EP2983833B1 - Changer device for coating media and coating system for coating objects - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a changing device for coating media, in particular for paints, according to claim 1.

Moreover, the invention relates to a coating system for coating objects according to claim 7.

For example, in the case of a paint shop, a changer for coating media, i. So then a color changing device, used when it occurs more frequently in normal operation, that for the coating of an object, a different paint is to be used as the paint with which a previous object was painted.

In the event of a color change, the media-carrying channels and lines must be cleaned of the previously used lacquer, for which purpose a flushing agent is conveyed through the corresponding channels and lines. In order to minimize paint losses and the required quantities of flushing agent, the so-called pigging technique is frequently used, in which the coating media or the rinsing agent are pushed through the channels and lines with the help of pigs.

In the market known change devices and coating systems, it has been established to use poppet valves, the valve member is a closing element, which cooperates in a classical manner with a valve seat. In this case, such changing devices usually comprise a common flow channel, which is used for all media.

Overall, in such and other known systems, the volume of the media leading channels and lines, from which a coating medium or detergent can not be recovered, relatively large. On the one hand, this is due to the fact that many channels and lines in such a changing device can not be crossed by a pig. On the other hand, there are many components and components with projections or undercuts or the like, such as line junctions or valve seats, which come into contact with paint and it must quite a lot of detergent can be used to properly rid all such sites of existing paint, regardless of whether the site is pigmeable or Not.

It is an object of the invention to provide a changing device and a coating system of the type mentioned, which is modular and thus has a large variability.

This object is achieved in a changing device of the type mentioned by the features of claim 1.

In this way, a changing device is provided, can be dispensed with the poppet valves, so that there are less difficult to clean transitions in the possible flow paths, which can reduce at least the amount of detergent required, if necessary.

In practice, it is favorable if the outlet channel of the at least one change unit defines the exit channel of the change device. The outlet channel of the exchange unit can thus serve, for example, directly for the connection of a supply line to the application device.

In addition, advantageously at least one through-channel the valve organ be piggable. In this way, coating medium, which is located after completion of the application process in the piggable passageway of the valve member, in a return phase by means of a pig largely completely pushed back into the associated reservoir and thus recovered.

Technically, it is particularly advantageous if the valve member is a rotary member and the rotary member is disc-like or a rotary ball or a rotary cone or a rotary cylinder.

When the rotary member is disc-like, it is advantageous if the passageways extend radially through the rotary member. In the space radially adjacent to the valve chamber media leading channels can be well accommodated.

A large variability is achieved when the changing device is modularly constructed from at least two exchange units, which are designed as separate exchange modules. Depending on the existing and usable reservoirs, two, three or more such exchange modules can then be combined to form the exchange unit.

With regard to the coating system of the aforementioned Art, the above object is achieved in that

d) the changing device is a changing device with the features explained above.

The advantages that are achieved thereby, correspond to the above explained to the changing device advantages.

Moreover, it is particularly advantageous if each input channel, which is connected to its own reservoir for coating medium, a separate pig is assigned.

Thus, a good media separation can be achieved and a pig can remain in a parking position when coating medium from the reservoir to which the pig is assigned, is not applied.

In principle, the coating system can be operated with the changing device without specially provided rinsing operations, since flow paths used by the basic structure neither in the coating system nor in the changing device of several media remain which can not be cleaned by a pig. If cleaning is nevertheless desired or prescribed, advantageously at least one inlet channel can be connected to a rinsing agent reservoir for rinsing agent.

Figur 1

schematisch ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel einer Farbwechseleinrichtung, welche zwei Ventilorgane in Form von Drehorganen umfasst und mit einer Applikationseinrichtung verbunden ist, wobei jedes Drehorgan zwei molchbare Durchgangskanäle aufweist und die Farbwechseleinrichtung in einer ersten Applikationsphase gezeigt ist, in welcher sie eine erste Applikationskonfiguration einnimmt;

Figur 2

die Farbwechseleinrichtung von Figur 1 in einer Rückführphase eines Farbwechsels, in welcher die Farbwechseleinrichtung noch ihre erste Applikationskonfiguration einnimmt;

Figur 3

die Farbwechseleinrichtung von Figur 1 in einer Spülphase eines Farbwechsels, in welcher die Farbwechseleinrichtung eine Spülkonfiguration einnimmt;

