FR2531894A1 - APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CLEANING AND ADVANCING WORKPIECES - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for cleaning parts arranged one after the other. THE APPARATUS 10 INCLUDES A FIRST CLEANING MECHANISM 100 IN WHICH A CLEANING MATERIAL SUCH AS THE STEEL SHELL IS PROJECTED AGAINST THE PIECES, A FIRST MECANISM 200 FOR TURNING THE PIECES, A SECOND CLEANING MECHANISM 300, AND A CLEANING MECHANISM 300 BY SPRAYING, SECOND RETURN MECHANISM 400 RETURNING THE PARTS TO THEIR INITIAL ORIENTATION. LIMIT SWITCHES AND OTHER EQUIPMENT COMMAND THE ADVANCE OF PARTS THROUGH THE DIFFERENT MECHANISMS. FIELD OF APPLICATION: CLEANING OF PARTS BY PICKLING, ESPECIALLY OF MOTOR BLOCKS, ETC.

Description

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for cleaning parts, and

especially a

  technique for cleaning parts such as

  automobile engines, a technique whereby rooms are passed through rooms where

  cleaning are directed against the parts.

  Parts, such as motor-drive blocks,

  mobile, are usually made of molten metal, cast

  in a mold consisting of sand and bonding agents.

  After the metal has been cooled and the sand mold has been removed from around the pieces, there remains a thin layer of sand and other residues on the surface of the pieces.

  parts before they are more

  processed A particularly effective technique

  to clean the surface of the castings is the net-

projection.

  In the spray cleaning process, pieces are passed through a chamber where a cleaning material such as steel shot is projected.

  against the surface of the parts

  are used to project quantities of

  In general, the projection wheels have a plurality of radially extending wings. When particles of shot are introduced near

  the base of the fins, they are projected out

  at high speed through the fins By directing the stream of cleaning material in appropriate directions, it is possible to remove sand or other surface particles from all the surfaces of a room. Continuous advanced parts such as automobile engine blocks and the like are described in U.S. Patent No. 3,903,652. Other improvements relating to this field are described in United States Patents.

  No. 3,626,641 and No. 3,748,787.

  The patents cited above describe a technical

  that intended to clean molded parts such as automotive engine blocks by projecting a cleaning material on these parts These are pushed end to end on a chain passing in a rotating drum,

  open at both ends The drum wife relative-

  tightly-contouring the parts to be cleaned.

  projection wheels, arranged on the circumference of the drum, allow a cleaning of the apparent surfaces of the parts in a relatively short time and using a relatively small number of projection wheels Indeed, a projection current is constantly directed towards the rooms Given as the drum rotates continuously, the internal channels of the parts are emptied of the cleaning material so that no material retained

  opposes new impacts and also to pre-

  constantly feel a new surface to the material.

  The apparatus described is relatively easy to automate and

  it produces cleaned parts in a position that allows

  both a convenient automatic manipulation.

  A disadvantage of the apparatus described above is that it is essentially a "one piece" apparatus, that is, the drum must be designed to fit tightly on a particular dimension of pieces in front of it. pass in this drum Moreover, since the pieces are pushed against each other,

  it is difficult or impossible to clean the

  Although several methods have been designed for cleaning the ends of the parts (see in particular the aforementioned patents Nos. 3,626,641 and 3,378,787), all the existing devices are relatively complex. In fact, there is provided a device suitable for the treatment.

of one-dimensional pieces.

  Although the devices listed above are

  excellent for cleaning parts of a single

  At a high speed, it is necessary to have an apparatus for cleaning parts of various sizes and which can be easily loaded and unloaded.

  It is desirable to have an appa-

  advanced machine able to use projection wheels

  existing equipment, as far as possible, in order to maximize the efficiency of cleaning and to minimize the cost of manufacture. It is desirable that the apparatus should have projection wheels arranged around the periphery of the parts in order to eliminate the complexity of the rotation of previous devices and

  to avoid having to use a tightly adjusted drum.

  Preferably, an improved apparatus establishes a space

  between pieces to allow cleaning of the ends

  away from them and he must be able to evacuate the material

  cleaning the internal channels of the parts.

  An improved method and apparatus for cleaning parts, designed to eliminate the difficulties mentioned above and for

  achieve the objectives mentioned above.

  apparatus according to the invention, for cleaning a series of parts, comprises a first cleaning mechanism for directing a cleaning material against the parts, the latter being advanced from one end to the other

  cleaning mechanism during a net operation.

