EP2682192A1 - Installation de laquage et procédé destinés à transporter de la laque - Google Patents

Abstract

The painting system (1) has multiple spray nozzles (6), which are provided for applying paint on an object to be coated. The spray nozzles are connected to a paint supply unit (12) by a common supply line system (8,10). The paint supply unit has a hyperbaric chamber (30) for incorporating a paint container (28), where the hyperbaric chamber is formed of a base plate (34) and a pressure bell (36) attached on the base plate. A paint supply tube (44) is guided through the pressure bell. An independent claim is included for a method for conveying paint to multiple spray nozzles provided for applying paint on an object to be coated.

Description

The invention relates to a paint shop with a number of provided for applying paint on an object to be coated atomizers, which are connected via a common supply line system, in particular a common main supply line or with separate stub lines to a paint supply unit. It further relates to a method for conveying paint to a number of atomizers provided for applying the paint to an object to be coated.

Painting systems of the above type are used, for example, in the coating or painting of motor vehicle bodies. For the supply of various atomizers, which may be arranged one behind the other in the manner of a Lackierstraße and provided for applying paint in different stages, a main supply line for supplying the paint is usually provided, for example, in the manner of a so-called loop at a corresponding Paint booth along or around this can be performed. From this main supply line or loop then branches off with the interposition of suitable components such as valves or the like from spurs that open into the respective atomizer and can convey the paint to these. If appropriate, in particular in a system provided for coating with paints of different colors, it is also possible for a plurality of ring lines to be provided, wherein suitable color changers can usually be connected to the system at the branch of the respective branch lines. Alternatively, in particular depending on the distances between the paint supply unit and the atomizers or color changers, the use of individual, the paint supply unit immediately downstream stub lines may be provided to the delivery points instead of the ring lines.

The supply line system, so in particular the loop or the system of individual stubs, is usually connected on the input side to a paint supply unit via which the paint material from a paint container, such as a replaceable paint bucket or the like, can be fed into the supply lines by means of a feed pump or conveyor. In the embodiment of the main supply line as a so-called ring line, this end may in turn also be connected in the manner of a circular or annular guide to the paint reservoir, so that the guided in the loop, recirculated paint on the output side can flow back into the paint reservoir. Alternatively, however, the supply line system can also be designed in the manner of a number of branch lines, which are only connected on the input side to the paint storage container.

In the majority of such systems are used in the manner of mass production, with comparatively large numbers of components such as vehicle bodies are painted and coated with consistent standard shades. In such an operating mode, a virtually constant paint flow can thus be maintained in the overall system, without the discarding of remnant stocks or the recovery of amounts of paint in the system would be required due to media changes or the like.

On the other hand, however, such systems can also be used for the processing of very small series or an individual production of individual components, for example, when attaching a special finish for an individually designed motor vehicle. When applying to such a low-sized workpiece numbers or the like adapted amounts of paint decentralized provision of individual paint reservoir in the immediate application area, so close to the individual atomizers may be provided. However, such a system is relatively complicated to handle, and a central paint supply and thus an automation of operations is excluded.

To counter this, it is out of the EP 1 142 649 B1 known, a paint shop of the type mentioned targeted for an automated and needs-based processing of individual pieces or even small series. It is provided to make using the pigging technology a demand-adapted and thus targeted feed smaller, even adapted to a minor paint requirements amounts of paint in the loop or main supply line, so that the resulting not usable residual amounts can be kept relatively low.

With regard to an increasing individualization in the coloring of vehicle parts and the like, it has been shown that in many processing scenarios, even a need for the smallest quantities of paint with frequent color changes must be expected. For example, it can also come in the production of individualized workpieces or the like in terms of particularly high quality requirements for on-demand post-processing in the painting process, so that a particularly flexible provision of very small amounts of paint is desirable. In view of a limited temporal processability of "cracked" lacquer quantities or inventories can be problematic in particular the associated with frequent color changes and the associated flushing of the paint lines Committee and lead to undesirable overhead during operation of the paint.

The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a paint shop of the type mentioned above, which is suitable to a particular extent and with particularly low maintenance also for a needs-based provision of particularly low individual paint amounts. In addition, a particularly suitable for the application of even the lowest batches of paint quantities at low waste committee for promoting paint to a number of zur Application of the paint to be provided on a object to be coated atomizers specified.

