JPH0355269B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for cleaning workpieces, and more particularly to techniques for cleaning workpieces, such as automobile engine blocks, in which the workpieces are passed through a chamber through which a cleaning medium is injected onto the workpieces. . Components such as automobile engine blocks are commonly formed by casting molten metal in molds made of sand and binder. After the metal is cleaned and the sand mold is removed from around the part, a thin layer of sand and other debris remains on the part surface. It is necessary to clean the part surface before further processing the part. A particularly effective technique for cleaning the surfaces of cast parts has been by blast cleaning. In this blast cleaning method, the workpiece is passed through a chamber in which a cleaning medium, such as a steel shot, is injected against the surface of the part. So-called blast wheels have been used to inject large quantities of shot. Generally, the blast wheel includes a plurality of radially extending vanes. When shot particles are loaded near the base of the vane, the shot is blown outwardly by the vane at high velocity. By directing the flow of the cleaning medium in the appropriate direction, the entire surface of the workpiece can be blasted free of sand and other surface particles. A particularly effective technique for blast cleaning continuously supplied components such as automobile engine blocks is disclosed in L., published September 9, 1975, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. .
Baughman and JH Carpenter, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 3,903,652, Continuous Cleaning Apparatus. Other related studies, published December 14, 1971, whose disclosures are cited by reference in the text, are
GW Powell et al. U.S. Pat.
No. 3,748,787 to Carpenter et al., entitled "Workpiece Handling Apparatus." The above-cited US patent discloses a technique for cleaning cast parts, such as automobile engine blocks, by impinging a cleaning medium onto the part. The parts are pushed end-to-end in a line in a rotating barrel that is open at both ends. The barrels closely match each other to the contours of the parts to be cleaned. Blast wheels located around the periphery of this barrel allow the exposed workpiece surface to be cleaned within a relatively short period of time and with the use of a relatively small number of blast wheels. In operation, the blast stream always impinges on the workpiece. Because the barrel is continuously rotated, the passages inside the workpiece are evacuated of the cleaning medium, so that new impacts are not covered by the retained medium, and so that new surfaces are always exposed to the medium. It will be exposed. The apparatus described above is relatively easy to automate and delivers cleaned parts to a location for convenient automatic handling. One disadvantage of the aforementioned device is that it is essentially a "one piece" machine, i.e. the barrel must be constructed to closely match the specific dimensions of the workpiece to be moved within it. It is. Also, because the workpieces are pressed against each other, it is difficult or impossible to clean the edges of the workpieces. Although several concepts have been devised for cleaning the edges of workpieces (see in particular the aforementioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,626,641 and 3,748,787), all existing devices are somewhat complex. . In operation, a machine is provided that is suitable for processing workpieces of only one size. While the cited apparatus is excellent for cleaning single sized parts at certain high speeds, there is a need for a machine for cleaning multi sized parts that is easy to load and unload automatically. It is desirable that the improved device be able to utilize existing blast wheels and other equipment as much as possible to maximize cleaning efficiency and minimize manufacturing costs. A desirable machine would position the blast wheel around the periphery of the workpiece to eliminate the rotary motion complications of conventional equipment and eliminate the need for close-fitting barrels. It would be desirable for an improved device to be able to create gaps between the parts to allow cleaning of the ends of the parts and to allow cleaning media to be evacuated from internal passageways in the parts. The present invention provides a novel and improved workpiece cleaning method and apparatus in which the aforementioned problems are overcome and the aforementioned objectives are achieved. An apparatus according to the invention for cleaning a series of workpieces includes a first cleaning mechanism for impinging a cleaning medium against the workpieces, and during the cleaning operation the workpieces are moved from one end of this cleaning mechanism to the other. sent to the end. A workpiece advance mechanism is provided for controlling the entry of workpieces into the aforementioned first cleaning mechanism and for controlling the ejection of the workpieces from the first cleaning mechanism. A workpiece rotation mechanism is provided for inverting the workpiece after discharge from the first cleaning mechanism, and a second cleaning mechanism is provided for injecting cleaning medium onto the workpiece. After the workpieces have passed through this second cleaning mechanism, a second cleaning mechanism is used to orient the workpieces to the same position as they were when they entered the device for further automatic processing. A workpiece rotation mechanism is provided. The first cleaning mechanism takes the form of a relatively large chamber. A plurality of blast wheels, as known in the art, are positioned at various locations within the chamber to direct a stream of cleaning medium toward the workpiece passing through the chamber. The size of this chamber allows it to accommodate workpieces of a wide range of sizes.
