JPH0321237B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a device for cleaning a tank, and more particularly to a device for cleaning the inner surface of a cylindrical tank that opens upward.

(Prior Art) In conventional paint manufacturing factories, a method is widely adopted in which paint products are obtained by charging raw materials such as pigments, resins, and solvents into fixed tanks and stirring and mixing them using a dissolver. The above fixed tank is
There were many tanks installed for each type of raw material, such as resins and solvents, and there was no need to clean the tanks very often, so tanks were generally cleaned by hand using a stick with a scrubbing brush attached. was.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) Recently, however, with the diversification of properties required for paints, the number of types of paint raw materials such as resins and solvents has rapidly increased, making it necessary to install a large number of fixed tanks. This cannot be dealt with unless the width is increased significantly, and it requires a vast floor space, which is uneconomical, especially in paint manufacturing factories that produce a wide variety of products in small quantities. A method to solve this problem is to use multiple portable tanks, which are sequentially transported to a raw material loading station, a stirring station, and a filling station that fills the product into cans, after which the tanks are cleaned and circulated to the above process. If used, a wide variety of paints can be efficiently produced in a small floor space, which is extremely desirable. However, in this case, each tank must be cleaned at the end of each manufacturing cycle, which requires frequent cleaning operations, and conventional manual methods require labor-intensive work under adverse conditions in an atmosphere where solvents evaporate. This would last for a long time and is not something that can be implemented at all.

The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a tank cleaning device that can easily clean a tank without requiring manual labor.

(Means for Solving the Problems) However, the tank cleaning device of the present invention includes a support base for supporting a tank with an opening facing upward, a base frame fixed above the support base, and the base frame. an elevator frame that is guided so as to be vertically movable; an elevator frame drive device that drives the elevator frame up and down; a cover that is attached to the elevator frame in a state facing the opening of the tank on the support base; and the cover. a rotating shaft that passes through the center of the tank and is rotatably supported by the lift frame with its axis vertically directed; a rotating shaft drive device that rotationally drives the rotating shaft; and a rotating shaft drive device that rotates the rotating shaft and moves in the tank diameter direction below the cover. A movable brush that is freely attached to the rotating shaft, a movable brush drive device that reciprocates the movable brush in the tank diameter direction, a fixed brush that is fixed to the lower end of the rotating shaft, and a movable brush drive device that reciprocates the movable brush in the tank diameter direction, and This tank cleaning device includes a liquid supply port provided therein, and a cleaning liquid supply device that is connected to the liquid supply port and supplies cleaning liquid to the liquid supply port.

(Function) In the tank cleaning device of the present invention, the tank is placed on the support base, the lifting frame is driven by the lifting frame drive device and lowered, and the cover covers the opening of the tank and each A brush is inserted into the tank. At this time, the movable brush is retracted toward the rotating shaft by the movable brush drive device, and is projected until it contacts the inner peripheral surface of the tank after the elevator frame is lowered.
The cleaning liquid supplied by the cleaning liquid supply device is discharged into the tank from the liquid supply port, and each brush rotates while slidingly contacting the inner surface of the tank together with the rotating shaft driven by the rotating shaft drive device, thereby cleaning the inner surface of the tank. After cleaning, the operation of the cleaning liquid supply device and the rotating shaft drive device is stopped, the movable brush is retracted to the rotating shaft side by the movable brush drive device, and the lifting frame and the cover attached to the lifting frame are removed by the lifting frame driving device.
Raise the brush etc. and remove it from the tank. The cleaning waste liquid may be discharged to the outside through a discharge port provided at the bottom of the tank, or by pump suction from the upper opening if such a discharge port is not provided.

