Patent Publication Number: US-2021178435-A1

Title: Tool cleaning apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     A shop floor, especially in automotive sector, typically uses programmed robots for different operations. These robots may include an end-effector and a tool attached to the end-effector. Over a period of use, the tool may accumulate debris, which may clog certain parts of the tool and may limit further use of the tool. The debris may come from dust created during operations of the tool on work-piece(s). In some instances, the debris may be a result of dust generated from other manufacturing operations on the shop floor. The debris may impact the effectiveness of the tool and thereby, may result in reduced availability of the tool for additional operations cycles. 
     For example, a tool, such as a stud driver may typically accumulate dust during several tightening cycles. The dust may accumulate in certain parts of the stud driver and may cause tightening problems, for example, when studs are picked up to be tightened to an engine head. Typically, a human worker may be needed to clean the stud driver with a lubricant several times within working hours. The lubricant may clean some of the debris out of the stud driver but may allow a portion of the debris to stick together and stay inside the stud driver. Lubricants may mitigate the tightening problem by a certain factor but may require a lot of attention from human workers, which may increase a time and cost of maintenance as well as impact a speed of production on the shop floor. 
     Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of described systems with some aspects of the present disclosure, as set forth in the remainder of the present application and with reference to the drawings. 
     SUMMARY 
     An exemplary aspect of the disclosure provides a cleaning apparatus. The cleaning apparatus may include a support structure that may include a first base portion. The cleaning apparatus may further include a nozzle disposed on the first base portion of the support structure. The cleaning apparatus may further include circuitry that may be communicatively coupled to an electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism and a robot. The circuitry may be configured to determine a count of operation cycles of a tool coupled to an end-effector of the robot and instruct the robot to align the tool with the nozzle. The robot may be instructed based on a determination that the determined count is greater than or equal to a threshold number. The circuitry may be further configured to control the electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism based on whether the tool is aligned with the nozzle, to release a cleaning fluid through the nozzle for a first time-duration to clean the tool. 
     Another exemplary aspect of the disclosure provides a cleaning apparatus for cleaning a tool. The cleaning apparatus may include circuitry communicatively coupled to an electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism and a robot. The circuitry may be configured to determine a count of operation cycles of the tool coupled to an end-effector of the robot and instruct the robot to align the tool with a nozzle coupled to the electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism. The robot may be instructed based on a determination that the determined count is greater than or equal to a threshold number. The circuitry may be further configured to control the electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism based on whether the tool is aligned with the nozzle, to release a cleaning fluid through the nozzle for a first time-duration to clean the tool. 
     Another exemplary aspect of the disclosure provides a method for cleaning a tool. The method may include determining a count of operation cycles of the tool coupled to an end-effector of a robot and instructing the robot to align the tool with a nozzle coupled to an electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism. The robot may be instructed based on a determination that the determined count is greater than or equal to a threshold number. The method may further include controlling the electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism based on whether the tool is aligned with the nozzle, to release a cleaning fluid through the nozzle for a first time-duration to clean the tool. 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further disclosed in the detailed description of the present disclosure. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram that illustrates an exemplary cleaning apparatus for a tool, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an operation timeline of the exemplary cleaning apparatus of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C  are diagrams that collectively illustrate exemplary operations for automated cleanup of a tool by the exemplary cleaning apparatus of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram that illustrates an exemplary implementation of the cleaning apparatus of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C  are diagrams that collectively illustrate exemplary operations for automated cleanup of a tool by the cleaning apparatus of  FIG. 4 , in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram of the cleaning apparatus of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram that illustrates a PLC-based implementation of the cleaning apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart that illustrates an exemplary method for cleaning a tool, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the present disclosure, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, exemplary constructions of the preferred embodiment are shown in the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific methods and structures disclosed herein. The description of a method step or a structure referenced by a numeral in a drawing is applicable to the description of that method step or structure shown by that same numeral in any subsequent drawing herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following described implementations may provide a cleaning operation for a tool, for example, a stud driver. For the cleaning operation, the disclosure provides a cleaning apparatus, which may be used to clean the tool while the tool is coupled to an end-effector of a robot. The cleaning apparatus may include a support structure and a nozzle supported on a first base portion of the support structure. The support structure may have a substantially I-shaped profile or H-shaped profile to provide a stability to the cleaning apparatus. The cleaning apparatus may further include circuitry that may be communicatively coupled to an electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism and the robot. The cleaning apparatus may automatically determine a count of operation cycles of the tool and may instruct the robot to align the tool with the nozzle based on whether the determined count is greater than or equal to a threshold number, for example, 100 operation cycles. Once the tool is aligned with the nozzle, the cleaning apparatus may control the electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism to release a cleaning fluid through the nozzle to clean the tool. As the fluid may be released with a set pressure, the release may cause a removal of debris from all portions, especially the interior portion, of the tool. Also, as the tool may be thoroughly cleaned every time the tool completes a set number of operations cycles, the availability, reusability, and life of the tool may increase. As a result, total time and cost of maintenance may go down and productivity of workers may improve. Also, as the tool may be cleaned using a pressurized fluid, an overall cleaning time may be less than that of lubricant-based manual cleaning operation. Therefore, once cleaned, the tool can be quickly configured for next set of operation cycles. 