Slide rails are provided to support and guide the workpieces as they pass through the chamber, the slide rails being shaped and arranged in such a way that workpieces of a wide range of dimensions can be accommodated without problems. ing. After ejection of the workpieces from said first chamber, the workpieces are rotated or inverted and moved apart by a rotating mechanism in the form of a wheel having radially extending notches. In the preferred embodiment, there are four notches, each notch spaced 90 degrees from an adjacent notch. The incisions each have rollers arranged along a radially extending wall surface. By suitably arranging the rotating mechanism relative to the first cleaning mechanism, the workpieces can be successively advanced into this cut. Simultaneously with the rotation of the wheel, the workpiece is rotated first at the end and then turned over for further cleaning. Accumulated cleaning medium will be drained from the internal passage upon reversal of the workpiece. After inversion, the workpiece is passed through a first cleaning mechanism. While passing through this second cleaning mechanism, the workpieces are supported by rollers that rotate at different speeds and allow the workpieces to be optimally spaced for cleaning of their edges. After passing through this second cleaning mechanism, the workpiece is fed into a second rotating mechanism that is generally similar to the first rotating mechanism, where the workpiece is transferred to the first rotating mechanism.
The robot can be reversed again to the same position in which it entered the cleaning mechanism. A feature of the invention resides in the technique by which the workpiece is moved within the device and the device is controlled. The workpiece advancing mechanism has a conveyor for advancing the workpiece under the influence of gravity. A clamp engages the workpiece to control movement of the workpiece along the conveyor. A stop engages the workpiece to prevent its movement along the conveyor, and forward movement of the workpiece to the stop is permitted by selective operation of the clamp. A conveyor is provided which is energized to advance the workpieces from the first conveyor to the first cleaning mechanism. A pusher engages the workpiece to force the workpiece into the first cleaning mechanism and the workpieces are sequentially fed against the pusher upon selective operation of the stopper and the energized conveyor. This pusher is in the form of a pivot arm supported by an axially movable carrier. This arm engages the surface of the workpiece furthest from the first cleaning mechanism during the forward stroke of the carrier.
This arm is pivoted out of the direction of workpiece travel on the return stroke of the carrier to facilitate engagement with another workpiece. In order to properly control the spacing of the workpieces for entry into the rotating mechanism and for other purposes, it is necessary to automatically take into account the different dimensions of the workpieces that are advanced into said rotating mechanism. becomes. This is accomplished by providing a control switch located on the discharge end side of the first cleaning mechanism, which control switch activates the advance mechanism only when the workpiece is to be ejected from the first cleaning mechanism. It acts to cause In a preferred embodiment, this control switch is such that the workpiece exiting the first cleaning mechanism passes over the limit switch in the initial position of discharge from the first cleaning mechanism and It takes the form of a limit switch configured and arranged relative to said first cleaning mechanism so as to contact said limit switch only when fully discharged. Other features and advantages of the invention and a more detailed description thereof will become apparent from the following description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 1-3, an apparatus 10 is shown for cleaning a series of workpieces 12, such as automobile engine blocks. This device 1
0 is a forwarding mechanism 20 for controlling the entry of the workpiece 12 into the apparatus 10, and a first cleaning mechanism 100.
, a first rotation mechanism 200 for inverting and separating the workpiece after the workpiece 12 has passed through the first cleaning mechanism 100, and a second cleaning mechanism 3.
00, a second rotation mechanism 400, and various control and auxiliary devices 500. This device 10
The components of will be described individually. I Advancement Mechanism 20 This advancement mechanism 20 includes a conveyor section 22 in which the workpiece 12 can be moved to the right in each figure under the influence of gravity. This conveyor 22 is inclined downward by 2 to 3 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction. The conveyors 22 each carry a workpiece 12
It has a plurality of rollers 24 with a coating of polyurethane or a comparable rubber material to maximize traction and control. In order to properly guide the passage of the workpiece 12 during its forward movement up to and into the first cleaning mechanism 100, fixed side guides 2 are provided on both sides of the advancing mechanism 20.
6, 28 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 10) are attached. Workpiece 12 approaching first cleaning mechanism 100
The ends successively advance with their ends in contact with each other, and are restrained by the clamps 30 here. The clamp 30 includes a generally horizontally extending arm 32 pivotally connected at one end to a vertically extending support member 34. This arm 3
The other end of 2 is an extendable piston rod 38.
is coupled to a hydraulically actuated cylinder 36 by. A piston rod 38 is connected to arm 32 near its end. Cylinder 36 and rod 38 are generally vertically oriented and are coupled to a horizontally extending support member 40. A shoe 42 having a coating 44 of polyurethane or a comparable rubber material on its underside is secured to arm 32 near its end. By appropriate actuation of cylinder 36, shoe 42 can be brought into contact with the upper surface of workpiece 12 to control movement of workpiece 12 along conveyor 22. Stops 50 are provided to allow workpieces 12 to be released one at a time while approaching workpieces 12 are held by clamp 30. Stop 50 includes a generally horizontally extending arm 52 pivotally connected at one end to a vertically extending support member 54 .
