EP2739924B1 - Apparatus for drying painted workpieces - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a method for drying painted workpieces. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for drying painted workpieces.

State of the art

Drying devices for drying painted workpieces are known from the prior art. Such methods and arrangements have been used in great numbers for a long time and in a number of industries.

While in the industrial sector, the freshly painted workpieces in dry cans cure with UV light and hot air, in the craft trades mainly passive drying systems are used. The painted parts remain in the surface area until they are cured to the extent that they can be further processed. For the storage of freshly treated parts are known from the prior art, for example. Hordenwagen. These usually have a scissor link in order to adjust the distance of the pads to the workpiece length can. The workpieces on the pallet trucks are moved to drying in drying chambers where they stay until final drying.

In the DE 10 2010 012 173 B3 a device for drying objects, in particular painted vehicle bodies is described which comprises a drying tunnel. In the drying tunnel a painted workpiece is dried.

Another generic drying unit is from the DE 92 11 961 U1 known.

Furthermore, a generic drying unit according to the preamble of the first claim of the US 2010/0167224 A1 known.

The drying tunnel known from the prior art have the disadvantage that only a certain residence time for the drying is planned for the painted workpieces. During drying, the painted workpieces pass through a drying tunnel in a predetermined time. In this drying tunnel there is no possibility to dry the painted workpieces for different lengths of time. That There are no flexible drying times possible.

Object of the invention

The object of the present invention is to improve the disadvantages of the prior art. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for drying, especially painted workpieces, in which flexible drying times are achievable. Another object of the invention is to allow the workpieces to rest during the dwell time in the dryer. that the workpieces do not experience any movement.

Description of the invention

The object is solved by the independent claim. Advantageous developments are defined in the subclaims.

• zum Ansteuern der Verteilervorrichtung,
• zur Einlagerung der Werkstücke in eine freie Trockeneinheit in der Trockenvorrichtung und
• zur Auslagerung der Werkstücke aus der Trockenvorrichtung eingerichtet ist,

wobei die Steuereinheit ein Zeitmessgerät, einen Speicher und einen Prozessor zur Bestimmung der Verweildauer der Werkstücke in jeweils einer der Trockeneinheiten aufweist.To achieve the object, the present invention proposes a drying device for drying painted workpieces, comprising at least two drying units, wherein the individual drying units for receiving a number of varnished workpieces, heating means adapted to produce a constant temperature in the drying apparatus and in each of the drying units, wherein a first number of workpieces in a drying unit and a second number of workpieces in a further drying unit are dryable independently of each other, one Control unit, and at least one distributor device, wherein the workpieces by means of the distributor device in the drying units can be stored and / or outsourced, wherein the control unit

• for driving the distributor device,
• for storing the workpieces in a free drying unit in the drying device and
• is set up for the removal of the workpieces from the drying device,

wherein the control unit comprises a timepiece, a memory and a processor for determining the residence time of the workpieces in each of the drying units.

The drying device is preferably designed as a tower or drying tower. The drying device is used to dry painted workpieces. The drying device has at least two drying units in which the workpieces to be dried can be introduced and dried. The drying device may also be an evaporation device, a haze device or an annealing device.

The term drying means any type of crosslinking, polymerization and curing of material, in particular the curing of a coating by radiation. Here, a high surface quality and thus a smooth course of the paint is to be achieved.

The drying process of the painted workpieces is carried out in the drying units of the drying device preferably at 80 ° C. According to other temperatures for drying lacquered workpieces are to be selected when lacquers require a higher or lower temperature for drying on a workpiece.

The evaporation process of the painted workpieces is preferably carried out at room temperature in the evaporator. During the evaporation process, the volatile parts of a paint applied to a workpiece volatilize.

Annealing heats a material for an extended period of time. With such a method it is possible, for example, to control the distribution of mechanical stresses in a component. By annealing it is possible to target the structure and the physical properties of a

To change solids, for example, the structure of workpieces made of metal. The control of the aging process or a Antikisierungseffektes a workpiece is thus possible.

The painted workpieces are preferably painted sheets, in particular parts from the automotive industry, as well as painted items made of wood, plastic, porcelain or ceramic, etc ..

A number of coated materials are preferably a multiplicity of painted workpieces which can be applied to a workpiece carrier system, a pallet or another device and can be jointly introduced into a drying unit.

The at least two drying units are dimensioned so that individual workpieces or a certain number of workpieces (for example on a workpiece carrier system) can be received and dried in the drying unit.

The drying units are preferably designed as chambers or drying chambers, which are dimensioned accordingly for drying workpieces.

