EP3322540B1 - Changing device and coating system for coating objects - Google Patents

Changing device and coating system for coating objects Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3322540B1
EP3322540B1 EP16730331.2A EP16730331A EP3322540B1 EP 3322540 B1 EP3322540 B1 EP 3322540B1 EP 16730331 A EP16730331 A EP 16730331A EP 3322540 B1 EP3322540 B1 EP 3322540B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
line
supply line
supply
pressure
medium
Prior art date
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Application number
EP16730331.2A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3322540A1 (en
Inventor
Donald RIEDEBERGER
Raphael MACK
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
B+M SURFACE SYSTEMS GmbH
Original Assignee
Eisenmann SE
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Publication of EP3322540A1 publication Critical patent/EP3322540A1/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B12/00—Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area
    • B05B12/14—Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area for supplying a selected one of a plurality of liquids or other fluent materials or several in selected proportions to a spray apparatus, e.g. to a single spray outlet
    • B05B12/1481—Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area for supplying a selected one of a plurality of liquids or other fluent materials or several in selected proportions to a spray apparatus, e.g. to a single spray outlet comprising pigs, i.e. movable elements sealingly received in supply pipes, for separating different fluids, e.g. liquid coating materials from solvent or air
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B12/00—Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area
    • B05B12/14—Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area for supplying a selected one of a plurality of liquids or other fluent materials or several in selected proportions to a spray apparatus, e.g. to a single spray outlet
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B12/00—Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area
    • B05B12/14—Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area for supplying a selected one of a plurality of liquids or other fluent materials or several in selected proportions to a spray apparatus, e.g. to a single spray outlet
    • B05B12/149—Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area for supplying a selected one of a plurality of liquids or other fluent materials or several in selected proportions to a spray apparatus, e.g. to a single spray outlet characterised by colour change manifolds or valves therefor

