EP1238710B1 - Powder spraying device and powder coating process - Google Patents

Powder spraying device and powder coating process Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1238710B1
EP1238710B1 EP02004870A EP02004870A EP1238710B1 EP 1238710 B1 EP1238710 B1 EP 1238710B1 EP 02004870 A EP02004870 A EP 02004870A EP 02004870 A EP02004870 A EP 02004870A EP 1238710 B1 EP1238710 B1 EP 1238710B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
powder
channel
air
atomiser
coating
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EP02004870A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1238710A1 (en
Inventor
Thomas Dürr
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Duerr Systems AG
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Duerr Systems AG
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B3/00—Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements
    • B05B3/02—Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements
    • B05B3/10—Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements discharging over substantially the whole periphery of the rotating member, i.e. the spraying being effected by centrifugal forces
    • B05B3/1064—Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements discharging over substantially the whole periphery of the rotating member, i.e. the spraying being effected by centrifugal forces the liquid or other fluent material to be sprayed being axially supplied to the rotating member through a hollow rotating shaft
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B5/00—Electrostatic spraying apparatus; Spraying apparatus with means for charging the spray electrically; Apparatus for spraying liquids or other fluent materials by other electric means
    • B05B5/025—Discharge apparatus, e.g. electrostatic spray guns
    • B05B5/04—Discharge apparatus, e.g. electrostatic spray guns characterised by having rotary outlet or deflecting elements, i.e. spraying being also effected by centrifugal forces
    • B05B5/0403—Discharge apparatus, e.g. electrostatic spray guns characterised by having rotary outlet or deflecting elements, i.e. spraying being also effected by centrifugal forces characterised by the rotating member
    • B05B5/0407—Discharge apparatus, e.g. electrostatic spray guns characterised by having rotary outlet or deflecting elements, i.e. spraying being also effected by centrifugal forces characterised by the rotating member with a spraying edge, e.g. like a cup or a bell
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B5/00—Electrostatic spraying apparatus; Spraying apparatus with means for charging the spray electrically; Apparatus for spraying liquids or other fluent materials by other electric means
    • B05B5/025—Discharge apparatus, e.g. electrostatic spray guns
    • B05B5/04—Discharge apparatus, e.g. electrostatic spray guns characterised by having rotary outlet or deflecting elements, i.e. spraying being also effected by centrifugal forces
    • B05B5/0418—Discharge apparatus, e.g. electrostatic spray guns characterised by having rotary outlet or deflecting elements, i.e. spraying being also effected by centrifugal forces designed for spraying particulate material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B3/00—Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements
    • B05B3/02—Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements
    • B05B3/10—Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements discharging over substantially the whole periphery of the rotating member, i.e. the spraying being effected by centrifugal forces
    • B05B3/1092—Means for supplying shaping gas
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B5/00—Electrostatic spraying apparatus; Spraying apparatus with means for charging the spray electrically; Apparatus for spraying liquids or other fluent materials by other electric means
    • B05B5/025—Discharge apparatus, e.g. electrostatic spray guns
    • B05B5/04—Discharge apparatus, e.g. electrostatic spray guns characterised by having rotary outlet or deflecting elements, i.e. spraying being also effected by centrifugal forces
    • B05B5/0426—Means for supplying shaping gas