Figur 4

die Farbwechseleinrichtung von Figur 1 in einer Umstellphase eines Farbwechsels, in welcher die Farbwechseleinrichtung eine zweite Applikationskonfiguration einnimmt;

Figur 5

die Farbwechseleinrichtung von Figur 1 in einer zweiten Applikationsphase, in welcher die Farbwechseleinrichtung die zweite Applikationskonfiguration einnimmt;

Figur 6

schematisch ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel einer Farbwechseleinrichtung, welche zwei Ventilorgane in Form von Drehorganen umfasst und jedes Drehorgan drei molchbare Durchgangskanäle aufweist;

Figur 7

schematisch ein drittes Ausführungsbeispiel einer Farbwechseleinrichtung, welche zwei Ventilorgane in Form von Schiebeorganen umfasst und jedes Schiebeorgan zwei molchbare Durchgangskanäle aufweist;

Figur 8

ein Beschichtungssystem, bei welchem zwei Wechseleinrichtungen parallel betrieben werden.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. In these show:

FIG. 1

schematically a first embodiment of a color changing device, which comprises two valve members in the form of rotary members and is connected to an application device, wherein each rotary member has two piggable passageways and the color changing device is shown in a first application phase in which it assumes a first application configuration;

FIG. 2

the color changing device of FIG. 1 in a return phase of a color change, in which the color changing device still assumes its first application configuration;

FIG. 3

the color changing device of FIG. 1 in a rinse phase of a color change in which the color changer assumes a rinse configuration;

FIG. 4

the color changing device of FIG. 1 in a changeover phase of a color change in which the color change device assumes a second application configuration;

FIG. 5

the color changing device of FIG. 1 in a second application phase in which the color changing device assumes the second application configuration;

FIG. 6

schematically a second embodiment of a color changing device, which comprises two valve members in the form of rotary members and each rotary member has three piggable passageways;

FIG. 7

schematically a third embodiment of a color changing device, which comprises two valve members in the form of sliding members and each sliding member has two piggable passageways;

FIG. 8

a coating system in which two changing devices operated in parallel.

In FIG. 1 2 is a total of a coating system for applying coating media, which comprises an application device 4. In the present case, a coating system 2 for paints will be described by way of example. In this case, the application device may be, for example, a spray gun or a high-rotation atomizer, as is known per se. If, in the following, a connection of connections, channels or lines is mentioned, this means in the first place in each case a fluidic connection of such components, whereby corresponding flow paths are formed.

The application device 4 is fed via a supply line 6. The coating system 2 is operated in a manner known per se using the pigging technology, which is why a pig station 8 is arranged in the vicinity of the application device 4 in the supply line 6. At the end remote from the application device 4, the supply line 6 is connected to a changing device 10 for coating media, from which in the FIGS. 1 to 5 a first embodiment is shown.

The changing device 10 has a housing 12 and, in the present exemplary embodiment, comprises two exchangeable units 14, which are designated 14.1 and 14.2 and of identical design and will be explained below on the basis of the exchangeable unit 14.1.

The exchange unit 14.1 comprises a housing 16 in which a valve chamber 18 is housed. The valve chamber 18 is fluidic via a first inlet channel 20. 1 and a second inlet channel 20. 2, each having an inlet connection 22 connected, which is arranged on the outside of the housing 16. In addition, an outlet channel 24 leads from the valve chamber 18 to an outlet connection 26, which is likewise arranged on the outside of the housing 16.

In the valve chamber 18, a valve member 28 is arranged, wherein the valve chamber 18 and the valve member 28 are formed complementary to each other. In the present embodiment, the valve member 28 is formed as a disk-like rotary member 30 with a circular outer contour, which seals in and for a known manner against the inner circumferential surface of the correspondingly complementary circular valve chamber 18. The rotary member 30 is rotatably mounted about a central axis of rotation 32 and has through channels 34 which extend in the radial plane through the rotary member 30 therethrough.