     In an exemplary implementation, the cleaning operation may use compressed air to clean the inside of a stud driver after a set number of tightening cycles, e.g., 100. In one embodiment, one tightening cycle may include installation of four studs into an engine head. The cleaning operation may also use robotics, a Programming Logic Controller (PLC), Human-Machine Interface (HMI), and pneumatics to clean the stud drivers with minimal human interaction. The cleaning operation may eliminate a need for human workers to manually clean the stud driver during work hours and may greatly reduce an amount of tightening problems which may usually occur when the stud driver accumulates debris. 
     Reference will now be made in detail to specific aspects or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, corresponding or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts. 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram that illustrates an exemplary cleaning apparatus for a tool, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. With reference to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an exemplary view  100  of a cleaning apparatus  102  and a tool  104  that may be coupled to an end-effector  106  of a robot  108 . The exemplary view  100  may be a part of a production or manufacturing environment, for example, a shop floor of a vehicle manufacturing plant. The cleaning apparatus  102  may include a support structure  110 , a nozzle  112 , and circuitry  114  communicatively coupled to the robot  108  and an electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism  116 . 
     The cleaning apparatus  102  may include provisions that may allow the cleaning apparatus  102  to control a cleaning operation of the tool  104  at specific intervals or after a certain number of operation cycles of the tool  104  based on rules or programmable control logic (e.g., in the form of computer-executable scripts, machine code, or instructions). In some embodiments, the cleaning apparatus  102  may be fixed adjacent to the tool  104  and during the cleaning operation, the tool  104  may be configured to be moved towards the cleaning apparatus  102 , so that, the cleaning apparatus  102  may clean the tool  104 . In other embodiments, the cleaning apparatus  102  may be moveably disposed adjacent to the tool  104  and during the cleaning operation, the cleaning apparatus  102  may be configured to move towards the tool  104 , so that, the cleaning apparatus  102  may clean the tool  104  while the tool  104 , end effector  106 , and/or the robot  108  stays at its current position. 
     The tool  104  may have a suitable structure, design, or a shape profile that may allow a first end  104   a  of the tool  104  to be coupled to the end-effector  106  and a second end  104   b  to remain free to operate on workpiece(s) or for assembly of two or more objects together for a set number of operation cycles. In at least one embodiment, the tool  104  may be implemented as a stud driver and the operation cycles of the tool  104  may correspond to tightening cycles, in which studs may be tightened to an engine head. Other implementations of the tool  104  may include, but are not limited to, a drilling tool, a chuck, a gripper tool, a turning tool, a milling tool, a bolting tool, or a riveting tool. In such an implementations, the tool  104  may be used for operations that such as, but not limited to, drilling, milling, turning, studding, screwing, bolting, or riveting, and the like. 
     The end-effector  106  may have a suitable structure, circuitry, or an interface that may be configured to control the movement of the tool  104  along a set degrees of freedom, for example, 6 degrees of freedom (6 DOF). For example, on instructions of the robot  108 , the end-effector  106  may maneuver the tool  104  towards the cleaning apparatus  102  and may align the tool  104  with the nozzle  112  of the cleaning apparatus  102  at set co-ordinates. The end-effector  106  may hold onto or grip the tool  104  by at least one of, a mechanical gripping means, a pneumatic suction means, or a magnetic means. 
     The robot  108  may have a suitable structure, circuitry, and interface that may be configured to control the end-effector  106  to maneuver and operate the tool  104  based on stored instructions for a set number of operation cycles. Additionally, the robot  108  may control the end-effector  106  to align the tool  104  with the nozzle  112  for a clean-up based on instructions from the cleaning apparatus  102  after the set number of operation cycles, e.g.,  100 , of the tool  104 . For example, in case the tool  104  is a stud driver, then the robot  108  may control the end-effector  106  to maneuver the stud driver to tighten studs for a set number of tightening cycles. Once the tool  104  completes a set number of tightening cycles, the robot  108  may be instructed to align the stud driver with the nozzle  112  of the cleaning apparatus  102 . 
     In an embodiment, the robot  108  may be an industrial robot that may be automated, programmable, and capable of movement on three or more axis. Although the present disclosure illustrates that a single end-effector is coupled to the robot  108 ; however, one skilled in the art will understand that the robot  108  may include more than one end-effector to control multiple tools (of a same or a different type) simultaneously or in particular order. 
