Patent Publication Number: US-2022212337-A1

Title: Housing assembly for selectively receiving a part and a method of removing particles from a frictional surface of a pad

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/133,551 filed on Jan. 4, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     During manufacturing processes within a facility, particles may land on various surfaces within the facility. For example, some workstations have a pad supported via a jack, and the pad provides a non-slip surface for resting a part thereon when using that workstation during one or more of the manufacturing processes. However, the pad is open to the environment so that the particles from the manufacturing processes at other workstations may land on the pad before use of that workstation which may affect the characteristics of the non-slip surface. 
     A manual process of cleaning the pad with water occurs before using the workstation in order to remove the particles from the non-slip surface. This manual process may also require one or more workers to be elevated on a lift to reach the locations of the pad that is to be cleaned. 
     SUMMARY 
     Therefore, there is a need for a housing assembly that conceals a pad at a workstation until it is time to use that workstation, which prevents particles from accumulating on the pad when the workstation is not being used. Furthermore, the housing assembly provides a way to clean the pad automatically without requiring one or more workers to be elevated on a lift to reach the locations of the pad that is to be cleaned. 
     The present disclosure provides a housing assembly for selectively receiving a part. The housing assembly includes a platform and a pad fixed to the platform. The pad has a frictional surface for maintaining a position of the part relative to the pad when the part is disposed on the frictional surface. The housing assembly also includes a door apparatus coupled to the platform. The door apparatus surrounds the pad. The door apparatus is movable to an open position in which the frictional surface of the pad is exposed outside of the door apparatus for receiving the part and a closed position in which the frictional surface of the pad is concealed inside of the door apparatus. 
     The present disclosure also provides a method of removing particles from a frictional surface of a pad before performing a manufacturing process. A part is placed on the frictional surface for the manufacturing process. A door apparatus is disposed in a closed position to present a chamber that encloses the pad. An image of the frictional surface of the pad is collected while the door apparatus is in the closed position. The collected image of the frictional surface is compared with a reference image of the frictional surface to determine whether particles have been detected on the frictional surface to be removed. A fluid is directed at the frictional surface of the pad to move the particles off of the frictional surface and suspend the particles inside of the chamber when the particles have been detected to be removed from the frictional surface. The suspended particles are vacuumed out of the chamber. 
     The detailed description and the drawings or figures are supportive and descriptive of the disclosure, but the claim scope of the disclosure is defined solely by the claims. While some of the best modes and other configurations for carrying out the claims have been described in detail, various alternative designs and configurations exist for practicing the disclosure defined in the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a facility including workstations to perform manufacturing processes, and one or more of the workstations include a housing assembly. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic fragmentary perspective view of one end of the housing assembly. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic perspective view of the housing assembly of one configuration with a door apparatus in the open position. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic perspective view of the housing assembly of  FIG. 3  with the door apparatus in the closed position. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic perspective view of the housing assembly of another configuration with the door apparatus in the open position. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic perspective view of the housing assembly of  FIG. 5  with the door apparatus in the closed position. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic fragmentary enlarged perspective view of an actuator engaging a gear set as also illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic fragmentary perspective view of a casing as also illustrated in  FIGS. 5-7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic perspective view of an optical assembly of a cleaning system, with the second door segment in the closed position, and the first door segment removed to show an example position of a camera and a light relative to a frictional surface of a pad. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic perspective view of a fluid applicator of the cleaning system and a vacuum of the cleaning system, with the first door segment in the closed position, and the second door segment removed to show an example position of a plurality of outlets of a tube relative to the frictional surface of the pad. 
     
    
    
     The present disclosure may be extended to modifications and alternative forms, with representative configurations shown by way of example in the drawings and described in detail below. Inventive aspects of the disclosure are not limited to the disclosed configurations. Rather, the present disclosure is intended to cover modifications, equivalents, combinations, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that all directional references (e.g., above, below, upward, up, downward, down, top, bottom, left, right, vertical, horizontal, etc.) are used descriptively for the figures to aid the reader&#39;s understanding, and do not represent limitations (for example, to the position, orientation, or use, etc.) on the scope of the disclosure, as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, the term “substantially” can refer to a slight imprecision or slight variance of a condition, quantity, value, or dimension, etc., some of which that are within manufacturing variance or tolerance ranges. 
     Referring to the figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a facility  10  that manufactures a part  12  or a plurality of parts  12  is generally shown in  FIG. 1 . The facility  10  may have one or more workstations  14  to perform multiple manufacturing processes on one or more of the parts  12 . As such, a manufacturing process may occur at one of the workstations  14 , and the part  12  may proceed to another one of the workstations  14  for another manufacturing process, and so on until the part  12  is completed. Alternatively, the part  12  may be completed at one of the workstations  14 . 
     During the manufacturing process at one or more of the workstations  14 , particles  16  may be circulated inside of the facility  10 , some of which may land on components of one or more of the workstations  14 . The particles  16  may enter the facility  10  from the environment or the particles  16  may be produced during the manufacturing processes. The particles  16  may be macroscopic or microscopic, and non-limiting examples of the particles  16  may include debris, foreign object debris (FOD), dust, flakes, grit, etc. 
     Generally, a housing assembly  18  may be used in the facility  10  to prevent the particles  16  from accumulating on some of the components when that workstation  14  is not being used. More specifically, the housing assembly  18  protects some of the components of the workstations  14  from the circulated particles  16  when that workstation  14  is not being used for the manufacturing process, as detailed below. The below discussion describes one housing assembly  18 , however, it is to be appreciated that each of the workstations  14  may use one of the housing assemblies  18 . 
