EP2056970B1 - Cleaning apparatus for sprayers, in particular spray guns, and method for cleaning a sprayer - Google Patents

Abstract

Cleaning apparatus for sprayers (8), in particular spray guns, comprising at least one sprayer holder (3) for holding a sprayer (8), preferably a spray gun head, a mixing device (9) with a compressed air input (10), a cleaning agent input (11) and a mixture output (12), wherein the mixing device (9) is set up in order to mix the compressed air and the cleaning agent and to supply the mixture in the form of a compressed air and cleaning agent mixture to the mixture output (12), wherein a spraying device which is connected to the mixture output (12) is aligned with the sprayer holder (3) and is suitable for dispensing the cleaning mixture by spraying, wherein the mixing device (9) is set up to supply the compressed air to the mixture output (12) with a pressure differential in relation to the cleaning agent, and wherein the mixing device (9) is furthermore set up to supply the compressed air to the mixture output (12) at a higher pressure than the cleaning agent, and also a method for cleaning a sprayer with a cleaning apparatus, characterized in that compressed air is supplied to the mixture output (12) with a pressure differential in relation to the cleaning means, with the compressed air being supplied to the mixture output (12) at a higher pressure than the cleaning agent.

Description

The present invention relates to a cleaning device for atomizers, in particular paint spray guns, according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for cleaning an atomizer.

Atomizers are used to apply fluids, such as paints or coatings, to an article, such as a vehicle body. By means of the atomizer, a fluid generates a fine mist of the fluid which can be applied to the object. If the atomizer is a hand-operated apparatus for applying paints, it is often referred to as a paint spray gun because of the shape reminiscent of a firearm. In industrial use on automatic painting plants, the atomizers are used on robots as air (cap) atomizers or bells, as well as with external electrodes followed by dry blowing. However, the sprayers described above must be cleaned regularly, i. be removed from residues of the possibly already dried fluid. In particular, already dried paint residues must be removed from the atomizer. For this purpose, devices have become known from the prior art.

The GB 2 198 033 A discloses a cleaning device for atomizers of the type mentioned.

From the EP 0 869 848 B1 is an apparatus for cleaning spray guns comprising a closed container having an inlet, a spout and an opening for receiving a nozzle of a spray gun, a spray device rotatably mounted in said container and having said inlet in fluid communication wherein said spray device has a staggered cleaning nozzle for spraying a cleaning spray onto said opening and a rotating device for effecting rotation of said spray device, said opening having a. A sealing device for sealingly receiving said spray guns and for positioning said nozzle of said spray guns in said cleaning spray, said rotating device having a rotary nozzle for spraying a rotary spray.

Although the aforementioned device is suitable for cleaning spray guns, in particular paint spray guns, it is, however, comprehensible that the mechanics and the sealing technology for the rotary device described are correspondingly expensive.

There are also known cleaning devices that do not have a rotary device. For example, the DE 101 10 098 A1 a cleaning device for Farbaustraggeräte, with at least one cleaning container, are plugged into the parts to be cleaned of the Farbaustraggerätes, wherein in the cleaning container at least one supply line is provided which has at least one directed against the parts to be cleaned outlet for the cleaning agent. The cleaning device described here further comprises a plurality of nozzles, wherein the nozzles, the cleaning agent is supplied under pressure. Although the cleaning device is characterized by a simple construction, in particular no rotating nozzles are provided, however, a considerable number of nozzles must be provided in order to free the paint discharge device on all sides from paint residues. It is understandable that this results in a significant consumption of cleaning agents, which is undesirable from the point of view of both cost and environmental aspects.

From the US 3,771,539 a cleaning device for paint spray guns is known, in which the cleaning medium by means of hoses in the cleaning container in which the paint spray gun is passed. The DE 26 55 875 A1 discloses a multi-nozzle block for dusting tool surfaces, in which the products to be sputtered from two supply lines and by two associated with these control valves are inserted into two lines. There they are atomized by compressed air and then fed nozzles, which are made of a pressed or welded copper pipe.