Definitions

  • Such a changing device is from WO 2015/022061 A1 known.
  • lines are to be understood as meaning all flow paths for fluid media.
  • these also include channels, flow spaces or just through openings incorporated into the body.
  • a reservoir for a medium is to be understood as meaning any material source for a medium.
  • This can be a container, such as a paint tank or the like, but also media-carrying lines, such as are present in ring line systems in a manner known per se.
  • Such coating systems are used, for example, in the automobile industry to coat objects such as vehicle bodies or body parts with the aid of electrostatically operating application devices.
  • the coating material e.g. a paint
  • the coating material is released from the application device and exposed to an electric field in which the coating material is ionized and transported to the object due to electrostatic forces, which is at ground potential for this purpose.
  • Such an application device can be, for example, a high-speed rotation atomizer with a rotating bell cup, from which the smallest droplets of paint are thrown off, so that a paint mist is formed.
  • Pig technology in which a sliding body, a so-called pig, pushes a volume of material in front of it, has become established for conveying paint and other liquid materials through lines.
  • the pig is acted upon on the side remote from the delivery volume with a pressurized fluid, which can be, for example, compressed air or a cleaning fluid, which cleans the line behind the pig.
  • a pressurized fluid which can be, for example, compressed air or a cleaning fluid, which cleans the line behind the pig.
  • So-called ring lines are generally available as material sources or reservoirs for the coating material, with a fluid connection between a material-carrying ring line and the piggable supply line being able to be established by means of the supply unit.
  • the material is first pushed into the system by its own pressure, which prevails in the material sources, ie the ring lines.
  • the line section to the application device is quite long and can have a relatively small diameter, at least in sections, which can be around 1 mm, for example. Due to this relatively small diameter, there is a pressure loss along the line, which makes it difficult to convey the material solely through the inherent pressure of the connected material source. In addition, the inherent pressure in the material sources is usually not constant, but is subject to technical, irregular fluctuations, which also makes it difficult to reproduce the volume conveyed.
  • the coupling connection can be connected directly to the feed line by means of a valve arrangement in such a way that the medium can be routed past the delivery pressure device.
  • the existing delivery pressure device allows the medium to be fed into the feed line with a specified and reproducible delivery pressure, so that pressure fluctuations in the material sources only represent a negligible irregularity.
  • a sufficiently high delivery pressure can be built up on the medium, so that possible pressure losses along the delivery route to the application device can also be compensated.
  • the delivery pressure device can cause or support close to the connection of the changing device that a medium is delivered back into the reservoir, whereby a relatively high delivery pressure is built up and thus the inherent pressure of the associated reservoir effectively can be counteracted.
  • the conveying pressure device is preferably carried along by the movable docking unit. In this way, it is not necessary to construct larger line sections between the coupling connection of the movable docking unit and the delivery pressure device.
  • the conveying pressure device is particularly advantageously a pressure cylinder with a pressure chamber which can be connected to the coupling connection of the docking station or to the feed line by means of a valve arrangement.
  • the delivery pressure device can also bring about or support the removal of medium from a reservoir if the inherent pressure of the reservoir is not sufficient to deliver the desired medium into the line system.
  • the pressure cylinder it can draw the medium out of the reservoir like a syringe and then press it into the feed line.
  • This valve arrangement can be set up accordingly in order to connect the coupling connection directly to the feed line.
  • the application device can be supplied from two supply lines.
  • a separate changing device can be provided for each supply line.
  • the space required for such a changing device with two docking units is smaller than for two changing units, each with its own docking unit.
  • the above object becomes solved by that c) the supply system comprises at least one changing device for media with some or all of the features explained above.
  • At least one section of the feed line is preferably pigged for effective conveyance of the media and cleaning of the lines.
  • the feed line is connected to a storage container at the end remote from the changing device, from which the application device can be fed.
  • a particularly uniform and reproducible delivery of medium to the application device can be achieved if the storage container is a piston metering device.
  • An effective change of material can take place if the supply system includes a distributor, via which the application device can be fed from a first supply line or a second supply line, each supply line including a separate feed line and all other aforementioned components in the first supply line and the second supply line separately available.
  • the figures show schematically a coating system 10 for coating Objects, such as vehicle bodies or their parts or attachments.
  • the coating system 10 includes an application device 12, which is shown only schematically in the present embodiment.
  • the application device 12 is an electrostatically operating high-speed rotary atomizer 14 with a rotating bell cup 16.
  • the application device 12 includes a dispensing line 18, via which coating material can be dispensed onto an object that is not specifically shown.
  • the discharge line 18 leads to the bell cup 16 of the high-speed rotary atomizer 14. The bell cup 16 and the discharge line 18 thus form a discharge device.
  • the application device 12 can be fed with a liquid medium either from a first storage container 20.1 in the form of a first piston dispenser 22.1 via a first feed line 24.1 of a first supply line 26.1 or from a second storage container 20.2 in the form of a piston dispenser 22.2 via a second feed line 24.2 of a second supply line 26.2 will.
  • the first piston dispenser 22.1 and the second piston dispenser 22.2 each illustrate only one example of a first storage container 20.1 or a second storage container 20.2 for coating material.
  • the two supply lines 26.1, 26.2 together form a supply system 26 and have the same structure, which is why only the first supply line 26.1 is explained further below for the sake of simplicity.
  • Reference symbols for the same parts and components have the index “.1” in the first supply line 26.1 and the index “.2” in the second supply line 26.2.
  • the two feed lines 24.1 and 24.2 open into a distributor 28 at the ends remote from the piston dispensers 22.1, 22.2, which is connected to the delivery line 18, so that the application device 12 can be connected either to the feed line 24.1 or to the feed line 24.2.
  • the distributor 28 is also with a cleaning line 30 one no closer cleaning system 32 shown connected and configured so that this cleaning line 30 can be connected to either the feed line 24.1, the feed line 24.2 or the discharge line 18.
  • a cleaning medium for example a solvent, or a pressurized fluid, for example compressed air, can be supplied to the distributor 28 in a manner known per se via the cleaning line 30 from associated material sources, with separate cleaning lines 30 also being available for different media be able.
  • the piston metering device 22.1 comprises a cylinder 34.1 in which a piston 36.1 can be moved with the aid of a piston drive which is not specifically shown.
  • the piston 36.1 delimits with the cylinder 34.1 a working chamber 38.1 with variable volume, which is connected to the first feed line 24.1 via a valve unit 40.1.
  • the working chamber 38.1 is connected via the valve unit 40.1 to a supply line 42.1 and an outlet line 44.1, which leads to the outlet line 54e of the ring lines 52.
  • the feed line 42.1 is connected to a supply device 46.1 of the supply system 26, by means of which media can be conveyed into the feed line 42.1.
  • the supply device 46.1 comprises a color change device 48.1 as a supply unit, which is connected in a manner known per se via a connection block 50.1 to a valve arrangement (not shown) with a ring line system 52 with a large number of lines 54 carrying media, each of which defines a material source .
  • a color change device 48.1 as a supply unit, which is connected in a manner known per se via a connection block 50.1 to a valve arrangement (not shown) with a ring line system 52 with a large number of lines 54 carrying media, each of which defines a material source .
  • a color change device 48.1 as a supply unit, which is connected in a manner known per se via a connection block 50.1 to a valve arrangement (not shown) with a ring line system 52 with a large number of lines 54 carrying media, each of which defines a material source .
  • a medium such as solvent or paint that can no longer be used
  • connection block 50.1 includes a connection 56.1 for each ring line 52, each port 56.1 bearing the same letter index as the associated loop.
  • the color changing device 48.1 also includes a movable docking unit 58.1, which can be moved on the connection block 50.1 and can thus be fluidically connected to one connection 56.1a to 56.1e each.
  • the docking unit 58.1 includes a coupling connection 60.1, which is complementary to the connections 56.1 on the connection block 50.1 and can be coupled to one of the connections 56.1 in each case.
  • the docking unit 58.1 is guided by a guide device 62.1, illustrated only with dashed lines, on the connection block 50.1 and can be moved along the connection block 50.1 by means of a coupling device 64.1, which also includes a drive that is not specifically shown, and is coupled to one of the connections 56.1 and from these be resolved.
  • the coupling device 64.1 comprises coupling means that are known per se and are therefore not specifically shown, which ensure a fluid-tight and detachable connection between the selected connection 56.1 on the connection block 50.1 and the coupling connection 60.1 of the docking unit 58.1.
  • the guide device 62.1 and the coupling device 64.1 together form a positioning device for the docking unit 58.1.
  • the displacement movement of the docking unit 58.1 takes place linearly along the connection block 50.1, as specified by the arrangement of the connections 56.1.
  • the connections 56.1 of the connection block 50.1 can, however, also be distributed in one plane and/or offset from one another in a direction parallel to the axis of the connections 56.1.
  • the guide device 62.1 and the coupling device 64.1 are designed in such a way that the docking unit 58.1 can carry out all the necessary movements in order to reach all the required connections 56.1 and to be coupled to them in a fluid-tight manner.
  • the color change device 48.1 includes a feed pressure device 66.1, by means of which the inlet pressure with which a medium is fed into the feed line 42.1 to the piston metering device 22.1 can be set and/or supported.
  • the return pressure can also be set and/or supported, with which a medium is conveyed back into the associated ring line 54 during a return process.
  • this conveying pressure device 66.1 is carried along by the docking unit 58.1; in a modification that is not specifically shown, the conveying pressure device 66.1 can also be arranged in a stationary manner and connected to the docking unit 58.1 via a connecting line.
  • the connecting line is always short in relation to the line section between the changing device 48.1 and the piston metering device 22.1 or the application device 12.
  • the conveying pressure device 66.1 is designed as a pressure cylinder 68.1, which includes a cylinder 70.1, in which a piston 72.1 can be moved with the aid of a piston drive, which is not specifically shown.
  • the piston 72.1 together with the cylinder 70.1, delimits a pressure chamber 74.1 with a variable volume. Since the pressure cylinder 68.1 has to withstand high pressures in practice, for example up to 16 bar and above, the cylinder 70.1 is in practice made of metal, in particular stainless steel.
  • the pressure chamber 74.1 is connected to the coupling connection 60.1 of the docking unit 58.1 and the feed line 42.1 via a valve arrangement 76.1.
  • the valve arrangement 76.1 can be set so that either the pressure chamber 74.1 can be fluidly connected to the coupling connection 60.1 or the pressure chamber 74.1 to the supply line 42.1 or the coupling connection 60.1 to the supply line 42.1.
  • the coupling connection 60.1 is connected directly to the feed line 42.1, so that a medium can be guided past the pressure cylinder 68.1, so that a corresponding bypass line is formed.
  • the coupling connection 60.1 can be optionally connected directly to the feed line 42.1 by means of a valve arrangement 76.1.
  • the feed line 42.1 can be partially or completely designed as a pig line be.
  • a first pig station 78.1 is arranged in the feed line 42.1 downstream of the color changing device 48.1, so that the feed line 42.1 is divided into two feed sections 80.1 and 82.1.
  • the first feed section 80.1 extends between the docking unit 58.1 and the first pig station 78.1
  • the second feed section 82.1 extends between the first pig station 78.1 and a second pig station 84.1 on the piston dispenser 22.1. If the entire feed line 42.1 or the feed section 80.1 is designed as a pig line, there is a pig station on the color changing device 48.1.
  • the first pig station 78.1 is also connected in a known manner to a working line 86.1, which can be closed or opened by means of a valve (not shown) and via which a working medium can be fed to the first pig station 78.1 and in this way to the piggable section 82.1 of the feed line 41.1 or which can serve as an outlet line to drain medium from the line system.
  • a working line is available through the cleaning line 30 at the second pig station 84.1.
  • the first feed section 80.1 of the feed line 42.1 can be pigged as an alternative or in addition.
  • a pig that is not specifically shown can be moved in both directions between the pig stations 78.1 and 84.1.
  • figure 2 1 shows a coating system 10 as a second exemplary embodiment, in which there is a single color changing device, designated 48 there, with a connection block 50, which includes both docking units 58.1 and 58.2. Accordingly, the connection block 50 provides the connections 56.1 and 56.2 connected to the ring lines 54, the guide devices 62.1 and 62.2 and the coupling devices 64.1 and 64.2 for both docking units 58.1, 58.2.
  • the connection block 50 provides the connections 56.1 and 56.2 connected to the ring lines 54, the guide devices 62.1 and 62.2 and the coupling devices 64.1 and 64.2 for both docking units 58.1, 58.2.
  • not all components are provided with a reference number for the sake of simplicity.
  • both docking units 58.1, 58.2 are arranged on the same side of the connection block 50.
  • the docking units 58.1 and 58.2 can also be guided on different sides of the connection block 50, in particular on opposite sides.
  • the coating system 10 now functions as follows, with only the processes of interest here being explained below without going into detail about supplementary and known processes which are necessary, for example, for cleaning line sections.
  • a working configuration of the coating system 10 is assumed as the initial situation, in which the application device 12 is supplied with paint from the second piston metering device 22.2, in that its piston 36.2 is moved in the direction of the valve unit 40.2.
  • the valve unit 40.2 blocks the supply line 42.2 and the outlet line 44.2 and opens the flow path to the distributor 28. This in turn connects the feed line 24.2 to the delivery line 18 of the application device 12, which applies the material from the second piston dispenser 22.2 to an object.
  • the feed line 24.1 between the distributor 28 and the first piston dispenser 22.1 is cleaned and dry, so that an electrical insulation gap is formed there.
  • the docking unit 58.1 of the first color change device 48.1 is now moved to the connection 56 of that ring line 52 that carries the paint material that is to be applied next. For example, this is the paint line 52a.
  • the coupling connection 60.1 of the docking unit 58.1 is correspondingly coupled to the connection 56a of the first color changing device 48.1.
  • valve assembly 76.1 is placed in a loading configuration in which the coupling port 60.1 is connected to the pressure chamber 74.1, wherein the Piston 72.1 is first moved forward, so that the pressure chamber 74.1 has the smallest possible volume.
  • the piston 72.1 is now moved back, as a result of which the pressure chamber 74.1 is filled with material from the paint line 54a.
  • valve arrangement 76.1 of the docking unit 58.1 is placed in a pressure-generating configuration, so that the pressure chamber 74.1 is connected to the feed line 42.1 and specifically to its first feed section 80.1.
  • the piston 36.1 of the first piston dispenser 22.1 is pushed forward so that the working space 38.1 has the smallest possible volume.
  • the piston 72.1 is now moved forward, as a result of which the paint is pressed into the feed line 42.1 and thereby into the first and the second feed section 80.1 and 82.1 with a feed pressure.
  • the delivery pressure can be adjusted via the piston advance.
  • the paint can be conveyed to the piston metering device 22.1 with a reproducible and, in particular, uniform pressure, without pressure fluctuations occurring, as can occur when the intrinsic pressure in the ring line system 52 is used to transfer a paint material to one of the piston metering devices 22.1 , 22.2 to promote.
  • the pressure loss along the conveying path caused by the smaller cross section in the feed lines 42.1, 42.2 can also be effectively counteracted in this way.
  • the paint is conveyed further to the piston metering device 22.1 by means of pig technology, as is known per se.
  • the piston metering device 22.1 When the paint reaches the first piston dispenser 22.1, its piston 36.1 moves back so that the paint can flow through the valve unit 40.1 into its working space 38.1.
  • the delivery pressure device 66.1 serves to set the inlet pressure for feeding the media into the feed line 42.1
  • the volume of the pressure chamber 74.1 can be smaller than the volume of paint required for the application, which must be taken up by the piston dispenser 22.1.
  • the filling of the piston metering device 22.1 takes place in a corresponding manner in two or more steps in batches, during which time the application with material from the second piston metering device 22.2 can continue.
  • the application device 12 Before the next electrostatic application process can be initiated and the application device 12 can be set to high voltage potential, the application device 12 must first be freed from the material from the second piston dispenser 22.2 and cleaned, and at the same time the feed line 42.1 must be freed from conductive material and dried so that in the Supply line 42.1 an electrical insulation gap is established.
  • the paint material is pressed back into the ring line 52a through the feed line 42.1.
  • the paint material is first conveyed into the pressure cylinder 68.1, for which purpose the valve arrangement 76.1 connects the feed line 42.1 to its pressure chamber 74.1.
  • the valve assembly 76.1 is set so that the pressure chamber 74.1 is connected to the port 56.1a.
  • the paint material is then pressed with the aid of the piston 72.1 from the pressure chamber 74.1 against its own pressure into the ring line 54a.
  • the docking unit 58.1 is decoupled from the connection 56a, moved to the connection 56e of the discharge line 54a and coupled to it, so that the rest of the material can be discharged from the line system.
  • valve arrangement 76.1 can be connected to its own cleaning agent line and/or its own drain line, so that a cleaning process can be carried out for the pressure cylinder 68.1 that is independent of the color change device 48.1.
  • the first supply line 26.1 is now ready for the application of the paint material from the piston dispenser 22.1, for which purpose the valve unit 40.1 blocks the supply line 42.1 and connects the piston dispenser 22.1 to the distributor 28, which opens the flow path to the discharge line 18.
  • the piston 36.1 is moved in the direction of the valve unit 40.1 and the paint is applied.
  • the second piston dispenser 22.2 of the second supply line 26.2 can now be filled with material in the manner explained above.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Wechseleinrichtung für Medien, insbesondere für Lacke, mit