(Embodiment) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a cleaning line 1 in which two cleaning devices of the present invention are installed. The tank cleaning device 4a is replaced with a similar chain conveyor 3.
A tank cleaning device 4b for finishing washing is installed above b.
Each is installed. 5 is a lifting platform equipped with free rollers for receiving tanks, 6 is a similar lifting platform for sending out tanks, 7 is a chain conveyor for traversing, and 8 and 9 are lifting platforms equipped with short chain conveyors. Together with the chain conveyors 3a and 3b, they form a conveyor line 10 that conveys the tank 2 along a U-shaped path.
The detailed structure of the tank cleaning device 4a is as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and the elevating frame 14 can be raised and lowered by a guide rail 13 extending in the vertical direction of the base frame 12 fixed to the architectural beam 11 of the building. being guided. This elevating frame 14 is connected to a balance weight 16 arranged laterally by a chain 15, and this chain 15 is wound around sprockets 17 and 18 that are pivotally supported on the base frame 12, and
The drive shaft 19 to which is fixed is driven in forward and reverse directions via a chain 23 by an elevating frame drive device 22 comprising a motor 20 and a speed reducer 21 mounted on the base frame 12. Reference numeral 25 denotes a short cylindrical cover fixed to the lifting frame 14, which opens downward directly below the lifting frame 14, facing the opening 2a of the tank 2 stopped on the chain conveyor 3a (see Fig. 1). There is. On the lower surface of the cover 25 are liquid supply pipes 26 and 27 bent into ring shapes with different diameters.
are arranged and fixed concentrically to the center of the cover 25, and each of these liquid supply pipes is provided with a number of downwardly directed liquid supply ports 28. Note that the liquid supply pipe 26
and 27 are connected to a liquid supply device 35 consisting of a solvent tank 33 and a pump 34 through a piping system 32 having a hose 29 and solenoid valves 30, 31, as shown in FIG. Also, in Figure 3, 2
5a is an exhaust port provided in the cover 25, and the duct 36
is connected to an exhaust system (not shown). 3
A rotary shaft 7 is rotatably supported by the lifting frame 14, passes through the cover 25, and has its axis oriented in the vertical direction. It is designed to be rotationally driven. 43 is the rotation axis 3
7 is fitted with a bushing that can be raised and lowered and rotated freely.
The cylinder 44, which is a drive device for the post-operative movable brush 51 attached to the elevating frame 14, is driven up and down via the connecting plate 45, and the guide bush 46 fixed to the other end of the connecting plate 45 is moved up and down. Frame 1
It is slidably fitted into a guide rod 47 fixed to 4. A bush 48 is fitted on the rotary shaft 37 so as to be movable up and down, and is suspended and connected to a ring 49 rotatably fitted on the bush 43 by a connecting plate 50. Reference numeral 51 denotes a movable brush with thin wires planted along part of the inner wall surface and bottom surface of the tank 2, and a link 5 pivoted on a lug piece 52 fixed to the rotating shaft 37.
3 and a link 54 pivotally connected to the ring 49, and a lug 55 fixed to the rotating shaft 37.
A link mechanism consisting of a link 56 pivotally connected to the bush 48 and a link 57 pivotally connected to the bush 48 rotates the rotating shaft 3.
7 so as to be movable in the horizontal direction. A fixed brush 58 for cleaning the bottom of the tank is fixed to the lower end of the rotating shaft 37 and extends in the diametrical direction of the tank.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the tank 2 is fixed to a support frame 61 fixed to a rectangular bottom frame 60 forming a pallet for transportation. Reference numeral 62 denotes an on-off valve consisting of a globe valve connected to an outlet provided at the bottom of the tank 2. 63 is an opening/closing mechanism for this opening/closing valve 62;
Pins 65 are fixed to project from both ends of a horizontally extending rotating shaft 64 that is rotatably supported by the support frame 61, and a bevel gear 66 fixed near the center of the rotating shaft 64 is opened and closed. It meshes with a bevel gear 67 fixed to the valve body drive shaft of the valve 62. Reference numeral 69 denotes a receiving tray for collecting cleaning waste liquid disposed directly below the tank cleaning device 4a, and is connected to the solvent tank 33. 70
is the opening/closing operation device for the opening/closing valve 62 of the tank 2, and the machine frame 7
1, a cart 72 is movably supported in the horizontal direction.
A disk 7 rotatably supports a shaft 74 driven by a motor 73, and is fixed to the tip of the shaft 74.
Two pins 76 are provided protruding from the tank 5 to be engaged with and disengaged from the pin 65 of the opening/closing mechanism 63 of the tank 2.

On the other hand, the tank cleaning device 4b for finishing cleaning has almost the same structure as the tank cleaning device 4a for rough cleaning, except that the outlet of the solvent tank 33 is connected to the tank cleaning device 4b for rough cleaning through piping 80. 4a is connected to the inlet side of the solvent tank 33, and is also connected to the pump 34.
The only difference is that the suction port is connected to a solvent tank containing fresh solvent.

In order to clean the tank 2 with the apparatus configured as described above, the tank 2, which is integrated with the bottom frame 60 with paint etc. adhered to its inner surface, is placed on the lifting platform 5 using an automatic guided vehicle or a forklift, and the chain conveyor 3
A and transferred to directly below the tank cleaning device 4b for rough cleaning. When the fixed position stop of the tank 2 is detected by a limit switch or the like, the lifting frame drive device 22 is activated to lower the lifting frame 14 and remove the cover 2.
5 is placed over the opening 2a of the tank 2, the movable brush 51 and the fixed brush 58 are inserted into the tank 2, and the lower side of the movable brush 51 and the fixed brush 58
contacts the bottom of tank 2. Next, the cylinder 44 drives the connecting plate 45 downward in accordance with the inner diameter of the tank 2, pushes down the bushes 43 and 48, and brings the side of the movable brush 51 into contact with the inner surface of the tank 2. Next, the liquid supply device 35 is activated, and a solvent, which is a cleaning agent, is ejected from the liquid supply port 28 of the liquid supply pipe 26 or 27 on the side closer to the inner wall surface of the tank depending on the inner diameter of the tank 2, and along with this, the rotating shaft The rotating shaft 37 is rotated at a low speed by the drive device 40, and the brushes 51 and 5 are rotated at a low speed.
8 rotates while slidingly contacting the inner surface of the tank 2, and the inner surface of the tank is cleaned. At this time, the cover 25 covers the tank opening 2a to prevent the solvent from scattering. After cleaning for a predetermined time by a timer, the opening/closing operation device 70 operates to move the cart 72 forward toward the tank 2, and the shaft 74
A pin 76 that rotates together with the tank opening/closing mechanism 63
The dirty solvent is discharged from the tank 2 and returns to the solvent tank 33 via the receiving tray 69. Next, the liquid supply device 35 and the rotary shaft drive device 40 are stopped, the movable brush 51 is retracted to the rotary shaft 37 side by the cylinder 44, and the lift frame 14 is raised together with each brush, cover 25, etc. by the lift frame drive device 22. Also, the on-off valve 67 at the bottom of the tank 2 is closed by the on-off operation device 70, and the rough washing is completed. Note that the solvent in the solvent tank 33 is recycled while the degree of contamination is low, and when the degree of contamination becomes high, it is discharged outside the tank and is used in the tank cleaning device 4 for final cleaning.
The washing waste liquid of b is replenished.

