EP3976269B1 - Cleaning device and method for assembling a cleaning device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a cleaning device for cleaning a container, in particular an inner wall of a container, and a method for assembling a cleaning device.

The shows a generic cleaner US 8137481 B2 . This document presents a cleaner which is connectable to the end of a feed line which can be introduced into a container, for example through an opening in the upper region of the container. A cleaning agent is supplied to the cleaner through the supply line. The cleaning device has openings through which this cleaning agent emerges and subsequently wets the inner wall of the container. The openings are provided on a rotatable part of the cleaning device in order to achieve the largest possible and most comprehensive wetting. Shaping the openings and rotating the rotating part create a spray pattern on the inner wall of the container. The aim is to achieve a mechanical effect in addition to dense wetting in order to achieve thorough cleaning.

The cleaning device after the US 8137481 B2 meets the requirements of the 3A standard. These specify a hygienic design, which according to 3A requires that the cleaning device must be able to be dismantled and cleaned and must not include rooms that are inaccessible and therefore cannot be cleaned, for example screw connections in threaded blind holes.

The cleaning device after the US 8137481 ensures this with the following structure: The rotating part 4 of the cleaning device sits on a surface 9 of a base part 7. This has a rod 8 with a through hole 12. The rod 8 is received in a stationary part 2, the wall of which has holes 17 opposite one another. For assembly, the rod is inserted into part 2 until holes 17 and through hole 12 are aligned. Then a coupling means 6 is inserted through the holes 17 and 12.

In practice, the components are assembled by an operator in a container. The operator now has to orient the components to each other with one hand and insert the coupling means through the holes with the other hand. This is difficult because as soon as the rod rotates, the holes become aligned and no longer aligned with each other and the assembly fails.

An object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved cleaning device. In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning device which overcomes at least one of the stated disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, a cleaning device should be specified that meets the requirements of FIG. 3A and enables simple construction and easy assembly.

The invention solves the above-mentioned object by a cleaning device according to claim 1.

In particular, the invention proposes a cleaning device of the type mentioned at the outset, comprising: a base body which can be coupled to a supply line for supplying a cleaning agent, a rotating body mounted on the base body so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation, a support body with a first end section and a second end section Direction of the axis of rotation A spaced end section, wherein the first end section can be coupled to the base body and the second end section to the rotating body in such a way that the rotating body is rotatably received between the base body and the support body in the coupled state, the cleaning device further comprising a coupling means which is designed to lock the support body in the coupled state relative to the base body.

The invention includes the knowledge that the coupling of the components to one another and the fixing or locking of the components in the coupled state as well as the protection against falling apart are functionally separated by means of the coupling means. The base body and the support body are already coupled to one another and accommodate the rotating body between them before the coupling means fixes or locks the support body in the coupled state relative to the base body. The cleaning device advantageously dispenses with the use of screw connections and the like, so that the 3A requirements are met.

Preferably, the coupling means is designed to couple the base body in the coupled and locked state with the supply line for supplying cleaning agent. The base body and the support body are already coupled to one another and accommodate the rotating body between them before the coupling means fixes or locks the support body in the coupled state relative to the base body. and couples the cleaning device to a supply line or a container. Consequently, during assembly, in particular in a tank, initially only the components of the cleaning device are coupled to one another and then the arrangement is attached to the cleaning agent inlet. There is no need to check the arrangement of the support body relative to the base body and the other components of the cleaning device before attaching the cleaning device to the cleaning agent inlet, since these are already in the coupled state.

Preferably, the coupling means can be brought into positive, releasable engagement with the base body in order to lock the support body in the coupled state relative to the base body. A detachable, positive connection can be easily cleaned and therefore meets the 3A requirements.

According to a preferred embodiment, the support body can be introduced into the base body in such a way that it is rotatably received in the base body in a first position and can be moved in the base body into a second position, in which the support body is positively engaged with the base body in the coupled state . The base body and the support body are therefore pre-assembled and form a receptacle for the rotating body. This coupled state is achieved independently of the coupling agent.

Preferably, the coupling means can be brought into engagement with the base body in such a way that the coupling means prevents the movement of the support body from the second position back to the first position. The coupling agent creates the coupled state of the support body and the base body are locked or secured, so that the base body and the support body are not detachably coupled to one another as long as the coupling means is in engagement with the base body.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the base body has an end face facing the rotary body in the assembled state with an opening through which the first end section of the support body can be inserted into the base body, the first end section, when it is inserted into the base body, through a Rotary movement about the axis of rotation can be brought into positive engagement with the base body.