A hydraulically actuated cylinder 56 is generally vertically oriented and coupled at one end to support member 40 . A piston rod 58 extends outwardly from cylinder 56 and is connected to the end of arm 52. Plate 60 extending downward
engages the front end of the workpiece 12. Advance mechanism 20 also includes a conveyor 62 having a plurality of rollers 64 coated with a polyurethane or equivalent rubber material to provide maximum traction and control on workpiece 12. This conveyor 62 extends in a generally horizontal direction in contrast to the conveyor 22 and is biased to provide a positive drive action on the workpiece 12 as required. A pusher 70 is provided to move workpieces 12 into cleaning mechanism 100 one at a time. 4-8, pusher 70 includes a hydraulically actuated cylinder 72 from which a piston rod 74 extends. This piston rod 74 moves in a generally horizontal plane. The cylinder 72 is fixed to a support member 76 that extends in the horizontal direction. A pair of tubular rails 78 having a square cross section extend in front of the support member 76 . The tube 78 has a flat surface that is oriented horizontally and vertically as the case may be.
Oriented to be placed at 45°. A carrier 80 is disposed intermediate the tube 78 and is coupled for movement therealong by a cam roll 82. The carrier 80 has a hydraulically operated cylinder 84 on its lower side. Cylinder 84 has a pivoted arm 86 having a dampening pad 88 at its end. Simultaneously with the actuation of the cylinder 84, the arm 86 moves from the vertical position to the horizontal position.
Or vice versa, it can be pivoted over a 90° arc. A vertically extending member 90 connects the end of piston rod 74 and carrier 80. As will be apparent from an examination of FIGS. 4-8, upon actuation of cylinder 72, piston rod 74 is extended and retracted, thereby causing carrier 80 to be moved back and forth relative to apparatus 10. Become. The maximum stroke of the Carrier 80 is approximately 1600mm. Simultaneously with the forward movement of the carrier 80, the cylinder 84 moves the pad 68 into the workpiece 12.
The arm 86 is actuated to vertically orient it into engagement with the back surface of the. On the return stroke of carrier 80, cylinder 84 is actuated to pivot arm 86 to a horizontal position, which causes arm 86 to move away from the top surface of workpiece 12. First cleaning mechanism 100 This first cleaning mechanism 100 has a chamber 102 (a third chamber) through which the workpiece 12 passes for cleaning.
Figure). This chamber 102 has opposite side walls 104, 106 and a sloped roof section 10.
8,110 and inclined floor portions 112,114.
It is defined by The chamber 102 has partitions at each end with suitable machined opening curtains. A pair of spaced apart, horizontally extending slide rails 116, 118 extend through the center of the chamber 102 and guide a workpiece 12 resting thereon into the chamber 102.
movement from one end to the other. The ends of the rails 116, 118 are beveled at 120. Rail 116 is narrower than rail 118. To ensure that the maximum surface area of the workpiece 12 is exposed to the cleaning medium, the rails 116, 118 are positioned on opposite sides of the chamber 102 at intermediate positions in the cleaning mechanism 100.
(See Figures 9 and 10) Rail 116,
The ends of 118 are supported in the center of chamber 102 by central supports 122 . Side guides 26, 28 are sliding rails 116, 118
It extends into the chamber 102 in the vicinity of . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, rails 116, 118 are formed from fatigue-hardened steel. Guides 26, 28 are formed from hardened steel. The cross section of the rail 116 is 25
×40mm, and the cross section of rail 118 is 25×75mm.