With regard to the paint shop, the stated object is achieved according to the invention by the paint supply unit comprises a provided for receiving a paint container over-pressure chamber, which is formed by a bottom plate and a sealing with the edge of its opening placed on the bottom plate pressure bell.

The invention is based on the consideration that the operating costs can be kept particularly low especially in the provision of the smallest individualized paint quantities by consistently avoiding or at least minimizing the possible resulting, especially in the form of just incurred in color changes to discard residual paint amounts becomes. For this purpose, the painting system in its entirety should consequently be designed to keep the amount of paint required for operation in the system to be particularly low. For this purpose, it is provided in particular just interpreted the delivery member for feeding the paint from the reservoir into the main supply line largely such that to maintain the operation in the conveying member possible no or only small amounts of paint are required. In order to take this into account, a departure from the conventional in the application of paint promotion concept, namely a paint delivery via feed pumps, provided as principle inherent in the operation of such feed pumps certain amounts of paint in the functional parts of the respective pumps are necessary without further action for a Application are not available.

Instead, it is now provided to carry out the paint promotion by applying the lacquer container containing the paint to be applied with overpressure. Due to the overpressure of the paint is displaced into a projecting into the paint container Lackaustragsrohr in, and from this he can to the corresponding paint lines are forwarded. For this purpose, an overpressure chamber is provided into which the lacquer container containing the lacquer, that is to say in particular a paint canister or a paint or paint bucket, can be introduced.

The pressure chamber is preferably designed for a particularly facilitated introduction of conventional and commercial paint bucket or container as a paint container, so that in the processing of the paint no decanting or otherwise vessel change is required. With regard to conventional vessel or container sizes and their handling, the overpressure chamber is preferably designed as a system consisting of a substantially planar bottom plate and associated, over the bottom plate buckle pressure bell. Just by the substantially flat, plate-like design of the bottom plate, which can be performed in a particularly advantageous development while avoiding circumferential edges, annular beads or the like, even with comparatively heavy paint or Lackeimern a manual placement or pushing the paint container on the bottom plate is comparatively easy possible. Then then the bell jar can be placed on the bottom plate and connected to this sealing, these processes can be made automated and / or mechanically assisted.

To produce and maintain the sealing connection between base plate and pressure bell, a device for clamping the pressure bell against the bottom plate, for example a clamp system or a bayonet closure, is provided in a particularly advantageous development. In order to ensure a sufficient tightness of the overpressure chamber, in a further advantageous embodiment, suitable sealing means are provided between the pressure bell and the bottom plate, for example a circumferential sealing ring.

Advantageously, in addition to the supply line system is formed using so-called piggable lines, in which Resort to the example of the EP 1 142 649 B1 known pigging technology is a "packet" or needs-based coating of the individual paint lines with individualized and adapted to the identified needs amounts of paint is possible. This design can be advantageous both for a main supply line in the manner of a loop or the like as well as for a number of stubs. In such a combined system is advantageously fed by the paint supply unit while largely avoiding remaining residual amounts of paint, the individually and needs determined amount of paint in the supply line system, wherein after feeding to the media side conclusion of the paint package thus formed a pig is introduced into the respective paint line. This serves as a release agent for reliable delimitation of the paint package of a subsequently fed into the main supply line sliding medium or the like, via which the pig and thus the paint package lying in front of him in the conveying direction in the respective paint line is further promoted. By such a combined embodiment, therefore, both the operation of the paint supply unit and the operation of the paint supply line is largely possible without resorting to additional quantities of paint to maintain the operation of the respective components.

In order to allow a reliable use even the smallest remaining in the paint container residual paint amounts, a Lackaustragsrohr is advantageously performed by the bell pressure, in the free end of auszufördernde paint can flow. The Lackaustragsrohr is expediently positioned so that its free end with mounted pressure chamber, so when placed on the bottom plate pressure bell in the immediate vicinity of the bottom plate above, preferably at most 30mm above the bottom plate is located.

A particularly reliable and metered delivery even the smallest amounts of paint in the main supply line can be achieved by an advantageous development the paint supply unit designed as a metering system is suitably combined with a sensor system for comparatively high-precision determination of the amount of paint dispensed and fed into the supply line system. In order to make this possible, the paint discharge pipe is provided with a flow sensor in a particularly advantageous development, so that the amount of paint delivered can be reliably determined therefrom.

