Cleaning device and product processing system

Abstract

A cleaning device including a housing which can be arranged on a feed line for cleaning fluid is disclosed. The housing includes an exit opening for the cleaning fluid, wherein a nozzle head rotatable about a first rotary axis is arranged in the region of the exit opening. A distributing device rotating about a second rotary axis different from the first rotary axis and having at least one blade element or at least one pendulum element is arranged on the rotatable nozzle head. The invention also describes a product-processing plant with at least one cleaning device for cleaning a product tank.

Claims

1. A cleaning device comprising; a housing with an internal cross-sectional area which can be arranged on a feed line for cleaning fluid and having an exit opening arranged lying opposite the feed line; a nozzle head rotatable about a first rotary axis arranged at the exit opening; a distributing device with a lateral surface area rotating about a second rotary axis different from the first rotary axis and having at least one blade element or at least one pendulum element arranged on the rotatable nozzle head; where the lateral surface area of the distributing device is greater than the internal cross-sectional area of the housing.

2. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein a guide element is arranged inside the housing between the feed line and the exit opening, wherein a rotary motion of the cleaning fluid can be brought about by the guide element.

3. The cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein the guide element is arranged loose in the housing or wherein the guide element is fastened to the housing.

4. The cleaning device according to claim 3, wherein the first rotary axis is constituted coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the housing and wherein the distributing device can be rotated about at least one second rotary axis, which lies in a plane arranged for the most part perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

5. The cleaning device according to claim 4, wherein the nozzle head has a central axis, which is constituted essentially coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the housing and wherein the distributing device is positioned on the central axis of the nozzle head or wherein the distributing device is positioned perpendicularly offset with respect to the central axis of the nozzle head.

6. The cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein the housing in the region of the exit opening includes a first contact face for the nozzle head.

7. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the housing in the region of the exit opening includes a first contact face for the nozzle head.

8. The cleaning device according to claim 7, wherein the nozzle head includes a second contact face, which is constituted corresponding to first contact face in the region of the exit opening and wherein the nozzle head is arranged lying rotatably on housing by means of the second contact face on the first contact face.

9. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle head is formed from two half shells.

10. The cleaning device according to claim 9, wherein the driver element has a cross-shaped cross-section, in particular in the form of a cross with four equally long cross arms.

11. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning device includes a rotationally movable driver element in the region of the exit opening of the housing or wherein the cleaning device includes a rotationally movable driver element which is arranged at least in some sections in the region of the exit opening of the housing and at least in some sections inside the nozzle head.

12. The cleaning device according to claim 11, wherein the driver element includes at least one vane, in particular wherein the driver element includes four vanes.

13. The cleaning device according to claim 12, wherein a defined spacing is constituted between the guide element and the driver element.

14. The cleaning device according to claim 11, wherein a defined spacing is constituted between the guide element and the driver element.

15. The cleaning device according to claim 11, wherein outer edges on a side of the driver element facing the guide element are constituted angled-off.

16. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the rotatable nozzle head includes at least one holding element, at which the distributing device with the at least one blade element or pendulum element is mounted rotatably.

17. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the housing is constituted cylindrical at least in some sections and has a longitudinal axis, wherein at least one internal diameter of the housing tapers in the direction of the exit opening.

18. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the housing is constituted cylindrical at least in some sections and has a longitudinal axis and wherein the housing tapers conically at least in some sections in the direction of the exit opening.

19. The product-processing plant with at least one product tank with at least one integrated cleaning device according to claim 1.

20. A product-processing plant with at least one product tank with at least one integrated cleaning device for cleaning the product tank with a cleaning fluid which can be supplied via a feed line, the cleaning device including: a housing with an internal cross-sectional area arranged on the feed line and having an exit opening arranged lying opposite the feed line; a nozzle head rotatable about a first rotary axis is arranged at the exit opening; a distributing device with a lateral surface area rotating about a second rotary axis different from the first rotary axis and having at least one blade element or at least one pendulum element arranged on the rotatable nozzle head, where the lateral surface area of the distributing device is greater than the internal cross-sectional area of the housing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Examples of embodiment are intended to explain the invention and its advantages in greater detail below with the aid of the appended figures. The size ratios of the individual elements with respect to one another in the figures do not always correspond to the actual size ratios, since some forms are represented simplified and other forms are represented enlarged in relation to other elements for the sake of better illustration.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic external view of a cleaning device according to the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a cross-section along intersection line C-C according to FIG. 1 of a cleaning device according to the invention.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a through-flow of cleaning fluid through a cross-section along intersection line C-C according to FIG. 1 of a cleaning device according to the invention.

(5) FIG. 4 shows a cross-section through a driver element.

(6) FIGS. 5A to 5H show different embodiments of a distributing device.

