ROTATING CLEANER

Abstract

A rotating cleaner (1) comprising a housing (2) which has a cavity (10) and an inlet (9) which is connectable to a fluid supply line, a shaft (5) extending in sections into the cavity (10), a sprayer body (3) which is non-rotatably connected with the shaft (5) and has an outlet (8), and further comprising a sliding bearing for rotatably supporting the shaft (5) in the housing (2), said sliding bearing having a rotating bearing surface (23), an idle bearing surface (22) and a bearing gap. To improve the cleanability and the rotational characteristics of the rotating part, it is proposed that the rotating bearing surface (23) and the idle bearing surface (22) are each formed as a contiguous surface for supporting the shaft (5) in the radial and axial direction.

Claims

1. A rotating cleaner (1) comprising a housing (2) which has a cavity (10) and an inlet (9) which is connectable to a fluid supply line, a shaft (5) extending in sections into the cavity (10), a sprayer body (3) which is non-rotatably connected with the shaft (5) and has an outlet (8), and further comprising a sliding bearing for rotatably supporting the shaft (5) in the housing (2), said sliding bearing having a rotating bearing surface (23), an idle bearing surface (22) and a bearing gap, characterized in that the rotating bearing surface (23) and the idle bearing surface (22) are each formed as a contiguous surface for supporting the shaft (5) in the radial and axial direction.

2. The rotating cleaner (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotating bearing surface (23) and the idle bearing surface (22) are conical in shape.

3. The rotating cleaner (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the generatrices (G2, G4) forming the conical bearing surfaces (22, 23) form an angle (A2, A4) with the rotational axis (R) of between 40 degrees and 45 degrees.

4. The rotating cleaner (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the shaft (5) has a feed opening (18) to allow bearing fluid into the bearing gap in the sliding bearing.

5. The rotating cleaner (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a guide sleeve (14) is provided in the cavity (10), which is in sliding contact with the shaft (5) and has limited play in an axial direction.

6. The rotating cleaner (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (2) has an outlet opening (20) which provides fluidic communication between the bearing gap and surroundings of the rotating cleaner (1).

7. The rotating cleaner (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a spacer ring (17) is disposed between the idle bearing surface (22) and the rotating bearing surface (23).

8. The rotating cleaner (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sprayer body (3) is detachably mounted on the shaft (5).

9. The rotating cleaner (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sprayer body (3) has an outlet, the shape of which causes the sprayer body (3) to rotate when fluid is discharged.

10. The rotating cleaner (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a slot (8) extending along an axial direction (A) and penetrating a wall (21) of the sprayer body (3) at an incline counter to a radial direction (R).

11. The rotating cleaner (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the shaft (5) has a feed opening (18) to allow bearing fluid into the bearing gap in the sliding bearing.

12. The rotating cleaner (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that a guide sleeve (14) is provided in the cavity (10), which is in sliding contact with the shaft (5) and has limited play in an axial direction.

13. The rotating cleaner (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the housing (2) has an outlet opening (20) which provides fluidic communication between the bearing gap and surroundings of the rotating cleaner (1).

14. The rotating cleaner (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that a spacer ring (17) is disposed between the idle bearing surface (22) and the rotating bearing surface (23).

15. The rotating cleaner (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the sprayer body (3) is detachably mounted on the shaft (5).

16. The rotating cleaner (1) according claim 3, characterized in that the sprayer body (3) has an outlet, the shape of which causes the sprayer body (3) to rotate when fluid is discharged.

17. The rotating cleaner (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that it has a slot (8) extending along an axial direction (A) and penetrating a wall (21) of the sprayer body (3) at an incline counter to a radial direction (R).

Description

[0023] Reference is made to the Figures, in which:

[0024] FIG. 1: shows a side view of a rotating cleaner;

[0025] FIG. 2: shows a longitudinal cross-section through the rotating cleaner.

[0026] FIG. 3: shows, in exploded view, a longitudinal cross-section through the housing, the shaft, the guide sleeve and the spacer ring.