     The housing assembly  18  selectively receives the part  12 . Therefore, when the manufacturing process is to proceed at the workstation  14  with the housing assembly  18 , the housing assembly  18  opens to receive the part  12 . The part  12  may be any suitable configuration, and non-limiting examples may include an airplane part  12  such as a wing, a body component, body join areas, etc. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 , the housing assembly  18  includes a platform  20  and a pad  22  fixed to the platform  20 . The pad  22  remains stationary on the platform  20 . Generally, the platform  20  supports the pad  22  and the part  12  is selectively disposed on the pad  22  which is discussed further below. 
     Optionally, the housing assembly  18  may include a jack  24  (see  FIG. 4 ) that supports the platform  20 . The jack  24  may adjust a height of the platform  20  relative to the ground to accommodate different sizes of the parts  12 . Therefore, adjusting the height of the platform  20  also adjusts the height of the pad  22  relative to the ground. The jack  24  is illustrated in  FIG. 4  only, but would be disposed under the platform  20  in  FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, and 10 . 
     Turning back to the pad  22 , the pad  22  has a frictional surface  26  for maintaining a position of the part  12  relative to the pad  22  when the part  12  is disposed on the frictional surface  26 . That is, the frictional surface  26  provides a non-slip surface for the part  12 . As such, the frictional surface  26  provides enough friction to maintain the position of the part  12  relative to the pad  22  during the manufacturing process. The amount of friction provided via the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22  may be a predetermined threshold which may be based on engineering requirements, government requirements, etc. As one non-limiting example, a high coefficient of friction may be between the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22  and a surface of the part  12  resting against the frictional surface  26 . The frictional surface  26  may be formed of any suitable material(s), and non-limiting examples may include one or more of an elastomer, a polymer, a metal, an alloy, a composite, a ceramic, a form, etc., and combinations thereof. 
     The frictional surface  26  of the pad  22  may face away from the jack  24 . In other words, the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22  may face outwardly or upwardly such that the frictional surface  26  may be exposed in certain situations, such as to receive the part  12 , as discussed below. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 3-6 , the housing assembly  18  also includes a door apparatus  28  coupled to the platform  20 , and the door assembly surrounds the pad  22 . Generally, the door apparatus  28  is movable relative to the pad  22  to selectively expose the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22 . More specifically, the door apparatus  28  is movable to an open position (see  FIGS. 3 and 5 ) in which the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22  is exposed outside of the door apparatus  28  for receiving the part  12  and a closed position (see  FIGS. 4 and 6 ) in which the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22  is concealed inside of the door apparatus  28 . Therefore, when the door apparatus  28  is in the closed position, the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22  is concealed from the particles  16  outside of the door apparatus  28 . Generally, when the workstation  14  is not being used, the door apparatus  28  is in the closed position to prevent the particles  16  from settling on the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22 , which assists in maintaining a cleaner pad when the workstation  14  is not in use as compared to a workstation  14  that does not use the door apparatus  28 . 
     Continuing with  FIGS. 3-6 , in certain configurations, the door apparatus  28  may include a first door segment  30  and a second door segment  32  movable relative to each other between the open position and the closed position. Furthermore, the door apparatus  28  may include a first bellows  34  attached to the first door segment  30  and the platform  20 , and a second bellows  36  attached to the second door segment  32  and the platform  20 . Generally, the first door segment  30 , the first bellows  34 , the second door segment  32 , and the second bellows  36  cooperate in the closed position to present a chamber  38  that encloses the pad  22 . That is, the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22  is protected from the particles  16  outside of the door apparatus  28  when in the closed position. 
     The first bellows  34  and the second bellows  36  provide some flexibility for the movement of the first door segment  30  and the second door segment  32  while maintaining a sealed connection between the platform  20  and the first door segment  30  and the second door segment  32  respectively to prevent the particles  16  from entering the chamber  38  when in the closed position. Generally, the first door segment  30  and the second door segment  32  are formed of different materials from the first bellows  34  and the second bellows  36 . For example, the first bellows  34  and the second bellows  36  are each formed of a flexible material to allow movement of the first door segment  30  and the second door segment  32  without binding and while maintaining the sealed connection. For example, the first bellows  34  and the second bellows  36  may accordion together or retract when the door apparatus  28  moves to the open position (see  FIGS. 3 and 5 ). As another example, the first bellows  34  and the second bellows  36  may accordion out or extend when the door apparatus  28  moves to the closed position (see  FIGS. 4 and 6 ). Generally, the first bellows  34  and the second bellows  36  are configured similarly to each other. As non-limiting examples, the flexible material may be a rubber, a soft polymer, etc., and combinations thereof. 
     The first door segment  30  and the second door segment  32  may be formed of a rigid material which is different from the flexible material of the first bellows  34  and the second bellows  36 . That is, the first door segment  30  and the second door segment  32  maintain a shape regardless of whether the door apparatus  28  is in the open position or the closed position (compare  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). As non-limiting examples, the rigid material may be a hard polymer, a metal, an alloy, etc., and combinations thereof. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 6 , the first door segment  30  may include a first distal end  40 A and a second distal end  42 A spaced from each other along a first longitudinal axis  44 . Similarly, the second door segment  32  may include a first distal end  40 B and a second distal end  42 B spaced from each other along a second longitudinal axis  46 . Therefore, the first distal end  40 A of the first door segment  30  and the first distal end  40 B of the second door segment  32  are disposed adjacent to each other at one end; and similarly, the second distal end  42 A of the first door segment  30  and the second distal end  42 B of the second door segment  32  are disposed adjacent to each other at the other end. Generally, in certain configurations, the first longitudinal axis  44  and the second longitudinal axis  46  are disposed substantially parallel to each other. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 2, 3 and 5 , the first door segment  30  may include a first pivot  48  disposed at the first distal end  40 A and the second distal end  42 A of the first door segment  30  to allow movement of the first door segment  30  relative to the platform  20 . The first pivot  48  may be secured to the platform  20  to support the first door segment  30 . The first pivot  48  may be disposed along the first longitudinal axis  44 . 