(7) FIGS. 6A to 6C show further embodiments of a distributing device.

(8) FIGS. 7A and 7B show a further embodiment of a distributing device.

(9) FIGS. 8A and 8B show a further embodiment of a distributing device.

(10) FIGS. 9A to 9D show a further embodiment of a guide element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(11) Identical reference numbers are used for identical or identically acting elements of the invention. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference numbers that are required for the description of the given figure are represented in the individual figures. The represented embodiments only represent examples as to how the device according to the invention can be constituted and do not represent a conclusive limitation.

(12) FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic external view of a cleaning device 1 according to the invention and FIG. 2 shows a cross-section along intersection line C-C according to FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows the through-flow of cleaning fluid through a cleaning device 1. Furthermore, directions are represented in FIG. 1 in which cleaning fluid RF is distributed.

(13) Cleaning device 1 comprises a housing 2. Housing 2 can be fastened detachably or non-detachably to a feed line 100 for a cleaning fluid RF, for example connected by flange or otherwise connected. Since feed line 100 is not a component part of cleaning device 1, the latter is indicated solely by dashed lines. Cleaning fluid RF flows through housing 2. Said cleaning fluid exits from housing 2 via an exit opening 3.

(14) A nozzle head 4 is arranged rotatably on housing 2 at the end region of housing 2 lying opposite feed line 100, i.e. in particular in the region of exit opening 3. In particular, nozzle head 4 forms a passage opening 5 for cleaning fluid RF flowing via exit opening 3 out of housing 2 into nozzle head 4.

(15) In particular, a first contact face 6 on housing 2 is constituted in the region of exit opening 3, for example in the form of a shoulder 7. Nozzle head 4 is formed in particular by two half shell elements, which together constitute a second contact face 8. In particular, second contact face 8 is constituted corresponding to first contact face 6 of housing 2. Nozzle head 4 is arranged on housing 2 in such a way that a contact point with the least possible friction is constituted between first contact face 6 and second contact face 8, so that nozzle head 4 can rotate in rotation direction R4 (see FIG. 1) about a longitudinal axis L2 of housing 2 or a coaxial longitudinal axis L4 of nozzle head 4. Furthermore, the rotary axis of nozzle head 4 is also denoted as first rotary axis D1.

(16) Furthermore, a distributing device 9 with at least one blade element 10 rotating about a second rotary axis D2 different from first rotary axis D1 is arranged on nozzle head 4.

(17) Housing 2 comprises a first cylindrically constituted section 21 for fastening to feed line 100. This is followed by a second conically tapering section 22, which in particular transforms into a third also cylindrically constituted section 23, wherein the diameter in third section 23 is smaller than the diameter in first section 21.

(18) A guide element 11 in the form of a spiral element 30 is arranged in first section 21. Said spiral element comprises at least one complete spiral turn and makes contact comprehensively with the internal wall surfaces of housing 2, so that in plan view a total cross-section of housing 2 in first section 21 is filled by spiral element 30.

(19) According to a further embodiment not represented, the housing is constituted completely hollow-cylindrical. Optionally, provision can be made such that the internal region of the housing comprises structures which divide the housing into specific functional regions. For example, provision can be made such that the tapering described above is constituted in the interior of the cylinder.

(20) As represented in FIGS. 1 and 3, guide element 11 brings about a targeted guidance of cleaning fluid RF inside housing 2, in particular inside first section 21 of cleaning device 1. Cleaning fluid RF is in particular forced to run through guide element 11 constituted as spiral element 30 completely and in particular without shortcuts. Cleaning fluid RF is thus put into a rotary motion R-RF, wherein cleaning fluid RF preferably forms a vortex.

(21) A rotationally movable driver element 12 is also arranged in third section 23, optionally at least partially projecting into second section 22. This driver element 12 has a longitudinal axis L12 coaxial with longitudinal axis L2 of housing 2 or coaxial with longitudinal axis L4 of nozzle head 4. Four blades 13 rotating about longitudinal axis L12 are arranged on this longitudinal axis L12 of driver element 12, in such a way that blades 13, during rotation R12 of driver element 12 about its longitudinal axis L12, do not touch the internal wall surfaces of housing 2 in third section 23, but there is only a small clearance formed.

(22) According to the present embodiment, the driver element projects at least in some sections into nozzle head 4 and is mechanically connected to the latter.

(23) As a result of the rotation of cleaning fluid RF, driver element 12 arranged downstream in the direction of motion of cleaning fluid RF is put into a rotation R12 (see in particular FIG. 1) relative to housing 2. Driver element 12 is coupled mechanically to nozzle head 4 in such a way that rotation R12 of the driver element directly brings about a rotation R4 of nozzle head 4. Guide element 11 thus serves as a first drive element, which brings about rotation R-RF of the cleaning fluid and thus, by a rotation R12 of driver element 12 thus generated, rotation R4 of nozzle head 4.

