EP2830779A1

EP2830779A1 - Dry-ice cleaning device and process for a painting installation

Info

Publication number: EP2830779A1
Application number: EP13719014.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Frank Herre; Marcus Frey; Michael Baumann; Georg M. Sommer; Thomas Buck
Original assignee: Duerr Systems AG
Current assignee: Duerr Systems AG
Priority date: 2012-03-30
Filing date: 2013-03-28
Publication date: 2015-02-04
Anticipated expiration: 2033-03-28
Also published as: WO2013143707A1; MX2014011501A; US20150158145A1; CN104271254B; US10279453B2; EP2830779B1; DE102012006567A1; CN104271254A; JP2015518415A

Abstract

The invention relates to a painting-installation cleaning device (1) for cleaning at least one component (B) of a painting installation, in particular at least one component (B) of a painting robot or of a handling robot, characterized by at least one dry-ice nozzle (2) for producing a dry-ice jet that cleans the component (B).

Description

DESCRIPTION

DRY ICON CLEANSING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR A PAINT LINE

The invention relates to a cleaning device suitable for a painting installation for cleaning at least one component of the painting installation, in particular for cleaning a component of a painting robot or a handling robot, and a corresponding cleaning method. With the cleaning device, a system is meant, which may also include the components to be cleaned and, if necessary, moving devices therefor and possibly required program controls, motion controls and other particular automatic controls.

The painting of motor vehicle bodies and share their cultivation it is unavoidable to contamination of the components used in the paint, such as nebulizers, door or bonnet ( "Openertools") gratings, robot parts, Lackierkabinenwände, etc. through output Lackne ^¬ bel , paint drops, paint overspray, etc .. For the reason in re ^¬ regular intervals required purification are known various cleaning equipment and cleaning methods that are associated with some disadvantages.

A common cleaning method is the spray cleaning process using detergent and compressed air to dry the components to be cleaned. Another common cleaning method is the mechanical cleaning method with brush, which is usually used in combination with the spray cleaning process. A disadvantage of this conventional cleaning process is the time required for it to dry, the Spülmit ^¬ telverbrauch and the size of the required cleaning technology he ^¬ required large. In the mechanical cleaning method with brush also has the disadvantage that the brush is ^{verschleißanfäl ¬} lig and can be contaminated even by paint. In addition, dissolved bristles can get stuck on the components to be cleaned and fall later during the painting process, for example on to be coated motor vehicle bodies or their components and damage them.

The object of the invention is to provide an alternative and / or improved ver ^¬ suitable for a painting Reinigungseinrich- tung for cleaning components of a paint shop to sheep ^¬ fen.

This object can be achieved in particular by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are described in the subclaims.

The invention provides a suitable for a painting cleaning means for cleaning at least one component of the paint, in particular at least a part of a painting robot or a handling robot, in which ^¬ at least one Trockeneisdüse for generating a the component cleaned Trockeneinstrahls and in typical cases for application is provided by dry ice on the component to be cleaned. In the context of the invention, "dry ice" in particular comprises at least one of the following: snow (preferably carbon dioxide snow), dry snow, carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) and / or a two-phase carbon dioxide mixture comprising carbon dioxide gas and carbon dioxide particles. alternatively or additionally Bige grain sizes in solid state and / or in the form of isolated particles. In addition, in the context of the invention, the dry ice or generally the carbon dioxide are preferably admixed or metered into a suitably pressurized carrier gas.

The invention provides for the first time a cleaning device with at least one dry ice nozzle for spraying dry ice onto a component to be cleaned, wherein both the cleaning device itself and the dry ice to be applied or sprayed are configured for use in a paint shop. It should be mentioned that not only the cleaning device itself must be configured for use in a paint shop (e.g., explosion proof, paint and solvent resistant, etc.), but also the generated one

Dry ice. Thus, conventional dry ice configurations applied for cleaning are unsuitable for use in paint shops, e.g. due to small particles of carbon dioxide or too large particles of carbon dioxide, with the result that the paint to be removed can not be removed adequately and / or the sensitive components to be cleaned are damaged.

The cleaning of objects by spraying with dry ice is known per se. However, it follows from the above explanation that the known dry ice cleaning methods and dry ice cleaning devices are unsuitable for the particularly automated use in paint shops, e.g. due to non-existing paint resistance, non-existing rinse / solvent resistance, nonexistent

Labs-freedom (free from paint-disturbing substances), non-existent explosion protection required in paint shops, unsuitable dry ice configuration, etc. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a robot is provided which guides the component to be cleaned and which is preferably configured to position the component to be cleaned in front of the dry ice nozzle and / or to move (eg rotate) relative to the dry ice nozzle during the cleaning operation , transversal and / or linear translational), whereby the component to be cleaned can be cleaned over its entire outer circumference, for example.

The distance between the dry ice nozzle and the component to be cleaned, i. between the nozzle orifice and the surface of the component to be cleaned may preferably be between 1 mm and 30 mm during the irradiation. Here, the arrival angle of the nozzle to the component surface can be suitably selected depending on the requirement.