The support body preferably has a rod which extends in the direction of the axis of rotation A between the first end section and the second end section and which, in the coupled state, is accommodated at least in sections in the rotating body. The support body thus has a rod which forms a receptacle for the rotating body.

More preferably, the first end section has at least one wing extending radially outwards from the rod, which is designed to correspond to the opening, so that the flights can be carried out through the opening and engage behind the opening in a form-fitting manner by a rotational movement about the axis of rotation A. The support body can therefore be brought into positive engagement with the base body in a simple manner.

Preferably, the rotating body is designed to be rotationally symmetrical and arranged coaxially to the base body and/or the support body. The rotating body can thus be guided in its rotational movement on the base body and/or the support body.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the cleaning device further comprises a bearing element, in particular a bearing ring, for supporting the rotating body on the support body. The rotating body is thus securely mounted on the support body and the friction between the support body and the rotating body is reduced. Reduced friction results in reduced rotational resistance and thus greater efficiency when driving the rotating body, especially for distributing cleaning agents.

A sliding surface is preferably formed on the base body, the rotating body having a corresponding sliding surface which cooperates with the sliding surface of the base body. This reduces the friction between the base body and the rotating body. One Reduced friction results in reduced rotational resistance and thus greater efficiency when driving the rotating body, especially for distributing cleaning agents.

More preferably, the bearing element and/or the sliding surface is conically shaped in order to support the rotating body in the axial and radial directions. The rotating body is thus supported and guided in the radial and direction of the axis of rotation A by the bearing element and/or the sliding surface.

The bearing element preferably has a polymer, preferably polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Polymers and in particular polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) have a low coefficient of friction and are therefore particularly suitable for forming bearing elements.

More preferably, the support body and/or the rotating body has a metallic material, preferably stainless steel. A metallic material such as stainless steel has good chemical resistance and is wear-resistant. Furthermore, the combination of a bearing ring containing polymers and in particular polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and a support body or rotating body made of steel, for example, prevents the components from seizing together and reduces the so-called slip-stick effect. The stick-slip effect refers to the stick-slipping of solid bodies moving against each other.

The base body preferably has a cylindrical section, which can be connected at least in sections in a fluid-conducting manner to a supply line for supplying cleaning agent. Such a cylindrical section corresponds to the usually cylindrical shape of pipes and lines and connecting pieces and can therefore be easily coupled to such pipes and lines and connecting pieces in a fluid-conducting manner. For example, the cylindrical section can simply be introduced into a feed line whose inner diameter essentially corresponds to the outer diameter of the cylindrical section.

The rotating body preferably has at least one spray opening through which the cleaning agent can be introduced into the container. The cleaning agent is distributed evenly into a container to be cleaned through an opening on the rotating body. The pressure inside the rotating body can be used to control the mechanical effect of the emerging cleaning agent, the so-called impact, on the inner wall of the container to be cleaned.

More preferably, the base body also has a self-cleaning bore in the area of the cylindrical section, which extends from the interior of the base body in the direction of the rotating body and is designed to direct cleaning agent from the interior of the base body towards the outside of the rotating body. Dirt and cleaning agent residues can therefore be removed via such a hole to the outside of the rotating body.

Further preferred embodiments of the cleaning device according to the invention are specified in the subclaims.

The invention has been described above in relation to a first aspect.

The invention further relates in a second aspect to a method for assembling a cleaning device, in particular for assembling a cleaning device of the type described above.

The invention solves the problem described above in a second aspect through the subject matter of claim 18.

• Bringen der Reinigungsvorrichtung in einen gekoppelten Zustand,
• Arretieren der Reinigungsvorrichtung im gekoppelten Zustand,
• Koppeln der Reinigungsvorrichtung im gekoppelten und arretierten Zustand mit einer Zuführleitung zur Zuführung von Reinigungsmittel.

In particular, the invention proposes a method for assembling a cleaning device, in particular a method for assembling a cleaning device of the type described above, the method comprising the steps:

• bringing the cleaning device into a coupled state,
• Locking the cleaning device in the coupled state,
• Coupling the cleaning device in the coupled and locked state with a supply line for supplying cleaning agent.

The method according to the invention and its possible developments have features or method steps that make them particularly suitable for being used for a cleaning device according to the previous aspect and the respective developments.

For further advantages, design variants and design details of this further aspect and its possible developments, reference is made to the previous description of the corresponding features and developments of the cleaning device.