  1. a) mehreren Anschlüssen, von denen jeder mit einem Reservoir für ein Medium verbindbar ist;
  2. b) wenigstens einer Andockeinheit, die einen zu den Anschlüssen komplementären Koppelanschluss umfasst, welcher mit einer Zuführleitung für eine Applikationseinrichtung eines Beschichtungssystems verbindbar ist;
  3. c) einer Positioniereinrichtung, mittels welcher die Andockeinheit relativ zu den Anschlüssen bewegbar ist;
  4. d) einer Förderdruckeinrichtung, mittels welcher der Eingangsdruck, mit dem ein Medium in die Zuführleitung eingespeist wird, eingestellt und/oder unterstützt werden kann und/oder mittels welcher der Rückführdruck, mit dem ein Medium aus der Zuführleitung in das Reservoir rückgespeist wird, eingestellt und/oder unterstützt werden kann.
The invention relates to a changing device for media, in particular for paints
  1. a) a plurality of connections, each of which can be connected to a reservoir for a medium;
  2. b) at least one docking unit, which comprises a coupling connection which is complementary to the connections and which can be connected to a feed line for an application device of a coating system;
  3. c) a positioning device, by means of which the docking unit can be moved relative to the connections;
  4. d) a delivery pressure device, by means of which the inlet pressure, with which a medium is fed into the feed line, can be adjusted and/or supported and/or by means of which the return pressure, with which a medium is fed back from the feed line into the reservoir, can be adjusted and /or can be supported.

