EP1977835B1 - Surface cleaning device - Google Patents

Surface cleaning device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1977835B1
EP1977835B1 EP08006704A EP08006704A EP1977835B1 EP 1977835 B1 EP1977835 B1 EP 1977835B1 EP 08006704 A EP08006704 A EP 08006704A EP 08006704 A EP08006704 A EP 08006704A EP 1977835 B1 EP1977835 B1 EP 1977835B1
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EP
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Prior art keywords
cleaning apparatus
surface cleaning
measuring
arrangement
cleaning
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EP08006704A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1977835A1 (en
Inventor
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jörg Hoffmann
Dipl.-Ing. Werner Trentmann
Dipl.-Kfm. Bernhard Sievering
Daniel Dipl.-Inf. Decker (FH)
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BVL Oberflachentechnik GmbH
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BVL Oberflachentechnik GmbH
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Priority claimed from DE200710016830 external-priority patent/DE102007016830A1/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B3/00—Cleaning by methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a surface cleaning device with a cleaning chamber, which is designed for receiving by means of a cleaning medium to be cleaned, and with at least one tank from which the cleaning medium via a feed device into the cleaning chamber and introduced into the cleaning medium after the cleaning process by means of a Abvantraum is traceable, wherein an analysis device is provided for measuring the contamination of the cleaning medium.
  • a cleaning medium such as a washing liquid
  • the cleaning medium may be passed through filter systems after washing, it will foul over time and need to be replaced.
  • the replacement of the cleaning medium of the surface cleaning device regularly involves high costs, so that it is desirable to exchange the cleaning medium only when the cleanliness of the surface can not be guaranteed for subsequently to be cleaned industrial goods.
  • the exchange of the cleaning medium is initiated here, for example, by visual inspection of the cleaning medium or the purified industrial goods, which is a cumbersome and lame method.
  • too early replacement of the cleaning medium with an environmental impact high costs and an increased disposal costs associated with the cleaning medium, too late replacement violates the given quality standards and also leads to high costs for after-treatment or downtime.
  • document DE-A-4 122 988 discloses an automatic wesh cleaning apparatus in which the contamination of the cleaning liquid is optically evaluated.
  • the analysis device is in this case designed for image evaluation, for the evaluation of color and / or brightness distributions, whereby in particular a turbidity of the cleaning medium can be detected.
  • the measurement of the degree of contamination of the cleaning medium by a sensor unit for detection, measurement or determination of an oil value of the cleaning medium can be improved many times, since the combination of image evaluation, colors and / or brightness distributions of the cleaning medium with a measurement of an oil value too clear better estimates, in particular of the oil value.
  • an analysis device can also be provided in which the measuring device is dispensed with and only one or more sensor units for determining or measuring an oil value are present. This applies in particular to analytical devices for determining the smallest oil concentrations that can not be detected by the measuring device.
  • a display device on the surface cleaning device or also on another, the monitoring of the device serving place advantageously has a graded or continuous display of the respective degrees of purification.
  • the circumstances of the individual case according to matched display devices are conceivable, which allow easy control of the respective measured value.
  • Particularly memorable is a display device that can display a contamination of the cleaning medium or the cleaning material over a number of multiple fields, such as five red fields. The more of the control fields light up, the more polluted then, for example, still the items to be cleaned and may need to be washed again, possibly with replacement of the cleaning medium, alternatively or additionally, the purity of the cleaning medium can be displayed.
  • the sensor for measuring the oil value is advantageously designed as an area sensor, which receives a multiplicity of measured values at the same time and thus allows an average value to be calculated, which is a good reflection of the contamination of the liquid or the surface of the cleaning results.
  • a light source emitting UV light is to be seen, which is arranged so that the fluorescence or luminescence arising from the surface of the cleaning product due to the oil present there can be absorbed by the sensor.
  • the analysis device can be connected via a bypass to the cleaning circuit of the surface cleaning device. Washing solutions or other fluids should preferably be used as the cleaning medium, so that the surface cleaning device has a plurality of tubes or other conduit means to which the analysis device can be flanged in a simple manner. The actual circulation of the cleaning medium is not affected by the additional connection of the analysis device, since only small amounts of the cleaning medium to measure its pollution are needed.
  • the analysis device can be so completely integrated into the circuit that, for example, the entire cleaning medium can be checked on its way into the cleaning chamber.
  • the cleaning medium is usually introduced from the tank of the surface cleaning device via a feed device into the cleaning chamber.
  • the feed device has a rotatable spray frame provided with spray nozzles, which rotates about a loading basket which can be inserted into the cleaning chamber with the industrial product to be cleaned.
  • the nozzles may be fixedly mounted on the frame or recessed into the walls of the cleaning chamber while the loading basket is disposed on a turntable.
  • the cleaning medium which is contaminated during the cleaning by the inclusion of, for example, oils or fats, is returned exclusively via the discharge device and possibly provided cleaning systems back into the tank.
  • the discharge device for example, be provided between the cleaning chamber and tank plate phase separator for cleaning the contaminated cleaning medium.
  • collecting areas for the gravitational deposition of dirt particles present in the cleaning medium can be provided in the cleaning chamber or in the tank.
  • the analyzer may advantageously continue to be connected either to the discharge device or directly to the tank.
  • Fig. 1 shows a housing located in a housing 1 cleaning chamber 2, whose walls are formed in the schematic representation of the housing wall. It may be a continuous device of a car wash or a separate standing cleaning device.
  • the cleaning chamber 2 is provided with a non-illustrated, closable opening through which the cleaning industrial goods 20 can be placed on a turntable 3.
  • the spray nozzles arranged in the spray frame 4 automatically start to spray the cleaning medium 5 onto the industrial product to be cleaned, while the turntable 3 rotates with the industrial product.
  • the cleaning medium 5 is conveyed out of the tank 6 in the direction of the cleaning chamber 2.
  • a branch is provided, via which a measuring device 11 of an analysis device 10 is supplied with a part of the cleaning medium 5.
  • the inflow of the cleaning medium 5 can be regulated for example by means of a control valve. From this measuring device 11, the cleaning medium 5 used for the turbidity measurement is returned to the tank 6.
  • the contaminated cleaning medium 5 accumulates at the bottom of the cleaning chamber 2 and is guided by the slope of the bottom to a filter unit 7, which forms the transition to the tank 6.
  • the filter unit 7 in this case forms the discharge device.
  • the tank 6 itself in turn has a collecting area 8 in which contaminants not filtered out can be deposited. This collection area is to be emptied from time to time.
  • the measuring device 11 and the sensor unit 21 are activated on the one hand via a signal line 12, on the other hand the transmission of the measured values to an evaluation device 13 takes place via this signal or data line 12.
  • This evaluation device 13 may be, for example, a computer provided with a corresponding software, which is integrated in the surface cleaning device or is also disposed away from the device via the line 12.
  • the measuring device 11 and the sensor unit 21 and the evaluation device 13 may be arranged in a single housing, but this may also be two different devices that are connected to each other only via the signal line 12. The same applies to the connection of the analysis device with the surface cleaning device.
  • a sensor unit 21 scans the surface of the cleaning material or of the cleaned workpiece 22 and determines any remaining dirt content or residual oil value remaining on the surface after cleaning.
  • a sensor absorbs the fluorescence or luminescence radiation of oils, oil emulsions or the like which have remained on the surface. From the measured fluorescence values, the concentration of the oil on the surface or another value indicating the residual contamination is then determined.
  • one or more UV diodes are used, which generate light of a wavelength of 370 nm.
  • the sensor unit is in this case designed so that the emitted light is not the receiver of similar Wavelength ranges disturbing fluorescence radiation.
  • corresponding alignments of transmitter and receiver / sensor of the sensor unit 21 can be used, likewise between the two filters located in the beam path.
  • the cleaning medium 5 is passed through the measuring device and flows, for example, through a glass tube 14, which forms a flow area 15.
  • This is located between a light source 16 and a measuring unit 17, which is formed in this embodiment of a camera.
  • the light source 16 used is a white light source, for example a commercially available light bulb, whose light is directed by means of a diaphragm device 18 in the direction of the flow region 15. Due to the contamination or contamination of the cleaning medium only a part of the light reaches the measuring unit 17 and is registered there by an area sensor 19.
  • the area sensor 19, for example a CMOS sensor records brightness values per measurement over its entire area and therefore a multiplicity of measuring points, which average results in an average gray value. The averaging can be carried out here by the measuring unit 17 or by the evaluation device 13.
  • a measure of the concentration (contamination or contamination) of the cleaning medium 5 can be calculated, for example, from the average gray value of all pixels by incorporating Lambert-Beer's law of irradiated and transmitted intensity. The required parameters are entered beforehand or specified via the calibration. Although Lambert-Beer's law is normally only applicable to monochromatic radiation and dilute solutions, it has been found that such an evaluation can be used to detect at least optically visible contaminants present in a large number of applications.
  • the surface cleaning device according to the invention equipped with the analysis device 10 can therefore indicate the contamination of the cleaning medium 5 in a simple and cost-effective manner. The cleaning medium 5 can thus be replaced at the right time.