An even further adaptation of the painting to the requirements of reliable provision of even the smallest amounts of paint can be achieved by the pressure chamber advantageously for a particularly suitable as discharge pressure chamber pressure of at least 5 bar, advantageously from about 6 bar to 8 bar, designed. In the specification of such a selected, comparatively high chamber pressure is taken into account in particular that even with the smallest amounts of paint targeted delivery of each paint package to individual sampling stations, ie in particular the respective branch points of the individual atomizers associated stubs should be possible. To take this into account, the length of the respective paint package in the pipe system should be sufficiently high to ensure reliable positioning of the paint package along the supply line. Especially with comparatively small amounts of paint and the consequent low volume of the respective paint package this is advantageously taken into account by the respective paint line is dimensioned with a comparatively low cable cross-section, so that even a small-volume paint package has a certain length in the wiring harness. In order to ensure a reliable transport of paint packages also in view of the consequent increased flow resistance in the respective line, the chamber pressure should be selected appropriately. In a further advantageous embodiment, the paint shop is designed such that the product of internal volume of the pressure chamber (in liters) and design pressure (in bar) is at most 200.

The paint shop is basically designed for paint delivery using the chamber pressure in the overpressure chamber. In order to be able to suitably adjust and optionally also vary the delivered amount of paint in accordance with requirements and with regard to the operating processes, the overpressure chamber is expediently connected to an overpressure system which has an adjusting device for setting a predeterminable chamber pressure in the overpressure chamber. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the control system is designed as a control system, via the means of suitable control of the pressure in the pressure chamber, the discharged paint amount and / or the Ausströmrate of the paint can be set as a reference variable. For this purpose, the painting system advantageously comprises a control unit via which the chamber pressure in the overpressure chamber is controllable in such a way that from the paint container a predetermined quantity of paint is conveyed to the supply line system in a predetermined time, preferably in the shortest possible time with regard to the other system and ambient conditions becomes. The control unit is in a particularly advantageous embodiment, the signal input side connected to the Lackaustragsrohr associated flow sensor and signal output side with the adjusting device for adjusting the chamber pressure in the pressure chamber. As a result, in particular, a control loop can be provided in which the chamber pressure is tracked as a function of the actual value and the desired value for the discharged paint quantity.

In an alternative advantageous embodiment but also a fixed predetermined pressure in the interior of the pressure chamber can be adjusted, wherein the amount of the discharged paint is controlled by the appropriate control of the Lackaustragsrohr associated release valve.

A particularly compact and thus also material-saving construction of the paint shop can be achieved by carrying out, in an advantageous development, essential components of the paint supply unit in the manner of an integrated unit. For this purpose, the pressure bell of the pressure chamber is advantageously with a manifold provided in the Lackaustragsrohr opens and there branches into a plurality of connecting lines for the atomizer. In this way, in particular a system can be realized in which individual stubs for the atomizer directly from the manifold block and thus depart directly from the bell, so that all distribution components and the like can be spatially positioned directly to each other. Such a compact design also favors any required maintenance or rinsing operations, as in any case no major distances are to be overcome. The compact and integrated design is still further accessible, in which in a further advantageous embodiment, the or some sensors and optionally a switching unit for the branch point of a vent line are also integrated into the manifold block.

In order to keep the committee and the resulting in the processing of paint amounts, ultimately discard residual amounts particularly low, the paint shop is in a particularly advantageous embodiment for the widest possible and virtually residue-free emptying of the paint container, with which the supplied paint to be processed is provided. To make this possible, is advantageously the Lackaustragsrohr, which is introduced to the paint receptacle in the paint container, provided at its free end with a backstop. This can for example be designed as a suitable non-return valve, as a ball check valve or the like and is advantageously arranged in the immediate end of the Lackaustragsrohrs.