This is where the present invention sets and makes it its mission to propose a cleaning device which is characterized by a simple structure, a high cleaning effect and low maintenance.

According to the invention this object is achieved by a cleaning device with the characterizing features of claim 1. Characterized in that the mixing device is adapted to supply the compressed air with a pressure difference compared to the cleaning agent to the mixture output, wherein the mixing device is further adapted to supply the compressed air at a higher pressure than the cleaning agent to the mixture output, a Vaporisierungseffekt is achieved, ie the surface , As well as the volume of the cleaning agent is increased many times, so that a maximum cleaning success with the lowest consumption of detergent in the shortest cleaning time in proportion to known cleaning methods and cleaning devices can be achieved. A proposed cleaning device allows a saving of compressed air and cleaning agent of up to 90%. The consumption of detergent is only about 6 to 10ml per cleaning process for a spray gun. To increase the cleaning effect, the invention provides that a first and a second flushing pipe are provided as spraying device, wherein the flushing pipes protrude into the housing, wherein the flushing pipes have a geometric longitudinal axis and wherein the flushing pipes are aligned with the atomizer so that the geometric Cross longitudinal axes in the center of the atomizer receptacle. The fact that, instead of nozzles, use is made of rinsing pipes, that is to say pipes having a longitudinally constant cross-section, which are arranged to spray the mixture of compressed air and cleaning agent onto the atomizer to be cleaned, the risk of such a flushing pipe, for example, by dried-on paint residues, added considerably less.

In an advantageous embodiment of the proposed cleaning device can be provided that the mixing device is adapted to supply the compressed air with a pressure difference of 2 to 4, preferably 3 bar compared to the cleaning agent to the mixture output. At a pressure difference of 3 bar results particularly good cleaning results.

It may also be advantageously provided that the mixing device is adapted to supply the detergent to the mixture outlet at a pressure of about 1 bar and the compressed air to the mixture outlet at a pressure of about 4 bar. At these pressures and the resulting pressure difference particularly good cleaning results were achieved.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention can be provided that the mixing device is adapted to supply the cleaning agent to the mixture outlet at a pressure of about 2 bar and the compressed air to the mixture outlet at a pressure of about 5 bar. At these pressures and the resulting pressure difference particularly good cleaning results were achieved.

It may also be advantageously provided that between the detergent inlet and the mixture outlet, a nozzle is provided, wherein the nozzle has a diameter of 0.5 to 2 mm. Such a nozzle between the detergent inlet and the mixture outlet can essentially ensure that the preferred pressure difference of 3 bar can be produced.

In an advantageous embodiment of the proposed cleaning device can be provided that the cleaning device comprises a housing and a lid, wherein the lid is adapted for receiving the atomizer, wherein the housing is arranged with fastening means for fixing the cleaning device, wherein the lid via spring elements with the Housing is connected. Such a designed cleaning device opens up the possibility to compensate for positional tolerances by the atomizer receptacle relative to the housing, and thus can be moved relative to a mounting position. This possible compensation of positional tolerances acquires special significance in the context of an integration of the cleaning device in existing paint shops or in the positioning of the atomizer in the atomizer by robots.

It may also be advantageously provided that the housing is designed for receiving the spray device. If the lid is arranged to receive the atomizer receptacle, it is advantageous to attach the spraying device to or in the housing so that the lid can be removed for maintenance purposes, for example. Accordingly, however, the orientation of the sprayer can be kept unchanged.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the proposed cleaning device can be provided that the atomizer is equipped with a sprayer facing the funnel. Such a funnel can advantageously be provided for directing the compressed air / cleaning agent mixture to the center of the atomizer receptacle, so that a maximum cleaning effect can be achieved.

Advantageously, it may further be provided that the housing is configured as a vessel, wherein a drain is provided on the bottom side of the vessel. Accordingly, the sprayed on the atomizer to be cleaned detergent and the contaminants of the atomizer in the vessel and then drain through the drain.