The nozzle can also be aligned with the component in such a way that the surface to be cleaned is only indirectly influenced or illuminated by the dry ice jet since it is also illuminated

"Vorbeistrahlen" of the dry ice on the object to be cleaned may have a cleaning effect.Here, the pollution is embrittled by the cooling of the pollution, for example by passing carbon dioxide carrier gas, and then detached.

In particular, in such, but also in other embodiments of the invention, the dry ice nozzle may be arranged in a stationary manner.

Furthermore, the area to be cleaned (for example, an atomizer) can be divided into several cleaning sections, which are then approached and cleaned sequentially and in freely configurable sequence. These cycles can be freely para- can be set and adjusted according to the contamination. Fixed cycles are also possible.

Between the individual cleaning processes and sections, the component to be cleaned can always be its actual

Do the job in the spray booth. Only all sections together will result in a completely clean component.

The cycles or times when the individual sections are cleaned can be freely programmed and set.

It is also possible to set the different sections in different dependencies to each other, so that a part, for example, the lower part of a painting, is always cleaned before the other sections. This can be realized with special software and a cycle counter with dependencies.

It is possible for the dry ice nozzle to be carried by a robot and to be movably guided by means of the robot. The robot is preferably configured to position the dry ice nozzle in front of the component to be cleaned and / or moved relative to the component to be cleaned during the cleaning operation (e.g., rotated, transversely and / or linearly translationally), whereby the component to be cleaned is e.g. can be cleaned over its entire outer circumference.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the robots are configured to move both the dry ice nozzle and the component to be cleaned during the cleaning process. The movement of the dry ice nozzle and the component to be cleaned can preferably take place in opposite directions and / or consecutively or simultaneously. The dry ice nozzle can for example be firmly mounted on a robot. But it is also possible that the dry ice nozzle is interchangeable mounted on a robot and, for example, automatically recorded / replaced before a cleaning process by a robot and / or automatically stored / replaced after a cleaning process.

In one embodiment of the invention, a robot carries both a nebulizer or a handling tool (eg, a handling tool of a handling robot) and the. Dry nozzle ^¬. The Trockeneisdüse is expediently attached to the Robo ^¬ ter that the function of the atomiser or of the handling tool is not affected by the Trockeneisdüse. Suitably, the dry ice nozzle can be shielded, for example by means of a cover of the atomizer or the handling tool.

The Trockeneisdüse may be designed to be adjustable in their nozzle contour and / or in their orientation, for example to allow an adaptation to different outer contours of the component to be cleaned to be directed onto the component to be cleaned in different Ausrichtun ^¬ conditions (for example different cleaning angles) to and / or to the dry ice blasting with different configurations (eg different beam spread angles, different beam widths, etc.) output from the Trockeneisdüse Koen ^¬ NEN. For this purpose, the cleaning means may comprise entspre ^¬ sponding adjusting means operatively connected to the Trockeneisdüse.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention meh ^¬ eral dry nozzles are provided. It is possible that dry nozzles positioned at the same height or are positioned to be cleaned, for example to simultaneously un ^¬ terschiedliche areas of the outer periphery of the component to be cleaned. Alternatively or additionally, it is possible that dry ice nozzles positioned at different heights or can be positioned to be able to clean, for example, to simultaneously hö ^¬ henmäßig differing regions of the component to be cleaned (for example a bell-shaped plate, denhalterungsabschnitt an electrical, in particular, electrode ring or E- lektrodenfinger, and / or a hand axis of a robot).

The dry ice nozzles may be arranged or arranged to cover the preferably entire outer periphery of the component to be cleaned during the cleaning process.

It is possible that the Trockeneisdüse is directed downwards during a cleaning ^¬ supply operation so that loosened soil particles are discharged downward. This can eg by means of the mentioned Trockeneisdüsenverstellfunktion

and / or by means of the robot carrying the dry ice nozzle. Alternatively or additionally, it is possible that a protective element is provided (in particular a

Fender or a housing or a collecting funnel with or without suction), to prevent that detached during the cleaning dirt particles or dry ice hit a to be painted part ^¬ rendes.

The cleaning device is preferably constructed in such a way that internal rinsing processes, for example of an atomizer, can take place parallel to the cleaning by means of dry ice and expediently independent of the atomizer orientation (eg bell-plate axis obliquely in space, tube, trays for collecting, deflection of the atomized over the bell-shaped plate Media, etc.). The component to be cleaned can be at least one of the following: an atomizer, which is guided by a painting robot; a handle (eg an opener or opener tool of a handling robot, in particular for opening doors, hoods or flaps); a hand axis of a robot; a proximal robotic arm of a robot; a distal robot arm of a robot; a cabin wall of a paint booth, in particular a window pane in the cabin wall; a floor of a painting cabin, in particular a grid in the floor of the painting booth; a guide rail for a robot (eg for moving the robot); a conveyor for transporting components to be painted by the paint shop; an electrode holder ring of an atomizer; Light grid; Silhouettes; Silhouette doors; components to be painted; and / or a frame for hanging of components to be painted. In short, all components of a paint shop, which can be contaminated by paint particles, eg overspray, be cleaned by means of the cleaning device.