In the present embodiment, two passageways designated 34.1 and 34.2 are provided. These passageways 34.1 and 34.2 have such a course that in a first rotational position of the rotary member 30 through the first passage 34.1 the first inlet channel 20.1 with the outlet channel 24 and in a second rotational position of the rotary member 30 through the second passage 34.2 of the second inlet channel 20.2 with the Outlet channel 24 can be connected. Thus shows FIG. 1 the rotary member 30 of the exchange unit 14.1 in its second rotational position and the rotary member 30 of the exchange unit 14.2 in its first rotational position.

In general terms, the valve member 28 can be used to connect the first inlet channel 20. 1 or the second inlet channel 20. 2 to the outlet channel 24. It is also possible a blocking position of the valve member 28, in which the flow path to the outlet channel 24 is blocked.

In the present embodiment, the inlet channel 20.2 of the first exchange unit 14.1 is fluid-tightly connected to the outlet channel 24 of the second exchange unit 14.2, whereby a connecting channel 36 is formed which connects the valve chamber 18 of the first exchange unit 14.1 with the valve chamber 18 of the second exchange unit 14.2.

In this way, the changing device 10 has a total of three input channels 38, which are designated 38.1, 38.2 and 38.3. These input channels 38.1, 38.2 and 38.3 are formed by the first inlet channel 20.1 of the first exchange unit 14.1 and by the two inlet channels 20.1 and 20.2 of the second exchange unit 14.2. Their connections 22 are thus also the connections of the input channels 38.

Of these, the first and the second input channel 38.1, 38.2 are each connected to a paint reservoir 40, which carry the reference numerals 40.1 and 40.2 and in which different paints, generally different coating materials, are kept. For example, red lacquer R in the first color reservoir 40.1 and green lacquer G in the second color reservoir 40.2. On the other hand, the third input channel 38.3 is connected to a flushing agent reservoir 42 for a flushing agent 44. A rinsing agent collecting container 46 is connected to the pig station 8 at the application device 4. Reservoir is understood herein to mean any technical solution to provide different media. This includes, for example, loop systems, as they are known in and of themselves.

The outlet channel 24 to the outlet port 26 of the first exchange unit 14.1 functionally forms now an output channel 48 of the changing device 10, to which the above-mentioned supply line 6 for the application device. 4 the coating system 2 is connected.

The coating system 2 with the exchange unit 10 now works as follows:
The changing device 10 can assume two application configurations, of which FIG. 1 a first shows. In this take the rotary members 30 of the exchange units a respective rotational position, so that via the input channel 38.2, the passage 34.1 in the rotary member 30 of the second exchange unit 14.2, the connecting channel 36, the passage 34.2 in the rotary member 30 of the first exchange unit 14.1 and the output channel 48 a first Farbströmungsweg 50.1 between the ink reservoir 40.2 with green paint G and the supply line 6 is formed.

In the case of the coating system 2, each paint has its own pig 52 assigned to it. In the in FIG. 1 illustrated application phase is a pig 52.R for the red paint from the ink reservoir 40.1 in the passage 34.1 of the rotary member 30 of the first exchange unit 14.1 in a parking position at the end of the passage 34.1, which is associated with the inlet channel 20.1 of the first exchange unit 14.1. An unrecognizable pig 52.G for the green paint from the ink reservoir 40.2 is located in the pig station 8 at the application device 4. In the supply line 6 is thus green paint G, which is delivered via the application device 4 on a not specifically shown item becomes.

For propulsion of paint or the pigs 52 in the conduit system formed by the channels and lines explained can be media pressure of paint, detergent, air, CO ₂ , nitrogen and the like can be used, which are provided in a manner known per se. Required for this Components such as media sources, lines, valves and connections are not specifically shown in the figures for clarity.

If a color change from green paint G to red paint R is to be carried out, the green paint G, which is located in the supply line 6 and the first paint flow path 50.1, is first pushed back into the ink reservoir 40.2 in a return phase. For this purpose, the pig 52.G is conveyed from the pig station 8 via the supply line 6 through the Farbströmungsweg 50.1 until it assumes the above-explained parking position, which is for the pig 52.G at the end of the passage 34.1 of the rotary elements 30 of the second exchange unit 14.2 , which is associated with the inlet channel 20.2 of the second exchange unit 14.2.

This is in FIG. 2 illustrates where only the most important components of the color changer 10 are provided with a reference numeral. This also applies to the FIGS. 3 to 5 ,

On its way from the pig station 8 to this parking position, the pig 52.G pushes the green paint in front of him and back into the paint reservoir 40.2.