It is also known that the use of nozzles for cleaning devices for atomizers, in particular for paint spray guns, tend to add, if, for example, washed-off paint residues settle on the nozzles. As a result, there is a correspondingly high maintenance for cleaning devices which spray the detergent by means of nozzles on the paint spray guns.

A further object of the present invention is a method for cleaning an atomizer with a cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims to propose, which is characterized by a maximum cleaning success with the lowest consumption of cleaning agent. According to the invention this object is achieved in that the compressed air is supplied to the mixture output with a pressure difference relative to the cleaning agent, wherein the compressed air is supplied to the mixture output at a higher pressure than the cleaning agent. By this measure, a Vaporisierungseffekt achieved, ie the surface, and the volume of the detergent is increased many times, so that a maximum cleaning success with the lowest consumption in the shortest cleaning time in relation to known cleaning methods and cleaning devices can be achieved. A proposed cleaning device allows a saving of compressed air and cleaning agent of up to 90%. The consumption of detergent is only about 6 to 10ml per cleaning process for a spray gun.

It can also be advantageously provided that the mixture outlet compressed air and detergent with a pressure difference of 2 to 4, preferably 3 bar is supplied. In this pressure difference particularly good cleaning results were achieved.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the proposed method can be provided that the detergent is supplied to the mixture outlet at a pressure of about 1 bar and the compressed air to the mixture outlet at a pressure of about 4 bar. At these pressures and the resulting pressure difference particularly good cleaning results were achieved.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention can be provided that the detergent is supplied to the mixture outlet at a pressure of about 2 bar and the compressed air to the mixture outlet at a pressure of about 5 bar. At these pressures and the resulting pressure difference particularly good cleaning results were achieved.

Fig. 1

eine seitliche Ansicht auf eine erfindungsgemäße Reinigungsvorrichtung;

Fig. 2

eine teilweise geschnittene Ansicht auf eine erfindungsgemäße Reinigungsvorrichtung.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show in it

Fig. 1

a side view of a cleaning device according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a partially sectioned view of a cleaning device according to the invention.

A cleaning device according to the invention essentially comprises a nebulizer receptacle 3, a first flushing pipe 1 and a second flushing pipe 2. The flushing pipes 1, 2 are aligned with the atomizing receptacle 3 in such a way that a compressed air / cleaning agent mixture emerging from the flushing pipes 1, 2 opens in the compressed air cleaning agent mixture Atomizer 3 recorded atomizer 8 can reach. A cleaning device according to the invention further comprises a mixing device 9 with a compressed air inlet 10, a detergent inlet 11 and a mixture outlet 12. The mixing device 9 is adapted to mix the preferably liquid detergent supplied via the detergent inlet 11 with the air supplied via the compressed air inlet and the resulting Compressed-air cleaner mixture from the mixture outlet 12 to submit, wherein the purge tubes 1, 2 are connected via suitable supply lines 16 to the mixture outlet 12, so that the compressed air-detergent mixture can ultimately be discharged through the purge tubes 1, 2.

Furthermore, a housing 5 and a cover 4 are provided, the cover 4 being adapted to receive the atomizer receptacle 3 and the housing 5 to receive the flushing pipes 1, 2.

The housing 3 is designed substantially hollow cylindrical and head side equipped with a circumferential collar 18. The rinsing pipes 1, 2 protrude on opposite sides into the hollow cylindrical housing 5 and have a suitable bend to align the rinsing pipes 3, 4 in the direction of the atomizer receptacle 3, which is attached to the cover 4. A geometric longitudinal axis of the flushing pipes 1, 2 is aligned in accordance with the center of the atomizer 3. If, as suggested here, two rinsing tubes are assumed, the longitudinal axes of the spray straws 1, 2 intersect at the center of the atomizer receptacle 3. The housing 5 is further equipped with fastening means 15 for mounting the cleaning device, for example on a painting installation. The housing 5 may optionally be hollow cylinder-shaped and open on the bottom side, as well as a vessel 13 with a 'bottom-side drain 14 be configured. Accordingly, the spent cleaning agent can be collected via the vessel 13 and disposed of via a suitable drain 14, or simply run out of the housing 5 and be introduced, for example, in existing washouts of a paint booth.