Definitions

  • the invention relates to powder atomizers and to processes for the serial coating of workpieces with pulverulent coating material according to the preamble of the independent patent claims.
  • the invention relates to an electrostatic rotary atomizer having a powder atomizing bell which is in operation at a high voltage potential and which is used for the serial coating of vehicle bodies.
  • FR-A-2 706 328 discloses a rotary atomizer for powder coating with an air turbine, the exhaust air of which flows between the hollow shaft of the atomizer and the central powder tube in the direction of the bell cup. It is intended to prevent powder settling on the outside of the powder tube or penetrating into the turbine, and may also serve as dilution air for the powder-air mixture. All features of the respective preambles of claims 1 and 7 are disclosed by FR-A-2 706 328.
  • the disassembly and manual cleaning of the bell cup is laborious and time consuming and does not eliminate the risk of cross-sectional constriction or even blockage in the bell cup during operation.
  • cleaning the nebulizer with air supplied by the external powder hose may prove inadequate and unsatisfactory for various other reasons.
  • considerable energy expenditure is required to promote the purging air through the external powder hose because of its length, if a cleaning effect is to be achieved.
  • the air intended for cleaning is at least initially loaded by so much residual powder from the hose that a cleaning effect only occurs after a relatively long time, which is lost to the coating operation.
  • the object of the invention is to provide Pulverzerstäuber or powder coating process, which avoids disturbances of operation, in particular by powder deposits in a simple, reliable and time-saving manner.
  • the additional air duct can be used for the additional entry of dosing air before atomization and to change the proportion of air in the powder-air mixture, regardless of the usual dosing. This can u. a. be counteracted the instabilities mentioned and thereby the tendency to powder deposition.
  • the additional air also makes it possible to influence and stabilize spray jet size, particle velocity and other parameters in a simple manner.
  • the only partially illustrated rotary atomizer can, except for the features of the invention explained in the following, be known Atomizers of the type Dürr / Behr N34040001 correspond.
  • it contains a front atomizer housing 1, in which the drive turbine 2, which is operated with compressed air, is located with the rotatably mounted hollow shaft 3.
  • the drive turbine 2 which is operated with compressed air
  • the hollow shaft 3 of the hollow cylindrical hub part 5 of the atomizer 4 is fixed.
  • the powder tube 6 is connected in the atomizer to a coming from an external air and powder supply powder hose (not shown).
  • the (not shown) high voltage generator for the coating powder to the usual potential charging atomizer 4 can also be accommodated in the atomizer, for example in the housing first
  • bell cup atomizer 4 consists in a known manner substantially from a one-piece with the hub part 5 outer part 8, which has the atomizer housing 1 facing conical surface 9 and the inner conical surface 10 of the illustrated shape, and in front of the room the surface 10 seated inner part 12, which has one of the surface 10 to form a gap channel 14 opposite inner surface 16 and is rigidly connected to the outer part 8.
  • the gap channel 14 is thus limited by the two conical surfaces 10 and 16.
  • the surfaces 10 and 16 could be parallel to each other, but it may be more appropriate, if their distance decreases in the outward direction, the gap channel 14 thus tapers as shown.
  • the inner bell member 12 has a central cylindrical projection 21 which terminates in a coaxial with the Zerstäuberachse at or in front of the mouth 7 of the powder tube 6 conical tip 22 and thus exiting there powder-air mixture in the through the bell there exiting powder-air mixture in the through the bell 4 to the spray-off edge 24 extending gap channel 14 directs.
  • a separate, additional air channel 30 is formed between the outer periphery of the powder tube 6 and the inner wall of the hollow shaft 3, the z. B. is connected via a (not shown) coaxial annular channel in the rear part of the atomizer to a leading into the atomizer compressed air line.
  • the amount, velocity and / or pressure of the air in the channel 30 can be controlled and regulated in a manner known per se.
  • the air channel 30 extends along the powder tube 6 into the hub portion 5 of the atomizer 4, so that it opens directly at the mouth of the tube 6 in the path of there emerging and flowing into the gap channel 14 of the bell cup powder-air mixture.
  • the annular gap 31 forming the mouth end of the air duct 30, for example inside the hub part 5, may be somewhat shallower than in the area further down, so that the additional air flow can emerge correspondingly accelerated.
  • the path of the powder-air mixture emerging from the powder channel, into which the additional air channel 30 opens, is preferably closed to the outside.
  • the air duct 30 opens into the closed by the outer bell part 8 to the outside space through which the mouth of the powder tube 6 is in communication with the gap channel 14 of the bell 4.
  • the spray cone of the atomized powder steering air which emerges from (not shown) nozzles of a arranged in the front end of the atomizer housing 1 shaping air ring 28. Further can be directed in a known manner from an end face of the rear atomizer housing, not shown, so-called free-hold air on the outside of the atomizer housing 1 to keep dust and powder mist from the housing.
  • the free-standing air can be switched on constantly or only for short cleaning times and is usually dosed so weakly that it has no influence on the spray cone.
  • the additional air from the separate channel 30, depending on operating conditions and application either switched off or used to influence and change the guided from the powder channel in the atomizer 4 mixture.
  • the additional air serves as purge air for cleaning the entire powder path from the mouth 7 of the powder tube 6 to the spray edge 24 including the gap channel 14th
  • the path of the output air of the turbine is not shown. It can run outside of the air duct 30, which in any case is connected to a separate controlled from the turbine air source.
  • the amount of air required to rinse the bell cup during coating pauses is usually more than 200 standard liters (Nl) / min. During the coating operation, the additional air from the duct 30 may be shut off if no additional supply of dosing air is required.
  • the invention is suitable not only for the rotary atomizer chosen as an example, but in particular for similar or other atomizers with any other shaped bell plates.
  • the invention is not limited to rotary atomizers but, for example, also applicable to electrostatic or other powder guns.
  • the additional air in the supplied from the outside powder-air mixture instead of a concentric to the Zerstäuberachse annular opening are also introduced through nozzles, slots, holes or other openings, which are distributed symmetrically around the powder channel or in particular in the case of Rotationszerstäubern u. U. can also be arranged on one side.

Abstract

The powder may be introduced through a central pipe (6) with a square-cut end. Additional air (30) passes through a tube or shaft (3) concentrically-surrounding the central pipe. The pipe is surrounded by an air turbine (2) which rotates it and rotates the spray bell (4). The mixture of air and powder passes through a channel (14) between the outer (8) and inner (12) parts of the bell. There is a wide inner channel (21) in the center of the inner part of the bell which accommodates an adjustable conical tip (22).