The cleaning device may e.g. be equipped with a supply device for supplying the dry ice with the dry ice or carbon dioxide to produce dry ice. Furthermore, a ring line for connecting the supply device with a plurality of dry ice nozzles can be provided in each case via a branch line which branches off from the ring line to the respective dry ice nozzle.

It is possible for a sensor, in particular a camera sensor, to be provided which determines the cleaning result. Within the scope of the invention, this also includes monitoring of the cleaning process. In addition, for example, a temperature sensor may be provided which determines the temperature of the component to be cleaned. As a result, the cleaning performance (eg the cleaning result) are preferably monitored virtually online. The atomizer could partially evaluate the cleaning result itself, eg by measuring the current and / or the voltage at standstill / idle. From this, the success of the cleaning or generally the cleaning result can be determined.

The dry ice may at least partially consist of a carbon dioxide mixture comprising carbon dioxide gas and carbon dioxide particles. The dry ice outputted from the Trockeneisdüse is thus preferably two- or multi-phase (carbon dioxide gas and carbon dioxide comprising particles, possibly with air port Trans ^¬ or other carrier gas). The cleaning device, in particular the dry ice nozzle, is configured such that the carbon dioxide, in particular the carbon dioxide mixture, is miscible with a pressurized carrier gas prior to leaving the dry ice nozzle, in particular can be mixed with a pressurized carrier gas. For this purpose, the cleaning device may comprise a carrier gas supply means and / or a mixing device (eg a mixing chamber or the agglomeration chamber mentioned below) for mixing carbon dioxide, in particular the carbon dioxide mixture, with the pressurized carrier gas. The pressurized carrier gas is preferably compressed air. The carbon dioxide may be within the scope of the invention, the carrier gas supplied ^¬ mixed and / or vice versa. The cleaning device is therefore suitably configured to mix carbon dioxide, in particular the two-phase carbon dioxide mixture, with a pressurized carrier gas.

It is possible that the cleaning device comprises a heating device for heating the pressurized carrier gas. Furthermore, it may be expedient that, following the cleaning, the surface to be cleaned is heated with a downstream fan with warm air in order to prevent it from falling below the dew point on the surface of the object to be cleaned. Heating may also be accomplished by other heating methods such as infrared radiation and other methods known in the art. Furthermore, it is possible to supply the object to be cleaned by internal channels with hot air to heat it. Further, in the object, an electric heater such as a heating coil or a heating wire may be incorporated to prevent excessive cooling of the surface.

The cleaning device may comprise an agglomeration chamber to which fluid carbon dioxide can be supplied and in which a carbon dioxide mixture comprising carbon dioxide gas and carbon dioxide particles and thus expediently has a two-phase configuration can be formed by agglomeration of carbon dioxide snow crystals. The carbon dioxide, in particular the carbon dioxide mixture, may be in the agglomeration chamber and / or the mentioned

Mixing chamber with a pressurized carrier gas (e.g., compressed air), e.g. be metered via a dosing agent.

The mixing chamber and the agglomeration chamber can be connected to one another, for example, via a metering opening. But it is also possible that the agglomeration chamber and the mixing chamber overlap at least partially or the agglomeration chamber and the mixing chamber are one and the same chamber. The mixing and / or agglomeration chamber is preferably located near or in front of the dry ice nozzle. The expediently liquid carbon dioxide supplied to the agglomeration chamber is preferably expanded in the agglomeration chamber and / or at least partially converted into carbon dioxide crystals which are compressed and / or agglomerated.

The cleaning device may comprise at least one adjusting device (eg, a control and / or regulating device) to adjust the amount, pressure and / or temperature of the carrier gas for the carbon dioxide and / or carbon dioxide to produce the dry ice, whereby the cleaning effect can be influenced appropriately, eg before and / or during the cleaning process. The setting can be regulated in a closed loop.

For the purpose of tempering, for example, a continuous cooler between agglomeration chamber and carbon dioxide supply can be switched, in order then to allow a temperature control of the carbon dioxide. The temperature control of the cooler can be freely parameterized, also via the robot controller.

Furthermore, it is possible that in the C0 ₂ supply a device is included, which prevents any gas bubbles occurring in the supply line of the liquid C0 ₂ supply, for example with a buffer bottle, so as to obtain a stable cleaning result.

