DEVICE FOR FEEDING TUFTS OF BRISTLES, METHOD FOR OPERATING SAID DEVICE AND BRUSH MANUFACTURING MACHINE

Abstract

A brush manufacturing device (1) for feeding tufts of bristles (2) to receiving openings (3) in a target plate (4) is provided, The device includes at least one sensor (7). The sensor allows to monitor the force which a sliding drive (5) of the device (1) applies to at least one sliding pin (6) of the device (1).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a 371 National Phase of PCT/EP2021/075409, filed Sep. 16, 2021, which claims priority from German Patent Application No. 10 2020 133 115.0, filed Dec. 11, 2020, both of which are incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a device for feeding bristle bundles into receiving openings in target plates, comprising at least one sliding drive and at least one sliding pin for inserting a bristle bundle into a receiving opening of a target plate. In addition, the invention also relates to a brush-producing machine having a device of this kind, and to a method for operating a device for feeding bristle bundles into receiving openings in target plates, comprising at least one sliding drive and at least one sliding pin for inserting a bristle bundle into a receiving opening in a target plate.

BACKGROUND

With devices of the kind referred to above, bristle bundles can be inserted individually, or also into groups, into receiving openings in a target plate. The target plates equipped with bristle bundles may act as auxiliary means with which the bristle bundles can be fed to further processing steps which are to be carried out in order to produce the brush. It is also possible, however, to equip such target plates with devices of this kind with bristle bundles which themselves are intended to be part of a brush.

From the publications DE 92 03 928 U1, DE 103 12 016 A1 and DE 10 2017 123 007 A1, different devices and process for manufacturing brushes and/or brushes are previously known. All of these devices have tamping tools on, with which bundles of bristles together with fastening anchors can be individually stuffed into brush bodies. The known devices are equipped with sensors that allow monitoring of the working pressure exerted on the so-called rams of the tamping tools in order to determine damage to the rams already when stuffing the bristle bundles or recognizable after the stuffing, and measure a ram pressure in the dead center near the brush body and allow a sufficiently tight tolerance to be controlled, or even to detect a fracture of the ram.

SUMMARY

The problem addressed by the invention is that of providing a device, a brush-producing machine, and a method of the kind referred to above, by means of which the production of brushes can be simplified.

In order to solve the problem, a device of the kind referred to above is initially proposed, which has the means and features disclosed herein directed at a device of this kind. In particular, in order to solve the problem, a device for feeding bristle bundles into receiving openings in target plates with at least one sliding drive and at least one sliding pin for inserting a bristle bundle into a receiving opening in a target plate is therefore proposed, which is characterized in that the device has at least one sensor, by means of which a force transmitted by the sliding drive to the at least one sliding pin can be determined at least indirectly. The at least one sensor may, for example, be a force sensor and/or a pressure sensor. The at least one sensor may be a piezo-force transducer. A sensor of this kind is set up for the precise measurement of tensile and compressive forces in the highest resolution.

In this way, a device for feeding bristle bundles is created which makes it possible for the force transferred from the sliding drive to the sliding pin to be monitored. It has emerged that force is a process parameter in the operation of a device of this kind which allows inferences to be drawn about various factors that can influence the process quality. The force to be applied when operating the device may, for example, allow inferences to be drawn about the state of the device, about the bristle bundles to be inserted using the device, and/or about the insertion process. It is therefore possible to influence a brush production process in a targeted manner depending on the force determined using the at least one sensor.

If, for example, an increased force can be detected at the beginning of the adjustment travel of the at least one sliding pin, this may indicate that the device is contaminated and needs cleaning. Furthermore, it is possible in this case for the at least one sliding pin and/or a guide for the sliding pin to be contaminated and/or worn. An increased force in a rear or final region of the adjustment travel may indicate, for example, that the inserted bristle bundle is too long and is therefore already positioned against a limit stop of the device. An increase in the force which is detected in a rear or final region of the adjustment travel and which exceeds a normal increase can therefore provide the impetus for monitoring an upstream process for producing the bristle bundles and, if appropriate, adapting a length of the bristle bundles to be inserted. In order to be able to detect an unusual increase in the force, it may be advantageous for the force to be compared with a force/path profile which has been previously determined under ideal conditions. A force/path profile of this kind can be taken into account as a reference value for a corresponding assessment of the force.