Additionally or alternatively, it is provided in an advantageous further development to selectively collect residual paint quantities still present in the paint container in a selected bottom region of the paint container, preferably in the immediate vicinity of the free end of the paint discharge pipe, so that a removal is possible for these residual paint quantities as well. In order to make this possible, in an advantageous embodiment, the overpressure chamber is pivotable, in particular from the vertical. By this configuration, the paint container be tilted as needed, so that it collects residual paint remaining in a limited space at the bottom of the tank. Alternatively or additionally, for example, by sufficiently long dimensioning of the Lackaustragsrohrs, be provided that upon insertion of the Lackaustragsrohrs in the paint container in the bottom region by mechanical contact with the Lackaustragsrohr deformation is generated, which can serve as a collection point for residual paint amounts. To make this possible, the Lackaustragsrohr is advantageously sufficiently long dimensioned and in particular has a length, which, seen from above, beyond the bottom of the paint container provided for providing the paint protrudes by at least a few mm down.

For loading and unloading the pressure chamber with the respective paint container is provided that the bottom plate and pressure bell are suitably separated from each other, so that there is a corresponding access opening into the interior of the pressure chamber. This and the provided after introduction of a new paint container into the chamber interior closing of the pressure chamber is carried out by the bottom plate on the one hand and the pressure bell on the other hand are suitably moved relative to each other. It could be provided, for example, that the bottom plate is held stationary, the bell jar temporarily raised and after z. B. a container change is placed back on the bottom plate. To facilitate handling but is advantageously provided that the bell jaw is held stationary and instead moves the bottom plate relative to the pressure bell and initially lowered and raised again after replacement of the paint container. For this purpose, the bottom plate is advantageously mounted vertically adjustable.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the system is designed such that an automated merging and locking of pressure bell and bottom plate can be done. In the automated merging of the bell jar and the bottom plate preferably monitors a sensor for an automated lock required correct positioning to each other. Once this positioning is achieved, one or more fasteners, preferably latch hooks are activated, the pressure bell and bottom plate firmly and preferably positively connect with each other. The fastening devices can be designed, for example, as a pneumatically or motor-operated lever, as a splined connection or as a bayonet lock. The correct function of the fastening device and in particular the proper locking of pressure bell and bottom plate is preferably also monitored by a sensor, in particular a proximity switch or a pressure sensor.

In an additional or alternative advantageous embodiment, a number of cleaning devices are arranged in the overpressure chamber, via which the cleaning of the inner region of the pressure bell and possibly of auxiliary devices arranged therein can take place.

With regard to the method, the stated object is achieved by putting a paint container containing the paint under pressure and thereby at least a portion of the paint in the paint container is supplied via a projecting into the paint container Lackaustragsrohr a atomizer associated with the common supply line system. The paint container is advantageously applied in response to the desired amount of paint with overpressure.

Preferably, the paint container is placed on an approximately flat bottom plate, which is pressure-tightly connected to a pressure vessel überölbenden the paint container.

The advantages achieved by the invention are in particular that, due to the configuration of the paint supply unit provided in the supply introduction system for paint supply unit as a pressure system, ie in particular by turning away from the pumping system-based conveying concepts actually used, a particularly far-reaching minimization of the so-called "dead", thus necessary to maintain the operational processes, volumes in the paint shop is possible. Thus, in addition to the amount of paint to be applied for the maintenance of operational processes necessary residual paint amount can be kept particularly low, so that the paint feed can be made particularly needs. Thus, the paint consumption of the system as a whole and the production of rejects or no longer usable residual paint can be kept particularly low even in extremely small quantities required in individual cases and frequently required color changes.

Fig. 1

schematisch eine Lackieranlage Im Längsschnitt in einer Betriebsposition, und

Fig. 2,

die Lackieranlage gemäß Fig. 1 in einer Be-/Entladeposition.

An embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing. Show:

Fig. 1

schematically a painting plant in longitudinal section in an operating position, and

2,

the paint shop according to Fig. 1 in a loading / unloading position.

Identical parts are provided in both figures with the same reference numerals.