The cleaning device may also comprise at least one control unit for checking (eg monitoring, detection, etc.) of at least one parameter which permits a conclusion on at least one of the following, in particular one of the following: pressure, quantity and / or Temperature of the carbon dioxide to produce the dry ice; Pressure, amount and / or temperature of the dry ice itself; Pressure, quantity and / or tempera- tur of the carrier gas; Room temperature; Cleaning distance between dry ice nozzle and component to be cleaned; Position of the component to be cleaned; Orientation of the component to be cleaned; Position of the dry ice nozzle; Alignment (eg cleaning angle) of the dry ice nozzle; and / or temperature of the component to be cleaned. The control unit may include, for example, measuring and / or sensor devices.

It is also possible to use a device for increasing the carbon dioxide pressure in order to then parameterize and vary it freely via a control unit in accordance with the cleaning process.

It is possible for at least one output variable of the cleaning device to be adjustable in dependence on at least one of the above-mentioned monitored parameters by means of at least one adjusting device (eg a control and / or regulating device) and the output variable is selected from at least one of the following: alignment (eg Cleaning angle) of the dry ice nozzle relative to the component to be cleaned; Amount, pressure and / or temperature of the carbon dioxide to produce the dry ice; Amount, pressure and / or temperature of the dry ice itself; Amount, pressure and / or temperature of the carrier gas; Cleaning distance between dry ice nozzle and component to be cleaned; Cleaning time; Cleaning interval;

Positioning and / or moving parameters of the robot carrying the dry ice nozzle; and / or positioning and / or movement parameters of the robot carrying the component to be cleaned.

The cleaning device is expediently designed explosion-proof, eg by means of grounded components, explosion-proof electrical components, electrically conductive materials, etc. For this purpose, the statutory Basic principles for explosion protection of countries such as the ATEX Directive 94/9 / EC for Europe. Alternatively or additionally, the cleaning device may comprise a valve which, for safety reasons, preferably automatically closes or at least reduces carbon dioxide emission if a successful or potential, in particular imminent, excessive carbon dioxide leakage is detected by means of a detection device (eg a sensor). The cleaning device and in particular the dry ice nozzle is preferably configured so that it can clean the component to be cleaned essentially exposed by the dry ice, so that, for example, in the prior art conventional cleaning containers into which the atomizers to be cleaned must be introduced, not required are. However, embodiments are also encompassed by the invention with a cleaning container into which the components to be cleaned can be guided in order to be cleaned in the cleaning container by the dry ice. In the case of the exposed cleaning variant, the cleaning device preferably comprises one

Air flow generating means which generates a downflow of air to bring down debris or dry ice discharged, e.g. beyond a paint booth floor (e.g., a grate) out of a paint booth.

It should be mentioned that the adjustment of pressure and / or temperature of the carrier gas and / or of the carbon dioxide can preferably take place via a pressure regulator and / or a proportional valve, for example in order to influence the consumption quantities and / or the cleaning effect. These may be arranged centrally or decentrally, wherein carbon dioxide control valves are expediently arranged in the vicinity of the dry ice nozzles. However, the control can be done centrally. It should also be mentioned that the carrier gas is preferably pressurized (eg compressed air). The carrier gas serves, in particular, to accelerate the dry ice (for example in the form of the two-phase carbon dioxide mixture), preferably at supersonic speed.

The acceleration of the mixture of transport air or other carrier gas and carbon dioxide to supersonic can, for example, be done by a shaped according to the Lavalprinzip nozzle. Such Laval nozzle geometries are well known in the art.

It should also be mentioned that the carbon dioxide fed to the agglomeration chamber is expediently fluid, in particular liquid.

It should also be mentioned that the dry ice is preferably output as a dry ice jet from the dry ice nozzle. The paint shop is preferably a paint shop for painting motor vehicle bodies and / or their attachments (for example bumpers, bumpers, bumpers, etc.).

The mentioned robots are preferably painting or handling robots. Within the scope of the invention, however, the robots include any, preferably multi-axis, automatic movement machines.

The invention also includes a paint shop having a cleaning device as described herein.

In addition, the invention comprises a cleaning method to be used in a painting installation for cleaning at least one component of the painting installation, in particular at least one component of a painting robot or a handling robot, wherein dry ice is applied to the component to be cleaned for cleaning. Further method steps according to the invention will become apparent from the foregoing description of the cleaning device and the description below.

The above features according to the invention and embodiments can be combined with one another as desired. Other advantageous developments of the invention are disclosed in the subclaims or will become apparent from the following description be preferred embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

1 shows a plan view of a part of a painting installation in the form of a painting booth and a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the invention,

2 shows a side view of a part of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a dry ice nozzle of a

Cleaning device according to an embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of the indirect

Irradiation and cleaning of a certain part of the coating device, and Fig. 5 shows a possible division of the surface

component to be cleaned for a seguentielle

Radiation and cleaning. The embodiments shown in the figures are partially identical, with similar or identical parts being provided with the same reference numerals, and to the explanation of which reference is also made to the description of one or more other embodiments in order to avoid repetition.