Furthermore, it is possible to deactivate the device automatically when it is determined with the help of the at least one sensor that the force has reached or exceeded a permissible maximum value. This maximum value may be used as a reference value. For this purpose, the device may have a control unit which is set up for the automatic deactivation of the device, in particular of the at least one sliding drive, and is explained in greater detail below.

According to a preferred embodiment, the device has at least one linear measuring unit. With the help of the linear measuring unit, it is possible to determine the adjustment travel of the at least one sliding pin. A linear measuring unit can preferably be assigned to each sensor of the device.

If the device has at least one linear measuring unit, it is possible with the help of the at least one sensor and the at least one linear measuring unit to create a force/path profile diagram which can benefit the analyses and evaluations already indicated previously, and also the measures derived therefrom.

If, on inserting at least one bundle, the force quickly rises or falls, this may allow inferences to be drawn about a filling level of the bristle bundle. In this context, filling level can be understood to mean a number of bristle filaments per bristle bundle. Also during no-load operation, in other words when no bristle bundles are being inserted into the target plate with the help of the device, but instead the sliding pin is moved without bristle bundles, the force which can be measured may indicate contamination of the device and/or a degree of wear of the device.

If an increase in force can be determined at the beginning of the adjustment travel/sliding path of the sliding pin, this may indicate that a cutting device with which the bristle bundles are separated has become blunt. A replacement and/or re-sharpening of the upstream cutting device, in particular of a cutting blade of an upstream cutting device, may then be indicated and initiated. It may also be expedient for the force to be monitored with the help of the at least one sensor when the at least one sliding pin of the device is withdrawn. Inferences can be drawn in relation to contamination and/or wear of the device based on a force/path profile which can be recorded during the withdrawal of the sliding pins.

In one embodiment of the device, the at least one sensor is arranged in the force-fit direction between the sliding drive and the at least one sliding pin. This can benefit the accuracy of the force measurement. The force transmitted by the sliding drive to the at least one sliding pin then runs directly through the sensor.

The device according to the invention may have at least one pin package with a plurality of sliding pins. In this way, it is possible for a plurality of bristle bundles to be inserted simultaneously into receiving openings in a target plate. This can increase the efficiency of the device. In this case, a pin package may have a number of sliding pins which correspond in terms of number and arrangement to receiving openings in a source plate and/or a target plate for bristle bundles of a bundle group.

The device may have a source plate. At least one receiving opening for a bristle bundle may be present in a source plate. In this way, the source plate can be used as an auxiliary means for feeding bristle bundles to the device and holding them in readiness. With the help of the at least one sliding pin of the device, a bristle bundle held in readiness in the source plate can be transferred from said source plate into a receiving opening in a target plate held in readiness.

The device may have at least one pin guide, for example a pin guide plate, which is arranged between the sliding drive and a source plate of the device, as already previously mentioned for example. With the help of the pin guide, it is possible to guide the at least one sliding pin of the device precisely. Furthermore, the at least one sliding pin of the device can be arranged so as to be well-protected within the pin guide in the starting position.

In order to be able to adjust at least two sliding pins, in particular at least two pin packages of the device, using a sliding drive, it may be advantageous for the device to have a coupling means, in particular a coupling plate. Through this coupling means, a movement of at least two sliding pins, in particular of at least two pin packages, can be coupled to one another. A coupling means of this kind also facilitates synchronous insertion of a plurality of bristle bundles.

The at least one sliding drive of the device may be a hydraulic, pneumatic or electromechanical linear drive, for example.

In a preferred embodiment which favors a particularly accurate monitoring of the force, it is provided that the device for each sliding drive has at least one sensor in each case.

In the case of devices which are provided for the insertion of different types of bristle bundles into receiving openings in a target plate, it may be expedient for the device to have at least one sensor for each type of sliding pin. At this point, it should be mentioned that the device for each type of bristle bundle may also have its own type of sliding pin adapted to the type of bristle bundle. The different types of sliding pins may differ from one another in terms of their shape, for example. In order to be able to carry out an accurate analysis of the force for a single type of sliding pin, it is advantageous for the device to have at least one sensor for each type of sliding pin. Hence, for example, the degree of wear of a sliding pin of a given type or of a given nature can be monitored.