Abstract

The surface cleaning device has a cleaning chamber (2) which is formed for receiving a cleaning medium (5) for an article to be cleaned. An analysis device (10) with a measuring unit (11) is provided for determining the measurement values for the image evaluation and the evaluation of colors or brightness distribution. A sensor unit (21) is provided for measuring an oil value of the cleaning mediums or for measuring an oil value of a surface of the article.

Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft eine Oberflächenreinigungsvorrichtung mit einer Reinigungskammer, welche zur Aufnahme von mittels eines Reinigungsmediums zu reinigendem Gut ausgebildet ist, sowie mit zumindest einem Tank, aus dem das Reinigungsmedium über eine Zuführeinrichtung in die Reinigungskammer einbringbar und in den das Reinigungsmedium nach dem Reinigungsvorgang mittels einer Abführeinrichtung zurückführbar ist, wobei eine Analysevorrichtung zur Messung der Verunreinigung des Reinigungsmediums vorgesehen ist.The present invention relates to a surface cleaning device with a cleaning chamber, which is designed for receiving by means of a cleaning medium to be cleaned, and with at least one tank from which the cleaning medium via a feed device into the cleaning chamber and introduced into the cleaning medium after the cleaning process by means of a Abführrichtung is traceable, wherein an analysis device is provided for measuring the contamination of the cleaning medium.

In einer Vielzahl industrieller Unternehmen müssen täglich verschiedene Industriegüter von Ölen, Fetten oder anderen Verschmutzungen gereinigt werden, beispielsweise zur Vorbehandlung für ein anschließendes Lackieren eines Metallbleches, für eine Zwischenreinigung innerhalb einer Fertigungsstraße für Getriebe oder im Bereich der Instandsetzung vor Wiedereinbau des instandgesetzten Teiles. Abhängig von der Verwendung der einzelnen zu reinigenden Industriegüter sind unterschiedlich hohe Anforderungen an die Oberflächenreinheit des Industrieguts zu stellen.In a large number of industrial companies, various industrial goods have to be cleaned daily from oils, fats or other contaminants, for example for pretreatment for subsequent painting of a metal sheet, for intermediate cleaning within a production line for gearboxes or in the area of repair prior to reinstalling the repaired part. Depending on the use of the individual industrial goods to be cleaned, different demands must be placed on the surface cleanliness of the industrial goods.

Zum Reinigen der Industriegüter werden üblicherweise Oberflächenreinigungsanlagen verwendet, in denen mittels eines Reinigungsmediums, beispielsweise einer Waschflüssigkeit, das zu reinigende Bauteil gewaschen wird. Obwohl das Reinigungsmedium gegebenenfalls nach dem Waschvorgang durch Filtersysteme geleitet wird, verschmutzt es im Laufe der Zeit und muss ausgetauscht werden. Mit dem Austausch des Reinigungsmediums der Oberflächenreinigungsvorrichtung gehen regelmäßig hohe Kosten einher, so dass es erstrebenswert ist, das Reinigungsmedium erst dann auszutauschen, wenn die Sauberkeit der Oberfläche für nachfolgend zu reinigende Industriegüter nicht mehr gewährleistet werden kann. Der Austausch des Reinigungsmediums wird hierbei beispielsweise nach Sichtkontrolle des Reinigungsmediums oder des gereinigten Industriegutes eingeleitet, was ein umständliches und langwidriges Verfahren ist. Insbesondere ist ein zu früher Austausch des Reinigungsmediums mit einer Umweltbelastung, hohen Kosten und einem gesteigerten Entsorgungsaufwand für das Reinigungsmedium verbunden, ein zu später Austausch verletzt die gegebenen Qualitätsnormen und führt ebenfalls zu hohen Kosten für Nachbehandlung bzw. Stillstandszeiten.For cleaning the industrial goods usually surface cleaning systems are used, in which by means of a cleaning medium, such as a washing liquid, the component to be cleaned is washed. Although the cleaning medium may be passed through filter systems after washing, it will foul over time and need to be replaced. The replacement of the cleaning medium of the surface cleaning device regularly involves high costs, so that it is desirable to exchange the cleaning medium only when the cleanliness of the surface can not be guaranteed for subsequently to be cleaned industrial goods. The exchange of the cleaning medium is initiated here, for example, by visual inspection of the cleaning medium or the purified industrial goods, which is a cumbersome and lame method. In particular, too early replacement of the cleaning medium with an environmental impact, high costs and an increased disposal costs associated with the cleaning medium, too late replacement violates the given quality standards and also leads to high costs for after-treatment or downtime.