It is. The guides 26, 28 have a cross section of 20 x 40 mm. These guides and rails 116,1
The desired gap of 18 can be found by comparing FIGS. 9 and 10 and the table below. That is, the reference symbol size (mm) A 210 B 210 C 180 D 180 E 80 F 45 The first cleaning mechanism 100 has a plurality of cleaning mediums for charging the cleaning medium into the chamber 102 through the openings in the roof portions 180 and 110. Includes upper blast wheel assemblies 124,126. The plurality of intermediate blast wheel assemblies 132, 134 are
The cleaning medium is introduced into the chamber 102 through openings in the side walls 104, 106. Multiple lower blast wheel assemblies 14
0,142 to enable the cleaning medium to be supplied into the chamber 102 from the lower part of the chamber 102;
It extends through the openings in the floors 112,114. As will be apparent from an examination of FIGS. 2 and 3, the various blast wheel assemblies 124-142 are designed so that the workpiece 12 moving along the slide rails 116, 118 is exposed to the flow of cleaning medium from all sides. Slide rail 1 to be ejected
16,118. Each blast wheel assembly 124-142 is in substantially the same relationship with respect to chamber 102 except for a change in position. Therefore, the details of only the blast wheel assembly 132 will be described for convenience on the premise that the other blast wheel assemblies are similarly constructed. Blast wheel assembly 132 includes a wheel 148 from which a plurality of vanes 150 extend radially. Vane 1 is shown in each diagram.
Only a portion of 50 is shown. Bearing assembly 152 rotatably supports wheel 148. The motor 154 has pulleys 158, 16
A V-belt 156 runs around the bearing assembly 152. Housing 162 surrounds wheel 148.
Simultaneously with the operation of motor 154, wheel 148
will be rotated at a speed directly proportional to the rotational speed of motor 154. A cleaning medium, such as steel shot, is charged into the center of the wheel 148 and is blown outwardly by a paddle 150. Appropriate construction of wheels 148 and paddles 150, as well as appropriate shape and orientation of housing 162, allows the flow of high velocity cleaning media to be directed in the desired direction.
In the context of the present invention, blast wheel assemblies 124-142 may be used to effectively clean exposed surfaces of workpieces 12 passing through cleaning mechanism 100. Other details of blast wheel assemblies 124-142 are known, such as those available from Pangborn, Inc. of Hagerstown, Maryland, USA. After the workpiece 12 passes through the chamber 102, the workpiece 12
It is discharged from the first cleaning mechanism 100 in the manner shown in FIGS. A energized conveyor 164 receives workpieces 12 released from slide rails 116,118. The rollers 166 of the conveyor 164 are coated with a polyurethane or equivalent rubber material and have hydraulically actuated drives (not shown).
is provided. A control switch 504 (described below) is located between the conveyor rollers 166 immediately adjacent the ends of the slide rails 116,118. The conveyor 164 is the sliding rail 11
6,118 at a vertical height slightly less than the vertical height of the top surface of 6,118. As the workpiece 12 is ejected from the chamber 102, the leading edge of the workpiece 12 overlies the chamfered edge 120 downwardly and engages one of the rollers 166 downstream of the switch 504. Workpiece 12 does not contact switch 504 until it is completely released from rails 116,118. First Rotation Mechanism 200 In FIGS. 2 and 14, the first rotation mechanism 200 includes a wheel 202 supported for rotation in a vertical plane that lies in the path of travel of the workpiece 12. In FIGS. A drive unit for wheel 202 is not shown. Wheel 202 has four notches 204 extending radially outwardly. Cut 204 is spaced 90 degrees from adjacent cuts. Each notch 204 includes a plurality of rollers 206 along its wall. The base of each cut 204 is closed by a plate 208 having a central opening 210. A hydraulically actuated cylinder 212 is located in the center of the wheel 202 and has a ram 214 that lies in a horizontal plane.
This ram 214 is arranged to move along the path of travel of the workpiece 12 in its forward stroke. At the same time as the cylinder 212 is energized,
The ram cuts 2 into the workpiece 12 as required.
04 through the aperture 210. Brake 216 is arranged around the periphery of wheel 202. Simultaneously with the activation of brake 216, rotation of wheel 202 is prevented. The first rotating mechanism 200 also includes a short conveyor section 218 having a plurality of so-called friction rollers 220 arranged immediately downstream of the wheel 202, the friction rollers 220 being coated with polyurethane or a comparable rubber material. Roller 220 is driven by a hydraulically actuated drive (not shown). As is clear from the description of FIGS. 2 and 14, the rotation of the wheel 202 and the workpiece 12
At the same time as the workpiece 12 is inserted into the notch 204
is reversed. The rotation direction of the wheel 204 is clockwise in FIGS. 2 and 14.