The paint shop 1 according to Fig. 1 is in the exemplary embodiment for processing in particular of very small series of motor vehicles or an individual production of individual components, for example, in the attachment of a special paint for an individually designed motor vehicle designed. For this purpose, the paint shop 1 comprises a number of branch lines or coating lines 2, 4, of which only two are shown in the embodiment; Of course, but also a painter strand or a larger number of Lackiersträngen can be provided leidglich. Each spur line or each coating line 2,4 each has a plurality, arranged one behind the other and provided for the application of paint on the object to be coated atomizer 6, the under Forming the respective coating line 2, 4 via the respective, within the respective Lackierstrangs 2, 4 the atomizers 6 together as a supply line 8 and 10 associated stub to a two Lackiersträngen 2, 4 common paint supply unit 12 are connected. The spur lines or supply lines 8, 10 thus form a common to the atomizers 6 supply line system 8, 10. Alternatively, the supply line system 8, 10 should be designed as a number of loops or the like, from a common branch point to the individual atomizers 6 and lead from this back to the paint supply unit 12 to form a self-contained wiring to return residual amounts of paint from the supply lines 8, 10 back into the paint supply unit 12, if necessary.

The stub lines or supply lines 8, 10 of Lackierstränge 2, 4 are freely selectable in length and lead in a paint booth, not shown to the respective atomizers 6. Alternatively or additionally, color changer can also be provided at a suitable position, with which a switch between each Paint colors is possible. The supply line 8, 10 is designed in each case piggable. The respective supply line 8, 10 has at its beginning or at its delivery end in each case a release valve 14, which is followed by a first parking station 16 for a newt. Behind the last delivery point, a second parking station 18 is provided for the pig, in which the pig can pass the operatively flowing past him fluid. The first parking station 16 is adjoined by a valve combination 20 which comprises at least one valve 22 for release into a collecting line or into a collecting container and a valve 24 for flushing agent and a valve 26 for a pushing medium, preferably compressed air. Moreover, the respective supply line 8, 10 suitably designed with recourse to pigging technology, as for example in the EP 1 142 649 B1 is described, the disclosure of which is fully incorporated with respect to the pigging technique used ("incorporation by reference").

The paint shop 1 is specifically designed to allow for very low cost of material under very low operating costs and a minimum application of small amounts of paint and thus the need-based coating of very small series or items. For this purpose, on the one hand, in principle, the feeding of demand-sized color or paint packages using the pigging technology in the respective supply lines 8, 10 is provided, so that residual amounts of paint in the subsequent systems can be kept particularly low. In order to further improve the achievable reduction of operating and material costs, in the Lackieranlange 1 but also the paint supply unit 12 is designed in particular to the processing of very small quantities with substantial reduction of the resulting Committee even with frequent color changes.

For this purpose, the paint supply unit 12 on the one hand designed to keep the amount of paint needed to maintain the operational processes in the manner of a resource particularly low, on the other hand, the corresponding line volumes and the like are kept relatively low. In order to make this possible, the paint supply unit 12 is deliberately turned away from the usual use of pumping systems for paint promotion by applying a coating containing the paint to be dispensed paint container 28 designed with overpressure.

For this purpose, the paint supply unit 12 comprises an overpressure chamber 30 into which the lacquer container 28 containing the lacquer to be applied, for example a conventional lacquer canister, a paint hobbock, a paint or paint bucket or any other commercially available container or vessel for the lacquer, can be introduced. In order to allow even when using conventional container sizes of, for example, 20 or 30 l easier handling during loading and unloading, especially with regard to the weight of paint pails, the pressure chamber 30 is thereby of a bottom plate 34 and an associated Pressure bell 36 formed. The pressure bell 36 can be placed sealingly on the bottom plate 34 to form the overpressure chamber 30 with the edge 38 of its opening. For sealing is in the contact area of pressure bell 36 and bottom plate 34, a circumferential seal 40, provided in the embodiment in the form of an O-ring suitably selected sealing material.

The overpressure chamber 30 and the components forming it are designed for a chamber pressure of 4 to 8 bar, in the exemplary embodiment of about 6 bar, so that a reliable paint delivery is guaranteed on overpressure. Consequently, the seal 40 is selected accordingly. If necessary, for example, with a comparatively small dimensioning of the overpressure chamber 30 and / or smaller diameters of the connected Lackaustragsleitungen, the chamber pressure and, accordingly, the said components can also be designed for a target value of, for example, more than 10 bar. To pressurize the overpressure chamber 30 with the desired chamber pressure, this is further connected to a suitably designed overpressure system 42.