Darüber hinaus lassen sich aus der Verschmutzung der Reinigungsflüssigkeit nicht immer Rückschlüsse auf eine eventuell noch anhaltende Verschmutzung des zu reinigenden Gutes ziehen. Selbst bei einem noch vergleichsweise großen Grad von Sauberkeit des Reinigungsmediums kann das zu reinigende Gut noch immer verschmutzt sein und muss wiederholt gewaschen werden.In addition, from the contamination of the cleaning liquid can not always draw conclusions on a possibly persistent contamination of the goods to be cleaned. Even with a still relatively high degree of cleanliness of the cleaning medium, the material to be cleaned may still be dirty and must be washed repeatedly.

Dokument DE-A-4 122 988 offenbart eine automatische Wesh-Reinigungsvorrichtung in welcher die Verschmutzung der Reinigungsflüssigkeit optisch bewertet wird.document DE-A-4 122 988 discloses an automatic wesh cleaning apparatus in which the contamination of the cleaning liquid is optically evaluated.

Es ist daher Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung, eine Oberflächenreinigungsvorrichtung zu schaffen, deren Handhabung insbesondere bezüglich des Austausches des Reinigungsmediums und der Überwachung der Reinigungsflüssigkeit und des zu reinigenden Gutes verbessert ist.It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a surface cleaning device, the handling of which is improved in particular with respect to the exchange of the cleaning medium and the monitoring of the cleaning liquid and the material to be cleaned.

Diese Aufgabe wird gelöst durch eine Vorrichtung mit den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 1.This object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1.

Durch die erfindungsgemäße Analysevorrichtung ist eine Überwachung der Verunreinigung des Reinigungsmediums im Betrieb vornehmbar. Das zur Bedienung der Oberflächenreinigungsvorrichtung vorgesehene Personal erhält durch die Analysevorrichtung repräsentative Informationen über die Sauberkeit des Reinigungsmediums und des Reinigungsguts und kann in Abhängigkeit der Reinheitsanforderungen an die Oberfläche des Industriegutes rechtzeitig den Austausch des Reinigungsmediums vornehmen, bevor das Reinigungsgut bzw. das zu reinigende Gut aus der Reinigungsvorrichtung entnommen wird.By the analysis device according to the invention is a monitoring of the contamination of the cleaning medium vornehmbar in operation. The staff provided for operating the surface cleaning device receives representative information about the cleanliness of the cleaning medium and the cleaning product through the analysis device and can make the replacement of the cleaning medium in good time depending on the purity requirements on the surface of the industrial goods, before the item to be cleaned or the material to be cleaned from the Cleaning device is removed.

Die Analysevorrichtung ist hierbei zur Bildauswertung, zur Auswertung von Farben- und/oder Helligkeitsverteilungen ausgebildet, wodurch insbesondere eine Trübung des Reinigungsmediums feststellbar ist. Gleichzeitig ist die Messung des Verunreinigungsgrades des Reinigungsmediums durch eine Sensoreinheit zur Detektion, Messung bzw. Bestimmung eines Ölwerts des Reinigungsmediums um ein Vielfaches verbesserbar, da die Kombination von Bildauswertung, Farben und/oder Helligkeitsverteilungen des Reinigungsmediums mit einer Messung eines Ölwerts zu deutlich besseren Abschätzungen insbesondere des Ölwerts führt. Gleiches gilt auch für die Kombination aus Trübung und Messung des Ölwerts durch die Sensoreinheit.The analysis device is in this case designed for image evaluation, for the evaluation of color and / or brightness distributions, whereby in particular a turbidity of the cleaning medium can be detected. At the same time, the measurement of the degree of contamination of the cleaning medium by a sensor unit for detection, measurement or determination of an oil value of the cleaning medium can be improved many times, since the combination of image evaluation, colors and / or brightness distributions of the cleaning medium with a measurement of an oil value too clear better estimates, in particular of the oil value. The same applies to the combination of turbidity and measurement of the oil value by the sensor unit.

Alternativ oder ergänzend zur Sensoreinheit zur Messung eines Ölwerts des Reinigungsmediums ist eine Sensoreinheit zur Detektion/Messung eines Ölwerts einer Oberfläche des Reinigungsgutes vorsehbar, die insbesondere in der Reinigungskammer angeordnet ist und die Oberfläche des Reinigungsgutes abtastet und den Grad der nach einem Reinigungs- und insbesondere eines anschließenden Trocknungsvorganges noch immer auf einer Oberfläche des Reinigungsguts vorhandenen Verunreinigung feststellt. Es versteht sich, dass die Detektion des Ölwerts auch eine Detektion von mit Ölverschmutzungen einhergehenden Verschmutzungen wie Metallpartikel, Sandpartikel oder dergleichen umfassen kann. Eine solche Detektion kann vorteilhafterweise durch eine Kamera vorgenommen und/oder unterstützt werden, deren erfasstes Bild mit einem Referenzwert oder -bild von einem definitiv sauberen Reinigungsgut verglichen wird.Alternatively or in addition to the sensor unit for measuring an oil value of the cleaning medium, a sensor unit for detecting / measuring an oil value of a surface of the cleaning material is providable, which is arranged in particular in the cleaning chamber and scans the surface of the cleaning material and the degree of cleaning after a cleaning and in particular a subsequent drying process still finds contamination on a surface of the cleaning material. It will be understood that detection of the oil value may also include detection of soils associated with oil spills, such as metal particles, sand particles, or the like. Such a detection can be advantageously carried out and / or supported by a camera, the recorded image of which is compared with a reference value or image of a definitely clean item to be cleaned.

Erfindungsgemäß kann auch eine Analysevorrichtung vorgesehen sein, bei der auf die Messvorrichtung verzichtet wird und lediglich eine oder mehrere Sensoreinheiten zur Bestimmung bzw. Messung eines Ölwertes vorhanden sind. Dies gilt insbesondere für Analysevorrichtungen zur Bestimmung von kleinsten, von der Messvorrichtung nicht wahrnehmbaren Ölkonzentrationen.According to the invention, an analysis device can also be provided in which the measuring device is dispensed with and only one or more sensor units for determining or measuring an oil value are present. This applies in particular to analytical devices for determining the smallest oil concentrations that can not be detected by the measuring device.