1 shows a plan view of a part of a painting installation in the form of a painting booth 100, for example for vehicle bodies or their attachment parts and other parts, and a cleaning device 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 1, only two cleaning devices 1 are provided with reference numerals for the sake of clarity, although a total of six cleaning devices can be seen in FIG. The cleaning device 1 comprises at least one dry ice nozzle 2 for the application of dry ice to a component B to be cleaned. The dry ice is dispensed from the dry ice nozzle 2 in the form of a dry ice jet, in particular a carbon dioxide snow jet.

The component B to be cleaned is carried and guided by a robot RB which is configured to position the component B to be cleaned in front of the dry ice nozzle 2 and move it relative to the dry ice nozzle 2 during the cleaning operation, e.g. rotates, moves transversally or translatorily. The dry ice nozzle 2 is arranged stationarily in the paint booth 100. In the illustrated example, the robots RB may typically be painting robots and / or handling robots, and the component B may be its atomizer or handling tool.

The cleaning device 1 comprises a supply device V for supplying the dry ice nozzle 2 with the dry ice or generally carbon dioxide for producing the dry ice. In particular, the cleaning device 1 comprises a main supply line RL for connecting the supply device V with a plurality of dry ice nozzles 2 via one each

Sting line SL, which branches off from the ring line RL to the respective dry ice nozzle 2.

The cleaning device 1 also comprises a control unit KE (eg camera sensor, temperature sensor, etc.) shown only schematically in FIG. 1 for checking at least one parameter which allows a conclusion to the hardware components assigned to the cleaning device 1, the components required for producing the dry ice (Eg carbon dioxide and carrier gas), the cleaning process, especially the cleaning result, etc ..

The control unit KE is shown separated from the dry ice nozzle 2 and the robot RB in FIG. In the context of the invention, however, it is possible that the control unit KE is formed in or on the robot RB, on or in the dry ice nozzle 2 and / or at another suitable position.

It is particularly advantageous that, depending on the at least one parameter, at least one output of the cleaning device 1 is set by means of at least one setting device ER (see FIG. 2), e.g. can be regulated and / or controlled in order to be able to adjust the cleaning components 1, the components required for the production of the dry ice (for example carbon dioxide and carrier gas), the cleaning process, in particular the cleaning result, etc. as required.

The cleaning device 1 is designed explosion-proof. The cleaning device 1 also comprises a valve SV, which closes automatically for safety reasons or a carbon dioxide emission at least reduced if by means of a detection device (eg a sensor) a successful or potential, eg imminent excessive carbon dioxide leakage is detected. By way of example, in FIG. 1, the valve SV is shown at the output of the supply device V, but can be positioned at a variety of other suitable locations.

Fig. 2 shows a partially schematic side view of a part of a cleaning device 1 according to another embodiment of the invention.

In Figure 2, two dry ice nozzles 2 are shown, each supported by a schematically indicated robot RT and movably guided. The dry ice nozzles 2 emit dry ice 3 in the form of a dry ice jet.

The robots RT are configured to position the dry ice nozzles 2 in front of the component B to be cleaned, here shown as a rotary atomizer, and to move relative to the component to be cleaned during the cleaning process. The robot RT can feed the dry ice nozzles 2 e.g. rotate at least partially around the component to be cleaned B, so that by means of only one dry ice nozzle 2, the entire outer periphery of the component to be cleaned B can be cleaned.

In FIG. 2, the upper dry ice nozzle 2 cleans an electrode ring of an atomizer, and the lower dry ice nozzle 2 cleans an atomizer housing and / or the bell cup of the atomizer. But it is also possible that, for example, only a single dry ice nozzle 2 is provided, which is guided by a robot RT, which is configured so that it positions the dry ice nozzle 2 in front of the component B to be cleaned and during the cleaning process eg up / down to different sections of the component to be cleaned B moves (eg, from the electrode ring or electrode fingers to the atomizer housing and subsequently to the bell cup and optionally the hand axis of the robot RB). As a result, different portions of the component B to be cleaned can be cleaned with a reduced dry-ice nozzle number.

The dry ice nozzles 2 can be permanently or interchangeably mounted on the robots RT. In the latter variant, it is possible that the dry ice nozzles 2 are automatically deposited after a cleaning process and are taken before a cleaning process. For this purpose, the dry ice nozzles 2 carrying robot RT can be configured accordingly.

The dry ice nozzles 2 comprise a protective element S shown schematically in FIG. 2, which is designed as a protective plate or protective housing, in order to prevent dirt particles or dry ice 3 detached during cleaning from hitting a component to be coated.

The cleaning device 1 shown in FIG. 2 is designed such that the component B to be cleaned can be cleaned substantially free from the dry ice 3 and thus dispenses with cleaning containers which are customary in the prior art and into which the component to be cleaned has to be introduced can be. The cleaning device 1 comprises an air flow generating device LE, which generates a downward flow of air to lead cleaned dirt or dry ice out 3 down, preferably on a Lackierkabinenboden in the form of a grid from the spray booth 100 addition. It should be mentioned, however, that the cleaning device 1 may well include a cleaning container, in which the component B to be cleaned, for example by means of of the robot RB is introduced to clean it by means of at least one dry ice nozzle 2.