     Furthermore, as best shown in  FIGS. 2, 3, and 5 , the second door segment  32  may include a second pivot  50  disposed at the first distal end  40 B and the second distal end  42 B of the second door segment  32  to allow movement of the second door segment  32  relative to the platform  20 . The second pivot  50  may be secured to the platform  20  to support the second door segment  32 . The second pivot  50  may be disposed along the second longitudinal axis  46 . 
     Continuing with  FIGS. 2, 3, and 5 , the first door segment  30  may include a first side edge  52 A having the first bellows  34  fixed thereto. Therefore, the first door segment  30  and the first bellows  34  cooperate with the platform  20  to provide a first side portion that may selectively protect the pad  22  from the particles  16 . The first door segment  30  may include a second side edge  54 A spaced from the first side edge  52 A of the first door segment  30 . Specifically, the first side edge  52 A of the first door segment  30  is spaced from the second side edge  54 A of the first door segment  30  transverse to the first longitudinal axis  44 . The first side edge  52 A of the first door segment  30  and the second side edge  54 A of the first door segment  30  extends the length of the first door segment  30 . That is, the first side edge  52 A of the first door segment  30  and the second side edge  54 A of the first door segment  30  extends from the first distal end  40 A of the first door segment  30  to the second distal end  42 A of the first door segment  30 . The length of the first door segment  30  is substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis  44 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2, 3, and 5 , the second door segment  32  is configured similarly to the first door segment  30 . The second door segment  32  may include a first side edge  52 B having the second bellows  36  fixed thereto. Therefore, the second door segment  32  and the second bellows  36  cooperate with the platform  20  to provide a second side portion that may selectively protect the pad  22  from the particles  16 . The second door segment  32  may include a second side edge  54 B spaced from the first side edge  52 B of the second door segment  32 . Specifically, the first side edge  52 B of the second door segment  32  is spaced from the second side edge  54 B of the second door segment  32  transverse to the second longitudinal axis  46 . The first side edge  52 B of the second door segment  32  and the second side edge  54 B of the second door segment  32  extends the length of the second door segment  32 . That is, the first side edge  52 B of the second door segment  32  and the second side edge  54 B of the second door segment  32  extends from the first distal end  40 B of the second door segment  32  to the second distal end  42 B of the second door segment  32 . The length of the second door segment  32  is substantially parallel to the second longitudinal axis  46 . 
     When the first side portion and the second side portion come together in the closed position, the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22  is protected from particles  16  outside of the door apparatus  28  (see  FIGS. 4 and 6 ). Therefore, the second side edge  54 A of the first door segment  30  and the second side edge  54 B of the second door segment  32  engage each other when the door apparatus  28  is in the closed position. Optionally, the second side edge  54 A of the first door segment  30  and/or the second side edge  54 B of the second door segment  32  may include a seal  56  or a gasket to further assist in sealing the chamber  38  from entry of the particles  16  when the door apparatus  28  is in the closed position. The optional seal  56  is not shown in all of the figures to illustrate other features, but it is to be appreciated that the seal  56  may be used in any of the configurations herein. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 6 , the door apparatus  28  may include a gear set  58  coupled to the first door segment  30  and the second door segment  32 . Actuation of the gear set  58  causes the door apparatus  28  to move between the open position and the closed position. More specifically, actuation of the gear set  58  causes the first door segment  30  and the second door segment  32  to move between the open position and the closed position. 
     The gear set  58  is coupled to the first door segment  30  and the second door segment  32  at one end of the door apparatus  28 . For example, the gear set  58  may be coupled to the first distal end  40 A,  40 B of the first door segment  30  and the second door segment  32 . Therefore, the gear set  58  may be supported via the first pivot  48  and the second pivot  50  at the corresponding first distal end  40 A,  40 B of the first door segment  30  and the second door segment  32 . As another example, the gear set  58  may be coupled to the second distal end  42 A,  42 B of the first door segment  30  and the second door segment  32 . Therefore, the gear set  58  may be supported via the first pivot  48  and the second pivot  50  at the corresponding second distal end  42 A,  42 B of the first door segment  30  and the second door segment  32 . It is to be appreciated that the gear set  58  may be disposed at the first distal end  40 A,  40 B of the first door segment  30  and the second door segment  32 , or disposed at the second distal end  42 A,  42 B of the first door segment  30  and the second door segment  32 , or gear sets  58  may be disposed at both of the first distal end  40 A,  40 B and the second distal end  42 A,  42 B of the first door segment  30  and the second door segment  32 . 
     In certain configurations, the gear set  58  may include a first gear  60  fixed to the first door segment  30 , and a second gear  62  fixed to the second door segment  32 . The first gear  60  may be fixed to the first door segment  30  via the first pivot  48 , and the second gear  62  may be fixed to the second door segment  32  via the second pivot  50 . The first gear  60  and the second gear  62  mesh together such that the first door segment  30  and the second door segment  32  move simultaneously in response to actuation of the gear set  58 . Therefore, the first gear  60  and the second gear  62  may include teeth  64 A,  64 B that mesh with each other. 