  There is provided a coin feed mechanism for controlling the entry of the coins into the first cleaning mechanism and controlling the output of the coins of this first cleaning mechanism. There is also provided a mechanism for rotating coins. to return them to themselves after they exit the first cleaning mechanism, and there is provided a second cleaning mechanism for directing a cleaning material to the pieces After passing the pieces through the second cleaning mechanism,

  a second reversing mechanism of parts is des-

  to give the latter an orientation identical to that which they had when they entered the apparatus

  to allow the continuation of an automatic treatment.

  The first mecanism mechanism is in the form of a relatively large chamber.

  projection wheels, as is known in the art.

  that, are arranged in various positions inside

  of the chamber to direct jets of

  against the rooms passing through the room.

  The latter allows parts of a wide range of dimensions to be processed. Slides are provided to support and guide the parts during their production.

  passage through the chamber, the slides being

  figured and arranged to suit without difficulty

  parts of dimensions included in a wide range.

  After leaving the first chamber, the pieces are turned from one end to the other, or turned on themselves, and spaced by a turning mechanism in the form of a wheel having openings extending radially In a preferred embodiment, four openings are

  planned and spaced 900 apart from each other.

  There are rollers arranged along each radially extending wall. By appropriately positioning the overturning mechanism with respect to the first cleaning mechanism, the parts can enter the openings one after the other. 'a rotation of the wheel, the parts are first turned on one end, then turned back on themselves for additional cleaning The cleaning material

  accumulated is evacuated from the internal channels during the return-

parts.

  After being returned, the pieces are passed through a second cleaning mechanism. During their passage through the second cleaning mechanism, the pieces are carried by rollers which, being rotated at different speeds, allow the pieces to be optimally spaced for cleaning their ends After passing through the second cleaning mechanism, the pieces are directed into a second

  reversal mechanism, substantially similar to the first

  first reversal mechanism, where the parts can be turned over again-to take the same orientation as they had when entering the

first cleaning mechanism.

  A feature of the invention is the technique by which parts are moved through the apparatus and by which the apparatus is controlled. The part feed mechanism comprises a conveyor for advancing the parts under the effect of gravity A flange is applied against the parts in order to control the movement along the conveyor A stop bears against the parts and prevents their movement along the conveyor, the advance of the parts up to the stop being allowed by a selective actuation of the flange A controlled conveyor is provided to make

  advance the parts of the first conveyor to the first

  first cleaning mechanism A pusher bears against the pieces to force them forward through the

  first cleaning mechanism, the parts being

  pushers one after the other under the effect of a selective actuation of the stop and the

controlled carrier.

  The pusher is in the form of a pivoting arm mounted on an axially movable support The arm is applied against the faces of the parts furthest from the first cleaning mechanism following a forward stroke of the support or trolley The arm moves away by pivoting parts during a carriage return stroke

  in order to be ready to apply against another room.

  To properly control the spacing of

  parts for their entry into the return mechanism-

  For other purposes, it is necessary to take into account automatically the different dimensions of the parts that can be moved through the mechanism.

  a control switch is provided at the end.

  discharge of the first cleaning mechanism and

  intended to operate the advance mechanism only when

  that a piece is out of the first cleaning mechanism.

  In a preferred embodiment, the control switch is in the form of a limit switch made and arranged, relative to the first cleaning mechanism, so that the parts coming out of this first mechanism pass over it. of the limit switch during the initial phases of their discharge of the first cleaning mechanism and come into contact with the limit switch only when they

  completely unloaded from the first mechanism of net-

  toyage. The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings by way of non-limiting example and in which FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view from above of the apparatus according to the invention for cleaning parts such as automobile engines; Figure 2 is an elevation of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an end view of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a partial elevation on an enlarged scale of a detail of a push mechanism according to the invention; Figure 5 is an end view of the thrust mechanism of Figure 4; FIG. 6 is a partial elevation on an enlarged scale of a feed mechanism according to the invention, in

  which a flange, a stop and a push mechanism -

  are used to control the movement of parts; Figures 7 and 8 are partial elevations similar to those of Figure 6, showing the feed mechanism in different working positions;

  Figure 9 is a plan view of a portion.

  a system of rails used to support the parts during a part of their race; Figure 10 is a section along the line 10-10 of Figure 9;