(24) Cleaning fluid RF exiting from rotating nozzle head 4 strikes the at least one blade element 10 of distributing device 9. A rotation R9 of distributing device 9 about a second rotary axis D2 is thus set in motion, the effect whereof is in particular that cleaning fluid RF is propelled away from cleaning device 1 in all directions.

(25) In the present example of embodiment, guide element 11 is arranged in first section 21 of housing 2. It can however also be arranged in conically tapering second section 22. In particular, provision can be made such that a correspondingly dimensioned guide element (not represented) can be inserted loosely into the conically tapering funnel section of second section 22, which guide element is then pushed by the dynamic pressure of inflowing cleaning fluid RF into the correct position.

(26) It is important here that a defined spacing A is constituted between guide element 11 and driver element 12, in order that driver element 12 is put by cleaning fluid RF into rotation, in particular into rotation R12.

(27) Distributing device 9 is fastened in particular by holding elements 14 directly to nozzle head 4, so that distributing device 9 rotates both about first rotary axis D1 of nozzle head 4 and also about a second rotary axis D2, wherein second rotary axis D2 is variable on account of rotation R4 of nozzle head 4 inside a rotation plane. Whereas rotation R4 of nozzle head 4 takes place relatively slowly, rotation R9 brought about by cleaning fluid RF striking blade elements 10 of distributing device 9 is much quicker. This produces a particularly good distribution of cleaning fluid RF in all directions, wherein in particular a so-called spray shadow, i.e. a region which no cleaning fluid RF reaches, can be avoided.

(28) According to the represented embodiment, distributing device 9 is arranged with a horizontal offset V (see FIG. 1) with respect to longitudinal axis L4 of nozzle head 4, as a result of which the inflow of cleaning fluid RF from nozzle head 4 particularly advantageously brings about rotation R9 of distributing device 9.

(29) FIG. 4 shows a cross-section through a driver element 12 and in particular the arrangement of driver element 12 in section 23 of housing 2.

(30) In particular, driver element 12 has the shape of a Greek cross with four equally long cross arms 15, which form vanes 13 of driver element 12. It can clearly be seen that vanes 13 of driver element 12 each extend approximately up to the internal wall surface of housing 2, but they do not touch it. Driver element 12 can thus rotate freely about its longitudinal axis L12.

(31) Driver element 12 has a front face as small as possible in cross-section, so that passage area DF for cleaning fluid RF (see FIG. 3) is as large as possible. Jamming of impurities of cleaning fluid RF between driver element 12 and the internal wall surface of housing 3 can thus for the most part be prevented.

(32) The outer edges of the front face of driver element 12 facing inflow 100 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) are preferably constituted angled-off and act as size-reduction means for any coarse impurities that may be present in the cleaning fluid.

(33) The edges of vanes 13 of driver element 12 pointing towards the internal wall surfaces of housing 2 have a bevel 16. During rotation R12 of driver element 12, a stripping effect occurs, which prevents the jamming of impurities between driver element 12 and housing 2 of cleaning device 1.

(34) FIGS. 5A to 5H and FIGS. 6A to 6C show different embodiments of a distributing device 9a to 9l. The embodiment or geometry, number and/or arrangement of blade elements 10 on distributing device 9 has a differing effect on the distribution of the cleaning fluid. There are shapes of blade elements 10 which preferably have to be operated with an offset with respect to longitudinal axis L4 of nozzle head 4 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), whereas others can also deliver the desired result without an offset. The number and embodiment of blade elements 10 can be selected and optimally adapted depending on the requirements made on cleaning device 1.

(35) Distributing devices 9a to 9h represented in FIG. 5 are each constituted as a distributing double wheel, wherein blade elements 10 are each arranged between two discs 17. The two discs 17 can each preferably be constituted as solid discs. Discs 17 in particular form lateral edges, which bring about a targeted guidance of the cleaning fluid towards blade elements 10.

(36) Blade elements 10a, 10b according to FIGS. 5A and 5B are constituted as curved vanes, whereas blade elements 10c to 10e according to FIGS. 5C to 5E are constituted as planar or plane vanes. FIGS. 5F to 5H show further distributing devices 9f to 9h with blade elements 10f to 10h constituted concave with respect to rotary axis D2. Distributing devices 9i to 9l according to FIGS. 6A to 6c are constituted analogous thereto, no discs 17 (see FIG. 5) being provided in these embodiments.