In order to strengthen an output signal from the at least one sensor for evaluation and use in controlling the device, it may be advantageous for an amplifier to be assigned to the at least one sensor. A digital industrial charge amplifier may be used as the amplifier, for example.

The device may have a control unit. The control unit may be set up to actuate the at least one sliding drive, depending on a force determined by the at least one sensor. In this way, it is possible to perform the transfer of a bristle bundle into the receiving opening of a target plate, depending on the force. If it can be established with the help of the at least one sensor that a maximum permissible force has been exceeded, it is thereby possible to deactivate the device, in particular the at least one sliding drive of the device, in order to avoid damage to the device and/or to a brush-producing machine equipped with said device.

The device may be set up, in particular through its control unit, for the recording and/or output of force/path profiles and/or force/time profiles of the force. Furthermore, it is possible for the device to have an information output unit and/or an information output interface. On the information output unit of the device, it is possible to output operating information of the device for a user. Operating information, such as measurement data determined with the help of the at least one sensor, for example, can be output to an external unit, for example a computer or a smart device, such as a smart phone, via an information output interface.

The device may have a communication interface for data exchange, for example with an external data store, for example with cloud storage. The communication interface of the device may be a communication interface of the control unit of the device already mentioned previously. It is possible to connect the device to other, possibly structurally identical, devices via the communication interface. This may take place, for example, via a network-based data store, for example a cloud store. Via the communication interface, the aforementioned sensor data of the at least one sensor of the device can also be provided at least indirectly for the operation, commissioning, maintenance and/or repair of comparable and/or identical devices.

In order to solve the problem, a brush-producing machine having a device having one or more of the features disclosed herein directed at this is also proposed.

In order to solve the problem, a method of the kind referred to above is also proposed, which has one or more of the features disclosed herein directed at a method of this kind. In order to solve the problem, a method for operating a device for feeding bristle bundles into receiving openings of target plates with at least one sliding drive and at least one pin package with a plurality of sliding pins for inserting a bristle bundle into receiving openings of a target plate is therefore proposed in particular, in which a force of the sliding drive acting on the sliding pins, is determined at least indirectly using a sensor.

In one embodiment of the method, it is provided that the force of the sliding drive monitored using the sensor is compared with a reference value. A maximum permissible force may, for example, be taken into account as the reference value. In one embodiment of the method, it is provided that the method is carried out using a device according to the features disclosed herein directed at a device.

In one embodiment of the method, it is provided that the at least one sliding drive of the device is deactivated when the force determined using the at least one sensor reaches, or exceeds, a reference value, for example a maximum permissible force. In this way, the device can be effectively protected from damage.

In one embodiment of the method, it is provided that the force when the device is in no-load operation is determined with the help of the at least one sensor of said device. This may take place during the insertion and/or withdrawal of the at least one sliding pin of the device mentioned above and, above all, when no bristle bundle is inserted with the help of the at least one sliding pin into a receiving opening in a target plate which is held in readiness. The force that can be determined during no-load operation may lead to inferences being drawn in relation to contamination and/or wear of the device.

The force that can be measured when the device is in no-load operation may also be compared with a reference value. In this case, the reference value may be a force which can usually be measured when the device is uncontaminated and/or unworn. Wear and/or contamination of the device may be indicated as soon as the reference value is reached or exceeded, when the force is determined with the help of the at least one sensor, when the device is in no-load operation. A degree of contamination and/or a degree of wear of the device can then be inferred from the force that has been determined.

In one embodiment of the method, a request for cleaning and/or maintenance of the device is issued and/or cleaning and/or maintenance of the device is carried out when the force reaches or exceeds the reference value. The request for cleaning and/or maintenance of the device may take place, for example, via an information output unit and/or information output interface of the device, in particular as already previously referred to.

If an increase in force can be determined at the beginning of an adjustment travel of the at least one sliding pin, a replacement and/or re-sharpening of a cutting blade, by means of which bristle bundles are cut in an upstream method step, can be recommended and/or initiated. A corresponding request for this can also be issued via the information output unit and/or information output interface of the device already mentioned above. The output may be initiated automatically, for example, by the control unit of the device referred to previously.

