WO2016024080A1

WO2016024080A1 - Parts cleaning brush

Info

Publication number: WO2016024080A1
Application number: PCT/GB2015/052125
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephen Spencer
Original assignee: COPSEY Timothy; NCH Corp
Current assignee: COPSEY Timothy; NCH Corp
Priority date: 2014-08-11
Filing date: 2015-07-23
Publication date: 2016-02-18
Anticipated expiration: 2017-02-11
Also published as: GB201414184D0; GB2529160A; HK1219848A1

Abstract

An automated cleaning brush (1) which is designed to include a brush head (2) that operates in a reciprocating motion. The brush comprises a shaft (6) having a first end, the first end comprising a brush head (2), the brush head (2) comprising a plurality of bristles (3). The brush head (2) is arranged to reciprocate along a linear path which is substantially parallel to the axis of the shaft. At least a portion of the bristles (3) of the brush extend in the direction of the linear path.

Description

Parts Cleaning Brush

This invention relates to an automated cleaning brush that operates in a reciprocating motion. The brush is primarily intended for use in parts cleaning applications.

Machinery and equipment that has been in service for a period of time requires maintenance and repair. Generally these maintenance and repair operations are completed by a mechanic or engineer who will repair, replace, or rebuild equipment, or parts of that equipment in order to return that equipment to service. One of the main activities during this process is the cleaning of the part in order to facilitate a proper and repeatable repair or maintenance activity. This would include removing any debris, grease, oils, dirt or other contaminants that have bonded to the part. Much of this cleaning is done in an industrial parts cleaner which is typically composed of a basin/sink filled with a cleaning solvent to aid in the dissolving of the grease and oils. An operator may use a high pressure fluid (either an aqueous-based solution, or a solvent) supplied in a spray jet or wand to hose any remaining or stubborn debris from the part, specifically any contaminants lodged in cracks and crevices. An operator can also use a parts cleaning brush in addition to a solvent to aid in the removal of any contaminants. Any type of stiff plastic bristle brush is usually preferred, and some of these brushes incorporate the added benefit of having a supply of solvent flowing through the middle of the brush to help rinse away the contaminants that the brush has broken free from the surface of the part. Generally these brushes are manually operated where the user moves the brush in a side to side motion and where the bristles of the brush are perpendicular to the part. This tends to result in the tip of the bristle scraping or scrubbing the part being cleaned. The angle of the brush can be altered to ensure that the scrubbing action/energy can be implemented efficiently. The amount of energy that can be applied through the scrubbing motion is related to the firmness of the bristle. As the bristle bends, much of the energy is lost and the efficiency of the scrubbing motion is compromised by the tip of the bristle now lagging behind the shaft and pointing away from the preferred energy path. To minimize the bending of the bristles and loss of energy and cutting action, a stronger or stiffer bristle must be used, but stiffer plastic bristles must be thicker and this again compromises the scrubbing action as the brush cleaning surface area is minimized. An alternative solution is to use a metal brush, or wire brush, but in many cases this is not ideal, as the wire brush may damage many softer metals and mating surfaces. Another inefficiency of a standard brushing technique is that as the brush moves across the part, the ability of the bristle to enter small cracks and orifices is limited to the stiffness of the bristle as well as the density and size of the combined bristles that make up the brush. Bristles entering the grooves and orifices are restricted in their movement laterally due to the limited space and can only clear loose debris. The bristles are not able to impact the contaminant and break their bond from the sides, walls and floors of the small openings. In order to help automate the brushing operation, one solution was to attach a round brush on a rotating shaft and spin the bristles in an attempt to maximize the scrubbing motion. This action by its design is inefficient as the bristles of the brush immediately bend away from the cleaning surface and most of the cleaning energy is lost. This design is also difficult to use with a liquid solvent as the solvent is sprayed outwardly from the brush and this operation cannot be conducted in a non-enclosed environment. Other brushes have used an orbital path for a round brush, but again most of the energy is lost as the bristles bend away from the part being cleaned.

The invention of the disclosed embodiments uses the bristles of the brush in a unique way. Rather than using the bristle of the brush to scrape or scrub across a part, the invention pushes the bristle of a relatively stiff brush in a stabbing or gouging motion directed at the part. This allows the tip of the bristle to gouge or poke through the contaminant and impart the maximum amount of energy available prior to the bristle bending under pressure. The gouging motion is superior to the "circular" or "oscillating" motion in that all of the energy or force of the motion is directed into the end of the brush bristle.