Insbesondere ist eine Sensoreinheit zur Detektion eines Ölwerts des Reinigungsmediums bei oder im Bereich der Messvorrichtung anzuordnen, die zur Bildauswertung und zur Auswertung von Farben- und/oder Helligkeitsverteilungen die entsprechenden Messwerte liefert, so dass das Reinigungsmedium zumindest in etwa in dem gleichen Bereich überprüft wird und sich somit gute Rückschlüsse aus der Kombination der beiden Messergebnisse ergeben. Die beiden Vorrichtungen können auch in einem einzigen Gehäuse angeordnet werden, so dass sowohl die Messvorrichtung als auch die Sensoreinheit denselben Bereich des Reinigungsmediums erfassen.In particular, a sensor unit for detecting an oil value of the cleaning medium is to be arranged at or in the region of the measuring device used for image evaluation and for the evaluation of color and / or brightness distributions provides the corresponding measured values, so that the cleaning medium is checked at least approximately in the same area and thus give good conclusions from the combination of the two measurement results. The two devices can also be arranged in a single housing, so that both the measuring device and the sensor unit detect the same area of the cleaning medium.

Eine Anzeigevorrichtung an der Oberflächenreinigungsvorrichtung oder auch an einem anderen, der Überwachung der Vorrichtung dienendem Ort, weist vorteilhafterweise eine abgestufte oder kontinuierliche Anzeige der jeweiligen Reinigungsgrade an. Hierbei sind jeweils den Umständen des Einzelfalls nach abgestimmte Anzeigevorrichtungen denkbar, die eine einfache Kontrolle des jeweiligen Messwertes ermöglichen. Besonders einprägsam ist eine Anzeigevorrichtung, die über eine Anzahl von mehreren Feldern, beispielsweise fünf roten Feldern eine Verschmutzung des Reinigungsmediums bzw. des Reinigungsguts anzeigen kann. Je mehr der Kontrollfelder aufleuchten, desto verschmutzter ist dann beispielsweise noch das Reinigungsgut und muss gegebenenfalls noch einmal gewaschen werden, eventuell unter Austausch des Reinigungsmediums, alternativ oder zusätzlich ist die Reinheit des Reinigungsmediums anzeigbar.A display device on the surface cleaning device or also on another, the monitoring of the device serving place, advantageously has a graded or continuous display of the respective degrees of purification. In this case, the circumstances of the individual case according to matched display devices are conceivable, which allow easy control of the respective measured value. Particularly memorable is a display device that can display a contamination of the cleaning medium or the cleaning material over a number of multiple fields, such as five red fields. The more of the control fields light up, the more polluted then, for example, still the items to be cleaned and may need to be washed again, possibly with replacement of the cleaning medium, alternatively or additionally, the purity of the cleaning medium can be displayed.

Der Sensor zur Messung des Ölwerts ist vorteilhafterweise als Flächensensor ausgebildet, der eine Vielzahl von Messwerten gleichzeitig aufnimmt und so eine gemittelte Größe berechnen lässt, die ein gutes Abbild der Verschmutzung der Flüssigkeit bzw. der Oberfläche des Reinigungsguts ergibt. Insbesondere ist hierfür eine UV-Licht emitierende Lichtquelle zu sehen, die so angeordnet ist, dass die von der Oberfläche des Reinigungsguts aufgrund des dort vorhandenen Öls entstehende Fluoreszenz- bzw. Lumineszenz von dem Sensor aufgefangen werden kann.The sensor for measuring the oil value is advantageously designed as an area sensor, which receives a multiplicity of measured values at the same time and thus allows an average value to be calculated, which is a good reflection of the contamination of the liquid or the surface of the cleaning results. In particular, for this purpose, a light source emitting UV light is to be seen, which is arranged so that the fluorescence or luminescence arising from the surface of the cleaning product due to the oil present there can be absorbed by the sensor.

Besonders vorteilhaft ist ebenfalls eine Anordnung, die einen oder mehrere zumindest teilweise um das Reinigungsgut herum bewegte Sensoren umfasst, um einen möglichst repräsentativen Wert für die Verschmutzung der Oberfläche des Reinigungsguts zu erhalten. Ebenfalls liegt es im Rahmen der Erfindung, das Reinigungsgut, welches auch auf einem Drehkranz oder -teller, Transportband oder - wagen in der Reinigungskammer angeordnet werden kann, zu bewegen, um somit dem Sensor die Abtastung mehrerer Teilbereiche der Oberfläche des Reinigungsguts zu ermöglichen.Also particularly advantageous is an arrangement which comprises one or more sensors, which are at least partially moved around the item to be cleaned, in order to obtain as representative as possible a value for the contamination of the surface of the item to be cleaned. It is also within the scope of the invention, the cleaning material, which can also be arranged on a turntable or turntable, conveyor belt or - wagen in the cleaning chamber to move, thus enabling the sensor to scan several portions of the surface of the cleaning.

Neben der gleichzeitigen Erfassung einer Vielzahl von Messwerten durch die Ausbildung des oder der Sensoren als Flächensensoren kann darüber hinaus über die Häufigkeit der Messung, beispielsweise mit einer Frequenz von mehreren Dutzend Messungen pro Sekunde, eine quasi kontinuierliche Messung und ein statistisch sicherer Wert ermittelt werden. Eine solche Messung ist besonders für die kontinuierliche Überwachung des Reinigungsmediums geeignet. Gleichzeitig ist jedoch auch eine Überwachung der Oberfläche des Reinigungsmediums während des Waschvorgangs und/oder danach erfindungsgemäß möglich.In addition to the simultaneous detection of a large number of measured values by the design of the sensor (s) as surface sensors, it is also possible to determine a quasi-continuous measurement and a statistically reliable value via the frequency of the measurement, for example at a frequency of several dozen measurements per second. Such a measurement is particularly suitable for the continuous monitoring of the cleaning medium. At the same time, however, a monitoring of the surface of the cleaning medium during the washing process and / or thereafter according to the invention is possible.

Vorteilhafterweise ist die Analysevorrichtung über einen Bypass an den Reinigungskreislauf der Oberflächenreinigungsvorrichtung anschließbar. Als Reinigungsmedium sind hierbei vorzugsweise Waschlösungen oder andere Fluide zu verwenden, so dass die Oberflächenreinigungsvorrichtung eine Vielzahl von Rohren oder anderen Leitungseinrichtungen aufweist, an die die Analysevorrichtung auf einfache Art anflanschbar ist. Der eigentliche Kreislauf des Reinigungsmediums wird durch den zusätzlichen Anschluss der Analysevorrichtung nicht beeinträchtigt, da lediglich geringe Mengen des Reinigungsmediums zur Messung seiner Verschmutzung benötigt werden. Alternativ ist die Analysevorrichtung in einer weiteren erfindungsgemäßen Ausbildung so vollständig in den Kreislauf integrierbar, dass beispielsweise das gesamte Reinigungsmedium auf seinem Weg in die Reinigungskammer überprüft werden kann.Advantageously, the analysis device can be connected via a bypass to the cleaning circuit of the surface cleaning device. Washing solutions or other fluids should preferably be used as the cleaning medium, so that the surface cleaning device has a plurality of tubes or other conduit means to which the analysis device can be flanged in a simple manner. The actual circulation of the cleaning medium is not affected by the additional connection of the analysis device, since only small amounts of the cleaning medium to measure its pollution are needed. Alternatively, in another embodiment of the invention, the analysis device can be so completely integrated into the circuit that, for example, the entire cleaning medium can be checked on its way into the cleaning chamber.