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft Pulverzerstäuber sowie Verfahren zur Serienbeschichtung von Werkstücken mit pulverförmigem Beschichtungsmaterial gemäß dem Oberbegriff der unabhängigen Patentansprüche. Insbesondere betrifft die Erfindung einen elektrostatischen Rotationszerstäuber mit einer im Betrieb auf Hochspannungspotential liegenden Pulverzerstäubungsglocke, wie er für die Serienbeschichtung von Fahrzeugkarossen verwendet wird.The invention relates to powder atomizers and to processes for the serial coating of workpieces with pulverulent coating material according to the preamble of the independent patent claims. In particular, the invention relates to an electrostatic rotary atomizer having a powder atomizing bell which is in operation at a high voltage potential and which is used for the serial coating of vehicle bodies.

Bei derartigen Rotationszerstäubern wird bekanntlich (Dürr/Behr Typ N34040001) das Pulver-Luftgemisch durch externe Schläuche zugeführt und innerhalb des Zerstäubers durch die Hohlwelle der Antriebsturbine in einen spaltförmigen Kanal im Inneren des an der Hohlwelle befestigten Glockentellers geleitet. In diesem Spaltkanal strömt das Pulver aufgrund der Rotationskräfte zum äußeren Rand des Glockentellers, wo es beim Austritt ins Freie zerstäubt wird. Der Spaltkanal steht innerhalb des von der Hohlwelle und der mit ihr verbundenen Glockennabe gebildeten Hohlraums nach außen abgeschlossen mit der Mündung des durch die Hohlwelle verlaufenden Pulverkanals in Verbindung. Bei Rotationszerstäubern ohne einen solchen Spaltkanal ist es bekannt, mit der aus der Turbine austretenden Antriebsluft an der Mündung des zentralen Pulverkanals eine dort stattfindende Vorzerstäubung zu unterstützen.In such rotary atomizers is known (Dürr / Behr type N34040001), the powder-air mixture supplied by external tubes and passed inside the atomizer through the hollow shaft of the drive turbine in a slit-shaped channel inside the attached to the hollow shaft bell cup. In this slit channel, the powder flows due to the rotational forces to the outer edge of the bell cup, where it is atomized when exiting to the outside. Within the cavity formed by the hollow shaft and the bell hub connected thereto, the gap channel communicates with the mouth of the powder channel extending through the hollow shaft in an outwardly closed manner. In rotary atomizers without such a gap channel, it is known to assist with the emerging from the turbine drive air at the mouth of the central powder channel there takes place pre-atomization.

Die FR-A-2 706 328 offenbart einen Rotationszerstäuber für Pulverlack mit einer Luftturbine, deren Abluft zwischen der Hohlwelle des Zerstäubers und dem zentralen Pulverrohr in Richtung zum Glockenteller fließt. Sie soll vermeiden, dass sich Pulver an der Außenseite des Pulverrohrs absetzt oder in die Turbine eindringt, und kann auch als Verdünnungsluft für das Pulver-Luft-Gemisch dienen. Alle Merkmale von den jeweiligen Obergriffen der Ansprüche 1 und 7 sind von FR-A-2 706 328 offenbart.FR-A-2 706 328 discloses a rotary atomizer for powder coating with an air turbine, the exhaust air of which flows between the hollow shaft of the atomizer and the central powder tube in the direction of the bell cup. It is intended to prevent powder settling on the outside of the powder tube or penetrating into the turbine, and may also serve as dilution air for the powder-air mixture. All features of the respective preambles of claims 1 and 7 are disclosed by FR-A-2 706 328.

Aus der US-A-3 940 061 ist eine manuell betätigte Pulverpistole mit einstellbarer Wirbelluft bekannt, die zur Einstellung des Sprühkegels durch Verwirbelung des Pulverstroms dient. Aus der Wirbelluftleitung wird ein Luftanteil zur Spülung einer zentralen Nadelelektrode der Pulverpistole während des Beschichtungsbetriebs abgezweigt.From US-A-3 940 061 a manually operated powder gun with adjustable vortex air is known, which serves to adjust the spray cone by swirling the powder flow. From the fluidized air line, an air portion for flushing a central needle electrode of the powder gun is branched off during the coating operation.