     The support structure  110  may include a suitable structure and design that may allow the support structure to provide stability to different components of the cleaning apparatus  102  while supporting the weight of such components. The support structure  110  may include a first base portion  110   a , a second base portion  110   b  substantially parallel to the first base portion  110   a , and at least one pillar  110   c  that may extend between the first base portion  110   a  and the second base portion  110   b . In one embodiment, the stability provided by the support structure  110  may be achieved by arranging the pillar  110   c  perpendicular to the first base portion  110   a  and the second base portion  110   b . In such instances, the support structure  110  may be shaped to have a substantially I-shaped profile or H-shaped profile. 
     The first base portion  110   a  may have a substantially rectangular profile and may be configured to hold at least one nozzle, such as the nozzle  112 . The first base portion  110   a  may include a slot  110   d  to receive a conduit  118 . The conduit  118  may include a first end  118   a  and a second end  118   b . The first end  118   a  of the conduit  118  may be configured to be coupled to a mouth  112   a  of the nozzle  112  and the second end  118   b  of the conduit  118  may be configured to be coupled to a port  116   a  of the electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism  116 . 
     The second base portion  110   b  may also have a substantially rectangular profile and may include at least one fastener  120  through which the second base portion  110   b  may be affixed to a work floor  122 . Alternatively, in at least one embodiment, the second base portion  110   b  may be configured to be moveable on the work floor  122  through a guide rail (as shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C ) or other moveable mechanism, such as a robot (not shown). Although, in  FIG. 1 , the first base portion  110   a  and the second base portion  110   b  are shown to have substantially rectangular profiles; however, one skilled in that art will understand that both the first base portion  110   a  and the second base portion  110   b  may have any other structural profile, such as, but not limited to a circular profile or a square profile. 
     The pillar  110   c  may have a substantially rectangular profile and may be configured to support the first base portion  110   a  and the second base portion  110   b . The pillar  110   c  may be disposed substantially perpendicular to the first base portion  110   a  and the second base portion  110   b . In  FIG. 1 , the pillar  110   c  is shown to have a substantially rectangular profile; however, one skilled in that art will understand that the pillar  110   c  may have any other structural profile, such as, but not limited to a circular profile or a square profile, or a frustoconical profile. 
     The nozzle  112  may have a suitable structure and design that may allow the nozzle  112  to eject the cleaning fluid at a required pressure towards the tool  104  when the tool  104  is aligned and/or engaged with the nozzle  112 . The nozzle  112  may be disposed on the slot  110   d  of the first base portion  110   a , with the mouth  112   a  configured to engage with the first end  118   a  of the conduit  118 . As shown, for example, the nozzle  112  may be vertically disposed onto the first base portion  110   a . The conduit  118  may provide a passage to the cleaning fluid to flow from a source (e.g., a pressurized fluid tank or an air pump) and towards the nozzle  112 . In at least one embodiment, the nozzle  112  may have a substantially cylindrical structure having a plurality of holes  112   b  disposed at least radially on the substantially cylindrical structure of the nozzle  112 . Each hole of the plurality of holes  112   b  that may be radially formed on the cylindrical structure may allow the nozzle  112  to uniformly release the cleaning fluid for removal of debris accumulated on the tool, especially from an interior portion  104   c  of the tool  104 . The plurality of holes  112   b  may be disposed at strategically spaced intervals to improve the flow of the cleaning fluid and for a thorough removal of the debris from the tool  104 . In at least one embodiment, the nozzle  112  may be configured to extend from the conduit  118  as an integral part of the conduit  118 . In such an implementation, the first end  118   a  of the conduit  118  may be integrally formed as the nozzle (not shown) and may include holes that may be radially disposed on external surface of the conduit  118 . 
     The circuitry  114  may be configured to execute program instructions associated with different operations to be executed by the cleaning apparatus  102 . The circuitry  114  may include one or more specialized processing units, which may be implemented as an integrated processor or a cluster of processors that perform the functions of the one or more specialized processing units, collectively. The circuitry  114  may be implemented based on a number of processor technologies known in the art. In an exemplary implementation, the circuitry  114  may be implemented as a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) which may be a computing system configured to control operations of the cleaning apparatus  102 . Other implementations of the circuitry  114  may include, for example, an x86-based processor, a Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) processor, an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) processor, a Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC) processor, a microcontroller, a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a co-processor, a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), and/or a combination thereof. 
     In at least one embodiment, the circuitry  114  may be communicatively coupled to a counter  124  which may be configured to determine a count of operation cycles of the tool  104 . Alternatively, the counter  124  may be a computer-executable program, stored in memory on one of: the cleaning apparatus  102  or the robot  108  and may be configured to store the count of operation cycles of the tool  104 . 