Das Reinigungsmedium wird üblicherweise aus dem Tank der Oberflächenreinigungsvorrichtung über eine Zuführeinrichtung in die Reinigungskammer eingebracht. In dieser wird das Industriegut je nach Ausbildung der Oberflächenreinigungsvorrichtung auf unterschiedliche Weise gereinigt. Beispielsweise weist die Zuführeinrichtung einen drehbaren, mit Sprühdüsen versehenen Sprührahmen auf, der um einen in die Reinigungskammer einsetzbaren Beladekorb mit dem zu reinigenden Industriegut rotiert. Alternativ können die Düsen auf dem Rahmen auch fest installiert oder in die Wände der Reinigungskammer eingelassen sein, während der Beladekorb auf einem Drehteller angeordnet ist.The cleaning medium is usually introduced from the tank of the surface cleaning device via a feed device into the cleaning chamber. In this industrial product is cleaned in different ways depending on the design of the surface cleaning device. For example, the feed device has a rotatable spray frame provided with spray nozzles, which rotates about a loading basket which can be inserted into the cleaning chamber with the industrial product to be cleaned. Alternatively, the nozzles may be fixedly mounted on the frame or recessed into the walls of the cleaning chamber while the loading basket is disposed on a turntable.

Das Reinigungsmedium, welches während der Reinigung durch die Aufnahme von beispielsweise Ölen oder Fetten verunreinigt wird, wird ausschließlich über die Abführeinrichtung und gegebenenfalls vorzusehene Reinigungssysteme wieder in den Tank zurückgeführt. Beispielsweise können zwischen Reinigungskammer und Tank Plattenphasentrenner zur Reinigung des verunreinigten Reinigungsmediums vorgesehen sein. Ebenfalls können in der Reinigungskammer oder in dem Tank Sammelbereiche zur gravitationsbedingten Ablagerung von in dem Reinigungsmedium vorhandenen Schmutzpartikeln vorgesehen werden. Die Analysevorrichtung kann vorteilhafterweise weiterhin entweder an die Abführeinrichtung oder direkt an den Tank angeschlossen werden.The cleaning medium, which is contaminated during the cleaning by the inclusion of, for example, oils or fats, is returned exclusively via the discharge device and possibly provided cleaning systems back into the tank. For example, be provided between the cleaning chamber and tank plate phase separator for cleaning the contaminated cleaning medium. Likewise, collecting areas for the gravitational deposition of dirt particles present in the cleaning medium can be provided in the cleaning chamber or in the tank. The analyzer may advantageously continue to be connected either to the discharge device or directly to the tank.

Für die Messung der Verunreinigung des Reinigungsmediums gibt es eine Vielzahl möglicher, bekannter Verfahren, die unterschiedliche Analyseschwerpunkte aufweisen. Aufgrund der Einfachheit des Aufbaus und der kostengünstigen Komponenten hat es sich als besonders vorteilhaft erwiesen, die Analysevorrichtung mittels der Messvorrichtung zur Messung der Trübung des Reinigungsmediums auszubilden. Eine solche Messung optisch sichtbarer Verunreinigungen ist bereits für eine Vielzahl industrieller Anwendungen ausreichend. Unter bestimmten Bedingungen ist ergänzend oder alternativ zu einer reinen Helligkeitsmessung beispielsweise eine Spektralanalyse des Reinigungsmediums sinnvoll oder sogar notwendig. Hierfür ist die Analysevorrichtung dann erfindungsgemäß entsprechend auszubilden. Die Kombination aus einer Messung der Farben, Farbverteilung und/oder Helligkeitsverteilung mittels einer Kamera mit einer insbesondere gleichzeitigen Messung des ÖIwerts des Reinigungsmediums sowie einer vorzugsweise nach dem Waschgang erfolgenden Erfassung des Restölwerts auf der Oberfläche des Reinigungsgutes ergibt eine gute Erfassung des Reinigungsergebnisses und eine gute Überwachung des Reinigungsvorganges. Insbesondere die Anbringung mehrerer Kameras oder dergleichen und Sensoreinheiten in verschiedenen Abschnitten der Oberflächenreinigungsvorrichtung bietet die auch für eine zumindest teilweise lückenlose Überwachung notwendige Kontrolle. Alle messenden Vorrichtungen können hierbei von einem zentralen Steuergerät gesteuert oder geregelt werden.
Bei bestimmten Reinheitsanforderungen, beispielsweise der Verunreinigung des Reinigungsmediums mit geringsten, nicht sichtbaren Konzentrationen von Öl, kann die Bestimmung des Öls unabhängig von der Trübungs- bzw. Helligkeitsmessung vorgenommen werden.
Weitere Vorteile und Einzelheiten der Erfindung lassen sich den übrigen Unteransprüchen sowie der nachfolgenden Figurenbeschreibung entnehmen. Schematisch dargestellt zeigt:

