Patent Application
20160368028
The technical field relates generally to systems for washing industrial parts.
Industrial parts washers for washing and/or drying various parts, components, and/or other items (hereafter “parts”) typically include numerous chambers defined by separating walls. One or more doors are utilized to move these parts between the chambers. For example, a part may move from a first chamber for washing the part, through a door, to a second chamber for drying the part.
Typically, the walls and doors are formed of metal, e.g., stainless steel or aluminum. As such, the doors are heavy and may be opened or closed using hydraulic and/or pneumatic actuators. Accordingly, these doors are often slow to open and close, which slows down throughput of the washing unit. Furthermore, the doors are susceptible to denting and other damage due to malfunctions in robots or other conveyors that shuttle the parts between the various chambers.
As such, it is desirable to present a parts washer with doors that are faster to open and close. Further, it is desirable to present a parts washer with doors that resist damage. In addition, other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent summary and detailed description, and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background.
In one embodiment, a parts washing system includes a plurality of walls defining a chamber. A washing apparatus is disposed within the chamber for washing a part. At least one of the walls defines an opening. The system also includes a door movable from an open position for allowing access to the chamber to a closed position for preventing access to the chamber. The door comprises a flexible material.
In another embodiment, a parts washing system includes a plurality of walls defining a chamber. A washing apparatus is disposed within the chamber for washing a part. At least one of the walls defines an opening. The system also includes a door movable from an open position for allowing access to the chamber to a closed position for preventing access to the chamber. The system further includes an electric motor operatively connected to the door for actuating movement of the door from the closed position to the open position at a velocity faster than 20 inches per second.
Other advantages of the disclosed subject matter will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
Referring to the figures, wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, a part washing system 100 is shown and described herein.
Referring to
A washing apparatus 108 is disposed within the at least one chamber 104, 106 for washing a part 110. In the embodiments shown in the figures, the washing apparatus 108 is disposed within the second chamber 106. The washing apparatus 108 includes various nozzles, hoses, pumps, and other components (not shown), as needed to wash the part 110, as appreciated by those skilled in the art.
At least one of the walls 102 defines an opening 112. The opening 112 allows ingress and/or egress from at least one of the chambers 104, 106. Of course, the part washing system 100 may include a plurality of openings 112. Furthermore, one of the walls 112 may include multiple openings 112. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 112 measures about 42 inches (1.07 m) wide and 48 inches (1.22 m) high. However, in other embodiments, the opening 112 may vary in size based on numerous factors, including, but not limited to, the size of the part 110 that is to be washed.
A conveyance mechanism 114 may be utilized for conveying parts 110 into, out of, and/or through the parts washing system 100. The conveyance mechanism 114 may include, but is certainly not limited to, a gantry, a conveyor, and a robot. Of course, multiple conveyance mechanisms 114 may be utilized as is well appreciated by those skilled in the art.
The system 100 further includes a door assembly 115. The door assembly includes a door 116 disposed adjacent the opening 112. The door 116 is movable from an open position for allowing access to the chamber, as shown in
The door 116 comprises a flexible material (not separately numbered). The flexible material forms the primary barrier that is disposed in and/or adjacent the opening 112. Ideally, the flexible material is capable of flexing, bending, and/or stretching without easily breaking, being permanently dented, or having holes easily formed therethrough. In one embodiment, the flexible material comprises polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”). However, other suitable materials may be utilized. The flexible material of the door 116 may be opaque, transparent, or a combination thereof.
By utilizing the flexible material, damage to the door 116 due to improper conveyance of the part and/or malfunction of the conveyance mechanism 112 is reduced. This is because the flexible material is less likely to be dented, torn, broken, or otherwise punctured than traditional metal doors.
In the illustrated embodiment, the door 116 has a width of at least 42 inches (1.07 m) and a height of at least 48 inches (1.22 m) to completely cover the opening 112 when in the closed position. The door assembly 115 may also include a pair of tracks 118. The door 116 slides in, and is retained by, the tracks 118 when moving between the open position and the closed position.
The door assembly 115 may also include a spindle 400, as best shown in
Referring again to
In some embodiments of the system 100, at least one of the walls 102 defines a hole 700, as shown in
Referring again to
The system 100 may also include a system controller 132. The system controller 132 may include a processor (not shown), e.g., a microprocessor, and/or other electronics. In one embodiment, the processor is capable and configured to perform various mathematical operations and execute a serious of instructions based on various inputs to produce various outputs. In other embodiments, the motor controller 130 may be configured to operate without a microprocessor, e.g., with various electronic components and/or relays.
Referring to
In the illustrated embodiment, the controllers 130, 132 may be in communication with each other to coordinate actions. For example, the system controller 132 may signal that the washing apparatus 106 is ready to accept a part 110. In response, the electric motor 126, controlled by the motor controller 130, may be operated to move the door into the open position. A signal may then be issued by one of the controllers 130, 132 to indicate that the door 116 is in the open position. In response, the conveyance mechanism 114 may the move a part into the chamber 106. Once the part 110 is in the chamber 106, a signal indicating as such may be issued. In response to this signal, the motor controller 130 may operate the electric motor to move the door 11 to the closed position. The system 100 may include other controllers (not shown) and/or processors (not shown) configured to operate the electric motor 126 and/or other aspects of the washing apparatus 108 and/or the conveyance mechanism 114. Alternatively, a single controller may be utilized to control operations of the electric motor 126, the washing apparatus 108, and/or the conveyance mechanism 114.
In one embodiment of the system 100, the door 116 opens at a velocity faster than 20 inches per second (0.508 m/s). That is, the door 116 moves from the closed position to the open position at a rate of 20 inches per second (0.508 m/s). In the illustrated embodiment, where the door 116 has a height of at least 48 inches, the door may move from the closed position to the open position in less than 2.4 seconds.
In the illustrated embodiment of the system 100, the door 116 opens at a velocity faster than 40 inches per second (1.016 m/s). That is, the door 116 moves from the closed position to the open position at a rate of 40 inches per second (1.016 m/s). As such, the door 116, which has a height of about 48 inches, moves from the closed position to the open position in less than 1.2 seconds. The door 116 of the illustrated embodiment also closes at a velocity faster than 40 inches per second (1.016 m/s). As such, the door 116 also moves from the open position to the closed position in less than 1.2 seconds.
Operating the door 116 quickly, i.e., faster than 20 inches per second, has several advantages of prior art systems. First, the systems 100 of the illustrated embodiments is able to wash parts faster than prior art systems, as the wait time for the door 116 to open and/or close is reduced. Thus, overall throughput of parts 110 through the system 100 is increased. Second, since the door 116 operates quickly, there is a reduced chance for collision with the part 110 and/or the conveyance mechanism 112, as the likelihood of the door remaining in the closed position is reduced.
The present invention has been described herein in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described within the scope of the appended claims.