The lid 4 is circular and rests on the collar 18. Preferably, the collar 18 may be provided with a circumferential seal 19 so that the housing 5 and cover 4 are sealed from each other. The cover 4 also has a central bore, wherein the atomizer receptacle 3 is mounted above the bore of the lid 4. Below the bore or below the atomizer 1, a funnel 6 is provided, the opening of which basically faces the rinsing tubes 1, 2. As a result, an even better deflection of emerging from the rinsing pipes 1, 2 compressed air cleaning agent mixture is ensured.

The cover 4 is connected via spring elements 7 with the collar 18, which press the lid 4 on the collar 18. Der Deckel 4 ist mit dem Deckel 18 verbunden. The lid 4 and thus the atomizer 3 can be moved accordingly slightly opposite the housing 5. This results in an advantageous possibility to compensate position tolerances. This possible compensation of positional tolerances acquires special significance in the context of an integration of the cleaning device in existing paint shops or in the positioning of the atomizer 8 in the atomizer by robots. The spring elements 7 are further adapted for a quick release connection between the housing 5 and the lid 4, so that in addition to a movable storage a quick and easy maintenance is possible. So-called "quicklock" closures are preferably suitable for a detachable connection between cover 4 and housing 5.

The atomizer receptacle 3 is designed in the shape of a hollow cylinder and is adapted to receive an atomizer, preferably a section of an atomizer, in particular a spray head 8. The atomizer head 8 can be inserted at least in sections through the atomizer receptacle 3. For advantageous retention of the atomizing head 8, an insert 17, preferably a rubber insert, is provided inside the atomiser receptacle 1.

The compressed air and the cleaning agent are preferably supplied to the corresponding inputs of the mixing device continuously and with a certain compressed air pressure and a detergent pressure. According to the invention it is now provided that the mixing device 9 is adapted to supply the compressed air with a pressure difference compared to the cleaning agent to the mixture outlet 12, wherein the mixing device 9 is further adapted to supply the compressed air at a higher pressure than the cleaning agent to the mixture outlet 12. As a result, a Vaporisierungseffekt is achieved, ie the surface, and the volume of the detergent is increased many times, so that a maximum cleaning success with the lowest consumption of detergent in the shortest cleaning time in relation to known cleaning methods and cleaning devices. can be achieved. A proposed cleaning device allows a saving of compressed air and cleaning agent of up to 90%. The consumption of detergent is only about 6 to 10ml per cleaning process for a spray gun. It is advantageously provided that the mixing device 9 is adapted to supply the compressed air with a 3 bar higher pressure than the detergent to the mixture outlet 12. This can be ensured, for example, by a nozzle between the detergent inlet and the mixture outlet of 0.5 to 2 mm. As particularly advantageous pressures, 1 to 2 bar detergent pressure and correspondingly 4 to 5 bar compressed air pressure have been found. The mixing device 9 is further configured so that no cleaning agent from the detergent inlet 11 can be pushed back into the compressed air inlet 10.

It is further provided according to the invention that the cleaning device is currently not equipped with nozzles from which the mixture of compressed air and cleaning agent is sprayed onto the atomizer 3. Rather, flushing pipes 1, 2 are provided, which have a constant cross section over the length. Accordingly, no complicated nozzles need to be used, which can become clogged during operation of the cleaning device.