Fig. 1
eine erfindungsgemäße Reinigungsvorrichtung,
Fig. 2
den Ausschnitt B aus Fig. 1.
For the measurement of the contamination of the cleaning medium, there are a variety of possible, known methods that have different focal points of analysis. Due to the simplicity of the structure and the inexpensive components, it has proven to be particularly advantageous to form the analysis device by means of the measuring device for measuring the turbidity of the cleaning medium. Such a measurement of optically visible contaminants is already sufficient for a variety of industrial applications. Under certain conditions, for example, a spectral analysis of the cleaning medium is useful or even necessary in addition or as an alternative to a pure brightness measurement. For this purpose, the analysis device is then according to form according to the invention. The combination of a measurement of the colors, color distribution and / or brightness distribution by means of a camera with a particularly simultaneous measurement of the oil value of the cleaning medium and one preferably after the wash cycle successful detection of the residual oil value on the surface of the cleaning material results in a good detection of the cleaning result and a good monitoring of the cleaning process. In particular, the attachment of multiple cameras or the like and sensor units in different sections of the surface cleaning device also provides the necessary for an at least partially complete monitoring control. All measuring devices can be controlled or regulated by a central control unit.
For certain cleanliness requirements, such as the contamination of the cleaning medium with the least, not visible, concentrations of oil, the determination of the oil can be made independently of the turbidity or brightness measurement.
Further advantages and details of the invention can be taken from the remaining subclaims and the following description of the figures. Schematically shows:
Fig. 1
a cleaning device according to the invention,
Fig. 2
the detail B off Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 1 zeigt eine in einem Gehäuse 1 befindliche Reinigungskammer 2, deren Wände in der schematischen Darstellung von der Gehäusewandung gebildet werden. Es kann sich hierbei um eine Durchlaufvorrichtung einer Waschstrasse oder auch um eine gesondert stehende Reinigungsvorrichtung handeln. Die Reinigungskammer 2 ist mit einer nicht dargestellten, verschließbaren Öffnung versehen, durch die das zu reinigende Industriegut 20 auf einen Drehkranz 3 gestellt werden kann. Mit Schließen der Öffnungsklappe beginnen automatisch die in dem Sprührahmen 4 angeordneten Sprühdüsen das Reinigungsmedium 5 auf das zu reinigende Industriegut zu sprühen, während sich der Drehkranz 3 mit dem Industriegut dreht. Fig. 1 shows a housing located in a housing 1 cleaning chamber 2, whose walls are formed in the schematic representation of the housing wall. It may be a continuous device of a car wash or a separate standing cleaning device. The cleaning chamber 2 is provided with a non-illustrated, closable opening through which the cleaning industrial goods 20 can be placed on a turntable 3. When the opening flap is closed, the spray nozzles arranged in the spray frame 4 automatically start to spray the cleaning medium 5 onto the industrial product to be cleaned, while the turntable 3 rotates with the industrial product.

Mittels einer Pumpeneinheit 9 der Zuführeinrichtung wird das Reinigungsmedium 5 aus dem Tank 6 in Richtung der Reinigungskammer 2 gefördert. Zwischen Reinigungskammer 2 und Pumpeneinheit 9 ist eine Abzweigung vorgesehen, über die eine Messvorrichtung 11 einer Analysevorrichtung 10 mit einem Teil des Reinigungsmediums 5 versorgt wird. Der Zufluss des Reinigungsmediums 5 kann beispielsweise mittels eines Regelventils reguliert werden. Von dieser Messvorrichtung 11 wird das für die Trübungsmessung verwendete Reinigungsmedium 5 wieder in den Tank 6 geleitet.By means of a pump unit 9 of the feed device, the cleaning medium 5 is conveyed out of the tank 6 in the direction of the cleaning chamber 2. Between cleaning chamber 2 and pump unit 9, a branch is provided, via which a measuring device 11 of an analysis device 10 is supplied with a part of the cleaning medium 5. The inflow of the cleaning medium 5 can be regulated for example by means of a control valve. From this measuring device 11, the cleaning medium 5 used for the turbidity measurement is returned to the tank 6.

Das verunreinigte Reinigungsmedium 5 sammelt sich am Boden der Reinigungskammer 2 an und wird durch das Gefälle des Bodens zu einer Filtereinheit 7 geleitet, die den Übergang zu dem Tank 6 bildet. Die Filtereinheit 7 bildet hierbei die Abführeinrichtung aus.The contaminated cleaning medium 5 accumulates at the bottom of the cleaning chamber 2 and is guided by the slope of the bottom to a filter unit 7, which forms the transition to the tank 6. The filter unit 7 in this case forms the discharge device.

Der Tank 6 selber weist wiederum einen Sammelbereich 8 auf, in dem sich vom Filter nicht herausgefilterte Schmutzstoffe ablagern können. Dieser Sammelbereich ist von Zeit zu Zeit zu entleeren.The tank 6 itself in turn has a collecting area 8 in which contaminants not filtered out can be deposited. This collection area is to be emptied from time to time.

Die Messvorrichtung 11 und die Sensoreinheit 21 werden über eine Signalleitung 12 einerseits angesteuert, andererseits findet über diese Signal- bzw. Datenleitung 12 auch die Übermittlung der Messwerte an eine Auswertevorrichtung 13 statt. Diese Auswertevorrichtung 13 wiederum kann beispielsweise ein mit einer entsprechenden Software versehener Computer sein, der in die Oberflächenreinigungsvorrichtung integriert ist oder über die Leitung 12 auch entfernt von der Vorrichtung angeordnet ist.The measuring device 11 and the sensor unit 21 are activated on the one hand via a signal line 12, on the other hand the transmission of the measured values to an evaluation device 13 takes place via this signal or data line 12. This evaluation device 13, in turn, may be, for example, a computer provided with a corresponding software, which is integrated in the surface cleaning device or is also disposed away from the device via the line 12.

Die Messvorrichtung 11 und die Sensoreinheit 21 und die Auswertevorrichtung 13 können in einem einzigen Gehäuse angeordnet sein, es kann sich hierbei jedoch auch um zwei verschiedene Geräte handeln, die lediglich über die Signalleitung 12 miteinander verbunden sind. Gleiches gilt für die Verbindung von Analysevorrichtung mit der Oberflächenreinigungsvorrichtung.The measuring device 11 and the sensor unit 21 and the evaluation device 13 may be arranged in a single housing, but this may also be two different devices that are connected to each other only via the signal line 12. The same applies to the connection of the analysis device with the surface cleaning device.

Nach erfolgter Reinigung tastet eine Sensoreinheit 21 die Oberfläche des Reinigungsgutes bzw. des gereinigten Werkstückes 22 ab und ermittelt einen eventuell nach der Reinigung auf der Oberfläche verbliebenen Restschmutzgehalt bzw. Restölwert. Hierzu nimmt ein Sensor die Fluoreszenz bzw. Lumineszenzstrahlung von Ölen, Ölemulsionen oder dergleichen auf, die auf der Oberfläche verblieben sind. Aus den gemessenen Fluoreszenzwerten wird dann die Konzentration des Öls auf der Oberfläche oder ein anderer die restliche Verschmutzung angebender Wert ermittelt. Zur Anregung werden vorteilhafterweise eine oder mehrere UV-Dioden verwendet, die Licht einer Wellenlänge von 370 nm erzeugen. Die Sensoreinheit ist hierbei so ausgebildet, dass das emittierte Licht nicht den Empfänger der in ähnlichen Wellenlängenbereichen liegenden Fluoreszenzstrahlung stört. Hierfür können entsprechende Ausrichtungen von Sender und Empfänger/Sensor der Sensoreinheit 21 verwendet werden, ebenfalls zwischen beiden im Strahlengang befindliche Filter.After cleaning, a sensor unit 21 scans the surface of the cleaning material or of the cleaned workpiece 22 and determines any remaining dirt content or residual oil value remaining on the surface after cleaning. For this purpose, a sensor absorbs the fluorescence or luminescence radiation of oils, oil emulsions or the like which have remained on the surface. From the measured fluorescence values, the concentration of the oil on the surface or another value indicating the residual contamination is then determined. For excitation advantageously one or more UV diodes are used, which generate light of a wavelength of 370 nm. The sensor unit is in this case designed so that the emitted light is not the receiver of similar Wavelength ranges disturbing fluorescence radiation. For this purpose, corresponding alignments of transmitter and receiver / sensor of the sensor unit 21 can be used, likewise between the two filters located in the beam path.