     The first gear  60  may be rotatable about the first longitudinal axis  44  and the second gear  62  may be rotatable about the second longitudinal axis  46 . Therefore, the first door segment  30  is rotatable about the first longitudinal axis  44  and the second door segment  32  is rotatable about the second longitudinal axis  46 . In certain configurations, the first gear  60  rotates about the first longitudinal axis  44  in an opposition direction from rotation of the second gear  62  about the second longitudinal axis  46  to open and close the door apparatus  28 . Opposite rotation of the first gear  60  and the second gear  62  causes opposite rotation of the first door segment  30  and the second door segment  32 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3-6 , the door apparatus  28  may include an actuator  66  coupled to the gear set  58  and selectively activated to move the gear set  58 . Furthermore, the actuator  66  may include an activator  68  coupled to the actuator  66  to selectively activate the actuator  66  to move the gear set  58  which causes movement of the first door segment  30  and the second door segment  32  between the open position and the closed position. The actuator  66  and the activator  68  may be various configurations, and non-limiting examples are shown in  FIGS. 3-8  and discussed below. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , in certain configurations, the actuator  66  may include an electric motor  70 , and the activator  68  may include a switch  72 A. The switch  72 A is in communication with the electric motor  70 , and the gear set  58  is coupled to the electric motor  70 . Therefore, for example, activating the switch  72 A sends a signal to the electric motor  70  to actuate which causes movement of the gear set  58 , and movement of the gear set  58  causes movement of the first door segment  30  and the second door segment  32 . Simply stated, activation of the switch  72 A causes the electric motor  70  to move the door apparatus  28  to the open position and the closed position. In one configuration, the electric motor  70  is connected to the first gear  60 . In other configurations, the electric motor  70  is connected to the second gear  62 . Generally, the switch  72 A is activated via a worker to open and close the door apparatus  28 . The switch  72 A may be any suitable configuration, and non-limiting examples may include a button, a knob, a dial, a toggle, a touch surface, a lever, a motion detector, etc. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5-8 , in other configurations, the actuator  66  may include a shaft  74  having teeth  64 C that mesh with the gear set  58  such that movement of the shaft  74  in a first direction causes the gear set  58  to rotate which moves the first door segment  30  and the second door segment  32  to the open position, and movement of the shaft  74  in a second direction opposite to the first direction causes the gear set  58  to rotate differently which moves the first door segment  30  and the second door segment  32  to the closed position. More specifically, the teeth  64 A of the first gear  60  or the teeth  64 B of the second gear  62  mesh with the teeth  64 C of the shaft  74 . The part  12  engages a feature (discussed further below) of the shaft  74  which causes the shaft  74  to move in the first direction to open the door apparatus  28 . 
     The shaft  74  extends to a first end  76  and a second end  78  along a shaft axis  80 . The teeth  64 C of the shaft  74  are disposed axially along the shaft axis  80 . That is, the teeth  64 C of the shaft  74  form a strip  82  of teeth  64 C along the shaft  74 . In certain configurations, the strip  82  of teeth  64 C is disposed substantially parallel to the shaft axis  80 . The strip  82  of teeth  64 C is disposed along an outside  84  of the shaft  74  such that the teeth  64 C are exposed to mesh with the gear set  58 . The shaft axis  80  is disposed transverse to and offset from the first longitudinal axis  44  and the second longitudinal axis  46 . The shaft  74  is movable axially along the shaft axis  80  in the first direction and the second direction. The shaft  74  may be referred to as a probe. 
     Continuing with the configuration of  FIGS. 5-8 , the actuator  66  may include a casing  86  and the shaft  74  is disposed in the casing  86 . The casing  86  may be fixed to the platform  20  and/or the jack  24 . For example, the casing  86  may include a mount  88  to fix the casing  86  to the platform  20  and/or the jack  24 . The shaft  74  is movable relative to the casing  86  along the shaft axis  80 , and the casing  86  may include a slot  90  (see  FIG. 8 ). The teeth  64 C of the shaft  74  protrude out of the slot  90  such that the teeth  64 C of the shaft  74  face and engage the gear set  58 . That is, the strip  82  of teeth  64 C is movable back and forth within the slot  90  along the shaft axis  80  while engaging the gear set  58 . 
     Continuing with the configuration of  FIGS. 5-8 , the actuator  66  may include a biasing member  92  housed inside the casing  86 . The biasing member  92  continuously biases the shaft  74  in the second direction. By continuously biasing the shaft  74  in the second direction, the door apparatus  28  is continuously biased to the closed position. The biasing member  92  is disposed between the second end  78  of the shaft  74  and a reaction surface  94  of the casing  86 . The reaction surface  94  of the casing  86  provides a surface for the biasing member  92  to react against to continuously bias the shaft  74  in the second direction. The biasing member  92  may be any suitable configuration, and non-limiting examples of the biasing member  92  may include a spring, a coil spring, a leaf spring, etc. 
     Optionally, a stop may be coupled to the casing  86  and/or the shaft  74  to prevent the shaft  74  from disconnecting from the casing  86 . If no stop is being used, the biasing member  92  may be sized to bias the shaft  74  to a maximum distance within the casing  86  without causing the shaft  74  to disconnect from the casing  86 . 
     Continuing with the configuration of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the activator  68  may include a cap  96  fixed to the shaft  74 . For example, the cap  96  may be attached to the first end  76  of the shaft  74 . The cap  96  is exposed outside of the casing  86  such that the cap  96  is visible outside of the casing  86 . Furthermore, the shaft  74  and the casing  86  may be disposed outside of the first door segment  30  and the second door segment  32 . As the part  12  moves toward the housing assembly  18 , the part  12  engages the cap  96  which causes actuation of the actuator  66 . As such, the door apparatus  28  moves to the open position as the part  12  engages the cap  96  which moves the shaft  74  in the first direction until the part  12  rests on the frictional surface  26 . In certain configurations, the cap  96  is disposed above the first door segment  30  and the second door segment  32  such that the part  12  engages the cap  96  without the part  12  interfering with the opening of the first door segment  30  and the second door segment  32 . 