By inverting the workpiece 12 after it has passed through the first cleaning mechanism 100, the cleaning medium that has collected in the passageway of the workpiece 12 is evacuated and the workpiece 12
Another portion of the area will be exposed for further cleaning. Second Cleaning Mechanism 300 The second cleaning mechanism 300 is similar to the first cleaning mechanism 100 except that the workpiece 12 lowering this mechanism is spaced apart to allow cleaning of its edges. Very similar in structure and action. The second cleaning mechanism 300 includes a side surface 3
04,306, is defined by roof sections 308,310 and floor sections 312,314 (wall surface 304 and sections 308,312 are not visible in the drawing). The second cleaning mechanism 300 cleans the workpiece 12.
and a energized conveyor 316 for moving the material into the chamber 302. This conveyor 316
includes a plurality of manganese steel rollers 318 having axially extending grooves. This roller 318 is controllable by a hydraulically actuated drive (not shown) to space the workpieces 12 within the chamber 302. Spacing the workpiece 12 allows its edges to be cleaned. Similar to first cleaning mechanism 100, second cleaning mechanism 300 includes a plurality of blast wheel assemblies 320-333. Blast wheels 320-322 are attached to roof portions 308,3
The intermediate blast wheel assemblies 328-330 are located at the sidewall surfaces 304, 306.
The lower blast wheel assemblies 336-338 are located on the floor portions 312, 314. Lower blast wheel assembly 33
6-338 differ from lower blast wheel assemblies 140-142 in that they include so-called aperture wheels. The lower blast wheel assembly 336-338 includes a modified housing 346 that does not restrict the flow of cleaning media exiting the vanes 348. the dimensions and composition of the cleaning media used in a given cleaning operation; the dimensions and rotational speed of the wheels; the shape and position of the wheel housing;
and other similar variables can be adjusted to suit the needs of a particular user.
These variables are well known to those skilled in the art and need not be discussed further in the text. After passing through chamber 302, the workpiece is conveyed out of chamber 302 by conveyor 350. Conveyor 305 includes a plurality of rollers 352 having a coating of polyurethane or a comparable rubber material. Conveyor 350 accelerates workpiece 12 and presents it to second rotation mechanism 400. Second Rotation Mechanism 400 The second rotation mechanism 400 receives the workpiece 12 from the conveyor 350 and inverts the workpiece 12 for discharge from the apparatus 10 in the same orientation in which the workpiece 12 was received by the apparatus 10. The second rotation mechanism 400 is substantially the same as the first rotation mechanism 200. The second rotation mechanism 400 includes a wheel 402 and a plurality of radially extending notches 404 having rollers 406 along its wall. Each notch 404 includes a bottom wall closed by a plate 408 having an opening 410 therein. A hydraulically actuated cylinder 412 having a ram 414, such as cylinder 212, cuts 414 into the workpiece 12.
It is located at the center of the wheel 402 for evacuation. The brake 416 is the wheel 4
It engages the periphery of wheel 402 to selectively allow or prevent rotational movement of wheel 402. As with the first rotation mechanism 200, upon rotation of the wheel 404 clockwise in FIG. 2, the workpiece 12 is inverted for ejection from the apparatus 10. Workpiece 12 is conveyed away by a energized conveyor 418 having a plurality of rollers 420. Other conveyor (conveyor 3
16), the conveyor 41
Roller 8 is covered with polyurethane or a comparable rubber material. Control and Auxiliary Device 500 The control and auxiliary device 500 is used to control the operation of the device 10 and to recover and recirculate the spent cleaning medium. Control and auxiliary equipment 500 includes a control or limit switch 502. This switch 50
2 are conveyors 22 and 6 adjacent to the stopper 50.
It is located near the intersection of 4. switch 5
02 projects upwardly through the rollers 64 of the conveyor 62 and is depressed whenever the workpiece 12 crosses this conveyor, and whenever the workpiece 12 completes its passage across the conveyor on which the switch 502 is located. Being pushed up. Other limit switches are provided which operate similarly. The location of limit switch 504 has already been described. Figures 2 and 14
In the figure, limit switches 506 and 5
08 is arranged immediately upstream of the first rotation mechanism 200. Limit switch 510,5
12 is arranged around the second rotation mechanism. Limit switch 514 is located immediately downstream of first rotation mechanism 200. Limit switches 516 and 518 are located immediately upstream of the second rotating mechanism 400, and limit switches 520 and 522 are located immediately upstream of the second rotating mechanism 400.
The limit switch 524 is arranged around the periphery of the
is arranged downstream of the second rotation mechanism 400. In addition to these limit switches, the control and auxiliary device 500 includes limit switches 50
6,508 and a stop plate 526. Stop plate 526
can be raised and lowered as necessary to prevent forward movement of the workpiece 12. Similarly, another vertically adjustable stop plate 528 (not shown) is located intermediate limit switches 516,518. brake 216,416
is also part of the control and auxiliary equipment. The functions of the various limit switches are as follows. That is,

1-3, the control and auxiliary device 500 also includes components for cleaning spent cleaning medium and for recycling this cleaning medium. The device has a framework 530 superimposed on each of the features already mentioned. This framework 530 includes a safety rail 532 and an access ladder 53.