In Fig. 2 ist der Aufbau der Messvorrichtung 11 näher dargestellt. Das Reinigungsmedium 5 wird durch die Messvorrichtung hindurchgeführt und fließt hierbei beispielsweise durch ein Glasröhrchen 14, welches einen Durchflussbereich 15 ausbildet. Dieser befindet sich zwischen einer Lichtquelle 16 und einer Messeinheit 17, die bei diesem Ausführungsbeispiel von einer Kamera gebildet wird. Als Lichtquelle 16 wird eine Weißlichtquelle, beispielsweise eine handelsübliche Glühbirne verwendet, deren Licht mittels einer Blendenvorrichtung 18 in Richtung des Durchflussbereiches 15 gelenkt wird. Aufgrund der Verschmutzung bzw. Verunreinigung des Reinigungsmediums gelangt nur ein Teil des Lichts zur Messeinheit 17 und wird dort von einem Flächensensor 19 registriert. Der Flächensensor 19, beispielsweise ein CMOS-Sensor, nimmt pro Messung über seine gesamte Fläche und daher eine Vielzahl von Messpunkten Helligkeitswerte auf, die gemittelt einen mittleren Grauwert ergeben. Die Mittelung kann hierbei von der Messeinheit 17 oder von der Auswertevorrichtung 13 vorgenommen werden.In Fig. 2 the structure of the measuring device 11 is shown in more detail. The cleaning medium 5 is passed through the measuring device and flows, for example, through a glass tube 14, which forms a flow area 15. This is located between a light source 16 and a measuring unit 17, which is formed in this embodiment of a camera. The light source 16 used is a white light source, for example a commercially available light bulb, whose light is directed by means of a diaphragm device 18 in the direction of the flow region 15. Due to the contamination or contamination of the cleaning medium only a part of the light reaches the measuring unit 17 and is registered there by an area sensor 19. The area sensor 19, for example a CMOS sensor, records brightness values per measurement over its entire area and therefore a multiplicity of measuring points, which average results in an average gray value. The averaging can be carried out here by the measuring unit 17 or by the evaluation device 13.

Aufgrund der flächigen Ausgestaltung und der Vielzahl der Messpunkte des Flächensensors wird über einen großen Bereich des Reinigungsmediums 5 ein Wert ermittelt, der bereits über viele Verunreinigungen wie Schlieren oder Wolken im Reinigungsmedium 5 mittelt und daher einen guten Wert für die Verunreinigung des Mediums 5 liefert. Dieser Wert wird anhand von in einer Speichereinheit der Auswertevorrichtung befindlichen Kalibrierungsdaten in einen Wert für die Verunreinigung umgerechnet und kann dann beispielsweise auf einem Display angegeben und/oder gespeichert werden.Due to the planar configuration and the plurality of measuring points of the surface sensor, a value is determined over a large area of the cleaning medium 5, which already averages over many impurities such as streaks or clouds in the cleaning medium 5 and therefore provides a good value for the contamination of the medium 5. This value is determined by means of in a memory unit of the evaluation device calibration data is converted into a value for the contamination and can then for example be indicated on a display and / or stored.

Ein Maß für die Konzentration (Verschmutzung bzw. Verunreinigung) des Reinigungsmediums 5 kann beispielsweise aus dem mittleren Grauwert aller Pixel unter Einbindung des Lambert-Beer'schen-Gesetzes aus eingestrahlter und transmitierter Intensität berechnet werden. Die hierfür benötigten Parameter werden zuvor eingegeben bzw. über die Kalibrierung vorgegeben. Obwohl das Lambert-Beer'sche-Gesetz normalerweise nur für monochromatische Strahlung und verdünnte Lösungen verwendbar ist, hat es sich gezeigt, dass mit einer solchen Auswertung zumindest optisch sichtbare Verschmutzungen, die bei einer Vielzahl der Anwendungsbereiche vorliegen, gut ermittelt werden können. Die mit der Analysevorrichtung 10 ausgestattete, erfindungsgemäße Oberflächenreinigungsvorrichtung kann daher auf einfache und kostengünstige Weise die Verschmutzung des Reinigungsmediums 5 anzeigen. Das Reinigungsmedium 5 kann somit zum richtigen Zeitpunkt ausgetauscht werden.A measure of the concentration (contamination or contamination) of the cleaning medium 5 can be calculated, for example, from the average gray value of all pixels by incorporating Lambert-Beer's law of irradiated and transmitted intensity. The required parameters are entered beforehand or specified via the calibration. Although Lambert-Beer's law is normally only applicable to monochromatic radiation and dilute solutions, it has been found that such an evaluation can be used to detect at least optically visible contaminants present in a large number of applications. The surface cleaning device according to the invention equipped with the analysis device 10 can therefore indicate the contamination of the cleaning medium 5 in a simple and cost-effective manner. The cleaning medium 5 can thus be replaced at the right time.

Ergänzend kann in einer nicht dargestellten Ausführungsform der Erfindung die Verschmutzung des Reinigungsmediums mit einem mittels einer Sensoreinheit aufgenommenen Ölwerts des Reinigungsmediums kombiniert werden, um die Messung dieses Wertes zu verbessern.In addition, in a non-illustrated embodiment of the invention, the contamination of the cleaning medium can be combined with a recorded by means of a sensor unit oil value of the cleaning medium to improve the measurement of this value.