The force determined using the at least one sensor can be recorded and supplied to other devices, in particular such devices having one or more of the features disclosed herein directed at a device of this kind, via a data store, in particular a cloud data store. The force determined using the at least one sensor can be supplied, for example, in the form of force/path graphs and/or force/time graphs.

The aforementioned measurement data and/or diagrams can then also be assigned corresponding action instructions, which can be issued via the information output units and/or information output interfaces of comparable devices, in order to request maintenance, repair and/or cleaning, and/or the replacement of certain expendable parts or spares in the device, or to provide instruction on maintenance, repair and/or cleaning, and/or the replacement of certain expendable parts or spares in the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in greater detail below with the help of exemplary embodiments, but is not limited to these exemplary embodiments. Further exemplary embodiments result from a combination of the features of individual or multiple elements disclosed herein with one another, and/or a combination of individual or multiple features of the exemplary embodiments.

In the drawings:

FIGS. 1 to 6: show different views of a first embodiment of a device for feeding bristle bundles into receiving openings of a target plate, wherein the device has two pin packages of sliding pins which are connected to a sensor and a sliding drive of the device via a coupling means,

FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of a comparable device, wherein each of the two pin packages of the device in this case is assigned a sensor, and wherein the two pin packages of the device are moved via a common sliding drive,

FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment of a comparable device, wherein each of the two pin packages of the device is assigned a sensor and a sliding drive,

FIG. 9 shows a fourth embodiment of a device which is set up to introduce at least two different kinds of bristle bundles into receiving openings of a target plate, wherein the sliding pins provided for a first type of bristle bundles are coupled to one another via a first coupling means and are provided with a sensor of the device, while groups of sliding pins which are provided for the insertion of a second kind of bristle bundles are connected to one another, and to a second sensor of the device, via a second coupling means,

FIG. 10 shows a fifth embodiment of a comparable device, wherein in this case the different kinds of sliding pins, which are provided for the insertion of different kinds of bristle bundles, are each assigned a sensor and a sliding drive,

FIG. 11 shows an example of a force/path graph that can be generated using the sensors of the device shown in the previous figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of different embodiments of the invention, elements which correspond in terms of their function are given the same reference signs, even if their design and form differ.

The figures show parts of a device for feeding bristle bundles 2 into receiving openings 3 of target plates 4, which is referred to as a whole as 1. Each of the devices 1 shown has at least one sliding drive 5 and multiple sliding pins 6 for the insertion of bristle bundles 2 into the receiving openings 3 of the target plates 4. Each of the devices is equipped with at least one sensor 7, by means of which a force of at least one sliding drive 5 can be determined at least indirectly when moving the sliding pins 6.

The device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 has a linear measuring unit 8, by means of which an adjustment travel of the sliding pins 6 of the device 1 monitored by the sensor 7 can be measured. In this way, it is possible for the device 1 to generate a force/path graph, as is illustrated by way of example in FIG. 11, for example.

The figures show that the sensors 7 are arranged in the direction of force flow between the sliding drive 5 in each case and the sliding pins 6, to which the sensors 7 are assigned. All sensors 7 are piezo-force transducers which are set up for the precise measurement of tensile and compressive forces in very high resolution.

All of the devices shown in the figures have a plurality pin packages 9 which comprise multiple sliding pins 6. In this case, a pin package 9 contains a number of sliding pins 6 which correspond in terms of number and arrangement to receiving openings 3 in a source plate 10 of the device 1, by means of which the bristle bundles 2 are provided for insertion into the receiving openings 3 in the target plate 4, and/or which correspond in terms of number and arrangement to receiving openings 3 in the target plate 4 for bristle bundles 2 of a bundle group.

The devices 1 shown in the figures are further equipped with a pin guide 11 which is designed as a pin guide plate. The pin guide 11 in this case is arranged between the sliding drives 5 and the previously mentioned source plate 10. The devices 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, 7 and 9 have coupling means 12, through which a movement of at least two sliding pins 6 of the sliding pins of a device 1, in part of at least two pin packages 9 of a device 1, are coupled to one another. In the devices 1 shown in the figures, coupling plates act as coupling means 12.

The sliding drives 5 of the devices 1 shown in the figures may be hydraulic, pneumatic and/or electromechanical linear drives.

In the case of individual embodiments of the device—so, for example, in the case of the embodiments of the devices 1 according to FIGS. 8 and 10—a sensor 7 is provided in each case for each sliding drive 5.