Bei Pulverzerstäubern besteht das Problem, dass sich Beschichtungsmaterial nicht nur in den Versorgungsleitungen und in dem Pulverkanal innerhalb des Zerstäubers absetzen kann, sondern auch in dem Weg des Pulver-Luftgemisches nach Austritt aus der Mündung des Pulverkanals, bei dem betrachteten Beispiel eines Rotationszerstäubers also insbesondere in dem Spaltkanal des Glockentellers. Für die in Beschichtungspausen beispielsweise bei einem Farbwechsel notwendige Beseitigung dieser Pulverablagerungen wurde durch den externen Pulverschlauch Spülluft in den Zerstäuber geleitet. Ferner wurden Ablagerungen im Glockenteller manuell nach Zerlegen der den Spaltkanal begrenzenden Glockentellerteile entfernt. Das Zerlegen und manuelle Reinigen des Glockentellers ist arbeits- und zeitaufwendig und beseitigt nicht die Gefahr einer Querschnittsverengung oder gar Verstopfung im Glockenteller während des Betriebes. Die Reinigung des Zerstäubers mit durch den externen Pulverschlauch zugeführter Luft kann sich dagegen aus verschiedenen anderen Gründen als unzulänglich und unbefriedigend erweisen. Zum einen ist zur Förderung der Spülluft durch den externen Pulverschlauch wegen dessen Länge erheblicher Energieaufwand erforderlich, wenn eine Reinigungswirkung erzielt werden soll. Ferner ist die zur Reinigung vorgesehene Luft zumindest anfänglich selbst durch so viel Restpulver aus dem Schlauch belastet, dass eine Reinigungswirkung erst nach relativ langer Zeit eintritt, die dem Beschichtungsbetrieb verloren geht.In Pulverzerstäubern there is the problem that coating material can settle not only in the supply lines and in the powder channel within the atomizer, but also in the path of the powder-air mixture after exiting the mouth of the powder channel, in the considered example of a rotary atomizer so in particular the splitting channel of Bell cup. For the removal of these powder deposits, which is necessary in coating pauses, for example during a color change, purging air was conducted into the atomizer by the external powder hose. Furthermore, deposits in the bell cup were manually removed after disassembly of the gap channel limiting bell cup parts. The disassembly and manual cleaning of the bell cup is laborious and time consuming and does not eliminate the risk of cross-sectional constriction or even blockage in the bell cup during operation. However, cleaning the nebulizer with air supplied by the external powder hose may prove inadequate and unsatisfactory for various other reasons. On the one hand, considerable energy expenditure is required to promote the purging air through the external powder hose because of its length, if a cleaning effect is to be achieved. Furthermore, the air intended for cleaning is at least initially loaded by so much residual powder from the hose that a cleaning effect only occurs after a relatively long time, which is lost to the coating operation.

Während des Beschichtungsbetriebes können außer der Verstopfungsgefahr auch störende Instabilitäten auftreten. Da bei den bekannten Rotationszerstäubern der Luftanteil im Pulver-Luftgemisch nur von dem Dosiersystem (z. B. Injektor oder Pulverpumpe) bestimmt wird, kann es vor allem bei luftarmen Fördersystemen zu Pumpeffekten und unerwünschten Änderungen des Pulver-Sprühstrahls kommen.During the coating operation disturbing instabilities may occur in addition to the risk of clogging. Since in the known rotary atomizers the air content in the powder-air mixture is determined only by the metering system (eg injector or powder pump), pumping effects and undesired changes in the powder spray jet can occur, especially in low-air delivery systems.

Aufgabe der Erfindung ist, Pulverzerstäuber bzw. Pulverbeschichtungsverfahren anzugeben, die auf einfache, zuverlässigere und zeitsparende Weise Störungen des Betriebes insbesondere durch Pulverablagerungen vermeidet.The object of the invention is to provide Pulverzerstäuber or powder coating process, which avoids disturbances of operation, in particular by powder deposits in a simple, reliable and time-saving manner.

Diese Aufgabe wird durch die Merkmale der Patentansprüche gelöst.This object is solved by the features of the claims.

Wesentliche Vorteile der Erfindung können sich sowohl bei der Entfernung von Pulverablagerungen in Beschichtungspausen als auch beim Beschichtungsbetrieb ergeben.Significant advantages of the invention can be found in both the removal of powder deposits in coating pauses and the coating operation.

Die Zuführung der Spülluft während der Beschichtungspausen erfordert weniger Energie und ist wesentlich effizienter als bisher, da sie ohne Umweg über den üblicherweise bis zu 15 m langen externen Pulverschlauch auf direktem Weg in den Zerstäuber geleitet wird. Außerdem handelt es sich hier um reine Luft, die nicht durch Restpulver belastet ist und daher sofort und ohne Verzögerung volle Reinigungswirkung entfaltet. Besonders vorteilhaft ist die bisher nicht bestehende Möglichkeit einer gezielten effektiven Glockentellerreinigung während der Produktion entsprechend der bei Nasslackzerstäubern bekannten und üblichen Kurzspül-Funktion u. a. dank der praktisch verzögerungsfreien Zuführung der Spülluft. Bei der Beschichtung kann der zusätzliche Luftkanal dagegen zum zusätzlichen Eintrag von Dosierluft vor der Zerstäubung und zur Änderung des Luftanteils im Pulver-Luftgemisch unabhängig von dem üblichen Dosiersystem genutzt werden. Damit kann u. a. den erwähnten Instabilitäten und dabei auch der Neigung zur Pulverablagerung entgegengewirkt werden. Außerdem lassen sich durch die Zusatzluft auch auf einfache Weise Sprühstrahlgröße, Partikelgeschwindigkeit und weitere Parameter gezielt beeinflussen und stabilisieren.The supply of purging air during the coating breaks requires less energy and is much more efficient than before, as it is passed without detour over the usually up to 15 m long external powder hose in a direct way in the atomizer. In addition, this is pure air, which is not burdened by residual powder and therefore unfolds immediately and without delay full cleaning effect. Particularly advantageous is the hitherto non-existent possibility of targeted effective Bell plate cleaning during production according to the well-known in wet paint atomizers and usual Kurzspül function u. a. thanks to the practically delay-free feeding of the scavenging air. In the coating, however, the additional air duct can be used for the additional entry of dosing air before atomization and to change the proportion of air in the powder-air mixture, regardless of the usual dosing. This can u. a. be counteracted the instabilities mentioned and thereby the tendency to powder deposition. In addition, the additional air also makes it possible to influence and stabilize spray jet size, particle velocity and other parameters in a simple manner.