Eine mit einem handelsüblichen CMOS-Sensor ausgestattete Kamera führt mehrere Dutzend Messungen pro Sekunde durch, was zu einer kontinuierlichen Überwachung des Reinigungsmediums führt. Über eine Auswertung der jeweiligen Farbamplituden wird über die Fläche des Sensors die jeweilige für die Trübungsmessung benötigte Größe errechnet. Weiterhin sind über die Auswertung der RGB-Anteile spektrale Analysen möglich. Für bestimmte Anwendungen kann alternativ zu einer handelsüblichen Weißlichtquelle auch ein Laser verwendet werden, dessen Licht von einem auf die Laserwellenlänge abgestimmten Empfänger aufgefangen werden kann. Die Verwendung einer handelsüblichen Glühbirne mit einer handelsüblichen Kamera führt zu einer kostengünstigen Analysevorrichtung 10, mit deren Hilfe ein gutes Abbild der im industriellen Waschbetrieb vorkommenden Trübungen gewonnen wird.A camera equipped with a commercially available CMOS sensor performs several dozen measurements per second, resulting in continuous monitoring of the cleaning medium. By evaluating the respective color amplitudes, the respective size required for the turbidity measurement is calculated over the surface of the sensor. Furthermore, spectral analyzes are possible via the evaluation of the RGB components. For certain applications, as an alternative to a commercially available white light source, it is also possible to use a laser whose light can be picked up by a receiver tuned to the laser wavelength. The use of a commercially available light bulb with a commercially available camera leads to a cost-effective analysis device 10, with the help of a good image of the occurring in industrial washing operation turbidity is obtained.

Es ist weiterhin von Vorteil, die Steuerung der Oberflächenreinigungsvorrichtung mit der Analysevorrichtung 10 zu verknüpfen, so dass beispielsweise bei Überschreiten eines vorgegebenen Verschmutzungsgrades die Oberflächenreinigungsvorrichtung ihren Betrieb stoppt, um das Reinigungsmedium 5 auszutauschen. Der Austausch des Reinigungsmediums 5 kann hierbei auch vollautomatisch erfolgen, so dass kein weiteres Bedienpersonal für den Austausch des Reinigungsmediums notwendig ist.It is also advantageous to link the control of the surface cleaning device with the analysis device 10, so that, for example, when a predetermined degree of contamination is exceeded, the surface cleaning device stops its operation in order to exchange the cleaning medium 5. The replacement of the cleaning medium 5 can in this case also be fully automatic, so that no further operating personnel for the replacement of the cleaning medium is necessary.

Claims (27)

  1. Surface cleaning apparatus having a cleaning chamber (2) which is designed to receive goods (20, 22) to be cleaned by means of a cleaning medium (5), and having at least one tank (6) from which the cleaning medium (5) can be introduced into the cleaning chamber (2) via an infeed means and to which the cleaning medium (5) can be fed back by means of an outlet means after the cleaning process, an analysing arrangement (10) being provided to measure the contamination of the cleaning medium (5), characterised in that, as well as a measuring arrangement (11) which is designed to acquire measured values for image analysis and for the analysis of colour distributions and/or brightness distributions, the analysing arrangement (10) comprises in addition a sensor unit for measuring an oiliness value of the cleaning medium and/or a sensor unit (21) for measuring an oiliness value of a surface of the goods (20, 22).
  2. Surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the sensor unit (21) for measuring the oiliness value has an area sensor.
  3. Surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the sensor unit (21) is designed to measure luminescence and is provided with at least one light source which emits UV light.
  4. Surface cleaning apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the sensor unit (21) for measuring an oiliness value of a surface of the goods (20, 22) is arranged inside the cleaning chamber.
  5. Surface cleaning apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the sensor unit (21) is arranged in a region which the goods (20, 22) have to pass through after a washing pass.
  6. Surface cleaning apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 4 having a further sensor unit, characterised in that the further sensor unit is arranged in a region which the goods (20, 22) have to pass through after a washing pass.
  7. Surface cleaning apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 6 having at least one further sensor unit (21), characterised in that the sensor units (21) cover different regions of the surface of the goods (20, 22).
  8. Surface cleaning apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the sensor unit for measuring the oiliness value of the cleaning medium is arranged in the region of the measuring arrangement.
  9. Surface cleaning apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the analysing arrangement (10) can be connected to the cleaning circuit via a bypass.
  10. Surface cleaning apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the analysing arrangement (10) can be connected to the infeed means.
  11. Surface cleaning apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the analysing arrangement (10) can be connected to the outlet means.
  12. Surface cleaning apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the analysing arrangement (10) can be connected to the tank (6).
  13. Surface cleaning apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterised by a valve which regulates the flow of the cleaning medium (5) through the analysing arrangement (10).
  14. Surface cleaning apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the analysing arrangement (10) has an evaluating device (13) which is connected thereto.
  15. Surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 14, characterised in that the analysing arrangement (13), which has a computer unit, is designed to control the measuring arrangement (10) and the at least one sensor unit (21).
  16. Surface cleaning apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterised in that the measuring arrangement (11) has a through-flow region (15) through which the cleaning medium (5) can be passed for measurement.
  17. Surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 9, characterised in that at least part of the through-flow region (15) is arranged between a light source (16) and a measuring unit (17) belonging to the measuring arrangement (11).
  18. Surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 17, characterised in that the light source (16) is a source of white light.
  19. Surface cleaning apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterised in that the measurement arrangement (11) has an area sensor (19) for the simultaneous pick-up of a plurality of measured values.
  20. Surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 19, characterised in that the area sensor (19) takes the form of a sensor for picking up a large number of pixels.
  21. Surface cleaning apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterised in that the measuring arrangement (11) has a camera.
  22. Surface cleaning apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterised in that the evaluating device (13) is designed for the continuous calculation of the contamination of the cleaning medium and/or of the goods (20, 22) by means of at least one calibrating value which is stored by software means or hardware means.
  23. Surface cleaning apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterised in that the analysing arrangement (10) is designed to measure the turbidity of the cleaning medium (5).
  24. Surface cleaning apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterised in that the analysing arrangement (10) is designed to measure the contamination of the cleaning medium (5) by means of spectral analysis.
  25. Surface cleaning apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 24, characterised in that the analysing arrangement is intended for the evaluation of fluorescent goods.
  26. Surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 25, characterised in that an arrangement is provided for illuminating fluorescent goods.
  27. Surface cleaning apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 26, characterised in that the goods and the at least one sensor intended for measuring the oiliness value of their surfaces are movable relative to one another.
EP08006704A 2007-04-06 2008-04-01 Surface cleaning device Active EP1977835B1 (en)

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DE200710016830 DE102007016830A1 (en) 2005-10-13 2007-04-06 Surface cleaning device has cleaning chamber which is formed for receiving cleaning medium for article to be cleaned and analysis device with measuring unit is provided for determining measurement values for image evaluation

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RU194822U1 (en) * 2019-11-14 2019-12-24 Общество С Ограниченной Ответственностью "Эколайн-Техно" INSTALLATION FOR WASHING PARTS

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EP1977835A1 (en) 2008-10-08
DE502008000042D1 (en) 2009-08-06
ATE434493T1 (en) 2009-07-15

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