Eine derartige Wechseleinrichtung ist aus der WO 2015/022061 A1 bekannt.Such a changing device is from WO 2015/022061 A1 known.

Außerdem betrifft die Erfindung ein Beschichtungssystem zum Beschichten von Gegenständen mit

  1. a) einer Applikationsvorrichtung;
  2. b) einem Versorgungssystem mit wenigstens einer Zuführleitung, über welche der Applikationsvorrichtung ein flüssiges Medium zuführbar ist.
The invention also relates to a coating system for coating objects with
  1. a) an application device;
  2. b) a supply system with at least one feed line, via which a liquid medium can be fed to the application device.

Unter Leitungen sind vorliegend alle Strömungswege für fluide Medien zu verstehen. Hierzu zählen folglich neben flexiblen Schlauchleitungen oder starren Leitungen auch in Körper eingearbeitete Kanäle, Strömungsräume oder auch nur Durchgangsöffnungen. Unter einem Reservoir für ein Medium ist vorliegend jede Materialquelle für ein Medium zu verstehen. Dabei kann es sich um Behälter, wie beispielsweise eine Lacktank oder dergleichen, aber auch um Medien führende Leitungen handeln, wie sie beispielsweise in Ringleitungssystemen in an und für sich bekannter Art und Weise vorhanden sind.In the present case, lines are to be understood as meaning all flow paths for fluid media. In addition to flexible hose lines or rigid lines, these also include channels, flow spaces or just through openings incorporated into the body. In the present case, a reservoir for a medium is to be understood as meaning any material source for a medium. This can be a container, such as a paint tank or the like, but also media-carrying lines, such as are present in ring line systems in a manner known per se.

Mit derartigen Beschichtungssystemen werden zum Beispiel in der Automobilindustrie Gegenstände wie Fahrzeugkarosserien oder Karosserieteile mit Hilfe von elektrostatisch arbeitenden Applikationseinrichtungen beschichtet. Das Beschichtungsmaterial, z.B. ein Lack, wird dabei von der Applikationsvorrichtung abgegeben und einem elektrischen Feld ausgesetzt, in welchem das Beschichtungsmaterial ionisiert und auf Grund elektrostatischer Kräfte zu dem Gegenstand transportiert wird, welcher hierzu z.B. auf Massepotential liegt. Eine solche Applikationsvorrichtung kann beispielsweise ein Hochrotationszerstäuber mit einem rotierenden Glockenteller sein, von dem kleinste Lacktröpfchen abgeschleudert werden, so dass sich ein Lacknebel ausbildet.Such coating systems are used, for example, in the automobile industry to coat objects such as vehicle bodies or body parts with the aid of electrostatically operating application devices. The coating material, e.g. a paint, is released from the application device and exposed to an electric field in which the coating material is ionized and transported to the object due to electrostatic forces, which is at ground potential for this purpose. Such an application device can be, for example, a high-speed rotation atomizer with a rotating bell cup, from which the smallest droplets of paint are thrown off, so that a paint mist is formed.

Bei der Förderung von Lacken und anderen Flüssigmaterialien durch Leitungen hat sich die Molchtechnik etabliert, bei welcher ein Schiebekörper, ein so genannter Molch, ein Materialvolumen vor sich herschiebt. Der Molch wird dabei auf der von dem Fördervolumen abliegenden Seite mit einem Druckfluid beaufschlagt, bei dem es sich beispielsweise um Druckluft oder auch eine Reinigungsflüssigkeit handeln kann, welche die Leitung hinter dem Molch reinigt.Pig technology, in which a sliding body, a so-called pig, pushes a volume of material in front of it, has become established for conveying paint and other liquid materials through lines. The pig is acted upon on the side remote from the delivery volume with a pressurized fluid, which can be, for example, compressed air or a cleaning fluid, which cleans the line behind the pig.

Als Materialquellen bzw. Reservoir für das Beschichtungsmaterial sind in der Regel so genannte Ringleitungen vorhanden, wobei mittels der Versorgungseinheit eine Fluidverbindung zwischen einer Material führenden Ringleitung und der molchbaren Versorgungsleitung hergestellt werden kann. Bevor der Molch das Material dann in Richtung zur Applikationseinrichtung drückt, wird das Material zunächst durch den Eigendruck in das System gedrückt, der in den Materialquellen, d.h. den Ringleitungen herrscht.So-called ring lines are generally available as material sources or reservoirs for the coating material, with a fluid connection between a material-carrying ring line and the piggable supply line being able to be established by means of the supply unit. Before the pig then pushes the material in the direction of the application device, the material is first pushed into the system by its own pressure, which prevails in the material sources, ie the ring lines.

Die Leitungsstrecke zur Applikationsvorrichtung ist recht lang und kann zumindest in Abschnitten einen verhältnismäßig kleinen Durchmesser haben, der z.B. bei etwa 1 mm liegen kann. Auf Grund dieses relativ kleinen Durchmessers kommt es entlang der Leitung zu einem Druckverlust, der das Fördern des Materials allein durch den Eigendruck der angeschlossenen Materialquelle erschwert. Zudem ist der Eigendruck in den Materialquellen in der Regel nicht konstant, sondern ist technisch bedingten, unregelmäßigen Schwankungen unterworfen, was auch eine Reproduzierbarkeit des geförderten Volumens erschwert.The line section to the application device is quite long and can have a relatively small diameter, at least in sections, which can be around 1 mm, for example. Due to this relatively small diameter, there is a pressure loss along the line, which makes it difficult to convey the material solely through the inherent pressure of the connected material source. In addition, the inherent pressure in the material sources is usually not constant, but is subject to technical, irregular fluctuations, which also makes it difficult to reproduce the volume conveyed.

Bei der Versorgung der Applikationsvorrichtung verbleibt immer ein Restvolumen an Medium in dem Leitungssystem, welches nicht appliziert wird. Ein Großteil dieses Volumens wird in einem Reinigungsprozess zurück in die zugehörige Ringleitung gedrückt, so dass das Medium zurückgewonnen wird. Hierbei können sich Schwierigkeiten ergeben, da das Medium gegen den Eigendruck der zugehörigen Ringleitung aus Richtung der Applikationsvorrichtung zurückgedrückt werden muss. Es ist Aufgabe der Erfindung, eine Wechseleinrichtung und ein Beschichtungssystem der eingangs genannten Art zu schaffen, welche diesen Gedanken Rechnung tragen.When supplying the application device, a residual volume of medium always remains in the line system and is not applied. A large part of this volume is pushed back into the associated ring line in a cleaning process so that the medium is recovered. Difficulties can arise here, since the medium must be pushed back from the direction of the application device against the inherent pressure of the associated ring line. It is the object of the invention to create a changing device and a coating system of the type mentioned at the outset which take this idea into account.