Preferably, the cleaning device is made of stainless steel VA, resulting in easy maintenance and self-cleaning. Also, the cleaning device is characterized by a compact design for high efficiency, is inexpensive to produce and can be integrated into all current existing systems.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

first flush pipe

2

second rinse pipe

3

Zerstäuberaufnahme

4

cover

5

casing

6

funnel

7

Spring elements / quick-release fasteners

8th

Atomizer / atomizer head

9

mixing device

10

Compressed air inlet

11

Detergent input

12

mixture output

13

vessel

14

procedure

15

fastener

16

leads

17

commitment

18

collar

19

poetry

Claims (13)

1. Cleaning apparatus for sprayers (8), in particular paint spray guns, comprising at least

   - a sprayer receiver (3) for receiving a sprayer (8), preferably a spray gun head,

   - a mixing device (9) with a compressed air inlet (10), a cleaning agent inlet (11) and a mixture outlet (12),

   - the mixing device (9) being arranged to enable compressed air to be fed in at a compressed air pressure via the compressed air inlet (10),

   - the mixing device (9) being arranged to enable cleaning agent to be fed in at a cleaning agent pressure via the cleaning agent inlet (11),

   - the mixing device (9) being arranged to mix the compressed air and the cleaning agent and to feed them to the mixture outlet (12) in the form of a compressed air and cleaning agent mixture,

   - a spraying device, which is connected to the mixture outlet (12), being aligned with the sprayer receiver (3) and being suitable for dispensing the cleaning mixture by spraying,

   the mixing device (9) being arranged to feed the compressed air to the mixture outlet (12) with a pressure differential in relation to the cleaning agent, and the mixing device (9) furthermore being arranged to feed the compressed air to the mixture outlet (12) at a higher pressure than the cleaning agent,
   characterized in that a first flushing tube (1) and a second flushing tube (2) are provided as a spraying device, the flushing tubes (1, 2) projecting into the housing (5), the flushing tubes (1, 2) having a geometric longitudinal axis, and the flushing tubes (1, 2) being aligned with the sprayer receiver (3) in such a way that the geometric longitudinal axes intersect at the centre of the sprayer receiver (3).
2. Cleaning apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the mixing device (9) is arranged to feed the compressed air to the mixture outlet (12) with a pressure differential of 2 to 4, preferably 3, bar in relation to the cleaning agent.
3. Cleaning apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mixing device (9) is arranged to feed the cleaning agent to the mixture outlet (12) at a pressure of about 1 bar and to feed the compressed air to the mixture outlet (12) at a pressure of about 4 bar.
4. Cleaning apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mixing device (9) is arranged to feed the cleaning agent to the mixture outlet (12) at a pressure of about 2 bar and to feed the compressed air to the mixture outlet (12) at a pressure of about 5 bar.
5. Cleaning apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a nozzle is provided between the cleaning agent inlet (11) and the mixture outlet (12), the nozzle having a diameter of 0.5 to 2 mm.
6. Cleaning apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning apparatus comprises a housing (5) and a cover (4), the cover (4) being arranged to hold the sprayer receiver (3), the housing (5) being arranged with fastening means (15) for fastening the cleaning apparatus, the cover (4) being connected to the housing by way of spring elements (7).
7. Cleaning apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (5) is designed to hold the spraying device.
8. Cleaning apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sprayer receiver (3) is fitted with a funnel (6) facing the spraying device.
9. Cleaning apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (5) is designed as a vessel (13), wherein a drain (14) is provided at the bottom of the vessel (13).
10. Method for cleaning a sprayer with a cleaning apparatus in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that compressed air is fed to the mixture outlet (12) with a pressure differential in relation to the cleaning agent, the compressed air being fed to the mixture outlet (12) at a higher pressure than the cleaning agent.
11. Method for cleaning a sprayer according to Claim 10, characterized in that compressed air and cleaning agent are fed to the mixture outlet (12) with a pressure differential of 2 to 4, preferably 3, bar.
12. Method for cleaning a sprayer according to Claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the cleaning agent is fed to the mixture outlet (12) at a pressure of about 1 bar and the compressed air is fed to the mixture outlet (12) at a pressure of about 4 bar.
13. Method for cleaning a sprayer according to one of Claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the cleaning agent is fed to the mixture outlet (12) at a pressure of about 2 bar and the compressed air is fed to the mixture outlet (12) at a pressure of about 5 bar.

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