• Koppeln eines Tragkörpers der Reinigungsvorrichtung, insbesondere einem ersten Endabschnitt des Tragkörpers mit einem Grundkörper, und
• Koppeln Tragkörpers, insbesondere eines zweiten Endabschnitts des Tragkörpers mit einem Drehkörper, sodass der Drehkörper im gekoppelten Zustand zwischen dem Grundkörper und dem Tragkörper drehbar aufgenommen ist.

Preferably, bringing the cleaning device into a coupled state comprises the steps:

• Coupling a support body of the cleaning device, in particular a first end section of the support body, with a base body, and
• Coupling the support body, in particular a second end section of the support body, with a rotating body, so that the rotating body is rotatably received between the base body and the support body in the coupled state.

Further preferably, locking the cleaning device in the coupled state includes locking the support body in the coupled state relative to the base body with a coupling means.

Further preferred embodiments of the method according to the invention are specified in the subclaims.

Fig. 1:

eine perspektivische Explosionsdarstellung der Reinigungsvorrichtung;

Fig. 2:

eine erste Draufsicht auf den Drehkörper der Reinigungsvorrichtung;

Fig. 3a:

eine Schnittdarstellung der Reinigungsvorrichtung entlang der Linie A-A,

Fig. 3b:

eine zweite Draufsicht der Reinigungsvorrichtung als Schnittdarstellung;

Fig. 4:

eine Schnittdarstellung der Reinigungsvorrichtung entlang der Linie B-B.

The invention is explained below using a preferred exemplary embodiment with reference to the attached figures. Show it:

Fig. 1:

an exploded perspective view of the cleaning device;

Fig. 2:

a first plan view of the rotating body of the cleaning device;

Fig. 3a:

a sectional view of the cleaning device along line AA,

Fig. 3b:

a second top view of the cleaning device as a sectional view;

Fig. 4:

a sectional view of the cleaning device along line BB.

The Fig. 1 shows a cleaning device 100 according to the invention in an exploded view.

The cleaning device 100 comprises a base body 1, which can be connected to a supply line. This connection is preferably designed to be detachable.

A support body 2 is detachably connected to the base body 1. The base body 1 and the support body 2 together form a receptacle for a rotating body 3, which is rotatably accommodated about an axis of rotation A.

The rotating body 3 has spray openings 4, which are shaped, for example, as spray slots 4 and extend in the direction of the axis of rotation A. The spray openings 4 are shaped in such a way that the rotating body 3 is set in rotation by escaping fluid (cleaning liquid) and a spray pattern that meets the requirements is produced. As a rule, the aim is to achieve uniform coverage, whereby the emerging fluid should also have a mechanical effect on contamination.

The cleaning device 100 further comprises a bearing element 5, which is arranged between the support body 2 and the rotating body 3 and is designed to rotatably mount the rotating body 3 on the support body 2.

The bearing element 5 can preferably be designed as a bearing ring, which is conical in order to support the rotating body 3 in the radial direction and direction of the axis of rotation A. The use of a separate bearing element 5 makes it possible to choose a material pairing of different materials, for example polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) for the bearing element 5 and stainless steel for the support body 2. Such a pairing, for example, prevents the components from seizing together and reduces the slip-stick effect.

To support the storage of the rotating body 3, an upper sliding surface 6 is formed on the base body 1, which is conically shaped in order to simultaneously support the rotating body 3 in the radial direction and the direction of the axis of rotation A.

The base body has an end face 7 facing the rotating body 2. This has at least one passage 8 through which liquid can pass from the base body 1 into the interior of the rotating body 3.

A slot-like opening 9 is formed in the end face 7, which extends from the end face 7 in the direction of the axis of rotation A into the interior of the base body 1. A central bore 10 is formed in the middle of the end face 7 and consequently also the slot 9.

The support body 2 has a rod 11 extending in the direction of the axis of rotation A, which is dimensioned such that it extends through the rotating body 3 and the end face 7 when the cleaning device 100 is coupled.

Furthermore, the support body 2 has a first end section 16, which can be coupled to the base body 1. Furthermore, the support body 2 has a second end section which can be coupled to the rotating body (3).

The end section 16 arranged on the end of the rod 11 has at least one wing 12, which is accommodated in the base body 1 when the cleaning device 100 is coupled. The rod 11 is therefore dimensioned so that it can be passed through the central bore. The wing 12 is in turn dimensioned so that it can be passed through the slot 9.

The base body has a hollow cylindrical section 13. The cylindrical section 13 can be accommodated, for example, in a supply line through which cleaning liquid flows. Furthermore, the cylindrical section 13 can also be designed such that the supply line is received in the section 13. A hole 14 is formed in the cylindrical section 13.