For discharging the paint from the overpressure chamber 30, a paint discharge pipe 44 is performed by the pressure bell 36, which protrudes into the interior of the paint container 28 when placed on the bottom plate 34 pressure bell, and the free end 46 positioned in this state in the immediate vicinity of the paint container 28 is. This is to ensure that even with only a low level of the paint in the paint container 28, a reliable inflow of the paint is ensured in the Lackaustragsrohr 44. In the exemplary embodiment, the components are dimensioned and configured in such a way that the free end 46 of the paint discharge pipe 44 is positioned approximately 5 to 10 mm above the bottom plate 34 and thus less than 30 mm above the bottom plate 34 when the pressure bell 36 is placed on the bottom plate 34. In order to favor the inflow of paint into the free end 46 of the Lackaustragsrohrs 44 even with very low-level positioning of the free end 46 or even allow the first, the free end 46 is also made chamfered.

Due to the design of the delivery principle of the paint supply unit 12 as a pressure system 42 ensures that the amount of paint spent by the applied pressure in the Lackaustragsrohr 44 amounts of paint can be fed almost completely and residue-free in the supply lines 8, 10. In this case, a comparatively high-precision application of precisely metered amounts of paint and an adjustment of particularly suitable discharge rates by the use of flow sensors or via a correspondingly precise adjustment of the overpressure within the pressure chamber 30 and a suitable process control is possible. In order to further improve the accuracy of the targeted and needs-based paint feed, the paint supply unit 12 is also provided with a number of sensors for accurate determination of the delivered amount of paint.

For this purpose, on the one hand the Lackaustragsrohr 44 is provided with a flow sensor 50. Further such flow sensors not shown in the exemplary embodiment could in particular also be associated with the individual branch lines or supply lines 8, 10. Furthermore, a number of pressure sensors 52 for detecting and monitoring the chamber pressure is arranged within the overpressure chamber 30. Adjacent to Lackaustragssrohr 44 also protrudes a level sensor 54 into the interior of the pressure chamber 30 and into the interior of the paint container 28 into it. In addition, an agitator 56, which likewise projects into the interior of the overpressure chamber 30 and into the interior of the paint container 28, can also be provided for stirring the paint in the paint container 28.

For process control and control of the paint shop 1 in the embodiment, an automation system 60 is assigned; Alternatively, a central control center for the paint shop 1 and possibly even further painting facilities could be provided. The automation system 60 includes a control unit 62, which via a signal line 63 or preferably via a bus system or the like is connected to an overpressure system 42 associated adjusting device 64 for setting a predetermined chamber pressure in the pressure chamber 30. In the exemplary embodiment, a throttle valve that can be acted upon by the control unit 62 with an actuating signal is provided as the actuating device 64.

The automation system 60 is designed for controlling the paint delivery by demand-driven control and adjustment of the chamber pressure in the overpressure chamber 30. For this purpose, the control unit 62 is signal input side via signal lines 66 or preferably also via a bus system or the like with the Lackaustragsrohr 44 associated flow sensor 50, the pressure sensors 52 and the level sensor 54 and signal output side connected to the actuator 64 and a switched into the Lackaustragsrohr 44 release valve 68. Thus, a control system is provided, with which the chamber pressure is used as a control parameter for the regulation of paint application with the conveyed paint amount as a reference variable. In addition, the control unit 62 is signal side connected to a drive unit 69 for the agitator 56, so that this is controllable via the control unit 62, z. B. depending on the level in the paint container 28th

The paint supply unit 12 is also designed for an integrated and thus particularly compact design. For this purpose, the pressure bell 36 is provided with a manifold block 70, in which the Lackaustragsrohr 44 via the intermediate release valve 68 opens, and in which this branched into a number of connecting lines 72, 74 for the supply lines 8, 10 on the one hand and optionally a vent line on the other hand. The distributor block 70 is mounted directly on the pressure bell 36 for the integrated and compact design. Depending on requirements, further valves for flushing agent, compressed air and / or release of various flushing or venting paths, in particular also the valves 22, 24, 26, can be integrated into the distributor block 70.

In order to further reduce the purchase of remaining paint amounts, the Lackaustragsrohr 44 is provided at its free end 46 with a backstop, in particular in the form of a check valve, preferably a ball check valve. In addition, the Lackaustragsrohr 44 may be formed for discharging a remaining amount of residual paint during idling of the paint container 28, for example by a run in Lackaustragsrohr 44 or a ball floating therein, which transfers the remaining amount of residual paint within the Lackaustragsrohrs 44 in the manifold block 70.