An dem in der Zeichnung dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel eines elektrostatischen Pulver-Rotationszerstäubers wird die Erfindung näher erläutert.On the embodiment of an electrostatic powder rotary atomizer shown in the drawing, the invention will be explained in more detail.

Der nur teilweise dargestellte Rotationszerstäuber kann bis auf die im folgenden erläuterten Merkmale der Erfindung dem bekannten Zerstäuber vom Typ Dürr/Behr N34040001 entsprechen. Er enthält wie dieser ein vorderes Zerstäubergehäuse 1, in dem sich die mit Druckluft betriebene Antriebsturbine 2 mit der drehbar gelagerten Hohlwelle 3 befindet. In dem freiliegenden offenen Ende der Hohlwelle 3 ist der hohlzylindrische Nabenteil 5 der Zerstäuberglocke 4 befestigt. Durch die Hohlwelle 3 erstreckt sich koaxial ein als Pulverkanal des Zerstäubers dienendes zylindrisches Rohr 6 bis in den Nabenteil 5 der Glocke 4 hinein, wo er darstellungsgemäß bei 7 axial außerhalb des Zerstäubergehäuses 1 mündet. Das Pulverrohr 6 ist in dem Zerstäuber an einen von einer externen Luft- und Pulverversorgung kommenden Pulverschlauch (nicht dargestellt) angeschlossen.The only partially illustrated rotary atomizer can, except for the features of the invention explained in the following, be known Atomizers of the type Dürr / Behr N34040001 correspond. Like this, it contains a front atomizer housing 1, in which the drive turbine 2, which is operated with compressed air, is located with the rotatably mounted hollow shaft 3. In the exposed open end of the hollow shaft 3 of the hollow cylindrical hub part 5 of the atomizer 4 is fixed. Through the hollow shaft 3 coaxially serving as a powder channel of the atomizer cylindrical tube 6 extends into the hub part 5 of the bell 4, where it opens at 7 axially outside of the atomizer housing 1 as shown. The powder tube 6 is connected in the atomizer to a coming from an external air and powder supply powder hose (not shown).

Der (nicht dargestellte) Hochspannungserzeuger für die das Beschichtungspulver auf das übliche Potential aufladende Zerstäuberglocke 4 kann ebenfalls in dem Zerstäuber untergebracht werden, beispielsweise in dem Gehäuse 1.The (not shown) high voltage generator for the coating powder to the usual potential charging atomizer 4 can also be accommodated in the atomizer, for example in the housing first

Die gewöhnlich auch als Glockenteller bezeichnete Zerstäuberglocke 4 besteht in bekannter Weise im wesentlichen aus einem mit dem Nabenteil 5 einstückigen äußeren Teil 8, das die dem Zerstäubergehäuse 1 zugewandte Kegelfläche 9 und die innere konische Fläche 10 der dargestellten Form hat, und einem in dem Raum vor der Fläche 10 sitzenden inneren Teil 12, das eine der Fläche 10 unter Bildung eines Spaltkanals 14 gegenüberliegende Innenfläche 16 hat und mit dem äußeren Teil 8 starr verbunden ist. Der Spaltkanal 14 wird also von den beiden konischen Flächen 10 und 16 begrenzt. Die Flächen 10 und 16 könnten parallel zueinander liegen, doch kann es zweckmäßiger sein, wenn sich ihr Abstand in Richtung nach außen verringert, der Spaltkanal 14 sich also darstellungsgemäß verjüngt. Das innere Glockenteil 12 hat einen zentralen zylindrischen Ansatz 21, der in einer koaxial zur Zerstäuberachse an oder vor der Mündung 7 des Pulverrohres 6 liegenden konischen Spitze 22 endet und somit das dort austretende Pulver-Luftgemisch in den durch die Glocke dort austretende Pulver-Luftgemisch in den durch die Glocke 4 bis zu deren Absprühkante 24 verlaufenden Spaltkanal 14 lenkt.The usually also referred to as bell cup atomizer 4 consists in a known manner substantially from a one-piece with the hub part 5 outer part 8, which has the atomizer housing 1 facing conical surface 9 and the inner conical surface 10 of the illustrated shape, and in front of the room the surface 10 seated inner part 12, which has one of the surface 10 to form a gap channel 14 opposite inner surface 16 and is rigidly connected to the outer part 8. The gap channel 14 is thus limited by the two conical surfaces 10 and 16. The surfaces 10 and 16 could be parallel to each other, but it may be more appropriate, if their distance decreases in the outward direction, the gap channel 14 thus tapers as shown. The inner bell member 12 has a central cylindrical projection 21 which terminates in a coaxial with the Zerstäuberachse at or in front of the mouth 7 of the powder tube 6 conical tip 22 and thus exiting there powder-air mixture in the through the bell there exiting powder-air mixture in the through the bell 4 to the spray-off edge 24 extending gap channel 14 directs.