     In at least one embodiment, the cleaning apparatus  102  may include the electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism  116 . The electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism  116  may have a suitable structure, circuitry, design, and/or interface that may be configured to control the release of the cleaning fluid through the nozzle  112  based on the instructions/control signals received from the circuitry  114 . The cleaning fluid may be one of: a compressed gas (for example, compressed air) or a cleaning liquid. 
     By way of example, and not limitation, the electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism  116  may include a directional control valve that may be coupled to a fluid resource (as described in  FIG. 6 ). The fluid resource may be a liquid reservoir or a compressed gas reservoir. Based on control signals/instruction from the circuitry  114 , the directional control valve may be actuated to control the release of the cleaning fluid from the port  116   a  and through the nozzle  112 . By way of another example, and not limitation, the electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism  116  may include an air pump and a solenoid-based actuator that may be coupled to the air pump and the circuitry  114 . Based on control signals/instruction from the circuitry  114 , the solenoid-based actuator may control the air pump to draw air from the surrounding and pass compressed air through the nozzle  112  at a pressure which may be desirable for the clean-up of the tool. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the circuitry  114  may be communicatively coupled to a Human-Machine Interface (HMI)  126 . The HMI  126  may include suitable logic, circuitry, and interface that may be configured to provide an Input/output (I/O) interface between a human operator and the cleaning apparatus  102 . The HMI  126  may include at least one input device and/or at least one output device. Examples of the input device may include, but is not limited to, a touch screen, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a microphone, a gesture controller, an image sensor and/or other variants of input devices. Examples of the output device may include, but is not limited to, a display screen (such as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display), a haptic device, and/or a speaker. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an operation timeline of the exemplary cleaning apparatus of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 2  is explained in conjunction with elements from  FIG. 1 . With reference to  FIG. 2 , there is shown an operation timeline  200  which depicts different phases of operation of the cleaning apparatus  102 . The circuitry  114  may control the operation of the cleaning apparatus  102  in such phases, as described herein. 
     In an initial phase  202 , the circuitry  114  may determine a count of operation cycles of the tool  104 . In an exemplary embodiment, the tool  104  may be in a default operation position and the circuitry  114  may instruct the robot  108  to proceed with a preset operation of the tool  104 . The count of the operation cycles may start from T 0  and proceed till T 1  seconds. The counter  124  may store the count of operation cycles from T 0  till T 1  (in seconds). At T 1 , the count of operation cycles may equal or exceed the threshold number (e.g., 100) and the circuitry  114  may instruct the robot  108  to align the tool  104  with the nozzle  112  of the cleaning apparatus  102 . 
     In an alignment phase  204 , the robot  108  may control the end-effector  106  to align the tool  104  with the nozzle  112  of the cleaning apparatus  102 . The alignment phase  204  may start from T 1  and may continue till T 2  (in seconds). 
     In an engagement phase  206 , while the tool  104  is aligned with the nozzle  112 , the circuitry  114  may instruct the robot  108  to move the tool  104  to engage with the nozzle  112 . The engagement phase  206  may start from T 2  and may proceed till T 3  (in seconds). For example, after aligning the tool  104  with the nozzle  112  at T 2 , the robot  108  may move the tool  104  so that the tool  104  engages with the nozzle  112  at T 3 . Upon engagement of the tool  104  with the nozzle  112 , a control phase  208  may be initialized. 
     In the control phase  208 , the circuitry  114  may control the electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism  116  to release the cleaning fluid through the nozzle  112  from T 3  and till T 4  (e.g., 2 seconds) to clean the tool  104 . Here, the difference (T 4 −T 3 ) may be equal to a first time duration for which the cleaning fluid may be released to clean the nozzle  112 . The release of the cleaning fluid may cause removal of the debris accumulated in the tool  104 , especially in the interior portion  104   c  of the tool  104 . After the cleaning fluid is released from T 3  and till T 4 , the circuitry  114  may control the electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism  116  to stop the release of the cleaning fluid through the nozzle  112 . 
     In a reset phase  210 , the circuitry  114  may reset the counter  124  to a default count value (e.g., 0) after the cleaning fluid is released from T 3  and till T 4 . Once the counter  124  is reset, the circuitry  114  may instruct the robot  108  to maneuver and place the tool  104  in the default position. When the tool  104  is at the default position, the circuitry  114  may instruct the robot  108  to resume a preset operation of the tool  104  for a next set of operation cycles. 
     In at least one embodiment, a human user (e.g., an operator) may be able to override the reset phase  210  or any other phase by providing a user input via the HMI  126 . The circuitry  114  may be communicatively coupled to the HMI  126  and may receive the user input through the HMI  126 . In an exemplary embodiment, based on the received user input, the circuitry  114  may instruct the robot  108  to stop the preset operation of the tool  104  and align back the tool  104  with the nozzle  112 . Based on whether the tool  104  is aligned with the nozzle  112 , the circuitry  114  may control the electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism  116  to release the cleaning fluid through the nozzle  112  for a first time duration (similar to T 4 −T 3 ) to clean the tool  104 . 
       FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C  are diagrams that collectively illustrate exemplary operations for automated cleanup of a tool by the exemplary cleaning apparatus of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.  FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C  are explained in conjunction with elements from  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . With reference to  FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C , exemplary operations are illustrated using a sequence of relative configurations of the cleaning apparatus  102  and the tool  104 . The sequence of configurations may include an initial configuration  302 , an alignment configuration  304 , and an engaged configuration  306 . 
     In the initial configuration  302 , the robot  108  may be positioned adjacent to the cleaning apparatus  102  while the tool  104  is coupled to the end-effector  106  of the robot  108 . In accordance with a preset operation of the tool  104 , the robot  108  may control the end-effector  106  to operate the tool  104  for a number of operation cycles of the tool  104 . While the robot  108  operates the tool  104 , the circuitry  114  may determine a count of operation cycles of the tool  104 . For example, the circuitry  114  may use the counter  124  to store the count of operation cycles. In some instances, the robot  108  may be programmed to periodically share the count of operation cycles with the circuitry  114 , via a message signal. The circuitry  114  may determine whether the determined count of operation cycles is greater than or equal to a threshold number, for example, 100 operation cycles. In case the determined count is greater than or equal to the threshold number, the circuitry  114  may instruct the robot  108  to stop a preset operation (e.g., tightening operation or other tool-related operations) of the tool  104  and align the tool  104  with the nozzle  112  of the cleaning apparatus  102 . 
     In the alignment configuration  304 , the robot  108  may align the tool  104  with the nozzle  112  of the cleaning apparatus  102  based on instructions received from the circuitry  114 . Specifically, the robot  108  may control the end-effector  106  to maneuver the tool  104  from a default position  304   a  to a desirable position  304   b , where the tool  104  may be aligned with the nozzle  112 . Herein, as the nozzle  112  is shown to be vertically disposed on the first base portion  110   a , the end-effector  106  of the robot  108  may extend along a first direction  304   c  to vertically align the tool  104  with the nozzle  112 . By way of example, and not limitation, when the tool  104  is a stud driver, the threshold number of tightening cycles may be set to 100. If the count of tightening cycles exceeds or equals hundred tightening cycles, the end-effector  106  may maneuver the stud driver so that the stud driver is aligned with the nozzle  112 . 
     In some embodiments, the circuitry  114  may determine whether the tool  104  is aligned with the nozzle  112 . For example, a proximity sensor or camera unit (not shown) may be installed next to the nozzle  112  on the support structure  110 . When the proximity sensor or the camera unit detects that the tool  104  is at the desirable position  304   b  with respect to a position of the nozzle  112 , a message may be shared with the circuitry  114  to indicate that the tool  104  is aligned with the nozzle  112 . Alternatively, upon alignment, the robot  108  may generate a message which may be shared with the circuitry  114  to indicate that the tool  104  is aligned with the nozzle  112 . Based on a determination that the tool  104  is aligned with the nozzle  112 , the circuitry  114  may control the electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism  116  to release a cleaning fluid through the nozzle  112  for a first time-duration (for example, for 2 seconds) to clean the tool  104 . 
     In the engaged configuration  306 , the circuitry  114  may instruct the robot  108  to move the tool  104  to engage with the nozzle  112  while the tool  104  is aligned with the nozzle  112 . Based on instructions from the circuitry  114 , the end-effector  106  of the robot  108  may extend along a second direction  306   a  to engage (or mate) the tool  104  with the nozzle  112 . For example, as shown, the tool  104  partially encloses the nozzle  112  of the cleaning apparatus  102  in the engaged configuration  306 . Upon alignment and engagement with the nozzle  112 , the circuitry  114  may control the electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism  116  to release the cleaning fluid through the nozzle  112  for the first time-duration (for example, 2 seconds) to clean the tool  104 . In such a configuration, the interior portion  104   c  of the tool  104  may enclose the plurality of holes  112   b  radially disposed on the nozzle  112 . As the interior portion  104   c  may accumulate a larger portion of the debris, the release of the cleaning fluid may cause a removal of debris accumulated in the interior portion  104   c  of the tool  104 . 
     After the cleaning fluid is released for the first time-duration, the circuitry  114  may control the electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism  116  to stop the release of the cleaning fluid through the nozzle  112  and reset the counter  124  to a default count value (for example, 0). Once the counter  124  is reset to the default count value, the circuitry  114  may instruct the robot  108  to place back the tool  104  at the default position  304   a  and resume the preset operation of the tool  104  for a next set of operation cycles based on a determination that the tool  104  is placed at the default position  304   a.    