The heating means are provided as a heat source for the drying of the painted workpieces. Such heating means produce, for example, medium or long-wave infrared radiation or UV light. By means of hot air, drying is also possible. The heating means are arranged centrally in the drying device, so that each drying unit can be heated to a predetermined temperature. Thus, a predetermined constant temperature is established in each of the drying units and in the entire drying apparatus at which the number of painted workpieces is to be dried. In addition to the Temperature, the humidity within the drying device and the supply and the composition of a gas are adjustable.

During drying, a warm air flow is generated in the corresponding drying unit. The air flow flows during the drying phase in the horizontal and / or vertical direction in the individual chambers.

Preferably, the individual chambers have perforated trays which allow air flow from chamber to chamber in the drying device. Thus, in addition to the above-mentioned air flows in the individual chambers of the drying device, which has, for example, superimposed drying units, a vertical air flow from chamber to chamber.

In a preferred embodiment of the inventive drying device, the drying units are independently loadable with workpieces.

A first number of painted workpieces is stored in a corresponding first drying unit, so that the first drying unit can be loaded with workpieces. A second number of painted workpieces is stored in a corresponding second drying unit, so that the second drying unit can be charged with workpieces independently of the first drying unit.

In a further preferred embodiment of the inventive drying device, the drying units have at least one opening, which are set up as an input and / or output for the workpieces to be dried.

The openings are closable openings, e.g. Flaps. But it can also be provided locks for closing the openings. The openings must be closable so that the same temperature prevails within the drying unit in the drying units. An air supply from outside the drying device can be prevented.

In a further preferred embodiment of the inventive drying device, the drying device has at least one distributor device, wherein the workpieces are storable and / or storable by means of the distributor device in the drying units.

The distributor device is designed on the one hand to load the drying units of the drying device painted with workpieces. On the other hand, the distributor device is designed to bring the dried workpieces (after drying) out of the corresponding drying unit again.

In a further preferred embodiment of the inventive drying device, the distributor device has a lifting device and a conveying device.

The lifting device is slidably mounted on the distributor device. A displacement of the lifting device takes place vertically along the distributor device and corresponds to an up and down movement of the lifting device. The lifting device further comprises a conveying device. The lifting device raises the workpieces to the height where there is a free drying unit for receiving the workpieces in the drying device. The workpieces are then using the distributor device can be stored in the drying units and / or outsourced.

In a further preferred embodiment of the inventive drying device, the dimensions of the drying unit for receiving a workpiece carrier system are selected.

The number of workpieces can be stored on a workpiece carrier system in the drying unit. The workpiece carrier system is, for example, a transport unit for receiving the plurality of workpieces or for receiving only one workpiece. The workpiece carrier system may, for example, also be a belt, grid, steel, belt transport or roller conveyor belt. The conveying device, as described above, can also be designed as a workpiece carrier system.

In a further preferred embodiment of the inventive drying device, the distributor device has a lifting device and / or a displacement device.

While the lifting device, as described above, can only perform a vertical up and down movement along the distributor device, the displacement device performs a horizontal movement of the distributor device.

In a further preferred embodiment of the inventive drying device, the drying units are arranged vertically one above the other and / or vertically next to one another.

Thus, it is possible to load a plurality of drying units side by side and one above the other with workpieces.

The drying device has the control unit for driving the distributor device. The control unit is set for storage of the workpieces in a free drying unit in the drying device and for the removal of the workpieces from the drying device.

Furthermore, the control unit has the timepiece, the memory and the processor for determining the residence time of the workpieces in each of the drying units.

The timer is used to measure the time that the workpiece to be dried in the drying device has already dried. The memory stores all information, for example, which lacquer is to dry on which workpiece, how long the workpieces already dry in the drying unit and how long the drying process will take in which of the drying units. The processor calculates when the workpieces are removed from the device ready dried. The control unit detects whether a free drying unit is available in the drying device. If a free drying unit is found, the workpiece is stored in the free drying unit by means of the distributor device controlled by the control device. The control unit determines, as mentioned above, how long a workpiece has to dry at a constant temperature. After completion of the drying process, the dried workpiece is removed from the drying unit by means of the controlled distributor device.

Preferably, further drying devices are provided, which can be approached by means of distributor device and displacement device.

By means of a displacement device, the distribution device with the lifting device and the conveying device is horizontal displaceable. There are further horizontally juxtaposed drying devices approachable, for example. All have the same temperature T1 in the drying units, as described above.

However, drying devices are also provided which, unlike the drying devices described above, have a different temperature T2 for drying the workpieces, the temperature T2 in the drying units also being constant here.