The gouging motion of the bristles is able to dislodge contaminants adhered to an object or part to be cleaned. The reciprocal action of the brush maximises the frictional forces exerted on the contaminants.

According to the present invention there is provided an automated reciprocating cleaning brush comprising a shaft having a first end; the first end comprising a brush head, the brush head comprising a plurality of bristles; where the brush head is arranged to reciprocate along a linear path substantially parallel to the axis of the shaft, and at least a portion of the bristles of the brush extend in the direction of the linear path. Optional and preferred features will be described in the accompanying claims and in the description below. For example, in an embodiment of the present invention, at least a substantial portion of the bristles of the brush extend in the direction of the linear path. One of the objects of the invention is to eliminate the need for an operator to exert force when cleaning contaminated objects. Apart from aligning the brush with the site of contamination, minimal manipulation is necessary. The operator does not need to exert a scrubbing force in order to remove well-adhered contaminants from the parts which are being cleaned.

Examples of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows an example of a brush according to the invention and the motion of action upon a part to be cleaned,

Figure 2 shows the motion of action of the bristles of the brush upon a contaminant,

Figure 3 shows an example of a brush head, the bristles having a curved edge,

Figure 4 shows an example of a brush head, the bristles having an angled edge, Figure 5 shows an example of a brush head having an angled edge. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the brush 1 comprises a brush head 2 and a plurality of bristles 3. An object or part 4 to be cleaned of contaminant 5 is placed in proximity with the brush 1. The direction of motion of the brush 1 is illustrated by the arrow. As can be seen from the figures, the bristles of the brush are driven in a direction generally perpendicular to the contaminant on the part being cleaned. The tip of the brush bristle forms up to a 90 degree interface with the contaminated material and thus maximizes the energy and the frictional force that can be imparted to the contamination from the bristle.

A gouging or stabbing motion is a preferred method to direct energy toward the contaminant 5, but it is also the most difficult for a mechanic or engineer to manually repeat for an extended period of time. A driving mechanism, such as a piston driving mechanism, can be linked to the brush head 2 through a shaft 6, to drive the brush head 2 in a rectilinear (back and forth) reciprocating motion, directing the bristles 3 of the brush to gouge at the contaminant 5.

The present invention forces the bristles 3 of the brush into any cracks and orifices of the objects being cleaned, ensuring that contaminants on all surfaces of the opening are impacted.

The invention can utilize pneumatically or hydraulically operated pistons to move the brush head 2 in a linear reciprocating motion. Alternatively, the brush head 2 could be electrically driven.

The bristle stiffness will need to be optimised to provide efficient cleaning without damaging the surface of the parts to be cleaned. Changing the length and the diameter of the bristles, as well as the material from which the bristles are made will affect how stiff the bristles are. For a cleaning operation involving scrubbing, the bristles need to be relatively stiff. The bristles 3 may be formed from a synthetic or natural material. For example, if formed from a synthetic material, the bristles can be made from a plastic material such as nylon, polyester or polystyrene. Synthetic materials such as nylon do not scratch the surfaces of the parts being cleaned. Nylon has the advantage of discouraging bacterial growth and resistant to most acids. Nylon has a 90% bend recovery, which means that it recovers its original shape well.

Most synthetic materials are durable, non-shedding and have strong abrasion resistance. Examples of suitable nylon bristles include nylon abrasive, nylon type 6, nylon type 6.6, nylon type 6.12 and nylon conductive. Examples of other suitable polymers include PVC (polyvinylchloride), PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), PEEK (polyether ether ketone), polypropylene, polyester and polystyrene. Anti-static nylons have been developed, such as nylon-AS and Statigo9^®, which would also be suitable for use. Thunderon^®, a conductive acrylic fibre, has demonstrated good bend recovery and would also suitable.

The individual bristles themselves could have diameters in the range of 0.25mm to 5mm, more preferably between 0.3mm and 3mm, most preferably between 0.6mm and 1.6mm. The density of bristles is maximised in order to maximise the stiffness of the brush, which in turn minimises the amount of bending that occurs in the brush. Ideally, the length of the bristles extending from the brush head will be optimised to minimise bending of the bristles, whilst still allowing the bristles to access difficult to reach crevices in the objects to be cleaned.