Now an optional flushing process can be carried out. In such a rinsing phase, the changing device 10 is brought into a rinsing configuration, which in FIG. 3 is illustrated. In this scavenging configuration, both rotary members 30 of the first and second exchange units 14.1, 14.2 assume their second rotational position so that the changer 10 connects the flushing agent reservoir 42 to the supply duct 6 and in the changer 10 between its input duct 38.3 and its output duct 48 a flushing flow path 54 is formed.

Then, flushing means 44 is pressed by means of compressed air from the detergent reservoir 42 through the Spülströmungsweg 54 in the changing device 10 and further through the supply line 6 through the pig station 8 and the application device 4, of which a part is collected in a collecting container, not shown.

When the application device 4 has been cleaned, the flushing agent 44 is pressed out of the supply line 6 into the flushing agent collecting container 46.

Also for purging the coating system 2 and the changing device 10, the pigging technology can be used, as it is known per se. In the present case, a parking space pig in the passage 34.2 in the rotary member 30 of the second exchange unit 14.2 would be associated with a rinsing agent pig.

After the rinsing process is completed, the changing device 10 is brought in a changeover phase in its second application configuration, which in FIG. 4 is shown. In this take the rotary members 30 of the exchange units a respective rotational position, so that via the input channel 38.1, the passage 34.1 in the rotary member 30 of the first exchange unit 14.1 and the output channel 48, a second Farbströmungsweg 50.2 between the ink reservoir 40.1 with red paint R and the supply line is formed. For this purpose, the rotary member 30 of the first exchange unit 14.1 is rotated from its second rotational position to its first rotational position, while the rotary member 30 of the second exchange unit 14.2 can remain unchanged in its second rotational position.

Red paint R from the ink reservoir 40.1 is in the input channel 38.1 of the changing device 10 and through the Farbströmungsweg 50.2 and the supply line 6 to the application device 4 is pressed. The pig 52.R is pushed through the red paint R to the pig station 8, where it remains for the duration of the coating with red paint R. This application phase is in FIG. 5 illustrated, in which the pig 52.R is no longer recognizable.

If the coating is finished with red paint R and a color change is to take place, a rinsing process can again optionally be carried out, as has been explained above, and in FIG. 2 is illustrated.

If necessary, a rinsing process during a color change can also be dispensed with if the media-carrying lines and channels are adequately cleaned by the associated pig 52, which pushes the current coating medium back into the reservoir 40.

In the embodiment of the FIGS. 1 to 5 Consequently, instead of the flushing agent reservoir 42, a further color reservoir 40 with a further lacquer may also be present. In this case, the above corresponds with reference to FIG. 3 explained rinsing configuration of a third application configuration.

Since the above-described coating system 2 as well as the embodiments described below are operated using the pigging technique, all lines and channels between the respective parking position of the pigs 52 and the pig station 8 are piggable and correspond in terms of their nature, for example with regard to their Dimensions and curvatures, the requirements that must be met for a pig to pass through the pipes and channels. Relative to the changing device 10 is at least one passage 34 in the valve member 28th piggable, so that at least this passage 34 can be used for coating material using the pigging technique.

The presence or absence of the piglets 50 in the pig station 8 or in the respective parking positions can be determined by means of established detection methods. For this purpose, for example, in a known manner initiators, magnetic vortex sensors, light barriers and light guiding and ultrasonic techniques or a determination of the pig positions by pressure or volume measurements based on the subsidized coating medium suitable.

In the case of modifications not specifically shown, the operation can also be carried out without molt. The system is then cleaned with a color change only via the detergent.

Overall, the paint loss in a color change is very low and is limited in the largely on the paint, which is located between the pig station 8 and the application device 4 and which is blown through the application device 4. This amount of paint can be the smaller, the shorter the path between the application device 4 and the pig station 8.

In FIG. 6 a coating system 2 with a second embodiment of a changing device 10 is shown. Already in the coating system 2 after the FIGS. 1 to 5 explained components and components carry in FIG. 6 the same reference numerals. The changing device 10 has there two exchange units 14.1 and 14.2, each of which has not only two, but three inlet channels 20.1, 20.2 and 20.3; these are just like other components for clarity, only designated at the exchange unit 14.1.