The devices 1 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 are set up to fill each bristle field of the target plate 4 with two different kinds of bristle bundles 2. For this purpose, the device 1 according to FIGS. 9 and 10 has two different kinds of sliding pins 6.

In order to be able to measure the force which is transmitted to the different kinds of sliding pins 6, a sensor 7 is assigned in each case to each kind of sliding pin 6.

The two upper sliding pins 6 of the device 1 shown in FIG. 9 are connected to one another via a coupling means 12. In this case, the upper sensor 7 of the two sensors 7 of the device 1 from FIG. 9 makes contact with the coupling means 12 of the two upper sliding pins 6.

The pin packages 9 of the device 1 are also connected to one another via a corresponding coupling means 12, with which a second sensor 7 of the device 1 is in contact.

In the case of the device 1 shown in FIG. 10, a sensor 7 and a sliding drive 5 are assigned to each of the two pin packages 9 of the device 1, as well as to each individual upper sliding pin 6 of the device 1.

Each of the devices 1 has an amplifier 13 for each sensor 7.

The sensors 7 are connected at least indirectly to a control unit 14 of the respective device 1. The control units 14 are set up to actuate the sliding drive or sliding drives 5, depending on a force determined by the at least one sensor 7 of the respective device 1. As already indicated above, the devices 1 are set up, in particular through their control units 14, for the recording and/or output of force/path profiles. A possible force/path profile is illustrated by way of example with the help of the diagram according to FIG. 1. In addition, it is also possible for force/time profiles to be created with the help of the devices 1.

By means of an information output unit 15 and an information output interface 16 of the respective device 1, data from the sensors 7 and, in particular, the previously mentioned force/path profiles or force/time profiles can be issued to a user or transmitted to an evaluation unit. For this purpose, the information output unit 15 in each case comprises a display.

The devices 1 also have communication interfaces 17 for exchanging data with an external data store 18. As shown by way of example in the figures, the external data store may, for example, be a cloud store. The communication interfaces 17 in this case may also be set up for wireless communication.

The devices 1 are part of a brush-producing machine 19. The previously described devices 1 are set up for carrying out the method described below for operating a device 1 for feeding bristle bundles 2 into receiving openings 3 in target plates 4.

In this case, it is provided that a force of at least one sliding drive 5 of the respective device 1 is determined using a sensor 7.

Depending on the embodiment of the method, the force can be compared with a reference value. Examples of reference values have already been explained in the general description.

It is therefore possible, by way of example, to deactivate the respective sliding drive 5, or also all sliding drives 5, of the device 1, when the force reaches, or exceeds, a reference value which may be a maximum permissible force, for example.

The force may also be determined during no-load operation of the respective device 1. This is particularly true when inserting and/or withdrawing at least one sliding pin 6 of the respective device 1. Here, too, a comparison can take place between the force determined and a reference value.

In this way, it is possible to compare the force that can be determined during no-load operation with a reference value and thereby make inferences, where appropriate, in relation to contamination and/or wear of the device.

In this case, a request for cleaning and/or maintenance of the device 1 can be issued, for example via the information output unit 15 already mentioned above and/or the information output interface 16 already mentioned above of the device 1. If the force exceeds the reference value, cleaning and/or maintenance of the device 1 can be carried out.

When a force is increased at the beginning of an adjustment travel of the at least one sliding pin 6, which leads to the force falling outside a tolerance range, a replacement and/or re-sharpening of a cutting blade, by means of which bristle bundles 2 are cut in an upstream method step, can be recommended and/or initiated.

The graph according to FIG. 11 shows the tolerance range of the force over the adjustment travel or sliding path of the sliding pin or sliding pins 6. The graph comprises a total of three stacked force profile lines, wherein an upper of the three lines 20 represents an upper limit value of the force and a lower line 21 of the three lines represents a lower limit value of the force. The third line 22, which runs between the two lines 20 and 21, represents the force determined with the help of the at least one sensor 7 via the adjustment travel of the at least one sliding pin 6.

It can clearly be seen that the force determined with the help of the at least one sensor 7 lies within the tolerance range.

The force determined using the sensors 7 can be recorded and provided via the data store 18 which has already been mentioned, in this case the cloud data store, of other devices 1. This is, for example, in the form of force/travel graphs, such as that shown in FIG. 11, and/or in the form of force/time graphs.