The cleaning device 100 is brought into the coupled state by inserting the rod 11 and the wings 12 of the support body 2 into the base body 1 through the openings 9, 10 and bringing the wings 12 into positive engagement with the base body 1 by twisting which the support body 2 cannot be moved out by pure gravity.

The cleaning device 100 further comprises a coupling means 15 for attaching the cylindrical section 13 to the supply line. The coupling means 15 can be introduced into the hole 14 at least in the coupled state of the cleaning device 100 in order to positively engage with the base body 1 and to lock the support body 2 and the base body 1 in the coupled state.

For example, in the coupled state, the cleaning device 100 can be guided with one hand through a tank opening to a supply line within the tank and plugged onto its end. Finally, the coupling means is inserted through the hole 14 and guided over the first end section 16. This ensures the spatial arrangement of the parts, in particular the base body 1 and the support body 2. locked. At the same time, the coupling agent can also be used to attach the cleaning device 100 to the supply line.

In Fig. 2 a view of the cleaning device 100 is shown from its side facing away from the base body 1. The spray opening 4 of the rotating body 3 is designed as an elongated spray slot 4, the spray slot 4 extending along an extension axis B which is not aligned in the direction of the rotation axis A and does not intersect it.

The number, size and orientation of the openings 4, which are shaped as spray slots in the example, determine the rigidity of the rotating body 3 and the formation of the emerging spray jet and thus the spray pattern of the cleaning device 100.

In Fig. 3 a) is a sectional view along line AA through the cleaning device 100 shown in the coupled state.

The wing 12 on the rod 11 of the support body 2 rests in a recess 17 which is formed on the end face 7 facing the hole 14. The dimensioning of the rod 11 in the direction of the axis of rotation A is such that the first end section 16 protrudes towards the coupling means 15.

The wing 12, the recess 17, the distance of the hole 14 from the end face 7 and the length of the rod 11 are dimensioned such that the rod 11 and thus the support body 2 can only move with a small amount of play. In addition, the wing 12 and the recess 17 are designed in such a way that rotation of the support body 2 about the axis of rotation A in the assembled state of the base body 1, support body 2, rotating body 3 and coupling means 15 is not possible or only possible to a small extent. In particular, no rotation is possible through which the wing 12 can come into alignment with the slot 9, which would lead to the cleaning device 100 falling apart.

The number of wings 12 and their distribution along a circumference of the rod 11 are preferably selected in order to bring about a uniform introduction of force from the rod 11 into the end face 7.

Furthermore, a self-cleaning bore 18 is provided, which leads from an interior of the cylindrical section 13 in the direction of the rotating body 3. Cleaning fluid passes through this self-cleaning bore 18 and then flows off on an outside of the rotating body 3.

The Fig. 3 b) shows the cleaning device 100 in the coupled state. The first end section 16 can be seen in the center. In the example, it is surrounded by four openings 8, which are distributed evenly and in particular in a ring shape in the circumferential direction. The ring of openings 8 is interrupted in sections by the slot 9 extending in the radial direction.

In the coupled state, the wing 12 stands transversely to the slot 9 and rests in the elliptically shaped recess 17. A short axis of the elliptically shaped recess 17 extends parallel to the slot 9, a long axis extends perpendicular to the slot 9. The short axis of the The elliptically shaped recess 17 is shorter than the radial extent of the wing 12. This means that for a rotation that is intended to bring the wing 12 into alignment with the slot 9, it is necessary to lift the wing 12 out of the plane of the drawing. However, this is blocked by the coupling agent 15.

The Fig. 4 shows the longitudinal section through the cleaning device 100 along the line BB, which runs through the plane of the slot 9. It can be seen that the recess 17 forms a pocket which only partially penetrates the end face 7, here about half.

Reference symbol list

A

Axis of rotation

b

Axis of extension

1

Basic body

2

Support body

3

rotating body

4

Spray opening

5

Bearing element

6

sliding surface

7

front side

8th

passage

9

opening, slot

10

Opening, central bore

11

pole

12

wing

13

cylindrical section

14

Hole

15

coupling agent

16

first end section

17

recess

18

Self-cleaning hole

100

Cleaning device

Claims (20)

1. A cleaning device (100) for cleaning a container, in particular an inner wall of a container, comprising:

   - a base member (1) that can be coupled to a feed pipe for supplying a cleaning agent,

   - a rotating member (3) mounted rotatably about a rotational axis (A) on the base member (1),