Contains 4. A trough portion 536 is positioned below the chamber 102 to guide the spent cleaning medium downward. The spiral conveyor 538 is the gutter section 5
36 and conveys the spent media to a chute 540. Shute 540 delivers cleaning media to elevator 542 . elevator 5
42 has a vertically oriented belt 544 that is routed around upper and lower pullies 546,548. This belt 544 supports a plurality of buckets 550 that collect discrete quantities of cleaning media. Power to belt 544 is provided by motor 552 and belt drive 554. The media collected by the bucket 550 is transferred to a spiral conveyor 55 driven by a motor 558.
Released against 6. The medium conveyed by conveyor 556 is sent to a rotating cylindrical screen 560 where cleaning of the medium takes place.
A plurality of vents 562 allow dirt and very fine particles to be removed from the screen 560. Excessively large particles are removed from the duct 564.
overflow particles are returned to elevator 542 by duct 568, while excessively small particles are discharged via duct 566. Hoppa 570 is a particle with a properly aligned particle size.
gathered at gates 572, 574, 576,
578, 580, and 582 to be discharged. Gate 572 controls media flow to blast wheel assembly 124;
Gate 574 is blast wheel assembly 12
Control the flow of medium to 6. gate 57
6-582 are similarly associated with blast wheel assemblies 132, 134, 140, 142. A ventilation hood 584 to exclude dust and fine particles from the vicinity of the first rotating mechanism 200
is provided. The ventilation hood 584 has an opening 586 through which dirt and fine particles can be removed from the ventilation hood 584. Refill hopper 588 is connected to elevator 54
It is located near the bottom of 2. When it is necessary to replenish the cleaning medium in the apparatus 10, fresh medium can be refilled into the elevator 542 by the action of a gate valve 590 located at the bottom of the hopper 588. Guide member 592,5
94 are arranged below the pre-air mechanism 20 and the first rotating mechanism 200, respectively, to convey the spent media and other particles to the spiral conveyor 538. Devices for collecting the medium and purifying it are also provided for the second cleaning mechanism 300 and the second rotating mechanism 400. The components are substantially the same as those previously described, and additional constructional differences are indicated in each drawing by reference numbers having the number order "6" in the first digit. for example,
Second elevator 642 is identical in structure and operation to elevator 542. Hopper 670 is similar in structure and operation to hopper 570. Other 600 series components are identical in structure and operation to similar components with 500 series reference numbers. Description of Operation When it is desired to operate the apparatus 10, a plurality of workpieces 12 are secured onto the conveyor 22 which is held by a stopper 50. For the purpose of this discussion, it is important to ensure that the appropriate size and quantity of cleaning medium is provided to all blast wheel assemblies at all times, and that the blast wheel assemblies are operated at appropriate speeds. Assumed. In particular, with reference to FIG. 15, the apparatus 10 can be operated every four seconds to clean a workpiece 12, such as an automobile engine block. If the apparatus 10 is operated according to the timing sequence shown in FIG.
production speeds of 100,000 workpieces are possible. In addition, in FIGS. 6 to 8 and 14, when the stopper 50 is lowered, the conveyor 2
All workpieces on 2 are prevented from moving. When it is necessary to release the workpiece for entry into the first cleaning mechanism 100, the clamp 30 engages the workpiece 12 directly below the shoe 42 and the stopper 50 is simultaneously raised (FIG. 8). The released workpiece 12 is the limit switch 5
Passed over 02 and moved to Pushya 7 by conveyor 62.