     In certain scenarios, a human operator may be able to manually override the preset operation of the tool  104  to initiate the cleaning operation for the tool  104 . The operator may trigger the cleaning operation by providing a user input through the HMI  126 . The circuitry  114  may receive the user input through the HMI  126 . Based on the received user input, the circuitry  114  may instruct the robot  108  to stop the preset operation of the tool  104 . Upon stopping the preset operation of the tool  104 , the circuitry  114  may instruct the robot  108  to align the tool  104  with the nozzle  112 . Based on whether the tool  104  is aligned with the nozzle  112 , the circuitry  114  may control the electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism  116  to release the cleaning fluid through the nozzle  112  for the first time-duration to clean the tool  104 . 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram that illustrates an exemplary implementation of the cleaning apparatus of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 4  is explained in conjunction with elements from  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 , and  FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C . With reference to  FIG. 4 , there is shown an exemplary implementation  400  of the cleaning apparatus  102 . In the exemplary implementation  400 , the cleaning apparatus  102  may include an electronically-controlled driving mechanism  402  that may be coupled to the support structure  110 . The support structure  110  may be mounted on a guide rail  404 . By way of example, and not limitation, the electronically-controlled driving mechanism  402  may include a linear actuator (not shown) disposed on the second base portion  110   b  of the support structure  110  and slidably mounted on the guide rail  404 . 
     The guide rail  404  may include a set of lifting members  406   a ,  406   b ,  406   c , and  406   d  which may be electronically-controlled to vertically lift the support structure  110 . The electronically-controlled driving mechanism  402  may be responsible for a controlled movement of the support structure  110  horizontally along the guide rail  404  and/or vertically towards the tool  104 . 
       FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C  are diagrams that collectively illustrate exemplary operations for automated cleanup of a tool by the cleaning apparatus of  FIG. 4 , in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.  FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C  are explained in conjunction with elements from  FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, 3B, 3C, and 4 . With reference to  FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C , exemplary operations are illustrated using a sequence of relative configurations of the cleaning apparatus  102  of  FIG. 4  and the tool  104 . The sequence of configurations may include an initial configuration  502 , an alignment configuration  504 , and an engaged configuration  506 . 
     In the initial configuration  502 , the robot  108  may be positioned adjacent to the cleaning apparatus  102  while the tool  104  is coupled to the end-effector  106  of the robot  108 . The robot  108  may control the end-effector  106  to operate the tool  104  for a number of operation cycles. While the robot  108  operates the tool  104 , the circuitry  114  may determine a count of operation cycles of the tool  104 . In case the determined count of the operation cycles is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the circuitry  114  may control the electronically-controlled driving mechanism  402  to move the support structure  110  on the guide rail  404  to reach a position  502   a  that is directly below the tool  104 . 
     In the alignment configuration  504 , the support structure  110  is shown to have moved on the guide rail  404  along a first direction  504   a  to vertically align the nozzle  112  with the tool  104 . In the engaged configuration  506 , the circuitry  114  may control the electronically-controlled driving mechanism  402  to maneuver the support structure  110  so that the nozzle  112  engages with the tool  104  while the nozzle  112  is vertically aligned with the tool  104 . For example, the electronically-controlled driving mechanism  402  may control the set of lifting members  406   a ,  406   b ,  406   c , and  406   d  to vertically lift the support structure  110  so that the nozzle  112  may engage with the tool  104 . As shown, in the engaged configuration  506 , the set of lifting members  406   a ,  406   b ,  406   c , and  406   d  vertically lift the support structure  110  along a second direction  506   a  to engage the nozzle  112  with the tool  104 . 
     Upon alignment and engagement of the nozzle  112  with the tool  104 , the circuitry  114  may control the electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism  116  to release the cleaning fluid through the nozzle  112  for the first time-duration to clean the tool  104 . After the cleaning fluid is released for the first time-duration, the circuitry  114  may control the electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism  116  to stop the release of the cleaning fluid through the nozzle  112  and reset the counter  124  to a default count value of 0. Once the counter  124  is reset, the circuitry  114  may instruct the cleaning apparatus  102  to maneuver and place the support structure  110  back to a default position  508 , i.e. as also illustrated in the initial configuration  502 . Upon reaching the default position  508 , the circuitry  114  may instruct the robot  108  to resume the preset operation of the tool  104  for a next set of operation cycles. 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram of the cleaning apparatus of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 6  is explained in conjunction with elements from  FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4, 5A, 5B, and 5C . With reference to  FIG. 6 , there is shown a block diagram  600  of the cleaning apparatus  102 . The cleaning apparatus  102  may include the circuitry  114  to control the release of the cleaning fluid from a fluid resource  602 . The cleaning apparatus  102  may further include a memory  604  and a network interface  606 . The network interface  606  may communicate through a communication network  608  with external networking devices, such as the robot  108 . 
     The fluid resource  602  may be configured to act as a source of the cleaning fluid and may include an air pump, a water pump, a liquid tank, a compressed gas tank, and the like. Each of the compressed gas tank or the liquid tank may be coupled to an electronically-actuated valve of the electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism  116 . 