  Figures 11 to 13 are schematic elevations

  illustrating the movement of a workpiece and a control switch used to operate parts of the feed mechanism; Figure 14 is an enlarged elevation of a turning mechanism according to the invention; and FIG. 15 is a timing diagram illustrating the actions of various control elements forming part of the apparatus according to the invention. The drawings, and more particularly FIGS. 1 to 3, show an apparatus 10 for cleaning parts. According to each other, for example automobile engine blocks The apparatus 10 comprises a feed mechanism for controlling the introduction of the pieces 12 into the apparatus 10, a first cleaning mechanism 100, a first turning mechanism 200 intended to reverse the orientation of the parts 12 and spacing them from each other after their passage through the first cleaning mechanism, a second cleaning mechanism 300,

  a second 400-turning mechanism and various

  500 auxiliary and control systems The elements of

  the apparatus 10 will be described separately.

  The advance mechanism includes a transport

  22 on which the parts 12 can be moved to the right, in the orientation of the figures, under the effect of gravity The carrier 22 is inclined downwards from 2 or 30 on the horizontal The carrier

  22 has several rollers 24 each having a coating

  polyurethane or equivalent material

  of rubber in order to apply traction and com-

  The fixed side guides 26, 28 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 10) are installed on both sides of the feed mechanism 20 in order to properly guide the passage of the parts 12 during their advance.

  to and through the first cleaning mechanism 100.

  Parts 12 approaching the first cleaning mechanism advance one after the other,

  in end-to-end contact until they are

  The latter comprises an arm 32 extending approximately horizontally, which pivots on a

  vertical support element 34 by a first end.

  The other end of the arm 32 is connected to a hydraulic cylinder

  lique 36 by an extendable rod 38 of piston The rod

  38 piston is connected to the arm 32, near the ex-

  The cylinder 36 and the rod 38 are oriented approximately vertically and are connected to a support 40 extending horizontally.

  whose lower face has a coating 44 of poly-

  urethane or an equivalent material based on

  rubber, is attached to the arm 32, near the end of the latter Under the effect of a suitable actuation of the cylinder 36, the pad 42 can be brought into contact with the upper surface of the parts 12 to order the

  movement along the conveyor 22.

  A stop 50 is provided to allow the parts 12 to be released one by one, while the parts 12 that approach are retained by the flange 30 The stop has a substantially horizontal arm 52 which pivots,

  by a first end, on a vertical support 54.

  A hydraulic cylinder 56 is oriented approximately vertically

  The piston rod 58 projects outwardly from the cylinder 56 and is connected to the end of the arm 52.

  plate 60, extending downwards, bears against the end

front of the room 12.

  The feed mechanism also includes a carrier 62 having a plurality of rollers 64 coated with polyurethane or an equivalent rubber material to provide maximum traction and control contact with the workpieces 12. conveyor 62 extends approximately horizontally and is controlled to force drive

  parts 12 when desired.

  A pushing device 70 is intended to introduce

  one by one the parts 12 in the cleaning mechanism 100 As shown in particular in the figures

  4 to 8, the pusher device 70 comprises a hydraulic cylinder

  The cylinder 72 is fixed to a horizontal support 76. Two tubular rails 78, of square section, extend forward of the support 76. The tubes 78 are oriented by means of a piston rod 74 which moves in a substantially horizontal plane. in such a way that their plane surfaces form angles of 450 with the horizontal and the vertical, as the case may be. A carriage 80 is arranged between the tubes 78 to which it is connected in order to be able to

  to travel with the help of rollers 82

  door, on its underside, a hydraulic cylinder 84 which comprises a pivoting arm 86 carrying, at its end, a damping pad 88 When actuating the cylinder 84, the arm 86 pivots on an arc of 90 of a position

  vertical to a horizontal position, or vice versa.

  A vertically extending member 90 connects the end

  of the rod 74 of the piston to the carriage 80.

  As is apparent from an examination of FIGS. 4 to 8, when the actuator 72 is actuated, the rod 74 is extended or retracted and, consequently, the carriage 80 is reciprocated with respect to the apparatus

  The maximum stroke of the carriage 80 is about 1600 mm.

  During a forward stroke of the carriage 80, the jack 84 is actuated so as to orient the arm 86 vertically so that the damping pad 88 bears against the rear face of parts 12 during a return stroke of the carriage 80 , the cylinder 84 is actuated to pivot the arm 86 to a horizontal position so that this arm

  86 is disengaged from the upper surface of the pieces 12.