The bristle portion of the brush may be any desired size, depending on the scale of the application, the piston mechanism to be used with the brush and the size of the parts to be washed. The size of the brush can be for example, between 1 and 15cm in width, more preferably between 1 and 10cm in width, most preferably between 2 and 5cm in width. The brush could be, for example, between 3 and 4cm in width. Where the brush is round, the measurement of width is equivalent to brush diameter. The ratio of brush size to shaft width may vary. For a brush size between 1 and 5cm the stroke can be anywhere between approximately 1/16" and 3" (approximately 0.16cm and 7.62cm). In practise, the stroke length will minimised in order to ensure efficient use of energy. The maximum stroke speed will be determined in part by the stroke distance, and in part by the size of the brush.

Referring to Figures 3, 4 and 5, the bristles 3 or bristle portion of the brush can have different shaped ends depending on the shapes of the parts to be cleaned. Examples include a curved end as shown in Figure 3, or an angled (or slanted) end as shown in Figure 4 The angle of the tip of bristles of the brush from the horizontal could be between 5° and 60°, more preferably between 10° and 45°, when the brush has an angled end.

Alternative ends, which are not illustrated, are also possible, such as flat, triangular, tapered, filbert, fan, or convex ends. The brush head itself may have an angled end, such as that shown in Figure 5, or have a shape alternative to those illustrated in these figures. The length of the bristles will be selected depending on the stiffness of the bristle material and the complexity of the parts to be cleaned. The cross-sectional shape of the brush can be altered to suit the part to be cleaned. The brush can have a square, rectangular, circular, elliptical or triangular cross-section, for example.

In Figures 1-5, the bristles of the brush are illustrated as aligning with the direction of movement the brush, and there are no bristles pointing in outward directions. This is the preferred arrangement for efficient energy transfer in the direction of motion. However, the brush could have alternative shapes, where the bristles lie in different axial planes. Different shaped bristles could be desirable where the part to be cleaned has cavities, gaps, or is at least partially tubular in nature. For example, a spiral brush, bore brush, or bowl brush could be used. The type of brush used may depend on the complexity of the parts which are being cleaned and the size and shape of any cavities.

Example 1

The size of the brush is between 3 and 3.5cm in diameter, and a piston is used to drive the brush head, having a stroke of approximately 1/4" (approximately 0.64cm), operating with a frequency of approximately 4000 strokes per minute.

Example 2

The size of the brush is between 2 and 3cm in width, and a piston having a stroke of 6/8" (0.85cm), operating with a frequency of approximately 3000 strokes per minute.

In both of these examples the brush moves at a speed of approximately 43cm/s (0.43m/s). The brush speeds could range from 0.1 m/s to 0.8m/s, more preferably from 0.3m/s to 0.6m/s.

The brush can be attached to a relatively lightweight shaft, with or without an additional fluid supply hose. The operator can manoeuvre the brush over the part to be cleaned, as required. Water-based cleaning aids and/or organic solvents for degreasing are often used during the cleaning process. Although not illustrated, a liquid solvent can be applied in addition to the brush action. As the brush action is more efficient, it is not necessary to supply the liquid under high pressure. The lower pressure supply of the liquid, combined with the fact that the liquid is not being sprayed outwards by the rotational motion of the brush means that less of the solvent is being directed towards the operator. Under the conditions used in Example 1 a liquid cleaning aid can be used without the liquid being sprayed at or around the operator and the device does not necessarily need to be used in an enclosed environment (depending on the solvent).

A simple system utilising the automated brush is now described, by way of example only. A parts washer may comprise of a sink or basin, a liquid supply nozzle, a liquid drain, a fluid collection drum, and in some cases a sink lid. The liquid supply nozzle can be provided as a separate nozzle or the liquid supply could be combined with the brush in a single unit. A part or object which is contaminated with dirt is placed in the sink for cleaning. The operator will manipulate the brush such that the bristles of the brush come into contact with the contaminants on the part. The rectilinear scrubbing action of the brush is automated and the operator merely has to maintain contact between the bristles and the part which is being cleaned. The operator can direct the brush towards any crevices in the part where contaminants might become lodged.