     The housing assembly  18  may also include a cleaning system  98  configured to remove the particles  16  from the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22  when the door apparatus  28  is in the closed position. The cleaning system  98  may operate in multiple functions using various components as detailed below. For example, the cleaning system  98  may operate to determine whether there are particles  16  to be removed from the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22 . As another example, the cleaning system  98  may operate to remove the particles  16  from the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22 . By using the cleaning system  98  discussed below, workers do not have to manually clean the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22 , and thus, do not have to use a lift to reach the frictional surface  26  for cleaning purposes. 
     Generally, a controller  100  may be in communication with the cleaning system  98 . Instructions may be stored in a memory  102  of the controller  100  and automatically executed via a processor  104  of the controller  100  to provide the respective control functionality. That is, the controller  100  is configured to execute the instructions from the memory  102 , via the processor  104 . For example, the controller  100  may be a host machine or distributed system, e.g., a computer such as a digital computer or microcomputer, and, as the memory  102 , tangible, non-transitory computer-readable memory such as read-only memory (ROM) or flash memory. The controller  100  may also have random access memory (RAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a high-speed clock, analog-to-digital (A/D) and/or digital-to-analog (D/A) circuitry, and any required input/output circuitry and associated devices, as well as any required signal conditioning and/or signal buffering circuitry. Therefore, the controller  100  may include all software, hardware, memory  102 , algorithms, connections, sensors, etc., necessary to control, for example, the cleaning system  98 . As such, a control method operative to control the cleaning system  98  may be embodied as software or firmware associated with the controller  100 . It is to be appreciated that the controller  100  may also include any device capable of analyzing data from various sensors, comparing data, making the necessary decisions required to control and/or monitor the cleaning system  98  and the door apparatus  28 . The controller  100  may be in communication with the cleaning system  98  and the door apparatus  28  via an electrical connection such as hard-wires or wirelessly, etc. Optionally, more than one controller  100  may be utilized. The controller  100  may be referred to as a primary logic controller. 
     As mentioned above, the cleaning system  98  may operate to remove the particles  16  from the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22 . For example, the cleaning system  98  may suspend the particles  16  within the chamber  38  and then remove the suspended particles  16  from the chamber  38 . Generally, the particles  16  are suspended inside the chamber  38  when the door apparatus  28  is in the closed position. Therefore, before the door apparatus  28  opens to receive the part  12 , the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22  may need cleaning. Once the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22  is cleaned, the door apparatus  28  may be opened, and the details of when the door apparatus  28  opens is discussed further below. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3-6 and 10 , in certain configurations, the cleaning system  98  may include a fluid applicator  106  configured to direct a fluid at the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22  to move the particles  16  off of the frictional surface  26  and suspend the particles  16  inside of the chamber  38 . As indicated above, the fluid applicator  106  operates when the door apparatus  28  is in the closed position which contains the suspended particles  16  inside the chamber  38  until those particles  16  are removed from the chamber  38  which is discussed further below. Non-limiting examples of the fluid applicator  106  may include a blower, a compressor, a fan, a pump, a sprayer, etc. 
     In certain configurations, the fluid that is directed at the frictional surface  26  is a gaseous fluid. Generally, the gaseous fluid is air. In other configurations, the fluid that is directed at the frictional surface  26  is a liquid fluid. Generally, the liquid fluid is water. In yet other configurations, the fluid that is directed at the frictional surface  26  is a combination of a gaseous fluid and a liquid fluid such that the mixture may be atomized. It is to be appreciated that any suitable fluid may be used to remove the particles  16  from the frictional surface  26 . 
     Continuing with  FIGS. 3-6 and 10 , generally, the cleaning system  98  may include a duct  108  attached to the first door segment  30  or the second door segment  32 . In one configuration, the duct  108  is attached to the first door segment  30  proximal to the second side edge  54 A of the first door segment  30 . Therefore, when the first door segment  30  is in the closed position, the duct  108  is positioned above the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22 . For example, the duct  108  may be positioned generally centered relative to the frictional surface  26  when the door apparatus  28  is in the closed position. The duct  108  may extend the length of the first door segment  30  and/or the second door segment  32 . 
     The duct  108  may terminate at a closed end  110 . As one non-limiting example, the closed end  110  of the duct  108  may terminate adjacent to the second distal end  42 A,  42 B of the first door segment  30  or the second door segment  32 . It is to be appreciated that more than one duct  108  may be used in the cleaning system  98 , and thus, more than one duct  108  may be attached to the first door segment  30  or the second door segment  32 , or one or more ducts  108  may be attached to the first door segment  30  and one or more other ducts  108  may be attached to the second door segment  32 . 
     In certain configurations, the fluid applicator  106  may include the duct  108  attached to the first door segment  30  or the second door segment  32 . The first door segment  30  and the second door segment  32  each include an outer surface  112 A,  112 B that faces away from the pad  22  and an inner surface  114 A,  114 B that faces the pad  22 . Generally, the duct  108  may be attached to the inner surface  114 A,  114 B of the first door segment  30  or the second door segment  32 . 
     Regardless of the location of the duct  108  being attached to the first door segment  30  or the second door segment  32 , the duct  108  extends outside of the door apparatus  28  to connect to a fluid supply  116 . The fluid supply  116  may provide the gaseous fluid and/or the liquid fluid through the duct  108 . For example, the fluid supply  116  may be pressurized air, pressurized water, etc. 
     In certain configurations, the fluid applicator  106  may include a valve  118  (see  FIGS. 3-6 ) to open and close the fluid supply  116 . In other words, the valve  118  may operate to allow a flow of the fluid into the chamber  38  and prevent the flow of the fluid into the chamber  38  depending on the position of the valve  118 . Therefore, when the valve  118  is opened, the fluid flows into the chamber  38 , and when the valve  118  is closed, the fluid does not flow into the chamber  38 . When using the valve  118 , the controller  100  is in communication with the valve  118 , and the controller  100  determines whether to open the valve  118  or close the valve  118 . 