Furthermore, a method for drying painted workpieces is proposed, comprising the following steps: receiving a first number of painted workpieces in a drying unit of a drying apparatus, drying the first number of coated workpieces in the first drying unit at a constant temperature T, recording at least a second number of painted workpieces in a further drying unit of the drying device, drying the at least second number of painted workpieces in the further drying unit at a constant temperature T, removal of the first number of painted workpieces from the respective drying unit after a drying time t1 and removal of the second number of painted workpieces the second drying unit after a drying time t2, wherein the first and the second number of workpieces are time-independently dryable.

At a constant temperature T in the drying apparatus, the first and the second number of workpieces can be dried independently of one another in terms of time. Accordingly, the first number of workpieces, for example, after a time t1 and the second number of workpieces after a time t2 be removed from the drying device. Furthermore, further number of workpieces t3-ti are at a constant Temperature T in the drying device time independently dryable.

In a further preferred embodiment of the inventive method for drying, a drying of painted workpieces in at least one second drying device with a constant temperature T2 is provided.

At a constant temperature T2 in the second drying device, the first and the second number of workpieces can be dried independently of one another in terms of time. Accordingly, the first number of workpieces, for example, after a time t1 and the second number of workpieces after a time t2 be outsourced from the second drying device. Furthermore, a further number of workpieces t3-ti at constant temperature T in the second drying device can be dried independently of one another over time.

Brief description of the figures

• FIG. 1 shows a first schematic view of the drying device according to the invention, wherein a first number of painted workpieces is on a conveyor.
• FIG. 2 shows a further schematic view of the drying device according to the invention, wherein the first number of painted workpieces is in a drying unit.
• FIG. 3 shows a further schematic view of the drying device according to the invention, wherein a second number of painted workpieces is removed from the drying unit.
• FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the drying device according to the invention the Figures 1 - 3 ,
• FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the FIG. 4 ,
• FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment to the Figures 1 - 5 ,
• FIG. 7 shows a plan view of the drying device according to the invention the FIG. 6 ,

Description of preferred embodiments

FIG. 1 shows a conveying device 8, which extends from the painting device 10 towards a distributor device 3.

On the distributor device 3, a lifting device 4, which is vertically displaceable upwards along the distributor device 3, is mounted. The lifting device 4 has a conveying device 5. The conveying device 5 is provided on the lifting device 4.

The lifting device 4 facing away from the end of the conveyor device 5 is connected to a drying device 1.

The drying device 1 according to the invention consists of a multiplicity of drying units 2.1 to 2.15 arranged one above the other. For clarity, not all drying units are labeled individually.

The drying device 1 also has a control unit 12. The distributor device 3 and the drying device 1 can be controlled by the control unit. The storage of the painted workpieces 6.1 in a free drying unit 2 of Drying device 1 and the outsourcing of the dried workpieces 6.1 from the drying device 1 are executable by means of the control unit 12.

A number of painting workpieces 6.1, which have left the painting device 10, located on the conveyor device 8 on the way to the distribution device 3 (arrow A). The workpieces are then placed on the lifting device 4 of the distributor device 3 so as to be conveyed vertically upwards along the distributor device. The lifting device 4 conveys the workpieces up to a height where a free drying unit 2.6 is ready to receive the workpieces 6.1.

Each drying unit 2.1 to 2.15 has an opening 7 which is provided with a flap in order to prevent an air supply from outside the drying device 1 ( FIG. 2 ). The opening 7 is located on the side of the drying unit at which the workpieces are stored and retrieved. For the sake of clarity, only one opening 7 is shown.

The workpieces 6.1 to be dried are located on the conveying device 5 on the way to the drying device 1.

As in FIG. 2 shown, the flap 7 is folded up. The drying unit 2.6 is prepared for the storage of the workpieces 6.1. The conveyor 5 conveys the workpieces 6.1 in the free drying unit 2.6. After the storage of the workpieces 6.1, the flap 7 is closed again. The drying process takes place at a constant temperature in the entire drying device 1 in the drying unit 2.6.

FIG. 3 shows further workpieces 6.2, etc., which are also in the drying device 1 in other drying units 2.4, etc. have been stored for the drying process at a constant temperature. The drying time of the workpieces 6.2 is in FIG. 3 terminated, so that the workpieces 6.2 can be removed from the drying unit 2.4. Since the drying of the workpieces 6.2 takes place temporally independently of the drying of the workpieces 6.1, etc., the drying of the workpieces 6.1, etc. in this case is not completed. The flap 7 is opened to outsource the dried workpieces 6.2 from the drying unit 2.4. The outsourcing of the workpieces 6.2 takes place in the direction of arrow D. The conveying device 5 stores the workpieces 6.2 out of the drying unit 2.4 in the direction of the distributor device 3.