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a rotating cleaner 1 in a side view. Rotating cleaner 1 has a housing 2 and a rotatable sprayer body 3. Sprayer body 3 has a neck 4, in which a shaft 5 is received. A releasable connection between neck 4 and shaft 5 is effected by means of a clip 6. The housing 2 of cleaner 1 has pinholes 7. These allow cleaner 1 to be releasably connected to a feed line for fluids, not shown, for example for the cleaning fluid of a cleaning in place process, for example by means of a pin or a second clip.

[0028] At least one outlet for a cleaning fluid is provided on sprayer body 3. In this example, the outlet is designed as a slot 8 which runs along axial direction A.

[0029] In FIG. 2, rotating cleaner 1 is shown in cross-section along rotational axis R. Rotational axis R simultaneously specifies axial direction A.

[0030] The housing 2 of rotating cleaner 1 has an inlet 9, through which a predominantly liquid cleaning agent can penetrate into the cavity 10 inside cleaner 1, especially during a cleaning operation. Sprayer body 3 is likewise hollow and has an interior space 11. The inner surface of sprayer body 3 is preferably smooth and is penetrated only by at least one outlet which in the example is in the shape of a slot 8. Cavity 10 and interior space 11 are in fluidic communication with each other via a shaft interior 12 extending through shaft 5.

[0031] Shaft 5 has a bearing portion 13 at the end which faces housing 2. Bearing portion 13 is accommodated in a space which is formed between housing 2 and a guide sleeve 14. Guide sleeve 14 has a guide portion 15, which can be cylindrical in shape and which engages with shaft interior 12 of matching cylindrical shape. Guide portion 15 is specifically adapted to provide radial guidance for guide shaft 5 inside the housing and thus to aid stable rotation of shaft 5 about rotational axis R.

[0032] Movement of guide sleeve 14 along rotational axis R in the direction of inlet 9 is limited by a projection 16, which is shaped in such a way that it provides such limitation. Guide sleeve 14 can also be pushed through inlet 9 and over projection 16 and snaps into place with a little axial clearance in direction A.

[0033] The gap between housing 2 and guide sleeve 14, in which bearing portion 13 of shaft 5 is accommodated and in which a spacer ring 17 may be provided, is filled with fluid when the assembly consisting of sprayer body 3 and shaft 5 in made to rotate during operation of the cleaner. The fluid passes through at least one feed opening 18 into said gap. The gap may include, as one section, an axial gap 19 surrounding the cylindrical portion of shaft 5. The fluid then flows out of said axial gap 19 and between the actual bearing surfaces, and exits the gap and housing 2 of cleaner 1 through at least one outlet opening 20. It is advantageous for the flow of fluid when pluralities of feed openings 18 and outlet opening 20 are each distributed around the circumference. Supplying the sliding bearing with fluid in this manner results in adequate and uniform lubrication of the sliding bearing at all times, without the risk of fluid congestion or running dry.

[0034] The slot-shaped outlet in sprayer body 3 penetrates wall 21. Slot 8 is formed in wall 21 in such a way that the sprayer body is made to rotate by the pressurized fluid exiting the slot, for example a cleaning fluid with is suitable for hygienic processes. This is achieved, for example, by slot 8 being provided in the wall with an offset O counter to rotational axis R. Slot 8 advantageously extends through wall 21 at an incline counter to radial direction R.

[0035] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional exploded view of housing 2, sprayer body 3 and shaft 5, as well as spacer ring 17, which is not absolutely necessary but advantageous.

[0036] The order in which the components are shown in FIG. 3 is the same as the order in which these components are assembled. Spacer ring 17, if one is used, is firstly inserted into the cavity 10 of housing 2. Shaft 5 follows, then guide sleeve 14. As soon as the latter has been pushed over projection 16 and is restricted in its mobility in axial direction A, assembly of the components shown in FIG. 3 has been completed.