Diese Aufgabe wird bei einer Wechseleinrichtung der eingangs genannten Art dadurch gelöst, dass
e) mittels einer Ventilanordnung der Koppelanschluss auf direktem Wege mit der Zuführleitung verbindbar ist, derart, dass Medium an der Förderdruckeinrichtung vorbeigeführt werden kann.Durch die vorhandene Förderdruckeinrichtung kann das Medium mit einem vorgegebenen und reproduzierbaren Förderdruck in die Zuführleitung eingespeist werden, so dass Druckschwankungen in den Materialquellen nur noch eine vernachlässigbare Unregelmäßigkeit darstellen. Darüber hinaus kann mit der Förderdruckeinrichtung ein ausreichend großer Förderdruck auf das Medium aufgebaut werden, so dass auch mögliche Druckverluste entlang der Förderstrecke zur Applikationsvorrichtung kompensiert werden können. Alternativ oder Ergänzend kann die Förderdruckeinrichtung nahe an dem Anschluss der Wechseleinrichtung bewirken oder unterstützen, dass ein Medium in das Reservoir zurückgefördert wird, wodurch ein verhältnismäßig großer Förderdruck aufgebaut werden und so dem Eigendruck des zugehörigen Reservoirs effektiv entgegengewirkt werden kann.With a changing device of the type mentioned at the outset, this object is achieved in that
e) the coupling connection can be connected directly to the feed line by means of a valve arrangement in such a way that the medium can be routed past the delivery pressure device. The existing delivery pressure device allows the medium to be fed into the feed line with a specified and reproducible delivery pressure, so that pressure fluctuations in the material sources only represent a negligible irregularity. In addition, with the delivery pressure device, a sufficiently high delivery pressure can be built up on the medium, so that possible pressure losses along the delivery route to the application device can also be compensated. Alternatively or additionally, the delivery pressure device can cause or support close to the connection of the changing device that a medium is delivered back into the reservoir, whereby a relatively high delivery pressure is built up and thus the inherent pressure of the associated reservoir effectively can be counteracted.

Vorzugsweise ist dabei die Förderdruckeinrichtung von der beweglichen Andockeinheit mitgeführt. Auf diese Weise müssen keine größeren Leitungstrecken zwischen dem Koppelanschluss der beweglichen Andockeinheit und der Förderdruckeinrichtung ausgebildet werden.The conveying pressure device is preferably carried along by the movable docking unit. In this way, it is not necessary to construct larger line sections between the coupling connection of the movable docking unit and the delivery pressure device.

Besonders vorteilhaft ist die Förderdruckeinrichtung ein Druckzylinder mit einem Druckraum, welcher mittels einer Ventilanordnung wahlweise mit dem Koppelanschluss der Andockstation oder mit der Zuführleitung verbindbar ist. Allgemein kann die Förderdruckeinrichtung auch die Entnahme von Medium aus einem Reservoir bewirken oder unterstützen, wenn der Eigendruck das Reservoirs nicht ausreicht, das gewünschte Medium in das Leitungssystem zu fördern. Im Falle des Druckzylinders kann dieser das Medium aus dem Reservoir gleichsam wie eine Spritze aufziehen und dann in die Zuführleitung eindrücken. Diese Ventilanordnung kann entsprechend eingerichtet sein, um den Koppelanschluss auf direktem Wege mit der Zuführleitung zu verbinden.The conveying pressure device is particularly advantageously a pressure cylinder with a pressure chamber which can be connected to the coupling connection of the docking station or to the feed line by means of a valve arrangement. In general, the delivery pressure device can also bring about or support the removal of medium from a reservoir if the inherent pressure of the reservoir is not sufficient to deliver the desired medium into the line system. In the case of the pressure cylinder, it can draw the medium out of the reservoir like a syringe and then press it into the feed line. This valve arrangement can be set up accordingly in order to connect the coupling connection directly to the feed line.

Für einen schnellen Wechsel von Medien kann die Applikationseinrichtung aus zwei Versorgungssträngen versorgt werden. In diesem Fall kann für jeden Versorgungsstrang eine gesonderte Wechseleinrichtung vorgesehen sein. Alternativ ist es jedoch günstig, wenn bei der Wechseleinrichtung wenigstens zwei Andockeinheiten vorhanden sind. So kann jeder Versorgungsstrang mit einer Andockeinheit ein und derselben Wechseleinrichtung zusammenarbeiten. Der benötigte Bauraum für eine solche Wechseleinrichtung mit zwei Andockeinheiten ist kleiner als für zwei Wechseleinheiten mit jeweils einer eigenen Andockeinheit.For a quick change of media, the application device can be supplied from two supply lines. In this case, a separate changing device can be provided for each supply line. Alternatively, however, it is favorable if at least two docking units are present in the changing device. In this way, each supply line can work together with a docking unit of one and the same changing device. The space required for such a changing device with two docking units is smaller than for two changing units, each with its own docking unit.

Damit verschiedene Andockeinheiten dann auch aus ein und demselben Reservoir gespeist werden können und sich nicht gegenseitig behindern, ist es günstig, wenn für jedes Reservoir zwei Anschlüsse und zwei Andockeinheiten vorhanden sind, von denen die erste Andockeinheit mit einem der Anschlüsse für jedes Reservoir und die zweite Andockeinheit mit dem anderen der Anschlüsse für jedes Reservoir zusammenarbeitet.So that different docking units can then also be fed from one and the same reservoir and do not interfere with each other, it is favorable if two connections and two docking units are available for each reservoir, of which the first docking unit is connected to one of the connections for each reservoir and the second Docking unit cooperates with the other of the connectors for each reservoir.

Im Hinblick auf das Beschichtungssystem wird die oben genannte Aufgabe dadurch gelöst, dass
c) das Versorgungssystem wenigstens eine Wechseleinrichtung für Medien mit einigen oder allen der oben erläuterten Merkmale umfasst.With regard to the coating system, the above object becomes solved by that
c) the supply system comprises at least one changing device for media with some or all of the features explained above.

Für eine effektive Förderung der Medien und Reinigung der Leitungen ist vorzugsweise zumindest ein Abschnitt der Zuführleitung gemolcht.At least one section of the feed line is preferably pigged for effective conveyance of the media and cleaning of the lines.

Es ist günstig, wenn die Zuführleitung am von der Wechseleinrichtung abliegenden Ende mit einem Vorlagebehälter verbunden ist, aus welchem die Applikationsvorrichtung gespeist werden kann.It is advantageous if the feed line is connected to a storage container at the end remote from the changing device, from which the application device can be fed.

Eine besonders gleichmäßige und reproduzierbare Förderung von Medium zur Applikationsvorrichtung kann erreicht werden, wenn der Vorlagebehälter ein Kolbendosierer ist.A particularly uniform and reproducible delivery of medium to the application device can be achieved if the storage container is a piston metering device.