   - a support member (2) having a first end portion (16) and a second end portion spaced apart along the rotational axis (A),

   characterized in that the first end portion (16) can be coupled to the base member (1) and the second end portion to the rotating member (3) in such a way that in the coupled state the rotating member (3) is rotatably accommodated between the base member (1) and the support member (2),
   wherein the cleaning device (100) further comprises a coupling means (15) which is adapted to lock the support member (2) in place relative to the base member (1) in the coupled state.
2. The cleaning device (100) according to claim 1,
   wherein the coupling means (15) is adapted to couple the base member (1) in the coupled and locked state to the feed pipe for supplying cleaning agent.
3. The cleaning device (100) according to claim 1 or 2,
   wherein the coupling means (15) is form-fittingly and detachably engageable with the base member (1) in order to lock the support member (2) in place relative to the base member (1) in the coupled state.
4. The cleaning device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims,
   wherein the support member (2) is insertable into the base member (1) in such a way that it is rotatably accommodated in a first position in the base member (1) and is moveable in the base member (1) into a second position in which the support member (2) engages form-fittingly with the base member (1) in the coupled state.
5. The cleaning device (100) according to claim 4,
   wherein the coupling means (15) is engageable with the base member (1) in such a way that the coupling means (15) prevents the support member (2) from moving back into the first position from the second position.
6. The cleaning device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims,
   wherein the base member (1) has an end face (7) facing the rotating member (3) in the assembled state and having an aperture (9), preferably slot-like, by which the first end portion (16) of the support member (2) is insertable into the base member (1), wherein the first end portion (16), when it has been inserted into the base member (1), is form-fittingly engageable with the base member (1) by a rotational movement about the rotational axis (A).
7. The cleaning device (100) according to claim 6,
   wherein the support member (2) has a rod (11) that extends along the rotational axis (A) between the first end portion (16) and the second end portion and in the coupled state is accommodated at least in sections thereof in the rotating member (3).
8. The cleaning device (100) according to claim 7,
   wherein the first end portion (16) has at least one vane (12) extending radially outwards from the rod (11) and designed to match the aperture (9) such that the vane (12) can pass through the aperture (9) and engages form-fittingly behind the aperture (9) by a rotational movement about the rotational axis (A).
9. The cleaning device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims,
   wherein the rotating member (3) is rotationally symmetric in design and is arranged coaxially with the base member (1) and/or the support member (2).
10. The cleaning device (100) according to claim 9,
    further comprising a bearing element (5), in particular a bearing ring, for mounting the rotating member (3) on the support member (2).
11. The cleaning device (100) according to claim 9 or 10,
    wherein a slide surface (6) is formed on the base member (1), and the rotating member (3) has a matching slide surface (6) which cooperates with the slide surface (6) of the base member (1).
12. The cleaning device (100) according to claim 10 or 11,
    wherein the bearing element (5) and/or the slide surface (6) is conical in shape in order to support the rotating member (3) in axial and in radial direction.
13. The cleaning device (100) according to any one of claims 10 to 12,
    wherein the bearing element (5) includes a polymer, preferably polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
14. The cleaning device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims,
    wherein the support member (2) includes a metal material, preferably stainless steel.
15. The cleaning device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims,
    wherein the base member (1) has a cylindrical, in particular a hollow cylindrical portion (13) which is fluidically connectable, at least in sections, to a feed pipe for supplying cleaning agent.
16. The cleaning device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims,
    wherein the rotating member (3) has at least one spray hole (4) through which the cleaning agent can be introduced into the container.
17. The cleaning device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims,
    wherein the base member (1) further comprises, in the region of the cylindrical portion (13), a self-cleaning bore (18) extending from the interior of the base member (1) towards the rotating member (3) and is adapted to conduct cleaning agent from the interior of the base member (1) towards the outer side of the rotating member (3).
18. A method for assembling a cleaning device (100), in particular a cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, said method comprising the steps of:

    - bringing the cleaning device (100) into a coupled state,

    - locking the cleaning device (100) in the coupled state,

    - coupling the cleaning device (100) in the coupled and locked state to a feed pipe for supplying cleaning agent.
19. The method according to claim 18,
    wherein the step of bringing the cleaning device (100) into a coupled state comprises the steps of:

    - coupling a support member (2) of the cleaning device (100), in particular a first end portion (16) of the support member (2) to a base member (1), and

    - coupling the support member (2), in particular a second end portion of the support member (2), to a rotating member (3) so that in the coupled state the rotating member (3) is rotatably accommodated between the base member (1) and the support member (2).
20. The method of any of claims 18 or 19,
    wherein the step of locking the cleaning device (100) in the coupled state comprises the step of locking the support member (2) in place relative to the base member (1) in the coupled state by means of a coupling means (15).

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