     The duct  108  includes an inlet  120  connected to the fluid supply  116  to guide the fluid into the door apparatus  28 . The duct  108  may include a plurality of outlets  122  spaced from each other, and the fluid is directed out of the plurality of outlets  122 . For illustrative purposes, the small dashes or dots shown being expelled out of the outlets  122  in  FIG. 10  are to generally represent the fluid. In certain configurations, the plurality of outlets  122  may be spaced from each other axially relative to the first longitudinal axis  44 . In other configurations, the plurality of outlets  122  may be spaced from each other axially relative to the second longitudinal axis  46 . The plurality of outlets  122  face the frictional surface  26  to direct the fluid at the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22  to move the particles  16  off of the frictional surface  26  and suspend the particles  16  inside of the chamber  38 . More specifically, the plurality of outlets  122  face away from the outer surface  112 A,  112 B and the inner surface  114 A,  114 B of the corresponding one of the first door segment  30  and the second door segment  32 . The plurality of outlets  122  is positioned to maximize an area of the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22  that the fluid reaches to remove the particles  16 . The controller  100  is in communication with the fluid applicator  106 , and the controller  100  determines when the fluid applicator  106  operates, which will be discussed further below. 
     A segment of the duct  108  is disposed inside the door apparatus  28  and another segment of the duct  108  is disposed outside of the door apparatus  28 . Specifically, if using one duct  108 , the duct  108  may extend through the first door segment  30  or the second door segment  32  such that the segment of the duct  108  is disposed inside the first door segment  30  or the second door segment  32 , and the another segment of the duct  108  is disposed outside of the first door segment  30  or the second door segment  32 . The segment of the duct  108  that is disposed inside of the door apparatus  28  includes the plurality of outlets  122 , and the another segment of the duct  108  is disposed outside of the door apparatus  28  includes the inlet  120 . 
     At least a portion of the duct  108  is flexible to allow movement of the first door segment  30  or the second door segment  32  between the open position and the closed position. For example, the flexible portion of the duct  108  may be disposed outside of the door apparatus  28 . That is, the flexible portion of the duct  108  between the fluid supply  116  and outside of the first door segment  30  or the second door segment  32  is flexible to act as a joint to allow the first door segment  30  or the second door segment  32  to move freely between the open position and the closed position (compare  FIGS. 3 and 4 , or  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3-6 and 10 , as another example, the cleaning system  98  may include a vacuum  124  coupled to the chamber  38 . The vacuum  124  is configured to expel the particles  16  that are suspended inside the chamber  38  due to operation of the fluid applicator  106 . Therefore, after the particles  16  are suspended off of the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22 , the vacuum  124  pulls the fluid and the particles  16  out of the chamber  38 , and thus, away from the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22 . As indicated above, the vacuum  124  operates when the door apparatus  28  is in the closed position. As such, the suspended particles  16  are contained inside the chamber  38  until those particles  16  are removed from the chamber  38  via the vacuum  124 . The controller  100  is in communication with the vacuum  124 , and the controller  100  determines when the vacuum  124  operates, which will be discussed further below. 
     The vacuum  124  may be supported via the platform  20  and/or the jack  24 . Furthermore, the vacuum  124  may include a conduit  126  attached to the door apparatus  28 , and configured to guide the particles  16  out of the chamber  38 . Therefore, when the vacuum  124  operates, the fluid and the particles  16  are expelled from the chamber  38  via the conduit  126 . The conduit  126  may be disposed through the first door segment  30  or the second door segment  32 . As one non-limiting example, the conduit  126  may be disposed through the second distal end  42 A,  42 B of the first door segment  30  or the second door segment  32 . When the conduit  126  is disposed through the second distal end  42 A,  42 B, the closed end  110  of the duct  108  may terminate adjacent to the second distal end  42 A,  42 B of the first door segment  30  or the second door segment  32 . 
     At least a portion of the conduit  126  is flexible to allow movement of the first door segment  30  or the second door segment  32  between the open position and the closed position. For example, the flexible portion of the conduit  126  may be disposed outside of the door apparatus  28 . That is, the flexible portion of the conduit  126  between the door apparatus  28  and the vacuum  124  is flexible to act as a joint to allow the first door segment  30  or the second door segment  32  to move freely between the open position and the closed position. The conduit  126  is flexible similar to the duct  108 , and therefore, the illustration of flexibility of the duct  108  in  FIGS. 3-6  is also illustrative of the movement of the conduit  126 . 
     Furthermore, more than one conduit  126  may be used. As such, more than one conduit  126  may be attached to the first door segment  30  or the second door segment  32 , or one or more conduits  126  may be attached to the first door segment  30  and one or more other conduits  126  may be attached to the second door segment  32 . Each of the conduits  126  may be connected to one vacuum  124  or optionally, more than one vacuum  124  may be used that connects to one or more conduits  126 . 
     A sensor  128  may be coupled to the vacuum  124  to collect data about an amount of the particles  16  being expelled from the chamber  38 . Therefore, the fluid and the particles  16  being pulled out of the chamber  38  flows past the sensor  128  so that the sensor  128  may collect the data about the amount of the particles  16  being expelled from the chamber  38 . The sensor  128  is in communication with the controller  100 , and the controller  100  determines when to shut off the vacuum  124  based on the amount of the particles  16  being expelled. 
     The controller  100  monitors the sensor  128  and once the data collected via the sensor  128  indicates that the amount of the particles  16  is within a predetermined range, the controller  100  may signal the vacuum  124  to shut off. Generally, when the amount of the particles  16  is within the predetermined range, this indicates that the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22  is clean. The predetermined range of the amount of the particles  16  may be based on engineering requirements, government requirements, etc. Optionally, the controller  100  may signal the fluid applicator  106  to shut off at the same time as the vacuum  124 . It is to be appreciated that if using more than one vacuum  124 , then more than one sensor  128  may be used and the controller  100  may collect the data from each of the sensors  128  and use that data to determine whether the predetermined range is reached. 