Ein effektiver Materialwechsel kann erfolgen, wenn das Versorgungssystem einen Verteiler umfasst, über welchen die Applikationsvorrichtung aus einem ersten Versorgungsstrang oder einem zweiten Versorgungsstrang gespeist werden kann, wobei jeder Versorgungsstrang eine gesonderte Zuführleitung umfasst und alle weiteren zuvor genannten Komponenten beim ersten Versorgungsstrang und beim zweiten Versorgungsstrang gesondert vorhanden sind.An effective change of material can take place if the supply system includes a distributor, via which the application device can be fed from a first supply line or a second supply line, each supply line including a separate feed line and all other aforementioned components in the first supply line and the second supply line separately available.

Nachfolgend werden nun Ausführungsbeispiele der Erfindung anhand der Zeichnungen näher erläutert. In diesen zeigen

Figur 1
schematisch ein Beschichtungssystem mit einer Applikationsvorrichtung und einer Versorgungsvorrichtung gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel;
Figur 2
schematisch ein Beschichtungssystem mit einer Applikationsvorrichtung und einer Versorgungsvorrichtung gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are now explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. In these show
figure 1
schematically a coating system with an application device and a supply device according to a first embodiment;
figure 2
schematically a coating system with an application device and a supply device according to a second embodiment.

Die Figuren zeigen schematisch ein Beschichtungssystem 10 zum Beschichten von Gegenständen, beispielsweise von Fahrzeugkarosserien oder von deren Teilen oder Anbauteilen.The figures show schematically a coating system 10 for coating Objects, such as vehicle bodies or their parts or attachments.

Das Beschichtungssystem 10 umfasst eine Applikationsvorrichtung 12, die beim vorliegenden Ausführungsbeispiel nur schematisch gezeigt ist. Bei den vorliegenden Ausführungsbeispielen ist die Applikationsvorrichtung 12 ein elektrostatisch arbeitender Hochrotationszerstäuber 14 mit einem rotierenden Glockenteller 16.The coating system 10 includes an application device 12, which is shown only schematically in the present embodiment. In the present exemplary embodiments, the application device 12 is an electrostatically operating high-speed rotary atomizer 14 with a rotating bell cup 16.

Die Applikationsvorrichtung 12 umfasst eine Abgabeleitung 18, über welche Beschichtungsmaterial auf einen nicht eigens gezeigten Gegenstand abgegeben werden kann. Beim vorliegenden Ausführungsbeispiel führt die Abgabeleitung 18 zu dem Glockenteller 16 des Hochrotationszerstäubers 14. Der Glockenteller 16 und die Abgabeleitung 18 bilden somit eine Abgabeeinrichtung.The application device 12 includes a dispensing line 18, via which coating material can be dispensed onto an object that is not specifically shown. In the present exemplary embodiment, the discharge line 18 leads to the bell cup 16 of the high-speed rotary atomizer 14. The bell cup 16 and the discharge line 18 thus form a discharge device.

Die Applikationsvorrichtung 12 kann wahlweise aus einem ersten Vorlagebehälter 20.1 in Form eines ersten Kolbendosierers 22.1 über eine erste Speiseleitung 24.1 eines ersten Versorgungsstranges 26.1 oder aus einem zweiten Vorlagebehälter 20.2 in Form eines Kolbendosierers 22.2 über eine zweite Speiseleitung 24.2 eines zweiten Versorgungsstranges 26.2 mit einem flüssigen Medium gespeist werden. Der erste Kolbendosierer 22.1 und der zweite Kolbendosierer 22.2 veranschaulichen jeweils nur ein Beispiel für einen ersten Vorlagebehälter 20.1 bzw. einen zweiten Vorlagebehälter 20.2 für Beschichtungsmaterial.The application device 12 can be fed with a liquid medium either from a first storage container 20.1 in the form of a first piston dispenser 22.1 via a first feed line 24.1 of a first supply line 26.1 or from a second storage container 20.2 in the form of a piston dispenser 22.2 via a second feed line 24.2 of a second supply line 26.2 will. The first piston dispenser 22.1 and the second piston dispenser 22.2 each illustrate only one example of a first storage container 20.1 or a second storage container 20.2 for coating material.

Die beiden Versorgungsstränge 26.1, 26.2 bilden zusammen ein Versorgungssystem 26 und haben denselben Aufbau, weshalb nachfolgend der Einfachheit halber nur noch der erste Versorgungsstrang 26.1 weiter erläutert wird. Bezugszeichen für gleiche Bauteile und Komponenten tragen beim ersten Versorgungsstrang 26.1 den Index ".1" und beim zweiten Versorgungsstrang 26.2 den Index ".2".The two supply lines 26.1, 26.2 together form a supply system 26 and have the same structure, which is why only the first supply line 26.1 is explained further below for the sake of simplicity. Reference symbols for the same parts and components have the index “.1” in the first supply line 26.1 and the index “.2” in the second supply line 26.2.

Die beiden Speiseleitungen 24.1 und 24.2 münden am von den Kolbendosierern 22.1, 22.2 abliegenden Enden in einen Verteiler 28, der mit der Abgabeleitung 18 verbunden ist, so dass die Applikationsvorrichtung 12 wahlweise mit der Speiseleitung 24.1 oder mit der Speiseleitung 24.2 verbunden werden kann.The two feed lines 24.1 and 24.2 open into a distributor 28 at the ends remote from the piston dispensers 22.1, 22.2, which is connected to the delivery line 18, so that the application device 12 can be connected either to the feed line 24.1 or to the feed line 24.2.

Der Verteiler 28 ist außerdem mit einer Reinigungsleitung 30 eines nicht näher gezeigten Reinigungssystems 32 verbunden und so konfiguriert, dass diese Reinigungsleitung 30 wahlweise mit der Speiseleitung 24.1, der Speiseleitung 24.2 oder der Abgabeleitung 18 verbunden werden kann. Auf dem Weg über die Reinigungsleitung 30 können dem Verteilter 28 in an und für sich bekannter Art und Weise aus zugehörigen Materialquellen ein Reinigungsmedium, z.B. ein Lösemittel, oder ein Druckfluid, z.B. Druckluft, zugeführt werden, wobei auch für unterschiedliche Medien gesonderte Reinigungsleitungen 30 vorhanden sein können.The distributor 28 is also with a cleaning line 30 one no closer cleaning system 32 shown connected and configured so that this cleaning line 30 can be connected to either the feed line 24.1, the feed line 24.2 or the discharge line 18. A cleaning medium, for example a solvent, or a pressurized fluid, for example compressed air, can be supplied to the distributor 28 in a manner known per se via the cleaning line 30 from associated material sources, with separate cleaning lines 30 also being available for different media be able.