Gemäß dem dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung ist zwischen dem Außenumfang des Pulverrohres 6 und der Innenwand der Hohlwelle 3 ein separater, zusätzlicher Luftkanal 30 gebildet, der z. B. über einen (nicht dargestellten) koaxialen Ringkanal im hinteren Teil des Zerstäubers an eine in den Zerstäuber führende Druckluftleitung angeschlossen ist. Menge, Geschwindigkeit und/oder Druck der Luft in dem Kanal 30 können in an sich bekannter Weise gesteuert und geregelt werden. Der Luftkanal 30 erstreckt sich längs des Pulverrohres 6 bis in den Nabenteil 5 der Zerstäuberglocke 4, so daß er unmittelbar an der Mündung des Rohres 6 in den Weg des dort austretenden und in den Spaltkanal 14 des Glockentellers fließenden Pulver-Luftgemisches mündet. Der das Mündungsende des Luftkanals 30 bildende Ringspalt 31 beispielsweise innerhalb des Nabenteils 5 kann etwas flacher sein als im weiter hinten liegenden Bereich, so daß der zusätzliche Luftstrom entsprechend beschleunigt austreten kann.According to the illustrated embodiment of the invention, a separate, additional air channel 30 is formed between the outer periphery of the powder tube 6 and the inner wall of the hollow shaft 3, the z. B. is connected via a (not shown) coaxial annular channel in the rear part of the atomizer to a leading into the atomizer compressed air line. The amount, velocity and / or pressure of the air in the channel 30 can be controlled and regulated in a manner known per se. The air channel 30 extends along the powder tube 6 into the hub portion 5 of the atomizer 4, so that it opens directly at the mouth of the tube 6 in the path of there emerging and flowing into the gap channel 14 of the bell cup powder-air mixture. The annular gap 31 forming the mouth end of the air duct 30, for example inside the hub part 5, may be somewhat shallower than in the area further down, so that the additional air flow can emerge correspondingly accelerated.

Der Weg des aus dem Pulverkanal austretenden Pulver-Luftgemisches, in den der zusätzliche Luftkanal 30 mündet, ist vorzugsweise nach außen abgeschlossen. Bei dem dargestellten Beispiel mündet der Luftkanal 30 in den durch das äußere Glockenteil 8 nach außen abgeschlossenen Raum, durch den die Mündung des Pulverrohres 6 mit dem Spaltkanal 14 der Glocke 4 in Verbindung steht.The path of the powder-air mixture emerging from the powder channel, into which the additional air channel 30 opens, is preferably closed to the outside. In the illustrated example, the air duct 30 opens into the closed by the outer bell part 8 to the outside space through which the mouth of the powder tube 6 is in communication with the gap channel 14 of the bell 4.

Auf die Kegelfläche 9 an der rückwärtigen Außenseite der Zerstäuberglocke 4 kann in bekannter Weise den Sprühkegel des zerstäubten Pulvers beeinflussende Lenkluft gerichtet werden, die aus (nicht dargestellten) Düsen eines im Stirnende des Zerstäubergehäuses 1 angeordneten Lenkluftrings 28 austritt. Ferner kann in ebenfalls bekannter Weise aus einer Stirnfläche des nicht dargestellten hinteren Zerstäubergehäuses sogenannte Freihalteluft auf die Außenseite des Zerstäubergehäuses 1 gerichtet werden, um Staub und Pulvernebel von dem Gehäuse fernzuhalten. Die Freihalteluft kann ständig oder nur für kurze Reinigungszeiten eingeschaltet werden und wird üblicherweise so schwach dosiert, daß sie keinen Einfluß auf den Sprühkegel hat. Während des Beschichtungsbetriebes kann die zusätzliche Luft aus dem separaten Kanal 30 je nach Betriebsbedingungen und Anwendungsfall entweder abgeschaltet oder aber zur Beeinflussung und Änderung des aus dem Pulverkanal in die Zerstäuberglocke 4 geleiteten Gemisches verwendet werden.On the conical surface 9 on the rear outside of the atomizer 4 can be directed in a known manner the spray cone of the atomized powder steering air, which emerges from (not shown) nozzles of a arranged in the front end of the atomizer housing 1 shaping air ring 28. Further can be directed in a known manner from an end face of the rear atomizer housing, not shown, so-called free-hold air on the outside of the atomizer housing 1 to keep dust and powder mist from the housing. The free-standing air can be switched on constantly or only for short cleaning times and is usually dosed so weakly that it has no influence on the spray cone. During the coating operation, the additional air from the separate channel 30, depending on operating conditions and application, either switched off or used to influence and change the guided from the powder channel in the atomizer 4 mixture.