     The memory  604  may include suitable logic, circuitry, and interfaces that may be configured to store the program instructions which may be executable by the circuitry  114 . Examples of the implementation of the memory  604  may include, but are not limited to, Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Hard Disk Drive (HDD), a Solid-State Drive (SSD), a CPU cache, and/or a Secure Digital (SD) card. In at least one embodiment, the memory  604  may include a counter  610  (such as the counter  124 ) that may be configured to store a count of operation cycles of the tool  104 . For example, in case of a stud driver, the counter  610  may count and store a number of tightening cycles (e.g.,  4  studs per cycle). The memory  604  may also store information associated with a threshold number of operation cycles, based on which the cleaning operation may be triggered. 
     The network interface  606  may include suitable logic, circuitry, and interfaces that may be configured to facilitate a communication between the circuitry  114 , the robot  108 , and the electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism  116  via the communication network  608 . The network interface  606  may be implemented by use of various known technologies to support wired or wireless communication of the cleaning apparatus  102  via the communication network  608 . The network interface  606  may include, but is not limited to, an antenna, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver, one or more amplifiers, a tuner, one or more oscillators, a digital signal processor, a coder-decoder (CODEC) chipset, a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, or a local buffer circuitry. 
     The network interface  606  may be configured to communicate via wireless communication with networks, such as the Internet, an Intranet or a wireless network, such as a cellular telephone network, a wireless local area network (LAN), and a metropolitan area network (MAN). The wireless communication may use one or more of a plurality of communication standards, protocols and technologies, such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), Bluetooth, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) (such as IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g or IEEE 802.11n), voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), light fidelity (Li-Fi), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wi-MAX), a protocol for email, instant messaging, and a Short Message Service (SMS). 
     The communication network  608  may include a communication medium through which the cleaning apparatus  102 , the end-effector  106 , the robot  108 , and the electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism  116  may communicate with each other. The communication network  608  may be one of: a wired connection or a wireless connection. Examples of the communication network  608  may include, but are not limited to, the Internet, a cloud network, a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) network, a Personal Area Network (PAN), a Local Area Network (LAN), or a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN). 
     Components of the cleaning apparatus  102 , the robot  108 , and the electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism  116  may be configured to connect to the communication network  608  in accordance with various wired and wireless communication protocols. Examples of such wired and wireless communication protocols may include, but are not limited to, at least one of a Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Zig Bee, EDGE, IEEE 802.11, light fidelity (Li-Fi), 802.16, IEEE 802.11s, IEEE 802.11g, multi-hop communication, wireless access point (AP), device to device communication, cellular communication protocols, and Bluetooth (BT) communication protocols. 
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram that illustrates a PLC-based implementation of the cleaning apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 7  is explained in conjunction with elements from  FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4, 5A, 5B, and 5C . With reference to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a block diagram  700  of the cleaning apparatus  102 . The cleaning apparatus  102  may include a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)  702  and a network interface  704 . The PLC  702  may be an exemplary implementation of the circuitry  114  in a manufacturing environment, for example, an automobile manufacturing plant. The PLC  702  may be communicatively coupled to at least one of the robot  108 , the end-effector  106  of the robot  108 , the electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism  116 , a fluid resource  706 , and/or the HMI  126 , via the network interface  704 . 
     The PLC  702  may include suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and code that may be configured to control operations associated with a clean-up of the tool  104 . The PLC  702  may include a dedicated CPU and an I/O interface to communicate with the robot  108 , the end-effector  106  of the robot  108 , the electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism  116 , the fluid resource  706 , and/or the HMI  126 . The PLC  702  may also include additional components, such as a timer program or a timer circuit, a counter program or a counter circuit, and/or a persistent/non-persistent data storage. Details of the additional components are omitted from the disclosure for the sake of brevity. 
     The network interface  704  may be configured to communicate via wireless communication with networks, such as the Internet, an Intranet or a wireless network, such as a cellular telephone network, a wireless local area network (LAN), and a metropolitan area network (MAN). The wireless communication may use one or more of a plurality of communication standards, protocols and technologies, such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), Bluetooth, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) (such as IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g or IEEE 802.11n), voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), light fidelity (Li-Fi), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wi-MAX), a protocol for email, instant messaging, and a Short Message Service (SMS). 
     The fluid resource  702  may be configured to act as a source of the cleaning fluid and may include an air pump, a water pump, a liquid tank, a compressed gas tank, and the like. Each of the compressed gas tank or the liquid tank may be coupled to an electronically-actuated valve of the electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism  116 . In case the fluid resource  702  is an air pump, the electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism  116  may include a solenoid-based actuator coupled to the air pump. 