     As also mentioned above, the cleaning system  98  may operate to determine whether there are particles  16  to be removed from the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22 . For example, an image  130  of the frictional surface  26  may be compiled and analyzed to determine whether the frictional surface  26  is at a predetermined clean threshold. The predetermined clean threshold of the frictional surface  26  may be based on engineering requirements, government requirements, etc. Generally, the image  130  is collected when the door apparatus  28  is in the closed position. It is to be appreciated that more than one image  130  may be collected and analyzed. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2, 3 and 9 , in certain configurations, the cleaning system  98  may include an optical assembly  132  configured to compile the image  130  of the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22  when the first door segment  30  and the second door segment  32  are in the closed position. The cleaning system  98  may include a camera  134  attached to the first door segment  30  or the second door segment  32 . In certain configurations, the optical assembly  132  may include the camera  134  attached to the first door segment  30  or the second door segment  32 . Generally, the camera  134  may be attached to the inner surface  114 A,  114 B of the first door segment  30  or the second door segment  32 . In one configuration, the camera  134  is attached to the second door segment  32  proximal to the second side edge  54 B of the second door segment  32 . When the second door segment  32  is in the closed position, the camera  134  is positioned above the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22 . For example, the camera  134  may be positioned generally centered relative to the frictional surface  26  when the door apparatus  28  is in the closed position. Therefore, the camera  134  is positioned to maximize an area of the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22  that the image  130  may collect. It is to be appreciated that more than one camera  134  may be used, and thus, more than one camera  134  may be attached to the first door segment  30  or the second door segment  32 , or one or more cameras  134  may be attached to the first door segment  30  and one or more other cameras  134  may be attached to the second door segment  32 . 
     The camera  134  is configured to collect the image  130  of the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22 . The optical assembly  132 , and thus the camera  134 , is in communication with the controller  100 , and therefore, the controller  100  determines when to take the image  130  (i.e., determines when to operate the camera  134 ) and the controller  100  uses the image  130  to determine whether the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22  is clean, as discussed further below. 
     Since the door apparatus  28  is in the closed position when operating the optical assembly  132 , the chamber  38  will be dark. Therefore, it may be desirable to illuminate the chamber  38  when taking the image  130 . As such, the optical assembly  132  may include a light  136  configured to illuminate the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22  when the first door segment  30  and the second door segment  32  are in the closed position during operation of the camera  134 . Using the light  136  may assist in the quality of the image  130  collected. In certain configurations, the light  136  is attached to the first door segment  30  or the second door segment  32 . Generally, the light  136  may be attached to the inner surface  114 A,  114 B of the first door segment  30  or the second door segment  32 . In one configuration, the light  136  is attached to the second door segment  32  proximal to the second side edge  54 B of the second door segment  32 . When the second door segment  32  is in the closed position, the light  136  is positioned above the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22 . For example, the light  136  may be positioned generally centered relative to the frictional surface  26  when the door apparatus  28  is in the closed position. Therefore, the light  136  is positioned to maximize an area of the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22  that the light  136  illuminates. It is to be appreciated that more than one light  136  may be used, and thus, more than one light  136  may be attached to the first door segment  30  or the second door segment  32 , or one or more lights  136  may be attached to the first door segment  30  and one or more other lights  136  may be attached to the second door segment  32 . The light  136  may be any suitable configuration to illuminate the frictional surface  26 , and non-limiting examples may include a light bulb, a light-emitting diode (LED), etc. The controller  100  is in communication with the light  136 , and the controller  100  determines when to operate the light  136 . 
     The present disclosure also provides a method of removing the particles  16  from the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22  before performing the manufacturing process. The part  12  is placed on the frictional surface  26  for the manufacturing process. Therefore, the particles  16  are removed from the frictional surface  26  first, and then the door apparatus  28  may be opened to receive the part  12  to perform the manufacturing process when the frictional surface  26  is clean, as detailed below. 
     The door apparatus  28  is disposed in the closed position to present the chamber  38  that encloses the pad  22 . The door apparatus  28  remains in the closed position until it is desired to use that workstation  14 . By maintaining the door apparatus  28  in the closed position until that workstation  14  is being used, particles  16  from operating other workstations  14  will not be able to settle on the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22  of the workstations  14  that are not in use. 
     Prior to opening the first door segment  30  and the second door segment  32 , it is desirable to determine whether particles  16  need to be removed from the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22 . The controller  100  is activated prior to opening the door apparatus  28 , and the controller  100  then analyzes the data collected about the particles  16  and determines whether the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22  is clean. If the controller  100  determines that the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22  is clean, then the door apparatus  28  may be opened to receive the part  12 . If the controller  100  determines that the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22  is not clean, then the door apparatus  28  does not open to receive the part  12 , and a cleaning process occurs. 
     To activate the controller  100  to start this process, in certain configurations, the activator  68  of the electric motor  70  may be activated. The electric motor  70  will not operate to open the door apparatus  28  until the controller  100  determines that the frictional surface  26  is clean by following the process below. 