[0037] An idle bearing surface is formed in housing 2 of the rotating cleaner. It is conical in shape, and its geometry is produced by rotating a generatrix G1 about rotational axis R. Generatrix G1 forms an angle A1 with said rotational axis, which is in a range from 35 degrees to 45 degrees, advantageously in a range from 40 degrees to 45 degrees. This angular range is beneficial for absorbing the axial and radial forces that arise when the sliding bearing is in operation.

[0038] Spacer ring 17, which is advantageous but not absolutely necessary, depending on the intended operating conditions, may be conical in shape. A generatrix E2 forms an angle A2 with rotational axis R. To prevent material stresses, said angle A2 is equal to angle A1 or deviates from the latter by only a few degrees. Soft materials allow a greater deviation than hard materials do. The material is to be selected, on the one hand, with regard to the field of application, for example in the food industry, where the selected material must be non-harmful to health. On the other hand, it must be able to form that part of a sliding bearing, as the inner and outer conical surfaces of the spacer ring are in sliding contact with the actual bearing surfaces. One material that meets these requirements is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), for example.

[0039] Bearing portion 13 of the basically cylindrical shaft 5 likewise has a basic conical shape. A generatrix G3 of said cone form an angle A3 with rotational axis R. Said angle A3 is also equal to angle A1, if and insofar as the production facilities allow. An outer surface of conical bearing portion 13 forms the rotating bearing surface 23 of the sliding bearing. In the region of shaft 5 adjacent the end facing away from bearing portion 13, shaft holes 24 are provided which are penetrated in the assembled state of rotating cleaner 1 by clip 6.

[0040] Shaft 5 may be made of polyether ether ketone (PEEK), or of a similar plastic material which is compliant with the mechanical and hygiene requirements and suitable for a sliding bearing. This obviates the need for spacer ring 17.

[0041] Guide sleeve 14 serves to stabilize shaft 5 in the axial direction and to improve rotation. Rotation is improved by guide portion 15 disposed at the end of the guide sleeve facing shaft 5, which is cylindrical in shape and extends into shaft interior 12. Due to the sliding contact between shaft 5 and the guide sleeve, rotation is improved. A sleeve cone 25 adjoins the guide portion on the side facing away from shaft 5. Sleeve cone 25 has a conical surface, the shape of which can be described with a generatrix G4. Generatrix G4 forms an angle A4 with rotational axis R. Said angle A4 is advantageously equal to angles A1, A2 and A3, to the extent that production facilities allow. The sleeve cone stabilizes the rotation of shaft 5. During operation of rotating cleaner 1, forces are generated that push shaft 5 in the upward axial direction in FIG. 3. Sleeve cone 25 absorbs these forces and thus stabilizes shaft 5 in the axial direction also.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0042] 1 Rotating cleaner [0043] 2 Housing [0044] 3 Sprayer body [0045] 4 Neck [0046] 5 Shaft [0047] 6 Clip [0048] 7 Pinholes [0049] 8 Slot [0050] 9 Inlet [0051] 10 Cavity [0052] 11 Interior space [0053] 12 Shaft interior [0054] 13 Bearing portion [0055] 14 Guide sleeve [0056] 15 Guide portion [0057] 16 Projection [0058] 17 Spacer ring [0059] 18 Feed opening [0060] 19 Axial gap [0061] 20 Discharge opening [0062] 21 Wall [0063] 22 Idle bearing surface [0064] 23 Rotating bearing surface [0065] 24 Shaft holes [0066] 25 Sleeve cone [0067] G1 Generatrix of the sleeve cone [0068] G2 Generatrix of the rotating surface [0069] G3 Generatrix of the spacer ring [0070] G4 Generatrix of the idle surface [0071] R Rotational axis [0072] A Axial direction [0073] R Radial direction [0074] O Offset [0075] A1 Angle of the idle surface [0076] A2 Angle of G2 [0077] A3 Angle of the rotating surface [0078] A4 Angle of G4