The Lackaustragsrohr 44 is also sufficiently rigid in terms of its choice of material and dimensioned in its length so that it exceeds the height of the paint container 28 such that upon penetration of the Lackaustragsrohrs 44 in the paint container 28, a local deformation of the container bottom through the free end 46 of the Lackaustragsrohrs 44 is enabled. Corresponding to this, the base plate 34 is contoured on its upper side 80 carrying the paint container 28 in such a way that it has a depression 84 in the positioning region 82 for the paint container 28. Thus, upon penetration of the paint discharge pipe 44 into the paint container 28, a corresponding local depression can be produced in the container bottom, the container bottom conforming to the contour in the upper side 80 of the bottom plate 34. In the resulting depression in the container bottom residual paint quantities can collect and be provided for the Lackaustragsrohr 44, so that a targeted discharge even the smallest amounts of residual paint is favored. In the region of the depression 84, the bottom plate 34 also has a drain opening 88, which can be closed by a valve 86, via which residues of paint, detergent or the like can be dispensed to a waste container 90.

Furthermore, different spray nozzles 92 can be integrated into the pressure bell 36, with which the paint-carrying components and the interior of the overpressure chamber 30 can be rinsed. For this purpose, the spray nozzles 92 are each connected to each with a valve 93 shut-off supply lines for a rinsing or cleaning agent connected; They thus serve as cleaning means for cleaning the interior of the bell jar and possibly the auxiliary equipment arranged therein. In a corresponding valve unit at least valves for supplying detergent and compressed air are included, as well as release valves for selecting Spülwege and / or associated pumping valves, which direct the soiled detergent in disposal lines.

In order to facilitate the loading and unloading, so in particular the introduction of the paint container 28 in the interior of the pressure chamber 30, the bottom plate 34 is height adjustable mounted on a support frame 94, whereas the pressure bell 36 is mounted stationary within the frame system. To change the container while the bottom plate 34, as shown in particular in the illustration of the paint shop 1 in loading / unloading in Fig. 2 can be seen, moved away from the bell 36 downwards, so that an annular gap 96 between the bottom plate 34 and pressure bell 36 opens. Once this is sufficiently large, the container change or exchange can be made, the handling of the paint container 28 is not hindered by lateral components such as edges or the like due to the flat in itself design of the bottom plate 34. After placing the new paint container 28 on the bottom plate 34, this can be automatically raised again until it comes again with the overlying bell 36 in contact. After suitable locking of the bottom plate 34 and pressure bell 36, the pressure chamber 30 with the new paint container 28 is then ready for use again. To lock the bottom plate 34 and pressure bell 36 with each other in the embodiment of staple or locking hooks 98 are provided. But it can also be provided another locking mechanism such as a bayonet lock.

The locking hooks 98 are adjustable via a servo motor 100, which in turn is likewise connected to the control unit 62 on the signal side. Thus, via the control unit 62, the position of the locking hook 98 between the positions "open" (for loading and unloading mode, as in Fig. 2 shown) and "closed" (for the operating mode, as in Fig. 1 shown) are switched. After a change of the paint container 28 can thus be effected by moving the bottom plate 34 in the contact position with the bell 36 by controlling the locking hooks 98, an automated locking of the pressure chamber 30. In automated merging of the bell jar 36 and bottom plate 34, a sensor monitors its correct positioning required for automated locking. Once this positioning is achieved, provided as fastening means locking hooks 98 are activated. The fastening devices may alternatively be designed as a pneumatically actuated lever, as a splined connection or as a bayonet lock. The correct function of the locking hooks 98 and in particular the proper locking of pressure bell 36 and bottom plate 34 is also monitored by a sensor, in particular a proximity switch or a pressure sensor.