FIG. 2 also shows a schematically illustrated adjusting device ER, which for example is operatively connected to the robots RT carrying the dry ice nozzles 2, the dry ice nozzles 2 and the robot RB carrying the component B to be cleaned in order to adjust these as required. However, the setting device ER can also be used to e.g. Adjust the amount, pressure and temperature of the carbon dioxide-miscible carrier gas and the carbon dioxide to produce the dry ice 3. It is possible to provide an adjustment device ER, which possibly consists of several subunits, as in FIG. 1, in order to set several components. However, it is also possible to provide a plurality of adjusting devices, each of which is e.g. associated with only a single component.

Although the cleaning angle of the upper dry ice nozzle 2 shown in FIG. 2 is substantially horizontal and the cleaning angle of the lower dry ice nozzle 2 is upward, it is possible within the scope of the invention for the dry ice nozzles 2 to be directed downwards during a cleaning operation that detached dirt particles can be discharged more easily or faster downwards.

It should be mentioned that within the scope of the invention it is also possible for both a dry ice nozzle 2 to be carried and guided by a robot RT and the component B to be cleaned by a robot RB and to be moved relative to one another during the cleaning process. The movements are arbitrary. For example, the component to be cleaned B relative to the dry ice nozzle 2, for example, be rotated and moved translationally. It is also possible that the dry ice nozzle 2, for example, at least partially to the cleaning component B is rotated and simultaneously or successively the dry ice nozzle 2 along the component to be cleaned is moved (for example, from the bell cup to the electrode ring). The movements of the dry ice nozzle 2 and the component B to be cleaned can take place simultaneously or in succession.

It should also be mentioned that the dry ice nozzles 2 shown in FIG. 2 can be arranged without the robots RT, as is the case in FIG. 1, and in particular are stationary. In this case, the component B to be cleaned can be again positioned in front of the dry ice nozzles 2 by the robot RB carrying and guiding it and moved relative to the dry ice nozzles 2, e.g. rotated (arrow PI) and / or moved transversely / translationally (arrow P2).

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a dry ice nozzle 2 of a cleaning device 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.

The dry ice nozzle 2 comprises an agglomeration chamber AK which can be supplied with fluid carbon dioxide (CO 2) and in which a two-phase carbon dioxide mixture comprising carbon dioxide gas and carbon dioxide particles can be formed by agglomeration of carbon dioxide snow crystals. The agglomeration chamber AK supplied liquid carbon dioxide is expanded in the agglomeration AK and carbon dioxide crystals are formed, which are compressed and agglomerated. The carbon dioxide mixture is mixed in the agglomeration chamber AK with a pressurized carrier gas TG (eg compressed air), preferably in order to accelerate it. In an embodiment of the invention, not shown, it is possible that the agglomeration chamber AK, for example via a metering is connected to a mixing device in the form of a mixing chamber, and the carbon dioxide mixture is mixed in the mixing chamber with the pressurized carrier gas TG. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the agglomeration chamber AK assumes the function of a mixing chamber, as it were, so that the agglomeration chamber and the mixing chamber are virtually one and the same chamber.

FIG. 3 shows that the dry ice 3 consists at least partly of carbon dioxide, in particular a two-phase carbon dioxide mixture comprising carbon dioxide gas and carbon dioxide particles. The two-phase carbon dioxide mixture is mixed with the pressurized carrier gas TG prior to application of the dry ice 3 from the dry ice nozzle 2 in the agglomeration and / or mixing chamber. The dry ice discharged from the dry ice nozzle 3 is thus preferably a two-phase carbon dioxide mixture which is provided with a pressurized carrier gas TG, and in particular in the form of a carbon dioxide snow jet is discharged from the dry ice nozzle 2.

The dry ice nozzle 2 is adjustable in its nozzle contour (for example, the beam widening angle can be changed, as indicated by the arrow P3). Alternatively or additionally, the dry ice nozzle 2 may comprise an adjustment function in order to be able to change its orientation, in particular the cleaning angle. By these features, an adaptation to different outer contours of the component B to be cleaned is possible or generally the cleaning process can be adjusted as needed.

The cleaning device 1 can also have a carrier gas heater TE schematically indicated in FIG. 3 for heating the carrier gas TG. Within the scope of the invention, the cleaning device 1 can comprise a plurality of dry ice nozzles 2, which are arranged so fixed or can be arranged so that they can preferably cover the entire outer circumference of the component B to be cleaned and / or that they correspond to the outer contour of the component to be cleaned B can correspond.

In an embodiment of the invention not shown, a robot carries both a nebulizer and a dry ice nozzle, which is attached to the robot and arranged so that the function of the nebulizer is not affected by the dry ice nozzle. For this purpose, the dry ice nozzle may e.g. be shielded by a cover of the atomizer.