The tank 2 after rough washing is a chain conveyor 3a,
7, the solvent is transferred by the chain conveyor 3b directly below the tank cleaning device 4b for final cleaning and stopped, and the inside of the tank is cleaned using the new solvent in the same manner as described above. The tank 2 was then transferred onto the lifting platform 6 by the chain conveyor 3b.
The tank 2 is picked up by an automatic guided vehicle or a forklift, and the cleaning process for one tank 2 is completed.

The operation of each device in the above process can be performed automatically by sequence control using timers and limit switches, or program control by a computer that uses the tank inner diameter as one of the input values, eliminating the need for manual cleaning work. This results in significant labor savings.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment; for example, in the above-described embodiment, a chain conveyor is used as a support for supporting the tank, and cleaning is performed in two stages: rough washing and final washing.
In cases where the tank is fixed at one location for cleaning, a fixed stand fixed on the foundation or an elevating stand may be used as the support stand. Further, as the cleaning liquid for cleaning, in addition to a solvent, water, steam, etc. can be used in the case of a water-based paint.

Although the above description has been about cleaning tanks for manufacturing paint, the present invention can be applied to cleaning devices for various tanks such as tanks used for manufacturing dyes, chemicals, foods, etc.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, according to the present invention, since the inner surface of the tank is cleaned by the brush that is moved up and down and rotated, the tank can be easily cleaned without requiring any manpower. , it greatly contributes to labor saving.

In addition, since the movable brush is movable in the tank diameter direction, it is possible to clean tanks with different inner diameters by making sure that the movable brush comes into sliding contact with the inner surface of the tank. By inserting and removing the movable brush into the tank while the movable brush is filled, it is possible to prevent the cleaning liquid attached to the movable brush from splashing out when the movable brush is inserted and removed from the tank, and the cover prevents the cleaning liquid from scattering during cleaning. Cleaning liquid such as solvent is less likely to scatter around the tank and contaminate the environment, making it possible to clean the tank safely and hygienically.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the entire cleaning line showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 1, FIG. The figure is also a partially cutaway plan view. 2...tank, 2a...opening, 3a, 3b...
... Chain conveyor, 4a, 4b ... Tank cleaning device, 7 ... Chain conveyor, 12 ... Base frame,
13... Guide rail, 14... Lifting frame, 15...
...Chain, 17, 18... Sprocket, 19
... Drive shaft, 22 ... Lifting frame drive device, 23 ...
Chain, 25...Cover, 26, 27...Liquid supply pipe, 28...Liquid supply port, 32...Piping system, 35...
...Liquid supply device, 37... Rotating shaft, 40... Rotating shaft drive device, 41... Chain, 43... Bush,
44...Cylinder, 45...Connecting plate, 48...Button, 49...Ring, 50...Connecting plate, 51
...Movable brush, 53, 54, 56, 57...Link, 58...Fixed brush.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A support base that supports a tank with the opening facing upward, a base frame fixed above the support base, an elevator frame that is guided by the base frame so as to be able to rise and lower, and an elevator that drives the lift frame up and down. a frame drive device, a cover attached to the lifting frame in a state facing the opening of the tank on the support base, and a cover that passes through the center of the cover and is rotatable to the lifting frame with its axis directed in the vertical direction; a rotary shaft supported by a rotary shaft; a rotary shaft drive device that rotationally drives the rotary shaft; a movable brush attached to the rotary shaft so as to be movable in the tank diameter direction below the cover; a movable brush drive device that reciprocates in the direction;
a fixed brush fixed to the lower end of the rotating shaft;
A tank cleaning device comprising: a liquid supply port disposed below the cover; and a cleaning liquid supply device connected to the liquid supply port and supplying cleaning liquid to the liquid supply port.