Der Kolbendosierer 22.1 umfasst einen Zylinder 34.1, in dem ein Kolben 36.1 mit Hilfe eines nicht eigens gezeigten Kolbenantriebs bewegt werden kann. Der Kolben 36.1 begrenzt mit dem Zylinder 34.1 einen Arbeitsraum 38.1 mit veränderbaren Volumen, welcher mit der ersten Speiseleitung 24.1 über eine Ventileinheit 40.1 verbunden ist. Außerdem ist der Arbeitsraum 38.1 über die Ventileinheit 40.1 mit einer Zuführleitung 42.1 und einer Auslassleitung 44.1 verbunden, welche zur Ablassleitung 54e der Ringleitungen 52 führt.The piston metering device 22.1 comprises a cylinder 34.1 in which a piston 36.1 can be moved with the aid of a piston drive which is not specifically shown. The piston 36.1 delimits with the cylinder 34.1 a working chamber 38.1 with variable volume, which is connected to the first feed line 24.1 via a valve unit 40.1. In addition, the working chamber 38.1 is connected via the valve unit 40.1 to a supply line 42.1 and an outlet line 44.1, which leads to the outlet line 54e of the ring lines 52.

Die Zuführleitung 42.1 ist mit einer Versorgungseinrichtung 46.1 des Versorgungssystems 26 verbunden, mittels welcher Medien in die Zuführleitung 42.1 gefördert werden können.The feed line 42.1 is connected to a supply device 46.1 of the supply system 26, by means of which media can be conveyed into the feed line 42.1.

Die Versorgungseinrichtung 46.1 umfasst als Versorgungseinheit eine Farbwechseleinrichtung 48.1, welche in an und für sich bekannter Art und Weise über einen Anschlussblock 50.1 mit einer nicht eigens gezeigten Ventilanordnung mit einem Ringleitungssystem 52 mit einer Vielzahl von Medien führenden Leitungen 54 verbunden ist, welche jeweils eine Materialquelle definieren. Von solchen Leitungen sind in den Figuren lediglich zwei Lackleitungen 54a, 54b, eine Reinigungsmittelleitung 54c, eine Druckluftleitung 54d sowie eine Ablassleitung 54e, über welche ein Medium, wie beispielsweise Lösemittel oder auch nicht mehr zu verwertender Lack, aus dem System abgelassen werden kann, veranschaulicht. In der Praxis können durchaus fünfzig oder mehr Medien führende Leitungen 54 vorhanden sein, durch die voneinander verschiedene Lacke oder sonstige Medien strömen.The supply device 46.1 comprises a color change device 48.1 as a supply unit, which is connected in a manner known per se via a connection block 50.1 to a valve arrangement (not shown) with a ring line system 52 with a large number of lines 54 carrying media, each of which defines a material source . Of such lines, only two paint lines 54a, 54b, a cleaning agent line 54c, a compressed air line 54d and a drain line 54e, via which a medium, such as solvent or paint that can no longer be used, can be drained from the system, are illustrated in the figures . In practice, there can be fifty or more media-carrying lines 54 through which different paints or other media flow.

Der Anschlussblock 50.1 umfasst für jede Ringleitung 52 einen Anschluss 56.1, wobei jeder Anschluss 56.1 denselben Buchstaben-Index trägt, wie die jeweils zugehörige Ringleitung. Zur Farbwechseleinrichtung 48.1 gehört außerdem eine bewegliche Andockeinheit 58.1, welche auf dem Anschlussblock 50.1 bewegt werden kann und dadurch wahlweise mit jeweils einem Anschluss 56.1a bis 56.1e fluidisch verbunden werden kann. Hierzu umfasst die Andockeinheit 58.1 einen Koppelanschluss 60.1, der zu den Anschlüssen 56.1 am Anschlussblock 50.1 komplementär ist und mit jeweils einem der Anschlüsse 56.1 gekoppelt werden kann.The connection block 50.1 includes a connection 56.1 for each ring line 52, each port 56.1 bearing the same letter index as the associated loop. The color changing device 48.1 also includes a movable docking unit 58.1, which can be moved on the connection block 50.1 and can thus be fluidically connected to one connection 56.1a to 56.1e each. For this purpose, the docking unit 58.1 includes a coupling connection 60.1, which is complementary to the connections 56.1 on the connection block 50.1 and can be coupled to one of the connections 56.1 in each case.

Dabei ist die Andockeinheit 58.1 durch eine nur mit gestrichelten Linien veranschaulichte Führungseinrichtung 62.1 am Anschlussblock 50.1 geführt und kann mittels einer Koppeleinrichtung 64.1, welche auch einen nicht eigens gezeigten Antrieb umfasst, am Anschlussblock 50.1 entlang bewegt und mit jeweils einem der Anschlüsse 56.1 gekoppelt und von diesen gelöst werden. Die Koppeleinrichtung 64.1 umfasst an und für sich bekannte und daher nicht eigens gezeigte Koppelmittel, die eine fluiddichte und lösbare Verbindung zwischen dem gewählten Anschluss 56.1 am Anschlussblock 50.1 und dem Koppelanschluss 60.1 der Andockeinheit 58.1 sicherstellen. Die Führungseinrichtung 62.1 und die Koppeleinrichtung 64.1 bilden gemeinsam eine Positioniereinrichtung für die Andockeinheit 58.1.The docking unit 58.1 is guided by a guide device 62.1, illustrated only with dashed lines, on the connection block 50.1 and can be moved along the connection block 50.1 by means of a coupling device 64.1, which also includes a drive that is not specifically shown, and is coupled to one of the connections 56.1 and from these be resolved. The coupling device 64.1 comprises coupling means that are known per se and are therefore not specifically shown, which ensure a fluid-tight and detachable connection between the selected connection 56.1 on the connection block 50.1 and the coupling connection 60.1 of the docking unit 58.1. The guide device 62.1 and the coupling device 64.1 together form a positioning device for the docking unit 58.1.

Beim vorliegenden Ausführungsbeispiel erfolgt die Verfahrbewegung der Andockeinheit 58.1 linear entlang des Anschlussblockes 50.1, wie es die Anordnung der Anschlüsse 56.1 vorgibt. Bei nicht eigens gezeigten Abwandlungen können die Anschlüsse 56.1 des Anschlussblocks 50.1 jedoch auch in einer Ebene verteilt und/oder in zur Achse der Anschlüsse 56.1 paralleler Richtung zueinander versetzt angeordnet sein. Die Führungseinrichtung 62.1 und die Koppeleinrichtung 64.1 sind derart konzipiert, dass die Andockeinheit 58.1 alle erforderlichen Bewegungen durchführen kann, um alle benötigen Anschlüsse 56.1 zu erreichen und mit diesen fluiddicht gekoppelt zu werden.In the present exemplary embodiment, the displacement movement of the docking unit 58.1 takes place linearly along the connection block 50.1, as specified by the arrangement of the connections 56.1. In the case of modifications that are not specifically shown, the connections 56.1 of the connection block 50.1 can, however, also be distributed in one plane and/or offset from one another in a direction parallel to the axis of the connections 56.1. The guide device 62.1 and the coupling device 64.1 are designed in such a way that the docking unit 58.1 can carry out all the necessary movements in order to reach all the required connections 56.1 and to be coupled to them in a fluid-tight manner.