As in the plan view in FIG. 4 shown, the workpieces 6.2 can be transported away by means of a conveyor 9. For this purpose, the lifting device 4 must first be shut down to the level of the conveyor 9 with the workpieces 6.2.

In FIG. 4 further horizontally juxtaposed drying devices 1.1 to 1.4 are provided, all of which have the same temperature in the drying units (eg. 60 ° C).

FIG. 4 further shows a displacement device 11. By means of the displacement device 11, the distribution device 3 with the lifting device 4 and the conveyor device 5 is horizontally displaceable (arrow E). Painted workpieces can be stored in one of the free drying units of the drying devices 1.1 to 1.4. After drying, the workpieces on the conveyor 9 are transported away.

FIG. 5 shows how FIG. 4 a displacement device 11. By means of displacement device 11, the distribution device 3 with the lifting device 4 and the conveying device 5 is horizontally displaceable (arrow E). In the FIG. 5 In addition to the drying devices 1.1 to 1.4 further horizontally juxtaposed drying devices are provided. For clarity, not all dryers are individually labeled. The other drying devices have to the drying devices 1.1 to 1.4 other temperatures in the respective drying units (eg. 25 ° C, 45 ° C, 60 ° C and 80 ° C). For clarity, not all dryers are individually labeled.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment to the FIGS. 1 to 5 , In contrast to FIG. 3 after the drying time of the materials not the flap 7 but the flap 7 'is opened to outsource the dried workpieces from the drying unit. The flap 7 'is arranged on the opposite side of the flap 7.

In FIG. 6 the outsourcing of the workpieces 6.1 takes place in the direction of arrow D. The conveying device 5 'transports the workpieces 6.1 in the direction of the distributor device 3' onto the lifting device 4 '. The lifting device 4 is shut down to the level of the conveyor 9 '. The workpieces 6.1 can be removed via the conveyor 9 '.

FIG. 7 shows in contrast to FIG. 5 a further displacement device 11 '. By means of displacement device 11 'is the distribution device 3' with the lifting device 4 'and the conveyor 5' horizontally displaceable (arrow E '). This makes it possible to outsource dried workpieces from the drying device 1 and the conveyor 9 'supply (arrow F'). As in FIG. 5 In addition to the drying devices 1.1 to 1.4 further horizontally juxtaposed drying devices are provided. For clarity, not all dryers are individually labeled. The further drying devices point to the drying devices 1.1 to 1.4 other temperatures in the respective drying units (for example 25 ° C, 45 ° C, 60 ° C and 80 ° C). For clarity, not all dryers are individually labeled.

The invention provides an apparatus and a method for drying, in particular painted workpieces, in which flexible drying times can be achieved and in which the workpieces can rest during the dwell time in the drying apparatus.

Claims (7)

1. Drying device (1) for drying painted workpieces (6, 6'), comprising

   - at least two drying units (2, 2'), wherein the individual drying units are set up to receive a number of painted workpieces (6, 6'),

   - heating means, which are set up to generate a constant temperature in the drying device (1) and in each of the drying units (2, 2'), wherein a first number of workpieces (6) in a drying unit (2) and a second number of workpieces (6') in a further drying unit (2') can be dried independently of each ocher in terms of time,

   - a control unit (12), and

   - at least one distributing device (3, 3'), wherein the workpieces (6) can be inserted in and/or removed from the drying units (2) by means of the at least one distributing device (3, 3'), characterized in that the control unit (12) is set up

   - to control the at least one distributing device (3, 3'),

   - to insert the workpieces (6) in a free drying unit (2) in the drying device (1) and

   - to remove the workpieces (6) from the drying device (1), wherein the control unit (12) has a timer, a memory and a processor for determining the retention time of the workpieces (6) in respectively one of the drying units (2).
2. Drying device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the drying units (2) can be loaded with workpieces (6) independently of each other.
3. Drying device (1) according to one of the previous claims, wherein the drying units (2) have at least one opening (13, 13'), which is set up as an inlet and/or outlet for the workpieces (6) to be dried.
4. Drying device (1) according to one of the previous claims, wherein the distributing device (3, 3') has a lifting device (4, 4') and a conveying device (5, 5').
5. Drying device (1) according to one of the previous claims, wherein the dimensions of the individual drying units (2) are selected to receive a workpiece carrier system.
6. Drying device (1) according to one of the previous claims, wherein the at least one distributing device (3, 3') has a lifting device (4, 4') and/or shift device (11, 11').
7. Drying device (1) according to one of the previous claims, wherein the drying units (2) are arranged vertically above one another and/or vertically next to one another.

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