parts (13) more than there are upper parts (26) of treatment chambers (8) at the stationary stopping stations (7), and the loading station (7a) and the unloading station (7b) are provided at stations (stopping station) of the supernumerary lower parts (13).
11. Industrial cleaning installation according to one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that the cleaning installation comprises two stationary stopping stations (7) having upper parts (26) of treatment chambers (8), which cooperate with three lower parts (13) of treatment chambers (8) on the conveying apparatus (9; 10).
12. Industrial cleaning installation according to one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that the cleaning installation is equipped with three stationary stopping stations (7) having upper parts (26) of treatment chambers (8), which cooperate with five lower parts (13) of treatment chambers (8) on the conveying apparatus (9; 10).
13. Industrial cleaning installation according to one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that the cleaning installation is equipped with four stationary stopping stations (7) having upper parts (26) of treatment chambers (8), which cooperate with six lower parts (13) of treatment chambers (8) on the conveying apparatus (9; 10).
14. Industrial cleaning installation according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the conveying apparatus (9; 10) takes the form of a circular conveyor.
15. Industrial cleaning installation according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the parts (13) of treatment chambers (8) are fastened to projecting arms (10) or brackets of a column (9).
16. Industrial cleaning installation according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that devices (17) for removing the used treatment medium are installed in the lower parts (13) of the treatment chambers (8) movable by means of the conveying apparatus (9; 10).
17. Industrial cleaning installation according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that collecting containers (33) for cleaning liquid are disposed at the stationary stopping stations (7).
18. Industrial cleaning installation according to claim 17, characterized in that the collecting containers (33) are connected by lines (31; 31a; 31b) to upper parts (26) of treatment chambers (8).
19. Industrial cleaning installation according to claim 17 and 18, characterized in that the collecting containers (33) are connected by lines to a conditioning device for used cleaning liquid.
20. Industrial cleaning installation according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower parts (13) of the treatment chambers (8) movable by means of the conveying apparatus (9; 10) are supported in each case by means of at least one wheel or roller (24).
21. Industrial cleaning installation according to claim 15 or 20, characterized in that the rollers (24) are guided along a rail (12) disposed concentrically around the column (9).
22. Industrial cleaning installation according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receivers (18) installed in the lower parts (13) of the treatment chambers (8) are connectable in each case to a drive (22) disposed at the stationary stopping stations (7).
23. Industrial cleaning installation according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper part (26) of the treatment chamber (8) is fastened to a projecting arm (37) of a lifting apparatus (38).
24. Industrial cleaning installation according to one of claims 1, 3 or 4, characterized in that the receivers (18) are coupled in each case to a drive (39) disposed on the conveying apparatus (9; 10).

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