The paint supply unit 12 and with this also the overpressure chamber 30 is also designed to be pivotable in the longitudinal axis, as indicated by the double arrow 102 in Fig. 1 is symbolized. This is starting from a straight starting position, as in FIG. 1 and 2 shown, by tilting the entire system in case of need a tilted position adjustable. By this tilting is ensured that accumulate small residual amounts of residual paint in the paint container 28 in the bottom area in the immediate vicinity of the free end 46 of Lackaustragsrohrs 44, so that the tilting a targeted discharge even the smallest amounts of residual paint is favored.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

paint shop

2.4

Lackierstrang

6

atomizer

8, 10

supply line

12

Paint supply unit

14

release valve

16, 18

Park station

20

valve combination

22, 24, 26

Valve

28

paint container

30

Hyperbaric chamber

34

baseplate

36

pressure bell

38

edge

40

poetry

42

Overpressure system

44

Lackaustragsrohr

46

free end

50

Flow Sensor

52

pressure sensor

54

level sensor

56

agitator

60

automation system

62

control unit

64

setting device

66

signal line

68

release valve

69

drive unit

70

distribution block

72, 74

connecting cable

80

top

82

positioning region

84

deepening

86

Valve

88

drain hole

90

waste container

92

spray nozzle

93

Valve

94

shoring

96

gap

98

latch hook

100

servomotor

102

double arrow

Claims (18)

Painting installation (1) with a number of atomizers (6) provided for applying paint to an article to be coated, which are connected to a paint supply unit (12) via a common supply line system (8, 10), wherein the paint supply unit (12) has one for Receiving a paint container (28) provided overpressure chamber (30), which is formed by a bottom plate (34) and with the edge (38) of its opening sealingly on the bottom plate (34) attachable pressure bell (36). Painting system (1) according to claim 1, through the pressure bell (36) a Lackaustragsrohr (44) is guided, the free end (46) with at the bottom plate (34) attached pressure bell (36) positioned at most 30 mm above the bottom plate (34) is. Painting installation (1) according to claim 2, whose Lackaustragsrohr (44) is provided with a flow sensor (50). Painting installation (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, whose overpressure chamber (30) is designed for a chamber pressure of at least 5 bar, preferably from about 6 to 8 bar. Painting system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, whose pressure chamber (30) is designed for a chamber pressure such that the product of internal volume of the pressure chamber (30) (in liters) and design pressure (in bar) is at most 200. Painting installation (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, whose overpressure chamber (30) is connected to an overpressure system (42) which has an adjusting device (64) for setting a predeterminable chamber pressure in the overpressure chamber (30). Painting system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, with a control unit (62) via which the chamber pressure in the overpressure chamber (30) is controllable such that from the paint container (28) in a predetermined time a predetermined amount of paint to the supply line system (8, 10) is promoted. Painting installation (1) according to claim 7 in conjunction with claims 3 and 6, the control unit (62) signal input side with the Lackaustragsrohr (44) associated flow sensor (50) and signal output side with the adjusting device (64) for adjusting the chamber pressure in the pressure chamber ( 30) and / or with a Lackaustragsrohr (44) associated release valve (68) is connected. Painting system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, the pressure bell (36) is provided with a manifold block (70) into which the Lackaustragsrohr (44) opens and there in a plurality of connecting lines (36, 38) for the atomizer (6) branches. Painting installation (1) according to claim 9, wherein a blockable vent line (76) is connected to the paint discharge pipe (44) via the distributor block (70). Painting installation (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, whose overpressure chamber (30) is pivotably mounted. Painting system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, the bottom plate (34) and / or the pressure bell (36) is mounted vertically adjustable. Painting system (1) according to claim 12, wherein the merging of pressure bell (36) and bottom plate (34) is automated and monitored by sensors. Painting installation (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, in the overpressure chamber (30) a number of cleaning devices for cleaning the inner region of the pressure bell (36) and possibly arranged therein auxiliary equipment is arranged. Method for conveying paint to a number of atomizers (6) provided for applying the paint to an article to be coated, in which a lacquer container (28) containing a lacquer is pressurized and thereby at least a subset of the paint in the paint container (28) a Lackaustragsrohr (44) projecting into the paint container (28) is fed to a common supply line system (8, 10) assigned to the atomizers (6). The method of claim 15, wherein the paint container (28) is acted upon in response to a predetermined paint delivery with overpressure. The method of claim 15 or 16, wherein the paint delivery amount to be issued in a control unit (62) predetermined and monitored with a flow sensor (50). Method according to one of Claims 15 to 17, in which the paint container (28) is placed on an approximately flat base plate (34) which is pressure-tightly connected to a pressure bell (36) which overhangs the paint container (28).

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