Also there, the inlet channel 20.2 of the first exchange unit 14.1 fluid-tightly connected to the outlet channel 24 of the second exchange unit 14.2 and the connecting channel 36 is formed, which connects the valve chamber 18 of the first exchange unit 14.1 with the valve chamber 18 of the second exchange unit 14.2. Overall, the exchange unit 10 here five input channels 38, of which four input channels 38.1, 38.2, 38.3 and 38.4 are each connected to a color reservoir 40.1, 40.2, 40.3 and 40.4, in which, for example, red paint R, green paint G, blue paint B and orange paint O is located. The fifth input channel 38.5 is connected to the flushing agent reservoir 42. If no rinsing operations are required, a paint reservoir 40 can also be connected here.

Overall, the rotary members 30 can be adjusted in this embodiment in each case three rotational positions, whereby the changing device 10 can take four application configurations and a rinsing configuration or a fifth application configuration. FIG. 6 shows of the possible application configurations such a, in which the ink reservoir 40.1 is promoted with the red paint R to the application device 4 and discharged from this. The associated pig 52.R is again in the pig station 8 and therefore can not be seen.

The remaining pigs 52.G, 52.B and 52.O are each in their parking position. As FIG. 6 shows, this is not here within the respective rotary member 30, but is arranged at the respective inlet port 22 of each input channel 38 of the changing device 10. Both variants are possible in principle in all forms of the changing device 10.

The at the changing devices 10 after the FIGS. 1 to 6 shown disc-like rotary member 30 is only one example of a possible embodiment of a valve member 28 as a rotary member. In not specifically shown modifications, the valve members 28 may be made, for example, as a rotary ball, rotary cone or rotary cylinder or the like. In a rotary cylinder, the passage channels 34 can extend radially or in the axial direction between the end faces through the rotary cylinder. In the latter case, a kind of "revolver function" can be provided.

FIG. 7 shows a coating system 2 with a third embodiment of a changing device 10. Also there carry in the coating systems 2 according to Figures 1 to 6 explained components and components the same reference numerals. The change device 10 has there again two exchange units 14.1 and 14.2, each with two inlet channels 20.1, 20.2, so that the changing device has three input channels 38.1, 38.2 and 38.3.

The valve member 28 is not a rotary member there, but a sliding member 56, in which the passage channels 34.1 and 34.2 are formed. The sliding member 56 and the respective valve chamber 18 of the exchange units 14.1, 14.2 are again formed complementary, so that the sliding member 56 can be moved fluid-tight in the valve chamber 18 to each other different flow paths between the inlet channels 20.1, 20.2 of the respective exchange unit 14.1 or 14.2 with their outlet channel 24 to connect.

Even with a change device 10 with sliding members 56, the exchange units 14.1, 14.2 further inlet channels 20 and the sliding members 56 correspondingly have further through channels 34.

Otherwise, the above applies to the changing devices 10 after the FIGS. 1 to 6 Said accordingly accordingly.

In FIG. 8 a coating system 2 is shown, in which two changing devices 10 are operated in parallel, wherein two changing devices 10 according to the FIGS. 1 to 5 shown at 10a and 10b.

There are exemplary the input channels 38.1, 38.2 of in FIG. 8 lower changing device 10a connected to the reservoir 40.1 with red paint R or with the reservoir 40.2 with green paint G, while the input channels 38.1, 38.2 of in FIG. 8 upper changing device 10b with a further reservoir 40.1 with red paint R and a reservoir 40.3 are connected to blue paint B. The input channels 38.3 of both change devices 10 are fed from a common detergent reservoir 42 for detergent 44.

From each output channel 48 of the two changing devices leads a separate supply line 6 to the pig station 8, which is designed accordingly for this dual operation.

In comparison with a coating system 2 with only one changing device 10, a color change can be made faster here. While red paint R is applied, for example, via the changing device 10a, the changing device 10b and its supply line 6 can already be rinsed up to the pig station 8. After this rinsing process, the next paint, for example blue paint from the reservoir 40.3 to the pig station 8, can already be presented. The section of the supply line 6 between the pig station 8 and the application device 4 may, in the case of a color change with rinsing agent, be removed from the rinsing agent reservoir 46 via the pig station 8 are rinsed.