In Beschichtungspausen bei abgeschalteter Pulverförderung dient die zusätzliche Luft dagegen als Spülluft zum Reinigen des gesamten Pulverweges von der Mündung 7 des Pulverrohres 6 bis zur Absprühkante 24 einschließlich des Spaltkanals 14.In coating pauses with switched off powder delivery, however, the additional air serves as purge air for cleaning the entire powder path from the mouth 7 of the powder tube 6 to the spray edge 24 including the gap channel 14th

Der Weg der Abtriebsluft der Turbine ist nicht dargestellt. Er kann außerhalb des Luftkanals 30 verlaufen, der jedenfalls an eine von der Turbine getrennte gesteuerte Luftquelle angeschlossen wird. Die zum Spülen des Glockentellers in Beschichtungspausen erforderliche Luftmenge beträgt in der Regel mehr als 200 Normliter (Nl)/min. Während des Beschichtungsbetriebes kann die zusätzliche Luft aus dem Kanal 30 abgeschaltet werden, wenn kein zusätzlicher Eintrag von Dosierluft erforderlich ist.The path of the output air of the turbine is not shown. It can run outside of the air duct 30, which in any case is connected to a separate controlled from the turbine air source. The amount of air required to rinse the bell cup during coating pauses is usually more than 200 standard liters (Nl) / min. During the coating operation, the additional air from the duct 30 may be shut off if no additional supply of dosing air is required.

Die Erfindung eignet sich nicht nur für den als Beispiel gewählten Rotationszerstäuber, sondern insbesondere für ähnliche oder andere Zerstäuber mit beliebigen anders gestalteten Glockentellern. Darüber hinaus ist die Erfindung nicht auf Rotationszerstäuber beschränkt, sondern beispielsweise auch für elektrostatische oder sonstige Pulverpistolen anwendbar. Abweichend von dem beschriebenen Beispiel kann die zusätzliche Luft in das von außen zugeführte Pulver-Luftgemisch statt aus einer zur Zerstäuberachse konzentrischen ringförmigen Öffnung auch durch Düsen, Schlitze, Bohrungen oder sonstige Öffnungen eingeleitet werden, die symmetrisch um den Pulverkanal verteilt oder insbesondere im Fall von Rotationszerstäubern u. U. auch einseitig angeordnet sein können.The invention is suitable not only for the rotary atomizer chosen as an example, but in particular for similar or other atomizers with any other shaped bell plates. In addition, the invention is not limited to rotary atomizers but, for example, also applicable to electrostatic or other powder guns. Notwithstanding the example described, the additional air in the supplied from the outside powder-air mixture instead of a concentric to the Zerstäuberachse annular opening are also introduced through nozzles, slots, holes or other openings, which are distributed symmetrically around the powder channel or in particular in the case of Rotationszerstäubern u. U. can also be arranged on one side.

Ferner kann es abweichend von dem beschriebenen Ausführungsbeispiel sinnvoll sein, die als Spülluft dienende zusätzliche Luft nicht erst an der Mündung des von der externen Pulversorgung gespeisten Pulverkanals des Zerstäubers einzutragen, sondern an einer stromaufwärts liegenden Stelle, beispielsweise am Pulvereingang des Zerstäubers.Furthermore, it may be useful, notwithstanding the described embodiment, not to enter the additional air serving as purge air not at the mouth of the fed by the external power supply powder channel of the atomizer, but at an upstream location, for example at the powder inlet of the atomizer.

Claims (11)

