Pneumatic sweeping system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016167091-A1
Application number	US-201414567007-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 11, 2014
Priority date	Dec 11, 2014
Publication date	Jun 16, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A method, combination, and system for removing loose impediments from a surface in a manufacturing setting. The surface may be where a widget is processed. As the widget is processed, loose impediments may fall onto the surface. The surface may be transported to a cleaning station where at least one nozzle directs a stream of fluid onto the surface to displace the loose impediments. A container may be provided adjacent to the surface to receive the loose impediments displaced from the surface. The at least one nozzle may continuously direct the stream of fluid onto to surface so long as the surface is present at the cleaning station. When the surface is no longer present at the cleaning station, the at least one nozzle may be deactivated.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . In combination:
a production line system comprising an assembly line, a transfer station and a cleaning station, the production line system further comprising a mobile mechanism traversing the assembly line, the transfer station, and the cleaning station, and a plurality of work stations defining a surface substantially horizontal operative to support product elements as the work stations traverse the assembly line while the product elements undergo staged assembly; a transfer means operative to remove the product elements from the surface when the work stations are moved via the mobile mechanism from the assembly line to the transfer station; and a pneumatic sweeping system operative to direct a stream of pressurized fluid across the surface of the work station when the work station moves via the mobile mechanism from the transfer station to the cleaning station, and the stream of pressurized fluid displaces loose impediments from the surface of the work station.

2 . The combination of claim 1 , wherein the production line transfer system comprises a continuous race-track guide-way, and wherein the mobile mechanism repeatedly traverses the plurality of work stations, the transfer station, and cleaning station.

3 . The combination of claim 1 , wherein the pneumatic sweeping system further comprises a sensing means operative to activate the stream of pressurized fluid as the surface enters the cleaning station.

4 . The combination of claim 1 , wherein the pneumatic sweeping system further comprises a container for receiving the loose impediments displaced off the surface, the container positioned adjacent to the surface and having an opening substantially planar to the surface.

5 . The combination of claim 4 , wherein the container further comprises a flow-inducing means for directing the fluid and the loose impediments downward into the container.

6 . A system for removing loose impediments from a surface comprising:
the surface substantially horizontal and operative to support a product element, the surface continuously moving; at least one nozzle positioned offset from the surface selectively directing a stream of fluid across the surface; a sensing means for sensing a first point on the surface when the at least one nozzle will be activated and sensing a second point on the surface when the at least one nozzle will be deactivated; and a container positioned adjacent to the surface receiving loose impediments blown off the surface, wherein the container has an opening substantially planar to the surface.

7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein each of the at least one nozzle includes a plume adjuster for independently adjusting disbursement of the fluid directed onto the surface.

8 . The system of claim 6 , wherein each of the at least one nozzle includes a control valve for adjusting the pressure at which the fluid is directed onto the surface.

9 . The system of claim 6 further comprising a controller receiving data transmitted from the sensing means and actuating the nozzles accordingly.

10 . The system of claim 9 wherein the controller further receives data from an input device regarding the type of loose impediments located on the surface and automatically adjusts at least one of a speed at which the fluid is directed onto the surface via a control valve on each of the at least one nozzles, and a disbursement of the fluid onto the surface via a plume adjuster on each of the at least one nozzles.

11 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the container further comprises a first side substantially planar to a second side, the first side and second side being substantially tangential to the surface, and wherein the first side is located adjacent to the surface.

12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the second side further comprises an extension, the extension extending inward towards the surface.

13 . The system of claim 12 wherein the first surface and the extension further comprise edges, the edges extending at an angle towards the surface.

14 . The system of claim 11 wherein the container further comprises a sorting means for sorting the loose impediments received.

15 . The system of claim 11 wherein the container further comprises a flow-inducing means for directing and inducing fluid flow into and through the container.

16 . A method of removing loose impediments from a system including a surface which is moving and capable of supporting a product element, the method comprising:
sensing a condition indicating the presence of the surface when on a substantially horizontal orientation; activating at least one nozzle displaced from the surface until the condition is no longer sensed; directing a stream of fluid from the at least one nozzle across the surface; providing a container adjacent to the surface, the container having an opening aligned with the fluid directed across the surface; receiving loose impediments displaced from the surface via the fluid directed across the surface; sensing the condition is no longer present indicating the surface is no longer present; and deactivating the at least one nozzle.

17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the surface is a continuous conveyor belt system.

18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the surface is a pallet, and wherein the condition indicating the presence of the surface comprises detecting, via a position sensor, the leading edge of the pallet, and wherein sensing the condition is no longer present comprises detecting, via the position sensor, the trailing edge of the pallet.

19 . The method of claim 16 further comprising opening at least one valve associated with the at least one nozzle allowing the fluid to move from a reservoir through the at least one nozzle and directed onto the surface.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the at least one valve is a control valve, and wherein the method further comprises adjusting at least one of a speed at which the fluid is directed onto the surface via a control valve on each of the at least one nozzles, and a disbursement of the fluid onto the surface via a plume adjuster on each of the at least one nozzles.

21 . The method of claim 16 further comprising directing the loose impediments downward into the container via flow-inducing means within the container.

22 . The method of claim 19 wherein the at least one valve is a control valve, and wherein the method further comprises adjusting a speed at which the fluid is directed onto the surface as a function of speed of the surface.

Assignees

• Toyota Eng & Mfg North America

Inventors

• Williams Dale R

Classifications

• B23Q11/0042

  Devices for removing chips (B23Q11/02, B23Q11/0875 take precedence) · CPC title

• B08B2203/0229

  Suction chambers for aspirating the sprayed liquid · CPC title

• B08B15/02

  using chambers or hoods covering the area {(B08B15/002 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B08B3/02

  Cleaning by the force of jets or sprays · CPC title

• B08B3/00

  Cleaning by methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam (B08B9/00 takes precedence) · CPC title