Such a parallel or alternating operation of two changing devices is known per se and therefore need not be explained further.

In all embodiments, the valve members 28 can be pneumatically, hydraulically or electrically rotated or displaced, including optionally correspondingly driven actuators are present, which are not of interest here and therefore not shown specifically. In addition, the valve members 28 may optionally occupy one or more maintenance positions in which, for example, access to the piglets 52 is enabled to facilitate pigging.

In a modification not specifically shown, the valve member 28 may also be formed as a rotating and sliding member, so that a change of the flow path by rotation and / or displacement of the valve member 28 can be effected.

All changing devices 10 may instead of two exchange units 14.1, 14.2 include only a single exchange unit 14 or more than two exchange units 14.1, 14.2, ..., 14.n.

In addition, existing exchange units 14 may also have more or fewer inlet channels 20 than described above, and a changer 10 may also include a plurality of differently configured exchangeable units 14. There may also be more than one output channel 48 so that media can be delivered to more than one consumer via one and the same change device 10.

The changing device 10 may be formed as a structural unit in the form of an exchangeable block, which includes the individual exchange units 14 integrated. However, the respective exchangeable units 14 can also be produced as a replaceable module, so that their housing 16 each defines its own module housing. The changing device 10 itself can then be modularly constructed from individual such exchange modules, so that they can be adapted to the number of required or existing ink reservoirs 40 and / or detergent reservoirs. For this purpose, the individual exchange modules include mutually complementary fastening means, so that the exchange modules can be securely fastened together and a fluid-tight connection is ensured.

Claims (9)

1. Changing device for coating media, in particular for paints, having

   a) a housing (12), which has an outlet duct (48) which is connectable to an application device (4);

   b) at least one changing unit (14), which for its part comprises:

   ba) at least one first inlet duct (20.1) and one second inlet duct (20.2);

   bb) at least one outlet duct (24);

   bc) a valve member (28), by which the first inlet duct (20.1) or the second inlet duct (20.2) is connectable to the outlet duct (24) or the flow path to the outlet duct (24) is blockable,

   wherein

   c) the valve member (28) of the changing unit (14) is formed as a rotary member (30) and/or sliding member (56) arranged in a valve chamber (18), which comprises a plurality of through-ducts (34) which, depending on the position of the valve member (28), can fluidically connect the outlet duct (24) to one or both of the at least two inlet ducts (20.1, 20.2) of the changing unit (14),
   characterized in that

   d) the changing unit (14) is a first changing unit (14.1) and the changing device (10) comprises at least a second changing unit (14.2) in accordance with the features b), ba), bb), bc) and c) according to Claim 1, wherein the outlet duct (24) of the second changing unit (14.2) is fluid-tightly connected to an inlet duct (20.1, 20.2) of the first changing unit (14.1).
2. Changing device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the outlet duct (24) of the at least one changing unit (14) defines the outlet duct (48) of the changing device (10).
3. Changing device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one through-duct (34) of the valve member (28) is piggable.
4. Changing device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the valve member (28) is a rotary member (30) and the rotary member (30) is disc-like or a rotary sphere or a rotary cone or a rotary cylinder.
5. Changing device according to Claim 4, characterized in that the rotary member (30) is disc-like and the through-ducts (34) extend radially through the rotary member (30).
6. Changing device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the changing device (10) is constructed in a modular fashion from at least two changing units (14.1, 14.2), which are formed as separate changing modules.
7. Coating system for coating objects, having

   a) an application device (4);

   b) multiple reservoirs (40) for respectively one coating medium;

   c) at least one changing device (10) having multiple inlet ducts (38), each of which is connected to its own reservoir (40) for coating medium, and at least one outlet duct (48), which is connected to the application device (4), and through which selectively a coating medium is conductible from a reservoir (40) to the application device (4);
   characterized in that

   d) the changing device (10) is a changing device according to one of Claims 1 to 6.
8. Coating system according to Claim 7, characterized in that a separate pig (50) is associated with each inlet duct (38), which is connected to its own reservoir for coating medium.
9. Coating system according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that at least one inlet duct (38) is connected to a flushing-agent reservoir (42) for flushing agent.

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