     For the cleaning operation, the PLC  702  may first start by counting the operation cycles of the tool  104  which may be attached the end-effector  106  of the robot  108 . When the counter of the PLC  702  may reach a threshold number, such as a hundred, the PLC  702  may send a signal to the robot  108 , instructing the robot to align the tool  104  with the nozzle  112 . The robot  108  may control the end-effector  106  to move the tool  104  into multiple positions until the tool  104  is over the nozzle  112 . The tool  104  may include holes through its cross section to clean majority of the surface area inside the tool  104 . When the tool  104  is over the nozzle  112  and is well aligned, the robot  108  may send a signal to the PLC  702  to send command to the electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism  116  to release the cleaning fluid for a first time duration, for example, 2 seconds. For example, the command may be provided to the solenoid-based actuator to control the air pump to release air from the nozzle  112  for two seconds. Thereafter, The PLC  702  may send another command to the electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism  116  to stop releasing the cleaning fluid and to reset the counter. Then, the PLC  702  may send a signal to the robot  108  to move to a home position (i.e. a default position). As the counter is reset after the cleaning operation, the preset operation of the tool  104  may resume for a next set of operation cycles. The cleaning operation may be repeated every time the count of the operation cycles exceeds the threshold number. 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart that illustrates an exemplary method for cleaning a tool, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 8  is explained in conjunction with elements from  FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4, 5A, 5B, 5C, 6, and 7 . With reference to  FIG. 8 , there is shown a flowchart  800  that depicts a method of cleaning the tool  104  of  FIG. 1 . The method illustrated in the flowchart  800  may start from  802 . 
     At  802 , a count of operation cycles of the tool  104  may be determined. In an embodiment, the circuitry  114  may determine the count of operation cycles of the tool  104 . 
     At  804 , the robot  108  may be instructed to align the tool  104  with the nozzle  112  based on a determination that the determined count is greater than or equal to a threshold number. In an embodiment, the circuitry  114  may instruct the robot  108  to align the tool  104  with the nozzle  112  coupled to the electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism  116 . 
     At  806 , the electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism  116  may be controlled based on whether the tool  104  is aligned with the nozzle  112  to release a cleaning fluid through the nozzle  112  for the first time-duration to clean the tool  104 . In an embodiment, the circuitry  114  may control the electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism  116  to release the cleaning fluid through the nozzle  112  for the first time-duration to clean the tool  104 . Control may pass to end. 
     The flowchart  800  is illustrated as discrete operations, such as  802 ,  804 , and  806 . However, in certain embodiments, such discrete operations may be further divided into additional operations, combined into fewer operations, or eliminated, depending on the implementation without detracting from the essence of the disclosed embodiments. 
     Various embodiments of the disclosure may provide a non-transitory computer readable medium and/or storage medium having stored thereon, instructions executable by a machine and/or a computer to operate a cleaning apparatus for a tool. The instructions may cause the machine and/or computer to perform operations that include determining a count of operation cycles of the tool coupled to an end-effector of a robot. The operations further include instructing the robot to align the tool with a nozzle coupled to an electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism. The robot may be instructed based on a determination that the determined count is greater than or equal to a threshold number. The operations further include controlling the electronically-actuated fluid release mechanism based on whether the tool is aligned with the nozzle, to release a cleaning fluid through the nozzle for a first time-duration to clean the tool. 
     For the purposes of the present disclosure, expressions such as “including”, “comprising”, “incorporating”, “consisting of”, “have”, “is” used to describe and claim the present disclosure are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural. Further, all joinder references (e.g., attached, affixed, coupled, connected, and the like) are only used to aid the reader&#39;s understanding of the present disclosure, and may not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the systems and/or methods disclosed herein. Therefore, joinder references, if any, are to be construed broadly. Moreover, such joinder references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected to each other. 
     The foregoing description of embodiments and examples has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the forms described. Numerous modifications are possible considering the above teachings. Some of those modifications have been discussed and others will be understood by those skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described for illustration of various embodiments. The scope is, of course, not limited to the examples or embodiments set forth herein but can be employed in any number of applications and equivalent devices by those of ordinary skill in the art. Rather it is hereby intended the scope be defined by the claims appended hereto. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments. 
     The present disclosure may be realized in hardware, or a combination of hardware and software. The present disclosure may be realized in a centralized fashion, in at least one computer system, or in a distributed fashion, where different elements may be spread across several interconnected computer systems. A computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein may be suited. A combination of hardware and software may be a general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, when loaded and executed, may control the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein. The present disclosure may be realized in hardware that comprises a portion of an integrated circuit that also performs other functions. It may be understood that, depending on the embodiment, some of the steps described above may be eliminated, while other additional steps may be added, and the sequence of steps may be changed. 
     The present disclosure may also be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features that enable the implementation of the methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods. Computer program, in the present context, means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system with an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly, or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different material form. While the present disclosure has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments that fall within the scope of the appended claims.