  The first cleaning mechanism 100 comprises a chamber 102 (FIG. 3) through which the pieces 12 pass in order to be cleaned. The chamber 102 is defined by opposite side walls 104, 106,

  inclined roof portions 108, 110, and inclined portions

  The chamber 102 has at its ends partitions with curtains placed in suitable working apertures. Two horizontal and spaced slides 116, 118 extend across the

  center of the chamber 102 and allow the pieces 12 repo-

  The ends of the slides 116, 118 are chamfered as indicated at 120. The slide 116 is narrower than the slide 118 to provide maximum surface exposure. from the piece 12 to the cleaning material, the slides 116, 118 are placed on opposite sides of the chamber 102, on the half of the cleaning mechanism 100 (see FIGS. 9 and 10). The ends of the slides 116, 118 are supported. , at

  center of the chamber 102, by a central support 122.

  The lateral guides 26, 28 extend through the chamber

  102 near the slides 116, 118.

  In the preferred embodiment of the invention,

  In this invention, the slideways 116, 118 are made of hardened steel to resist wear. The guides 26, 28 are made of hardened steel. The slide 116 has a cross-section of 25 mm × 40 mm, while the slide 118 has a cross-section. The guides 26, 28 have a cross-section of 20 mm × 40 mm. Preferred spacings for the guides and slideways 116, 118 can be determined with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 and the following Table Dimension Letter (mm) reference D

A 210

B 210

C 180

D 180

E 80

F 45

  The first cleaning mechanism 100 comprises

  several upper sets 124, 126 with wheels of pro-

  jection for directing a cleaning material into the chamber 102 through apertures in the roof portions 108, 110 A plurality of median sets 132, 134 with cleaning wheels extending through apertures in the side walls 104

  106 to introduce cleaning material into the

in room 102.

  Several lower sets 140, 142 with cleaning wheels pass through openings in the floor portions 112, 114 so that cleaning material can be introduced into the chamber 102 from its lower parts. As is apparent from an examination of FIGS. 2 and 3, the various sets 124, 142 with projection wheels are arranged with respect to the slides 116, 118 of

  way that parts 12 moving along the slides

  116, 118 are struck on all sides by

  jets of cleaning material All sets 124-

  142 with projection wheels are substantially identical, except for variations of position with respect to the chamber

  102 Therefore, only the wheel assembly 132

  jection will be described in detail for convenience, the other projection wheel assemblies being assumed to be

similar construction.

  The assembly 132 comprises a wheel 148 from which several fins 150 extend radially. Only a portion of the fins 150 appears in the figures. A bearing 152 supports the wheel 148 so that it can rotate. An engine 154 is connected to the bearing 152 by belts. trapezoidal 156 passing over pulleys 158, 160 A housing 162 surrounds the wheel 148 When the engine-154 is turned on, the wheel 148 is rotated at a speed of 150.degree.

  speed directly proportional to the rotational speed

  154 Cleaning material such as steel shot, introduced in the center of the wheel

  148, is projected outwardly by the fins 150.

  By giving the wheel 148 and aux-ai-lettes 150 a concept

  appropriate configuration and giving the housing 162 a configuration

  In the field of application of the present invention, the six sets 124-142-with projection wheels can be directed as desired.

  can be used to effectively clean the sur-

  apparent faces of parts 12 passing through the cleaning mechanism 100 The additional details of the projection wheels 124-142 are well known, such sets being marketed by the company Pangborn Company, Hagerstown, Maryland, E Uo A. After being in the room 102, the parts 12 are discharged from the first cleaning mechanism 100 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 13 A controlled conveyor 164 receives the parts 12 discharged from the slides 116, 118 The rollers 166 of the conveyor 164 are coated with polyurethane or Rubber-based equivalent material, and they are equipped with a hydraulic transmission (not shown) A control switch 504 (described in more detail below) is mounted between the conveyor rollers 166, in the immediate vicinity of the carrier. The end of the slides 116, 118 The conveyor 164 is disposed vertically at a level slightly lower than that

  of the upper surface of the slides 116, 118

  that a piece 12 is discharged from the chamber 102, its front edge tilts down on the chamfered edges 120 and bears against one of the rollers 166 located downstream of the switch 504 The piece 12 does not come into contact with the switch 504 only when it is completely cleared

slides 116, 118.