FIG. 4 shows the possibility of partially irradiating and cleaning the object to be cleaned partially with dry ice, using the example of an application component 40 shown schematically as a rotary atomizer. The upper part of FIG

Part of this component 40 can be directly illuminated (not shown), while the lower portion 41 in the vicinity of the bell plate 44 is indirectly illuminated and cleaned. In this example, the dry ice nozzle 42 is therefore not directed directly to the here cylindrical or conical surface of the region 41, but arranged so that the dry ice jet 43 laterally or tangentially past the surface to be cleaned. This "fly-by" has the advantage that, for example, the surface to be cleaned is not deformed or damaged by the impact of the particles The passage of the cold carbon dioxide-carrier gas mixture causes a cooling of the contaminated surface and removal of the contamination by the air flow. Of course, other surfaces can also be illuminated indirectly and be cleaned, while again other component areas can be cleaned by direct application of dry ice to the respective component. Figure 5 shows a possible division of the surface of a coating device 50, which is divided into sections for sequential cleaning. In the illustrated example, the coating device 50 is a part of the rotary atomizer of a painting robot (not shown, but see robot RB and component B in Fig. 2) with adjacent areas or sections 51, 52, 53 and 54. Each section can separately with a painting robot are approached and then cleaned by the painting robot rotates the coating device 50 in the programmed position 360 ° to the dry ice nozzle. After this cleaning, the painting robot can continue its "normal" paint job until the next section is ready for cleaning.The control of the various cycles and dependencies are dictated by the robot control, or they can also be determined and implemented, for example, depending on the degree of soiling by visual measuring methods become.

The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Rather, a variety of variants and modifications is possible, which also make use of the inventive idea and therefore fall within the scope. In particular, the invention also claims protection of the subject matter and the features of the individual subclaims independently of the subject matter and the features of the claims referred to.

Claims

1. Paint shop cleaning device (1) for cleaning at least one component (B) of a painting installation, in particular at least one component (B) of a painting robot or a handling robot, characterized by at least one dry ice nozzle (2) for producing a component (B) dry beam.

Painting installation cleaning device (1) according to claim characterized

that the component to be cleaned (B) by a robot (RB) is guided, and

that the robot (RB) is configured to position the component to be cleaned (B) in front of the dry ice nozzle (2) and to move relative to the dry ice nozzle (2) during the cleaning process, and

that the dry ice nozzle (2) is arranged stationary or movable.

Painting installation cleaning device (1) according to claim or 2, characterized

that the dry ice nozzle (2) is movably guided by a robot (RT), and

in that the robot (RT) is configured to position the dry ice nozzle (2) in front of the component (B) to be cleaned and to move it relative to the component (B) to be cleaned during the cleaning process.

4. paint shop cleaning device according to claim 3, characterized in that a) that the dry ice nozzle (2) is fixedly mounted on the robot (RT), or

b) that the dry ice nozzle (2) is replaceably mounted on the robot (RT).

5. paint shop cleaning device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized

a) that a robot carries both an atomizer and the dry ice nozzle (2), and

b) that the dry ice nozzle (2) is mounted on the robot so that the function of the atomizer through the dry ice nozzle (2) is not affected, in particular by a cover for the dry ice nozzle (2). 6. paint shop cleaning device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dry ice nozzle (2) in its nozzle contour and / or in their orientation is adjustable, preferably to adapt to different outer contours of the component to be cleaned (B) enable.

Painting installation cleaning device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

that the component to be cleaned (B) has a predetermined outer contour, and

in that a plurality of dry ice nozzles (2) are provided which can be arranged or arranged such that they cover the outer circumference of the component (B) to be cleaned and / or that they correspond to the outer contour of the component (B) to be cleaned.

8. paint shop cleaning device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized a) that the dry ice nozzle (2) is directed downwards during a cleaning process, so that detached dirt particles are discharged downwards, and / or b) that a protective element (S) is provided, in particular a protective plate or a housing, in order to prevent that during the cleaning detached dirt particles or dry ice (3) impinge on a component to be painted. 9. paint shop cleaning device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the component to be cleaned (B) belongs to the following group:

a) atomizer which is guided by a painting robot, b) handle of a handling robot,

c) hand axis of a robot, in particular a painting robot or a handling robot,

d) proximal robot arm of a robot, in particular a painting robot or a handling robot, e) distal robot arm of a robot, in particular a painting robot or a handling robot,

f) cabin wall of a paint booth, in particular window pane in the booth wall,

g) floor of a painting booth, in particular a grid in the floor of the painting booth,

h) guide rail for a robot, in particular for

Method of a painting robot or a handling robot,

i) conveyor that conveys components to be painted through the paint shop,

j) frame for suspending components to be painted, k) annular outer charging ring of an atomizer or electrode fingers;

1) Cleaning at least one component to be painted, expedient before the painting process.

