Parts Washing or Cleaning Device Including Redirectors

Abstract

The present invention relates to a parts washing device including redirectors wherein the redirectors change the direction of a stream of liquid. A fixture or carriage can be provided having a top with a surface including parts supports for supporting parts to be washed. The carriage can have one or more redirectors. Each redirector has a body with a passage with an inlet operable on an inlet axis and an outlet operable on an outlet axis. The outlet axis is oriented different than the inlet axis wherein a stream of water passing through the redirector changes direction. This allows the stream to be directed towards portions of the parts that are otherwise considered blind. Reaching the blind portions of the parts can be accomplished without the need for moving manifolds.

Claims

1. A parts washer comprising: a conveyor; and a carriage movable though said parts washer and having at least one redirector.

2. The parts washer of claim 1 wherein said at least one redirector changes the direction of flow at said at least one redirector.

3. The parts washer of claim 2 wherein said at least one redirector comprises an inlet having an inlet axis and an outlet having an outlet axis, said inlet axis being oriented different than said outlet axis.

4. The parts washer of claim 3 wherein said parts washer has at least one nozzle and said inlet is aligned with said nozzle.

5. The parts washer of claim 4 wherein said inlet axis is vertically aligned within said parts washer.

6. The parts washer of claim 4 wherein there is a gap between said at least one nozzle and said inlet.

7. The parts washer of claim 4 wherein said at least one redirector comprises a first redirector and a second redirector, said second redirector being sequential with said first redirector wherein a flow changes direction two times.

8. The parts washer of claim 3 wherein said outlet has forms a selected spray pattern.

9. The parts washer of claim 1 wherein said redirector is fixed in relation to said carriage as said carriage is moved by said conveyor within said parts washer.

10. The parts washer of claim 1 wherein: said parts washer has a first nozzle in a first nozzle position and a second nozzle in a second nozzle position, each of said first nozzle and said second nozzle being independently operable; said carriage is a first carriage having a first carriage redirector that is alignable with said first nozzle; and said parts washer further has a second carriage movable through said parts washer, said second carriage with a second carriage redirector that is alignable with said second nozzle.

11. A structure for washing parts, said structure comprising: a surface with parts supports; and at least one redirector.

12. The structure of claim 11 wherein said structure is a fixture.

13. The structure of claim 11 wherein said structure is a carriage movable by a conveyor within a parts washer.

14. The structure of claim 11 wherein said at least one redirector comprises an inlet having an inlet axis and an outlet having an outlet axis, said inlet axis being oriented different than said outlet axis

15. The structure of claim 14 wherein said redirector comprises a passage between said inlet and said outlet.

16. The structure of claim 14 wherein said inlet is alignable with a nozzle of a parts washing machine to receive a flow for redirection.

17. A redirector for use within a parts washer, said redirector comprising: an inlet operable upon an inlet axis; and an outlet operable upon an outlet axis, said outlet axis being oriented differently than said inlet axis.

18. The redirector of claim 17 further comprising a passage between said inlet and said outlet.

19. The redirector of claim 17 wherein said outlet axis is oriented 90 degrees from said inlet axis.

20. The redirector of claim 17 wherein said outlet has a spray pattern.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 is a top view of a carriage containing parts to be washed.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a side view of the carriage illustrated in FIG. 1 (direction of travel towards viewer of figure).

[0023] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 1.

[0025] FIG. 5 is close up cross-sectional view of a redirector.

[0026] FIG. 6 a perspective view of an indexing system showing two carriages.

[0027] FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view showing two carriages in a machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] While the invention will be described in connection with one or more preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0029] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-7. Looking first at FIG. 7, it is seen that a parts washer 10 is shown in a generic form. The washer 10 has a conveyor 20 and a liquid distribution assembly 30 that includes nozzles 31 and 32. The liquid 40 can be any type of washing, cleaning or rinsing solution as dictated by the particular application. Nozzle 31 can be a spray nozzle that broadcasts spray therefrom. Nozzle 32 can be a straight stream nozzle capable of sending or exiting a stream of liquid. The liquid is sent preferably in a columnar form.

[0030] Gasses can also be used with the present invention for drying, dusting or other reasons requiring a stream of gas to be directed against parts. One preferred gas is air.

[0031] Looking now to FIGS. 1-5, it is seen that a carriage 50 is provided. The carriage 50, or fixture, has a top 51, a bottom 52, a leading edge 53, a trailing edged 54 and two opposed sides 55 and 56, respectively. A surface 60 is provided with parts supports 61 and openings 62 there through. The parts supports 61 are used to hold parts that are contained on the carriage 50. The openings 62 allow liquid to be sprayed upon the parts from underneath the carriage by passing through the holes. It is appreciated that additional spray nozzles can be provided to operate from the sides and top of the of the inside of the parts washer.

[0032] One or more redirectors 100 (and 100A, 100B, 100C, etc.) can be used in connection with the carriage 50. The redirector 100 can be permanently or removably connected to the carriage 50. The redirector has a body 101. Body 101 can have the shape of a block as it is illustrated. However, the body 101 can have any other exterior shape without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. Body 100 has a passage 102 with an inlet 110 with an inlet axis 111. The body 100 also has an outlet 120 with an outlet axis 121.

[0033] The profile of the passage 102 is preferably generally circular. However, other profiles can be used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention.

[0034] The outlet axis 121 is preferably oriented differently than the inlet axis. In a preferred embodiment, the inlet axis is oriented vertically and the outlet axis is offset 90 degrees wherein it is oriented horizontally and parallel with the plane of the carriage. Yet, it is appreciated that the offset can be made to any desired angle with respect to the inlet axis. The outlet axis 121 can be oriented in any radial direction.

[0035] It is appreciated that more than one redirector can be used in sequence. In this regard, the liquid stream can change direction multiple times. The inlet of the first redirector 100B is first aligned with the outlet of the primary nozzle. Then, the inlet of the second redirector 100C is aligned with the outlet of the first redirector 100B. The outlet of the second redirector 100C is aligned to the location on the part to be washed.

[0036] In an indexing operation, the carriage 50 is advanced on the conveyor 20 to the wash position. Nozzle 31 is aligned to spray directly onto parts on the carriage 50. Nozzle 32 (primary nozzle) is aligned with the inlet axis of the redirector 100. Liquid 40 is discharged through the nozzles 31 and 32 and the parts are washed. Liquid exiting nozzle 32 spans gap 45 enters the redirector 100, changes directions within the body 110 and exits the redirector in a different orientation than which it entered. The gap 45 could be variable depending in part on clearance obstructions, liquid pressures and other variables.

[0037] It is appreciated that many redirectors 100, 100A, 100B and 100C, for example, can be used. There is no limit to the number of redirectors that can be used with the present invention.

[0038] It is further appreciated that the redirectors can have different heights without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention as dictated by the location and orientation of the desired washing spray or stream.

[0039] The redirectors can have stream, spray or other discharge patterns that can include but not be limited to hollow cone, solid cone, split spray or any other pattern.

[0040] It is also appreciated that a single redirector can have multiple outlets. It is further appreciated that the present invention can be similarly used in batch systems without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention.

[0041] Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the invention, a parts washing device including one or more redirectors that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages as set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.