  As shown in particular in FIGS. 2 and 14, the first turning mechanism 200 comprises a wheel 202 rotatably mounted in a vertical plane extending along the path followed by the parts.

  The drive of the wheel 202 is not shown.

  The wheel 202 has four openings 204 that extend radially outwardly. The openings or indentations

  204 are spaced from each other by 90 each

  Figure 204 has a plurality of rollers 206 disposed along its walls. The base of each opening 204 is closed by a plate 208 having a central hole 210. A hydraulic cylinder 212 is disposed at the center of the wheel 202 and includes a slider 214 extending into A horizontal plane The slide 214 is arranged to move along the stroke of the parts 12 by executing an advance stroke. When the actuator 212 is actuated, the slide can be advanced through the holes 210 in order to eject pieces 12 from openings 204 when

this is desired.

  A brake 216 is disposed at the periphery of the wheel 202. When actuated, this brake prevents the

  wheel 202 to turn The first 200-return mechanism

  also comprises a short conveyor section 218 comprising a plurality of so-called friction rollers 220,

  disposed immediately downstream of the wheel 202

  The friction shoes 220 are covered with polyurethane or an equivalent material based on rubber. The rollers 220 are driven by a hydraulic control.

(not shown)

  As can be seen from a review of Figures 2

  and 14, during a rotation of the wheel 202 and inserting it

  In the apertures 204, the parts 12 are turned over. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 14, the wheel 202 rotates in a clockwise direction by turning over the parts 12 after their passage through the first mechanism 100. the cleaning material accumulated in the channels in the rooms 12 is emptied and other parts of the

  12 pieces are exposed for further cleaning.

  The second cleaning mechanism 300 is similar in construction and operation to those of the first cleaning mechanism 100, except that the parts 12 passing through the second cleaning mechanism 300 are spaced apart so that their ends

  The second mechanism 300 of net-

  comprises a chamber 102 defined by side walls 304, 306, roof portions 308, 310 and floor portions 312, 314 (wall 304 and parts 308, 312 not being visible in the figures).

  300 cleaning mechanism comprises a common carrier

  The conveyor 316 comprises a plurality of rollers 318 made of manganese steel having axially extending grooves. The rollers 318 may be driven by a liquid control (not shown) so that the workpieces 12 may be spaced from each other within the chamber 302 The spacing of the parts 12 allows the cleaning of their ends.

  In a manner similar to that of the first

  me 100 cleaning, the second 300 cleaning mechanism

  consists of several sets 320-338 with projection wheels The sets 320-322 with projection wheels are arranged in the

  parts 308, 310 of the roof, the median sets 328-330 with projection wheels are arranged in the side walls 304, 306, and the lower sets

  336-338 with projection wheels are arranged in the

  These bottom assemblies 336, 312, 314 are

  338 differ somewhat from the lower sets

  142 with projection wheels in that they comprise a so-called open wheel The lower sets 336-338 projection wheels comprise a modified housing 346 which does not confine the flow of cleaning material discharged

fins 348.

  It should be noted that the size of the

  particles and the composition of the cleaning material used

  In a given cleaning operation, the size and speed of rotation of the wheels, the configuration and positioning of the wheel housings, and other similar variables can be adjusted to suit the needs of a particular user. known to those skilled in the art and so it is

  needless to describe them in more detail.

  After pieces 12 have crossed the room

  302, they are separated from the latter by a trans-

  carrier 350 which comprises a plurality of rollers 352 carrying

  a coating of polyurethane or equivalent material

  The conveyor 350 accelerates and presents the pieces 12 to the second turning mechanism 400. The second turning mechanism 400 receives the parts 12 from the conveyor 350 and returns them to unload them from the apparatus 10 in the same orientation as they had when they were received by the apparatus

  The second turning mechanism 400 is conveniently

  identical to the first turning mechanism 200 It comprises a wheel 402 and several radial openings

  404 along the walls of which are arranged

  Each opening 404 has a wall of

  bottom closed by a plate 408 which has a hole 410.

  A hydraulic cylinder 412, comprising a slide 414, as well as the jack 212, is arranged in the center of the

  wheel 402 to eject the parts 12 of the openings 404.

  A brake 416 bears against the periphery of the wheel 402

  to selectively allow or prevent rotation.