  1. Powder atomiser for an installation for series coating of workpieces with powder coating material,
    with a central powder channel (6) which leads to an orifice (7) and is connected or connectable to an external line for supplying the atomiser with a mixture of the coating powder and air,
    wherein the powder/air mixture flowing through the powder channel (6) and out of the orifice (7) is atomised,
    with an additional air channel (30) which opens on the orifice (7) of the powder channel (6), and in particular with a driving turbine (2) for an atomiser bell (4),
    characterised in that the air which can be introduced from the additional air channel (30) into the path (14) of the mixture emerging from the orifice (7) of the powder channel (6) can be controlled for flushing this path (14) in the coating pauses and/or for setting a desired proportion of air in the powder/air mixture,
    wherein the additional air channel (30) is connected to a controlled air source separate from the driving turbine (2) when a driving turbine (2) is present, and/or the air from the additional air channel (30) can be disconnected during the coating operation.
  2. Powder atomiser as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the additional air channel (30) opens out of an annular gap (31) surrounding the mouth end of the powder channel (6).
  3. Powder atomiser as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 with an atomiser bell (4) which rotates during coating and which is fixed on a hollow shaft (3) containing the powder channel (6) and contains a path leading to its spray edge (24) through which the powder/air mixture emerging from the powder channel (6) flows, characterised in that the additional air is directed into the path (14) leading to the spray edge (24).
  4. Powder atomiser as claimed in Claim 3, characterised in that the additional air is directed into a gap channel (14).
  5. Powder atomiser as claimed in Claim 4, characterised in that the gap channel (14) is delimited by conical surfaces (10, 16) in the interior of the atomiser bell (4).
  6. Powder atomiser as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 5, characterised in that the additional air channel (30) surrounds the powder channel (6) within the hollow shaft (3) in an annular manner.
  7. Method of series coating of workpieces with powder coating material using a powder atomiser with a powder channel (6) leading through the atomiser into which a mixture of coating powder and air delivered from an external powder line flows to an orifice (7), and in particular with a driving turbine (2) for a rotating atomiser bell (4),
    wherein the powder/air mixture flowing through the powder channel (6) and emerging from the orifice (7) is atomised,
    characterised in that in coating pauses air from an additional air channel (30) which serves for flushing and cleaning and is delivered to the atomiser outside the external powder line is introduced into the powder channel (6) or into the path (14) of the mixture emerging from the orifice of the powder channel (6),
    wherein the additional air channel (30) is connected to a controlled air source separate from the driving turbine (2) when a driving turbine (2) is present, and/or the air from the additional air channel (30) can be disconnected during the coating operation.
  8. Method as claimed in Claim 7, characterised in that during the coating operation air which mixes with the mixture delivered by the external powder line and is delivered to the atomiser outside the external powder line is introduced from the additional air channel (30) into the powder channel (6) or into the path of the mixture coming out of the orifice (7) of the powder channel (6).
  9. Method as claimed in Claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the air from the additional air channel (30) is introduced directly at the orifice (7) of the powder channel (6).
  10. Method as claimed in Claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the air from the additional air channel (30) is introduced into the powder channel (6) of the atomiser upstream of the orifice (7) thereof.
  11. Method as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 10, characterised in that the quantity of additional air for flushing amounts to at least 200 Nl/min.
EP02004870A 2001-03-08 2002-03-04 Powder spraying device and powder coating process Expired - Lifetime EP1238710B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE10111209 2001-03-08
DE10111209 2001-03-08
US10/053,455 US20030080206A1 (en) 2001-03-08 2001-10-25 Powder bell purge tube

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EP1238710A1 EP1238710A1 (en) 2002-09-11
EP1238710B1 true EP1238710B1 (en) 2006-09-06

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US (2) US20030080206A1 (en)
EP (1) EP1238710B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE338585T1 (en)
DE (1) DE50208039D1 (en)
ES (1) ES2269534T3 (en)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10202712A1 (en) 2002-01-24 2003-07-31 Duerr Systems Gmbh Method for controlling the spray jet width of an atomizer and atomizer for the serial coating of workpieces
US7721976B2 (en) * 2002-07-22 2010-05-25 Durr Systems, Inc. High speed rotating atomizer assembly
DE10321614A1 (en) * 2003-05-14 2004-12-30 P + S Pulverbeschichtungs- Und Staubfilteranlagen Gmbh Coating process as well as powder nozzle and coating booth

Family Cites Families (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2955565A (en) * 1956-03-19 1960-10-11 Electro Dispersion Corp Electrostatic coating apparatus
US4114564A (en) * 1963-06-13 1978-09-19 Ransburg Corporation Electrostatic coating apparatus
US3292860A (en) * 1963-10-28 1966-12-20 Ransburg Electro Coating Corp Electrostatic spray coating apparatus
US3233655A (en) * 1964-05-07 1966-02-08 Stratford Eng Corp Liquid atomization apparatus
FR1595173A (en) * 1968-12-17 1970-06-08
US3630441A (en) * 1970-10-30 1971-12-28 Tunzini Sames Electrostatic spraying apparatus
US3940061A (en) * 1974-09-16 1976-02-24 Champion Spark Plug Company Electrostatic spray gun for powder coating material
US4360155A (en) * 1979-12-21 1982-11-23 G & R Electro-Powder Coating Corporation Powder coating distributor
DE3003684A1 (en) * 1980-02-01 1981-08-06 ESB Elektrostatische und G.F. Vöhringer GmbH, 7758 Meersburg POWDER SPRAYER WITH RINSING DEVICE
DE3640497A1 (en) * 1986-11-27 1988-06-09 Ucosan Bv OUTLET NOZZLE FOR THE OUTLET VALVE OF A WHIRLPOOL TUB
FR2692173B1 (en) * 1992-06-10 1994-09-02 Sames Sa Device for electrostatic projection of a powder coating product with a rotating ionization head.
FR2706328B1 (en) * 1993-06-17 1995-09-29 Sames Sa Electrostatic powder coating product projector with a rotating projection head.
JPH1015440A (en) * 1996-07-08 1998-01-20 Ransburg Ind Kk Electrostatic coater

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Publication number Publication date
US20050001056A1 (en) 2005-01-06
ATE338585T1 (en) 2006-09-15
US6913214B2 (en) 2005-07-05
ES2269534T3 (en) 2007-04-01
EP1238710A1 (en) 2002-09-11
US20030080206A1 (en) 2003-05-01
DE50208039D1 (en) 2006-10-19

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