Furthermore, the information supplied via the data store 18 can also be provided with action recommendations and/or instructions, for example with recommendations on when cleaning, maintenance, replacement of expandable parts and/or deactivation of the device are required.

The invention is concerned with improvements in the technical field of brush production. For this purpose, a device 1 for feeding bristle bundles 2 into receiving openings 3 of a target plate 4, among other things, is proposed, which has at least one sensor 7. The sensor 7 allows the force which is transmitted by a sliding drive 5 of the device 1 to at least one sliding pin 6 of the device 1 to be monitored.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

• • 1 device
  • 2 bristle bundle
  • 3 receiving opening
  • 4 target plate
  • 5 sliding drive
  • 6 sliding pin
  • 7 sensor
  • 8 linear measuring unit
  • 9 pin package
  • 10 source plate
  • 11 pin guide
  • 12 coupling means
  • 13 amplifier
  • 14 control unit
  • 15 information output unit
  • 16 information output interface
  • 17 communication interface
  • 18 data store
  • 19 brush-producing machine
  • 20 upper line
  • 21 lower line
  • 22 force profile

Claims

1. A device (1) for feeding bristle bundles (2) into receiving openings (3) in target plates (4), the device comprising:

at least one sliding drive (5);

at least one pin package with a plurality of sliding pins (6), each of the sliding pins (6) being configured for inserting one of the bristle bundles (2) into a respective one of the receiving openings (3) in the target plate (4); and

at least one sensor (7) by which a force transmitted by the sliding drive (5) to the sliding pins (6) is determined at least indirectly.

2. The device (1) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one linear measuring unit (8), and the as least one sensor (7) is assigned to the at least one linear measuring unit.

3. The device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor (7) is arranged in a direction of force flow between the at least one sliding drive (5) and the sliding pins (6).

4. The device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one pin package (9) has a number of the sliding pins (6) which correspond to a number and arrangement of the receiving openings (3) in at least one of a source plate (10) or the target plate (4) for the bristle bundles (2) of a bundle group.

5. The device (1) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one pin guide (11) arranged between the at least one sliding drive (5) and a source plate (10).

6. The device (1) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one coupling plate, through which a movement of at least two of the sliding pins (6) is coupled to one another.

7. The device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of a) the at least one sliding drive (5) is a hydraulic, pneumatic or electromechanical linear drive, or b) each of the at least one sliding drive (5) has a respective sensor of the at least one sensor (7).

8. (canceled)

9. The device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein there a plurality of types of the sliding pins (6) and the at least one sensor (7) includes a sensor for each of the types of the sliding pins (6).

10. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an amplifier (13) is assigned to the at least one sensor (7).

11. The device (1) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a control unit (14) which is configured to activate the at least one sliding drive (5), depending on a force determined by the at least one sensor (7).

12. The device (1) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the control unit (14) at least one of a) is configured for at least one of recording or outputting at least one of force/path profiles or force/time profiles, or has an information output interface.

13. The device (1) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the control unit has a communication interface (17) for data exchange.

14. A brush-producing machine (19) comprising the device (1) as claimed in claim 1.

15. A method for operating a device (1) for feeding bristle bundles (2) into receiving openings (3) of target plates (4), the method comprising:

providing the device (1) as claimed in claim 1; and

determining a force transmitted by the at least one sliding drive (5) to the sliding pins (6) at least indirectly using the at least one sensor (7).

16. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising at least one of a) comparing the force with a reference value or b) deactivating the sliding drive (5) when the force reaches or exceeds the reference value.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein at least one of the determining or the comparing of the force when the device (1) is in no-load operation of the device (1).

18. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising inferring at least one of a degree of contamination or a degree of wear of the device from the force that has been determined.

19. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising issuing a request for at least one of cleaning or maintenance of the device (1) when the force reaches or exceeds a reference value.

20. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising, when the force is increased at a beginning of an adjustment travel of the plurality of sliding pins (6), at least one of recommending or initiating a replacement and/or re-sharpening of a cutting blade, by which the bristle bundles (2) are cut.

21. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising recording and supplying the force determined using the at least one sensor (7) to other devices (1), via a data store (18).