  In a manner similar to that described for the first overturning mechanism 200, following a rotation of the wheel 404 in the clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 2, the pieces 12 are returned to be The parts 12 are moved away by a controlled conveyor 418 having a plurality of rollers 420 As with the rolls of the other conveyors (except the conveyor 316), the rollers of the conveyor 418 are coated with polyurethane or an equivalent material based on rubber. The auxiliary and control equipment 500 is used to control the operation of the apparatus and to collect and recycle the cleaning material

  This equipment 500 includes a switch

  end switch 502 or switch which is placed near the junction of the carriers 22 and 62, to

  immediate proximity of the stop 50 Switch 502-

  protrudes upwards between the rollers 64 of the trans-

  carrier 62 and is lowered when a part 12 travels the conveyor, and is raised when a part 12 has

  completed its passage on the carrier in which the

switch 502 is arranged.

  Other limit switches are pre-

  seen and operate in a similar manner The position of the end of travel switch 504 has already been described; As shown in FIGS. 2 and 14, end-of-travel switches 506 and 508 are placed immediately upstream of the first overturning mechanism 200. Limit switches 510, 512 are placed on

  the circumference of the second overturning mechanism

  limit switch 514 at the end of the race

  downstream of the first turning mechanism 200.

  Limit switches 516, 518 are placed

  immediately upstream of the second return mechanism 400-

  In addition, limit switches 520, 522 are

  placed on the periphery of the second 400-return mechanism

* nement, and a switch 524 limit switch is placed

downstream of the second mechanism 400.

  In addition to the limit switches, the auxiliary and control equipment 500 includes the stop 50 and a stop plate 526 placed between the limit switches 506 and 508. The stop plate 526 can be raised or lowered. as may be necessary to prevent advance of the pieces 12 Similarly, another vertically adjustable stop plate 528 (not shown) is disposed between the limit switches 516, 518. The brakes 216 and 416 are also part of the equipment

auxiliary and control.

  The functions of the various limit switches are as follows: Function switch findecourse _____ 502 Actuated by the rear end of the part 12, triggers the descent of the arm 86, then the advance of the carriage 80 504 Actuated by the end rear of a workpiece 12, stops the carriage 80, then raises the arm 86 and returns the carriage 80 Function switch

limit switch-

  506 Actuated, for safety reasons, by the front end of a workpiece, stops conveyor 164 if the cycle of the first overturning mechanism is

not completed.

  508 Powered by the rear end of a part 12,

triggers the cycle of the first

first 100 return mechanism-

and raise the plate

stop 526.

  510 Detects the end of the cycle of the first turning mechanism 100 512 Causes the lowering of the stop plate 526 514 Safety; actuated by the rear end of the workpiece 12, retains the overturning mechanism until released by a workpiece; actuated by the leading edge of a workpiece 12, stops the conveyor 350

if the cycle of the second

  The turning point 200 is not completed 518 Actuated by the rear end of a workpiece 12, triggers the cycle of the second turning mechanism 400 and raises the stop plate 520 Detects the end of the cycle of the second turning mechanism 400 522 Causes the lowering of the stop plate 528 524 Safety; actuated by the rear end of a piece 12, retains the second

400 return mechanism

unless it is

released by a piece 12 -

  As particularly shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the auxiliary and control equipment 500 also comprises elements for collecting and recycling the used cleaning material. The apparatus comprises a chassis 530 mounted above the mechanisms described above. . The frame 530 has a guardrail 532 and an access ladder 534. A gutter 536 is disposed below the chamber 102 to channel down the used cleaning material. A helical conveyor 538 is disposed 1 o below The trough 536 directs the spent material to a chute 540 which itself directs the cleaning material to a lift 542 which has a vertically oriented belt 544 running over upper and lower pulleys 546, 548 The belt

  544 carries several buckets 550 which collect quantities

  Scattered material of cleaning material The belt 544 is driven by a motor 552 and a transmission 554

belt.

  The material collected by the buckets 550 is discharged into a helical conveyor 556 driven by a motor 558, and is directed by this conveyor 556 to a rotating cylindrical screen 560 which cleans

  the material Several openings 562 ventilation

  eliminate from the sieve 560 the dust and the very

  fine particles Excessively large particles are

  564, the particles that are too small are discharged through a conduit 566, while the particles

  overflow are returned by a line 568 to the

  542 The particles of suitable dimensions are collected in a hopper 570 in which they are retained to be discharged by traps 572, 574, 576, 578, 580 and 582 The trap 572 controls the flow of the material to the assembly 124 With the projection wheel and the flap 574 controls the flow of the material towards the projection wheel assembly 126 The flaps 576-582 are associated in a similar way to the assemblies 132, 134,

and 142 with projection wheels.