Sent to a position below 0. As can be seen from the description of FIG. 15, when the stopper 50 is raised, the clamp 30 is lowered and the arm 86 is raised. Half a second later, Pushya 70 was returned,
Half a second after this pusher 70 is completely returned,
Arm 86 is lowered. After half a second, the pusher 70 is moved in its forward stroke, advancing the workpiece 12 towards the cleaning mechanism 100. Although various limit switches and their functions have been previously described herein, particular advantages of the present invention relate to the use of limit switch 504 to control the forward movement of pusher 70. Pusher 70 is advanced in its forward stroke until a signal is received from limit switch stop 504. Limit switch 504 is actuated only by the rear extension of workpiece 12 so that workpiece 12 is completely
Pusher 7 until it passes from the cleaning mechanism 100 of
0 cannot be returned. Therefore, Pushya 7
Zero stroke flow is automatically controlled. During the changeover from one workpiece size to another, the previously described control action of the pusher 70 is slightly modified. During the switching period, the pusher 70
It can be moved forward slightly in small increments of about 250mm. As pusher 70 moves forward in increments, pusher 70 will be delayed for several seconds to determine if limit switch 504 has been released. If the limit
When the switch 504 is released, the pusher 70
will be delayed until indexing occurs before wheel 202 is fully returned. This method of controlling the pusher 70 allows workpieces of different lengths to be fed together during a changeover period and prevents the release of two workpieces at the same time. From the foregoing description, it will be clear that the present invention provides an effective method for automatically cleaning workpieces such as automobile engine blocks in the shortest possible time and with the highest efficiency. . The various limit switches, stops, and brakes all function to prevent damage to the device 10 while allowing the device 10 to function substantially automatically. The workpiece is inverted twice during passage through the apparatus 10, so that the accumulated cleaning medium is evacuated from the workpiece passageway and the entire surface of the workpiece is exposed to the cleaning medium. Although the present invention has been described with some particularity in its preferred embodiment, the disclosure in the text of this preferred embodiment is merely illustrative and does not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. It will be appreciated that many changes can be made without any modification. It is intended that all inventive features present in the invention disclosed herein be encompassed by appropriate wording in the appended claims.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 is a plan view showing an apparatus according to the invention for cleaning workpieces such as automobile engine blocks; FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1; and FIG.
4 is an enlarged side view showing a part of the pusher mechanism according to the present invention; FIG. 5 is an end view showing the pusher mechanism of FIG. 4; and FIG.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial view of the advancing mechanism according to the invention in which a clamp, stop and pusher mechanism is used for controlling the movement of the workpiece; FIGS. 7 and 8 show the advancing mechanism in different working positions; FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a portion of the sliding rail arrangement used to support the workpiece during part of its movement; FIG. 10 is taken along line 10--10 in FIG. 11 to 13 are illustrations showing the workpiece and the movement of the control switches used in the working part of the advance mechanism; FIG. 14 is an enlarged side view showing the rotation mechanism according to the invention; FIG. , and FIG. 15 are diagrams illustrating timing sequences for various control elements included as part of the present invention. 10...Cleaning device, 12...Workpiece, 20...
forwarding mechanism, 22... conveyor, 24... roller,
26, 28...Side guide, 30...Clamp,
32...Arm, 34...Support member, 36...Cylinder, 38...Piston rod, 40...Support member, 42...Shu, 44...Coating, 50...
... Stopper, 52 ... Arm, 54 ... Support member, 56 ... Cylinder, 58 ... Piston rod, 60 ... Plate, 62 ... Conveyor, 64 ... Roller, 70 ... Pusher, 72 ... Cylinder ,7
4... Piston rod, 76... Support member, 7
8... Piping rail, 80... Carrier, 82...
Cam roll, 84... Cylinder, 86... Arm, 88... Buffer pad, 90... Member, 100
...First cleaning mechanism, 102... Chamber, 104...
Side wall surface, 106... Side wall surface, 108, 110...
Roof part, 112... Floor part, 114... Floor part, 116, 118... Sliding rail, 120...
Edge, 122...Support, 124...Upper blast wheel assembly, 126...Upper blast wheel assembly
Wheel assembly, 132... Intermediate blast wheel assembly, 134... Intermediate blast wheel assembly, 140... Lower blast wheel assembly, 142... Lower blast wheel assembly, 148... Wheel, 150...Bane, 1
52...Bearing assembly, 154...Motor,
156...V belt, 158...Puri, 160
...Puri, 162...Housing, 164...
Conveyor, 166...Roller, 200...First rotation mechanism, 202...Wheel, 204...Notch, 206...Roller, 212...Hydraulic pressure actuation cylinder, 214...Ram, 216...Brake, 2
18... Short conveyor section, 220... Friction roller, 300... First cleaning mechanism, 302... Chamber,
316... Conveyor, 318... Roller, 320
...338...Blast wheel assembly, 346
...Housing, 348...Vane, 350...
Conveyor, 400... Second rotation mechanism, 402...
...wheel, 404...cut, 414...ram, 416...brake, 418...conveyor,
420...roller, 500...control and auxiliary device,
502-524...Limit suite, 52
6,528...Stop plate, 530...Framework, 536
...Gutter section, 538...Spiral conveyor, 540...
...Shoot, 542...Elevator, 544...
Belt, 546,548... Puri, 550...
Bucket, 554... Drive device, 556... Conveyor, 558... Motor, 560... Cylindrical screen, 564, 566, 568... Duct, 5
72,574,576,578,580,582
... Gate, 584 ... Ventilation hood, 590 ...