The invention relates generally to parts cleaning operations where a solvent is used to aid in the cleaning of dirty and greasy parts, although a solvent is not necessarily required. More specifically, the invention can be used in parts cleaning machines that have a recirculating supply of organic or water based solvent to aid in the removal of dirt, grease, carbon and other contaminants. The liquids can also act as surfactants and lubricants. In the rare situation that liquids are not used, antistatic brush materials would be preferred.

The invention provides numerous benefits and advantages over existing brush technologies. The automated brush of the present invention provides a cleaning action closer to that which is provided by manual scrubbing in terms of cleaning power. A greater percentage of the energy provided by the piston or motor is converted into frictional force for the removal of the contaminants from the surface of the part to be cleaned. The generally perpendicular direction of movement is superior to a side-to-side or orbital motion as this type of movement is able to dislodge contamination from deeper cracks and orifices.

The direction of motion of the brush allows for the bristles to penetrate cracks and crevices in parts which would ordinarily be very difficult to clean with conventional cleaning equipment. This reduces the cleaning time, as objects will no longer require long soaking times in order to remove contaminants from cracks and crevices. If desired, the stroke length of the piston (and therefore the distance travelled by the brush head) could be adjusted in response to the physical characteristics of a batch of parts.

The present invention provides a method of cleaning an object using an automated cleaning brush where the object to be cleaned is manipulated under the brush in order to expose a surface upon which a contaminant is adhered. The bristles of the brush are brought into contact with the adhered contaminant and contact is maintained for a length of time until the reciprocal action of the bristles has freed the contaminant. For efficiency of energy transfer through the bristles, this contact should ideally be conducted at an angle approaching perpendicular. A fluid supply (comprising, for example, a liquid cleaning solution or solvent) can optionally be supplied to aid the cleaning process.

Claims

1) An automated reciprocating cleaning brush comprising:

a shaft;

the shaft having a first end;

the first end comprising a brush head,

the brush head comprising a plurality of bristles;

where the brush head is arranged to reciprocate along a linear path substantially parallel to the axis of the shaft,

and at least a portion of the bristles of the brush extend in the direction of the linear path.

2) A brush according to Claim 1 , where at least a substantial portion of the bristles of the brush extend in the direction of the linear path.

3) A brush according any preceding claim, where the shaft is driven by a pneumatic or hydraulic piston.

4) A brush according to any of Claims 1 to 2, where the shaft is driven by an electric motor.

5) A brush according to any preceding claim, where the brush head is reciprocated at speeds of between 0.3m/s and 0.6m/s. 6) A brush according to any preceding claim, where the brush can include means for providing a fluid supply to the bristles of the brush.

7) A brush according to Claim 6, in which the means for providing a fluid supply to the bristles of the brush comprises providing a fluid supply line internally within the shaft, such that that the fluid exits through an aperture in the brush head between the bristles.

8) A brush according to any preceding claim, where the brush size is between 2cm and 5cm in diameter or width.

9) A brush according to any preceding claim, where the brush size is between 3cm and 4cm in diameter or width. 10) A brush according to any preceding claim, where the brush head has a rectangular or square cross-section. 11) A brush according to any one of claims 1-9, where the brush head has a triangular cross-section.

12) A brush according to any one of claims 1-9, where the brush head has a round or elliptical cross-section.

13) A brush according to any preceding claim, where the bristles are made from nylon.

14) A brush according to any preceding claim, where the bristles have a round end. 15) A brush according to any preceding claim, where the bristles have an angled end.

16) A brush according to any preceding claim, where the brush head has an angled end.

17) A brush according to any preceding claim, where the bristles are arranged to impart a scrubbing action onto a surface upon reciprocation of the brush head.

18) A brush head comprising a plurality of bristles, which is suitable for use with an automated cleaning brush according to any preceding claim. 19) A method of cleaning an object using an automated reciprocating cleaning brush according to any of Claims 1-17, comprising the following steps:

- manipulating an object to be cleaned in order to expose a surface comprising an adhered contaminant,

- bringing the bristles of the brush into contact with the adhered contaminant, - maintaining contact for a length of time until the reciprocal action of the bristles has freed the contaminant.

20) A method of cleaning an object according to Claim 19, where the step of bringing the bristles of the brush into contact with the surface of the object is conducted at an angle approaching perpendicular. 21) A method of cleaning an object according to any one of Claims 19 to 20, including a further step of providing a supply of liquid to the object to be cleaned.

22) A method of cleaning an object according to Claim 21 , where the liquid is supplied through an aperture in the brush head.