  A ventilation hood 584 is provided to remove dust and fine particles from the area near the first overturning mechanism 200. The hood 584 has an opening 586 through which dust and fine particles can be removed from this hood 584 A hopper 588 filling is arranged

  near a lower part of the elevator 542.

  When it is necessary to supplement the power supply of the apparatus 10 with regard to cleaning, new material may be added to the elevator 542 by actuating a valve 590 disposed at the bottom of the hopper

  588 Guiding elements 592, 594 are arranged

  below the feed mechanism 20 and the first overturning mechanism for channeling spent material and other particles into the helical conveyor 538, a device for recovering and cleaning the material is also provided for the second mechanism

  300 cleaning and the second 400 return mechanism

  Its elements are substantially identical to those already described and they are represented in the figures-and indicated by numerical references whose first digit is a "6". For example, a second elevator 642 is identical in construction and operation to those of the elevator 542 The hopper 670 has a similar embodiment and operation to those of the hopper 570 The production and operation of other elements whose numerical reference is

  the order of 600 are identical to those of the elements

  both numerical references of the order of 500.

  When it is desired to operate the appa-

  10, several pieces 12 are placed on the transpor-

  22 where they are held by the stop 50

  to facilitate the description, that the various sets

  projection wheels are powered at the same time by

  cleaning material of a size and quantity to be

  and the projection wheel assemblies are controlled at appropriate speeds. With particular reference to FIG. 15, it can be seen that the apparatus 10 can be used to clean parts 12 such as blocks -Automotive engines every four seconds A production rate of about 900 pieces per hour is possible if the apparatus 10 is controlled according to the timing diagram-given

in Figure 15.

  Referring also to Figures 6 to 8 and 14, when the stop 50 is lowered, none of the parts carried by the conveyor 22 can advance When it is desired to release a part to enter the first cleaning mechanism 100, the flange 30 is applied against the piece 12, immediately below the pad 42, and the stopper 50 is simultaneously raised (FIG. 8). The piece 12 that has just been released passes over the end switch 502. stroke and is conveyed by the conveyor 62 to a position below the pusher device 70. As can be seen from an examination of FIG. 15, when the abutment 50 is raised, the flange 30 is lowered and the arm 86 is raised Half a second later, the pusher device 70 is brought back and, half a second after the complete return of the pusher device 70; the arm 86 is lowered A half-second later, the pusher device 70 is moved on its forward stroke to advance

  the piece 12 to the cleaning mechanism 100.

  Although the various limit switches and their functions have already been described,

  It should be noted that a special feature

  Advantageous of the invention lies in the use of the limit switch 504 for controlling the forward movement of the pusher device 70. The latter executes its advance stroke until a signal from 504 limit switch

  received because switch 504 is not

  tioned by the rear end of a workpiece 12, the pusher device 70 can not return before a part 12 is completely clear of the first cleaning mechanism 100. Therefore, the length of the travel of the

  pusher device 70 is controlled automatically.

  During a transition period from one room dimension to another, the previous control of the pusher device 70 is somewhat modified. During the transition periods, the pusher device 70 is moved forward slowly, in low steps. length, of the order of 250 mm At each step in advance of the pusher device, the latter is delayed a few seconds to detect if the switch 504 limit switch was actuated If the switch 504 has been actuated, the return of the pusher device 70 is delayed until the complete indexing of the wheel 202 This control technique of the pusher device 70 makes it possible to pass together pieces of different lengths during a transition period and to prevent the release of two pieces

at a time.

  It follows from the previous description that

  the invention proposes an effective technique for the net-

  automatic cleaning of parts such as automotive engine blocks in a minimum time and with maximum efficiency The various limit switches, stops and brakes all work to prevent damage to the apparatus 10 while simultaneously enabling substantially automatic operation

  of this unit 10 Since the parts are back-

  born twice during their passage through the apparatus, the accumulated cleaning material is discharged from the channels of the pieces and all the surfaces thereof.

  are exposed to the cleaning material.