     In other configurations, such as when the activator  68  is disposed on the shaft  74 , a separate activator  138  may be activated which is in communication with the controller  100 . The separate activator  138  is not connected to the activator  68  on the shaft  74 . The separate activator  138  may be a switch  72 B. The switch  72 B of the separate actuator  66  may be any suitable configuration, and non-limiting examples may include a button, a knob, a dial, a toggle, a touch surface, a lever, a motion detector, etc. In this configuration, an indicator  140  may be in communication with the controller  100 , and the indicator  140  is used to signal that the housing assembly  18  is ready to receive the part  12  when the controller  100  determines that the frictional surface  26  is clean by following the process below. The indicator  140  may be any suitable configuration, and non-limiting examples of the indicator  140  may include a visual indicator, a sound indicator, a sensory indicator, etc. When the indicator  140  indicates that the housing assembly  18  is ready to receive the part  12 , the part  12  engages the cap  96  of the shaft  74 , which causes the shaft  74  to move in the first direction and causes the door apparatus  28  to move to the open position. 
     Particles  16  on a macroscopic level and a microscopic level may be captured via the cleaning system  98 . For example, the image  130  may collect the data about the particles  16  on the macroscopic level. As another example, the sensor  128  of the vacuum  124  may collect the data about the particles  16  on the microscopic level. It is to be appreciated that in other configurations the image  130  may collect data about the particles  16  on the microscopic level, and the sensor  128  of the vacuum  124  may collect data about the particles  16  on the macroscopic level. 
     The image  130  of the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22  is collected while the door apparatus  28  is in the closed position. In certain configurations, collecting the image  130  may include collecting the image  130  via the camera  134 . Therefore, the camera  134  may be configured to collect images  130  of sufficient quality to identify the particles  16  on the macroscopic level and/or the microscopic level. The controller  100  determines when to activate the camera  134  to take one or more of the images  130 , and sends a signal to the camera  134  to take the images  130 . 
     Furthermore, the light  136  may be activated inside the chamber  38  to illuminate the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22  to assist the camera  134  in collecting the image  130 . As such, the light  136  may be activated before taking the image  130  of the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22 . The controller  100  determines when to activate the light  136 , and sends a signal to the light  136  to illuminate the chamber  38 . Therefore, the light  136  assists in providing images  130  of sufficient quality to be used via the controller  100  to determine whether the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22  is clean. 
     The collected image  130  of the frictional surface  26  is compared with a reference image  142  of the frictional surface  26  to determine whether particles  16  have been detected on the frictional surface  26  to be removed. The reference image  142  of the frictional surface  26  may be stored in the memory  102  of the controller  100  and accessed when that workstation  14  is to perform the manufacturing process. The reference image  142  may be an image of a clean frictional surface of the pad  22 . 
     The controller  100  may analyze and compare the collected image  130  with the reference image  142 . The controller  100  may determine whether the amount of particles  16  on the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22  is at the predetermined clean threshold by comparing the collected image  130  and the reference image  142 . Therefore, if the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22  meets the predetermined clean threshold, then the frictional surface  26  is clean, and the door apparatus  28  may move to the open position to receive the part  12 . If the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22  does not meet the predetermined clean threshold, then the method proceeds to cleaning the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22 . 
     To clean the frictional surface  26 , it is desirable to suspend the particles  16  inside the chamber  38  away from the frictional surface  26 . The fluid is directed at the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22  to move the particles  16  off of the frictional surface  26  and suspend the particles  16  inside of the chamber  38  when the particles  16  have been detected to be removed from the frictional surface  26 . In certain configurations, directing the fluid may include directing the fluid via the fluid applicator  106 . Therefore, the controller  100  activates the fluid applicator  106  to inject the fluid into the chamber  38 . If using the valve  118 , the controller  100  signals the valve  118  to open which allows the fluid to flow through the tube and out the outlets  122 . 
     Next, the suspended particles  16  are vacuumed out of the chamber  38 . In certain configurations, vacuuming the suspended particles  16  may include vacuuming the suspended particles  16  via the vacuum  124 . The particles  16 , with the fluid, are vacuumed out of the chamber  38  via the vacuum  124 . Therefore, the controller  100  activates the vacuum  124  to remove the fluid and the particles  16  from the chamber  38 . 
     The sensor  128  that is coupled to the vacuum  124  may detects the amount of the particles  16  being removed from the chamber  38 . Therefore, the amount of the particles  16  being vacuumed out of the chamber  38  is sensed, via the sensor  128 . The controller  100  collects the data from the sensor  128 , and the controller  100  determines when the amount of particles  16  reach the predetermined range. Once the predetermined range of the particles  16  is met, the controller  100  may shut off the fluid applicator  106  and the vacuum  124 . 
     Optionally, the optical assembly  132  may be reactivated after the fluid applicator  106  and the vacuum  124  is shut off. That is, the controller  100  may repeat the operation of taking one or more images  130  and comparing the images  130  to the reference image  142  to confirm that the frictional surface  26  of the pad  22  is clean. Once the controller  100  determines the frictional surface  26  is clean, the door apparatus  28  may be actuated to the open position. 
     If the controller  100  does not determine that the frictional surface  26  is clean, then the fluid applicator  106  may be reactivated to clean the frictional surface  26 , and the optical assembly  132  may be reactivated to determine whether the frictional surface  26  is clean. If the controller  100  still does not identify that the frictional surface  26  is clean, then a manual process to clean the frictional surface  26  may be necessary. 
     It is to be appreciated that the order or sequence of performing the method as discussed above is for illustrative purposes and other orders or sequences are within the scope of the present teachings. It is to also be appreciated that the method may include other features not specifically identified in the method discussion above. Furthermore, it is to be appreciated that  FIGS. 1, 2, 9, and 10  are general illustrations that may be suitable for any of the configurations discussed herein. 
     Aspects of the present disclosure have been described in detail with reference to the illustrated configurations. Those skilled in the art will recognize, however, that certain modifications may be made to the disclosed structure and/or methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The disclosure is also not limited to the precise construction and compositions disclosed herein. Modifications apparent from the foregoing descriptions are within the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the present concepts expressly include combinations and sub-combinations of the preceding elements and features.