Gate valve, 592, 594...Guiding member.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A first cleaning mechanism is provided for injecting a cleaning medium onto the workpiece, and the workpiece moves on a sliding rail from one end of the first cleaning mechanism to the other end during the cleaning operation; a workpiece advancement mechanism for controlling the entry of objects into the first cleaning mechanism and for controlling the ejection of the workpieces from the first control mechanism; a first workpiece rotation mechanism for inverting and spacing the workpiece after discharge; and a second workpiece rotation mechanism for injecting cleaning medium onto the workpiece.
a cleaning mechanism, the energized conveyor moves the workpiece from one end of the second cleaning mechanism to the other end during a cleaning operation, and the workpiece is discharged from the second cleaning mechanism. An apparatus for cleaning a series of workpieces, characterized in that a second workpiece rotation mechanism is provided for inverting the workpieces and discharging them in the same posture as before cleaning. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotating mechanism includes a radially extending notch into which a workpiece can be inserted and removed from it. 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that four incisions are provided, these incisions being separated by 90° from adjacent incisions. 4. Apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a roller disposed along the radially extending wall of each incision. 5. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the workpiece enters the notch from the end, and the workpiece emerges from the notch by moving towards the end of the notch. . 6. Apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a ram for the rotating mechanism, said ram engaging the workpiece for ejecting the workpiece from a notch disposed therein in the workpiece. . 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second cleaning mechanism includes a plurality of rollers for supporting a workpiece passing therethrough. 8. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the rollers of the second cleaning mechanism accelerate the workpiece emerging from the second cleaning mechanism. 9. The advancing mechanism comprises: a conveyor for advancing the workpiece under the action of gravity; a clamp for engaging the workpiece for controlling movement of the workpiece along the conveyor; and a clamp for engaging the workpiece. a stopper is provided to prevent movement of the workpiece along the conveyor, the workpiece is advanced toward the stopper simultaneously with selective actuation of the clamp, and the workpiece is moved toward the first cleaning mechanism. a biased conveyor for advancing the workpieces, and a pusher that engages the workpieces and transports them into the first cleaning mechanism, the workpieces being selected from the stopper and the biased conveyor. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is sequentially sent to the pusher at the same time as the device is operated. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the clamp frictionally engages the workpiece. 11. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that said stopper is in the form of a plate that engages with a surface of a workpiece located closest to said first cleaning mechanism. 12. The pusher is in the form of an arm pivotably supported by an axially movable carrier, the arm being arranged in a position farthest from the first cleaning mechanism in the forward movement of the carrier. 10. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the arm is pivoted out of the path of travel of the workpiece during the return stroke of the carrier. 13. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that said arm is pivoted in a vertically oriented plane disposed at an angle perpendicular to the path of travel of said workpiece. 14. There is further provided a control switch located at the discharge end of the cleaning mechanism of paragraph 1, said control switch operating said advancing mechanism only when one workpiece emerges from the first cleaning mechanism. 10. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that it is operative to cause. 15. The control switch is configured such that the workpiece emerging from the first cleaning mechanism passes over the mito switch during the initial stage of discharge from the first cleaning mechanism and is completely discharged from the first cleaning mechanism. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the device is in the form of a limit switch arranged relative to the first cleaning mechanism and configured to simultaneously contact the limit switch. 16 the first point in which the cleaning medium is injected onto the workpiece;
forwarding the workpiece to a cleaning mechanism; inverting the workpiece to separate it after the workpiece exits the first cleaning mechanism; The workpiece is forwarded to the cleaning mechanism, and further includes the step of inverting the workpiece and discharging it in the same posture as before cleaning after the workpiece exits the second cleaning mechanism, A series of workpieces, characterized in that the workpieces are moved in a first cleaning mechanism with their ends in contact with each other, and the workpieces are moved in a second cleaning mechanism with their ends spaced apart. How to wash. 17. advancing the workpieces one at a time into the first cleaning mechanism; moving the workpieces into the first cleaning mechanism by pushing the workpieces into end-to-end contact; detecting that a certain workpiece is coming out of the first cleaning mechanism, stopping the movement of the workpiece in the first cleaning mechanism at the same time as detecting the discharge of the workpiece from the first cleaning mechanism; forwarding an object to the inlet of the first cleaning mechanism; and moving the workpiece in the first cleaning mechanism by pushing the last advanced workpiece against the inlet of the first cleaning mechanism. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of: 18. Claims characterized in that the state of ejection of a workpiece from the first cleaning mechanism is detected by a limit switch engaged by the rear end of the ejected workpiece. The method according to paragraph 17.