  It goes without saying that many modifications can be made to the apparatus described and shown

  without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (18)

  1 parts cleaning apparatus (12) is followed by   characterized in that it comprises a first cleaning mechanism (100) for directing a cleaning material against the parts passing through this mechanism,   from one end to the other of the latter during a   cleaning system, a part advance mechanism (20) for controlling the entry of the parts into the first cleaning mechanism and controlling the output of the parts   of this first mechanism, a mechanism (200) for   parts for returning and spacing the parts after they exit the first cleaning mechanism, and a second cleaning mechanism (300) for directing a cleaning material against the parts, the latter passing from one end to the other. the second mechanism   during a cleaning operation.   2 Apparatus according to claim 1 ', characterized in that it further comprises a second mechanism (400) for turning parts for turning parts   after they exit the second cleaning mechanism.   Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized   in that the overturning mechanism has openings   radial tines (204) in which the parts can be introduced and from which the parts can be withdrawn.   4 Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that it has four openings spaced 900 each other.   Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that it further comprises rollers (206) arranged   along each radial wall of each opening.   Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the pieces enter the openings from   ends of the latter and exit the said openings.   tures by moving towards the ends of these.   7 Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that it further comprises ejectors (214) associated with the overturning mechanism and intended to be applied against   the pieces to get them out of the openings in the- which they were arranged.   Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the first cleaning mechanism comprises slides (116, 118) for supporting the parts during their passage through the first cleaning mechanism, and in that the second cleaning mechanism comprises a plurality of rollers (318) for supporting the parts as they pass through this second mechanism of cleaning.   Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the rollers of the second cleaning mechanism slow down the parts entering into this mechanism, and   accelerate the pieces on leaving.   Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the feed mechanism comprises a conveyor (22) for advancing parts under the effect of gravity, a flange (30) intended to be applied against   the pieces to control the movement along the trans-   carrier, a stop (50) intended to be applied against   parts and to prevent them from moving along the trans-   carrier, the parts being advanced to the stop by selectively actuating the flange, a controlled carrier (62) for advancing the parts of the first conveyor to the first cleaning mechanism, and a device pusher (70) intended to be applied against the parts to force them forward in the first cleaning mechanism, the parts being presented to the pusher device one after the other under the effect of a selective actuation   stop and controlled carrier.   Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized   characterized in that the flange establishes a frictional contact with the pieces.   Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized   characterized in that the stop is in the form of a plate (60) pressing against the face of the most   close to the first cleaning mechanism.   Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized   characterized in that the pusher device is in the form of an arm (86) mounted to pivot on an axially movable carriage (80), the arm pressing against the faces of the parts furthest from the first mechanism during a stroke in advance of the carriage, the arm moving away from the parts by pivoting when of a carriage return race.   Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the arm is rotatably mounted in a perpendicularly oriented vertical plane. the path followed by the pieces.   Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized   characterized in that it further comprises a control switch (504) at the output end of the first cleaning mechanism for operating the mechanism   in advance only when a coin is removed from the first first cleaning mechanism.   Apparatus according to claim 15, characterized   characterized in that the control switch is in the form of a limit switch (504) made and arranged with respect to the first mechanism of   cleaning, so that parts coming out of this mechanism   pass me over the end switch   in the initial phases of their exit from the first   cleaning and only come into contact with the limit switch when they are fully the first cleaning mechanism.   17 Process for cleaning parts (12),   characterized in that it comprises advancing the parts to a first cleaning mechanism (100) in which a cleaning material is directed against the pieces, to flipping and spacing the pieces after they exit the first cleaning mechanism, and advancing the pieces to a second cleaning mechanism (300) in which cleaning material is directed against the pieces. 2531894   The method of claim 17, wherein   in that it also consists of returning the   parts after they leave the second cleaning mechanism.   The method of claim 17, wherein   characterized in that the parts are advanced towards the first cleaning mechanism one after the other,   in that they go through the first mechanism of net-   in that they pass through the second cleaning mechanism in a disposition such that their ends are spaced apart from one another.   Process according to claim 17, characterized   characterized in that it further comprises advancing pieces one by one to the first cleaning mechanism, passing the pieces through the first cleaning mechanism by pushing them into end-to-end contact, detecting the exit of a given piece of the first cleaning mechanism, to stop the movement of the parts in the first cleaning mechanism when detecting the output of a part of this first mechanism, to advance another piece towards the entrance of the first mechanism cleaning, and passing the parts through the first cleaning mechanism by pushing the most recently advanced piece towards the entrance of this first mechanism. ism.   The method of claim 20, wherein   characterized in that the output of a given piece of the first cleaning mechanism is detected by a limit switch (504) against which the end back of the exit room.