(37) FIGS. 7A and 7B as well as FIGS. 8A and 8B each show a further embodiment of a distributing device 9m, 9o. FIGS. 7A and 8A show the respective embodiment of distributing device 9m, 90 in a representation with hidden lines and FIGS. 7B and 8B show the respective embodiment of distributing device 9m, 90 in a representation without hidden lines.

(38) In the case of distributing device 9m according to FIG. 7, blade elements 10m are constituted as curved vanes, wherein the vanes do not have a uniform thickness. Instead, the vane width tapers in such a way that the vanes have a smallest width roughly in the middle between discs 17, in particular the vanes in this region have a sharp kink 18 or an edge 19, which brings about a changed spin-off behaviour of the cleaning fluid, which can be advantageous under certain conditions.

(39) In the case of distributing device 90 according to FIG. 8, blade elements 10o are constituted as plane vanes 13, wherein vanes 13 each extend only to about halfway between the two discs 17. In particular, provision is made such that the region between the two discs 17 is divided into two sub-regions T1 and T2. Three vanes 13-1 extending perpendicular to rotary axis D2 are arranged in first sub-region T1, which vanes are each offset with respect to one another by an angle of 120 degrees. Three vanes 13-2 extending perpendicular to rotary axis D2 are also arranged in second sub-region T2, which vanes are also each offset with respect to one another by an angle of 120 degrees. Furthermore, provision is made such that vanes 13-1 in first sub-region T1 are arranged offset by an angle of 60 degrees with respect to vanes 13-2 in second sub-region T2. This split embodiment of vanes 13 also brings about a changed spin-off behaviour of the cleaning fluid, which can be advantageous for certain applications.

(40) FIGS. 9A to 9D show a further embodiment of a guide element 11, in particular FIG. 9A shows a lateral representation of guide element 11, FIG. 9B shows a plan view of a guide element 11 according to FIG. 9A from above and FIG. 9C shows a plan view of a guide element 11 according to FIG. 9A from below. FIG. 9D shows a guide element 11 arranged inverted.

(41) Guide element 11 has a longitudinal axis L11, which in particular is aligned coaxial or parallel to the first rotary axis of distributing device 9 (see FIGS. 1 to 3).

(42) Guide element 11 comprises five paddles 40 arranged about longitudinal axis L11 of guide element 11. Guide element 11 comprises an entry side RF(in) and an exit side (out) for cleaning fluid RF. Cleaning fluid RF enters via entry side RF(in) into guide element 11, runs through the latter thereby at least partially changing the direction of motion and/or the speed of motion, exits via exit side RF(out) from guide element 11 and then strikes driver element 12.

(43) Paddles 40 are set at an angle to longitudinal axis L11 of guide element 11. The pitch of paddles 40 with respect to longitudinal axis L11 of guide element 11 influences the peripheral speed of cleaning fluid RF. The smaller the pitch of paddles 40 is constituted, the higher the peripheral speed of cleaning fluid RF at exit side RF(out). In particular, the pitch of the paddles 40 also has an effect on the intensity of the formed vortex of cleaning fluid RF.

(44) Paddles 40 of guide element 11 lie laterally adjacent to the internal wall surfaces of housing 2, so that a partially closed area is formed, or a partially closed cross-section results, on account of the angular setting of paddles 40 with respect to longitudinal axis L11 of guide element 11 in the plan view of entry side RF(in).

(45) According to the represented embodiment, the width of paddles 40 in the cross-sectional plane perpendicular to longitudinal axis L11 of guide element 11 increases from entry side RF(in) in the direction of exit side RF(out). On account of a first width B1, a first cross-section Q1 in particular results at entry side RF(in), which is smaller than a second cross-section Q2 at exit side RF(out) resulting due to an increased width B2. A guide element 11, which can be used in different ways, results due to the different widths B1 and B2. As a result of a transposition or rotation of guide element 11 in housing 2 of cleaning device 1 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), a changed pitch of the guide means or paddles 40 results between entry side RF (in) and exit side RF (out).

(46) FIG. 9D shows the arrangement of a guide element 11 rotated in housing 2 (not represented). With this arrangement, the width of paddles 40 in the cross-sectional plane perpendicular to longitudinal axis L11 of guide element 11 diminishes from entry side RF(in) in the direction of exit side RF(out). On account of first width B1, a cross-section Q2* now results at exit side RF(out), which is smaller than a cross-section Q1* at entry side RF(in) resulting due to increased width B2.

(47) Depending on the arrangement of guide element 11 inside housing 2 of cleaning device 1 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), a vortex of differing intensity can thus be generated.

(48) Further embodiments known to the person skilled in the art, which can put the cleaning fluid into a swirling motion, are also intended to be covered by the invention.

(49) The invention has been described by reference to a preferred embodiment. A person skilled in the art can however imagine that modifications or changes to the invention can be made without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the following claims.