10. paint shop cleaning device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by

a) a supply device (V) for supplying the dry ice nozzle (2) with the dry ice (3) or carbon dioxide for producing dry ice (3), and / or

b) a supply line (RL) for connecting the supply device (V) with a plurality of dry ice nozzles (2) via a respective branch line (SL), which branches off from the supply line (RL) to the respective dry ice nozzle (2), and / or

c) a mixing device for mixing carbon dioxide or dry ice (3) with a carrier gas, and / or

d) a carrier gas heater (TE) for heating the carrier gas, and / or

e) a sensor, in particular a camera sensor, which determines the cleaning result, and / or

f) a temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the component to be cleaned (B).

11. paint shop cleaning device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dry ice (3) consists at least partially of carbon dioxide, in particular a carbon dioxide mixture comprising carbon dioxide gas and carbon dioxide particles, and preferably before application of the dry ice (3) the dry ice nozzle (2) is miscible with a pressurized carrier gas in the dry ice nozzle (2).

12. paint shop cleaning device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by an agglomeration chamber (AK), the fluid carbon dioxide can be supplied and in which a carbon dioxide mixture comprising carbon dioxide gas and carbon dioxide particles, by agglomeration of coal dioxide snow crystals is bildbar, and the carbon dioxide mixture in the agglomeration chamber (AK) and / or a mixing chamber with a pressurized carrier gas is miscible, preferably in order to accelerate the dry ice (3) to be applied.

13. paint shop cleaning device (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that liquid carbon dioxide in the agglomeration chamber (AK) is relaxed and carbon dioxide crystals arise, which are compacted and agglomerated.

14 paint-cleaning device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the amount, pressure and / or temperature of the carbon dioxide miscible carrier gas and carbon dioxide to produce the dry ice (3) by means of at least one adjusting device (ER) are adjustable to influence the cleaning action, preferably before or during the cleaning process.

15. paint shop cleaning device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one control unit (KE) for controlling at least one parameter, which allows a conclusion on at least one of the following:

Pressure, amount and / or temperature of the carbon dioxide to produce the dry ice (3),

Pressure, amount and / or temperature of the dry ice (3), pressure, amount and / or temperature of a carrier gas,

Cleaning distance between dry ice nozzle (2) and component (B) to be cleaned,

Position of the component to be cleaned (B),

Alignment of the component to be cleaned (B), Position of the dry ice nozzle (2),

Alignment of the dry ice nozzle (2).

16. paint shop cleaning device (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that depending on the at least one parameter by means of at least one adjusting device (ER) at least one output of the paint shop cleaning device (1) can be adjusted and the output variable is selected from the group full:

Alignment of the dry ice nozzle (2) relative to the component to be cleaned (B),

Amount, pressure and / or temperature of the carbon dioxide to produce the dry ice (3),

Amount, pressure and / or temperature of the dry ice (3), amount, pressure and / or temperature of the carrier gas,

Cleaning distance between dry ice nozzle (2) and component (B) to be cleaned,

Cleaning time,

Cleaning interval,

Positioning / movement parameters of the robot carrying the dry ice nozzle (RB),

Positioning / movement parameters of the robot (RB) carrying the component (B) to be cleaned.

17. paint shop cleaning device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the paint shop cleaning device (1)

is designed explosion-proof, and / or

comprises at least one valve (SV), which automatically closes for safety reasons or at least reduces carbon dioxide emissions when detected by means of a detection device, a successful or potential excessive carbon dioxide leakage.

18. paint shop cleaning device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is designed to clean the component to be cleaned (B) substantially exposed by the dry ice (3) and preferably an air flow generating device (LE) pre ^¬ see that generates a downward flow of air to run cleaned dirt or spent dry ice (3) down, expedient beyond a Lackierkabinenboden from a spray booth.

19. paint-cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dry ice nozzle (42) for indirect irradiation of a surface to be cleaned (41) of a component (40) is arranged and aligned so that the dry ice jet (43) to the purifying surface (41) passes.

20. paint shop cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance between the dry ice nozzle (2) and the surface to be cleaned of the component (B) is between 1 mm and 30 mm.

21. Painting facility cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that different sections (51-54) of a component to be cleaned

(50) are irradiated with the dry ice sequentially at different predetermined or selectable cleaning times, and that the component (50) can be used for operations corresponding to its intended use between these different cleaning times.

22. paint shop cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a device for heating the component surface to be cleaned in Connection with the dry ice irradiation is provided, for which in particular at least one of the following features is provided:

a) on the surface to be cleaned, a hot air blower is directed;

b) the surface to be cleaned is heated with infrared radiation;

c) the component to be cleaned (B) contains for heating the surface to be cleaned channels through which hot air is passed;

d) the component to be cleaned (B) contains a heating surface to be cleaned electrical heating device.

23. paint-cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the

Dry ice nozzle (2) is designed as a Laval nozzle.

24. Painting plant with a paint shop cleaning device (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

25. paint shop cleaning method for cleaning at least one component (B) of a painting, in particular at least one component (B) of a painting robot or a handling robot, characterized in that for cleaning the component (B) a dry ice jet is generated.

• k ~ k ~ k