Wie eingangs erläutert wurde, kommt es in der Zuführleitung 42.1 auf Grund von deren geringem Querschnitt und/oder von deren großer Länge zu Druckverlusten, so dass nicht immer sichergestellt ist, dass ein Medium durch den Eigendruck des Ringleitungssystems einwandfrei in die Zuführleitung 42.1 und den daran angeschlossenen Kolbendosierer 22.1 gefördert wird.As explained at the beginning, there are pressure losses in the supply line 42.1 due to its small cross-section and/or its great length, so that it is not always certain that a medium can flow properly into the supply line 42.1 and the adjacent line due to the inherent pressure of the ring line system connected piston dispenser 22.1 is funded.

Aus diesem Grund umfasst die Farbwechseleinrichtung 48.1 eine Förderdruckeinrichtung 66.1, mittels welcher der Eingangsdruck, mit dem ein Medium in die Zuführleitung 42.1 zum Kolbendosierer 22.1 eingespeist wird, eingestellt und/oder unterstützt werden kann. Darüber hinaus kann auch der Rückführdruck eingestellt und/oder unterstützt werden, mit dem bei einem Rückführprozess ein Medium in die zugehörige Ringleitung 54 zurückgefördert wird. Beim vorliegenden Ausführungsbeispiel ist diese Förderdruckeinrichtung 66.1 von der Andockeinheit 58.1 mitgeführt; bei einer nicht eigens gezeigten Abwandlung kann die Förderdruckeinrichtung 66.1 jedoch auch stationär angeordnet und über eine Verbindungsleitung mit der Andockeinheit 58.1 verbunden sein. Die Verbindungsleitung ist jedoch stets kurz bezogen auf die Leitungsstrecke zwischen der Wechseleinrichtung 48.1 und dem Kolbendosierer 22.1 bzw. der Applikationsvorrichtung 12.For this reason, the color change device 48.1 includes a feed pressure device 66.1, by means of which the inlet pressure with which a medium is fed into the feed line 42.1 to the piston metering device 22.1 can be set and/or supported. In addition, the return pressure can also be set and/or supported, with which a medium is conveyed back into the associated ring line 54 during a return process. In the present exemplary embodiment, this conveying pressure device 66.1 is carried along by the docking unit 58.1; in a modification that is not specifically shown, the conveying pressure device 66.1 can also be arranged in a stationary manner and connected to the docking unit 58.1 via a connecting line. However, the connecting line is always short in relation to the line section between the changing device 48.1 and the piston metering device 22.1 or the application device 12.

Die Förderdruckeinrichtung 66.1 ist als Druckzylinder 68.1 ausgebildet, welcher einen Zylinder 70.1 umfasst, in dem ein Kolben 72.1 mit Hilfe eines nicht eigens gezeigten Kolbenantriebs bewegt werden kann. Der Kolben 72.1 begrenzt mit dem Zylinder 70.1 einen Druckraum 74.1 mit veränderbaren Volumen. Da der Druckzylinder 68.1 in der Praxis hohen Drücken, bis beispielsweise 16 bar und darüber, standhalten muss, ist der Zylinder 70.1 in der Praxis aus Metall, insbesondere aus Edelstahl.The conveying pressure device 66.1 is designed as a pressure cylinder 68.1, which includes a cylinder 70.1, in which a piston 72.1 can be moved with the aid of a piston drive, which is not specifically shown. The piston 72.1, together with the cylinder 70.1, delimits a pressure chamber 74.1 with a variable volume. Since the pressure cylinder 68.1 has to withstand high pressures in practice, for example up to 16 bar and above, the cylinder 70.1 is in practice made of metal, in particular stainless steel.

Der Druckraum 74.1 ist über eine Ventilanordnung 76.1 mit dem Koppelanschluss 60.1 der Andockeinheit 58.1 und der Zuführleitung 42.1 verbunden. Die Ventilanordnung 76.1 kann so eingestellt werden, dass wahlweise der Druckraum 74.1 mit dem Koppelanschluss 60.1 oder der Druckraum 74.1 mit der Zuführleitung 42.1 oder der Koppelanschluss 60.1 mit der Zuführleitung 42.1 fluidisch verbunden werden kann. In letzterem Fall ist somit der Koppelanschluss 60.1 direkt mit der Zuführleitung 42.1 verbunden, so dass ein Medium an dem Druckzylinder 68.1 vorbei geführt werden kann, so dass eine entsprechende Bypassleitung gebildet. Allgemein ausgedrückt kann also der Koppelanschluss 60.1 wahlweise mittels einer Ventilanordnung 76.1 auf direktem Wege mit der Zuführleitung 42.1 verbunden werden.The pressure chamber 74.1 is connected to the coupling connection 60.1 of the docking unit 58.1 and the feed line 42.1 via a valve arrangement 76.1. The valve arrangement 76.1 can be set so that either the pressure chamber 74.1 can be fluidly connected to the coupling connection 60.1 or the pressure chamber 74.1 to the supply line 42.1 or the coupling connection 60.1 to the supply line 42.1. In the latter case, the coupling connection 60.1 is connected directly to the feed line 42.1, so that a medium can be guided past the pressure cylinder 68.1, so that a corresponding bypass line is formed. Expressed in general terms, the coupling connection 60.1 can be optionally connected directly to the feed line 42.1 by means of a valve arrangement 76.1.

Die Zuführleitung 42.1 kann teilweise oder vollständig als Molchleitung konzipiert sein. Beim vorliegenden Ausführungsbeispiel ist in der Zuführleitung 42.1 stromab der Farbwechseleinrichtung 48.1 eine erste Molchstation 78.1 angeordnet, so dass die Zuführleitung 42.1 in zwei Zuführabschnitte 80.1 und 82.1 unterteilt ist. Der erste Zuführabschnitt 80.1 erstreckt sich zwischen der Andockeinheit 58.1 und der ersten Molchstation 78.1 und der zweite Zuführabschnitt 82.1 erstreckt sich zwischen der ersten Molchstation 78.1 und einer zweiten Molchstation 84.1 am Kolbendosierer 22.1. Wenn die gesamte Zuführleitung 42.1 oder der Zuführabschnitt 80.1 als Molchleitung konzipiert ist, ist eine Molchstation an Farbwechseleinrichtung 48.1 vorhanden.The feed line 42.1 can be partially or completely designed as a pig line be. In the present exemplary embodiment, a first pig station 78.1 is arranged in the feed line 42.1 downstream of the color changing device 48.1, so that the feed line 42.1 is divided into two feed sections 80.1 and 82.1. The first feed section 80.1 extends between the docking unit 58.1 and the first pig station 78.1, and the second feed section 82.1 extends between the first pig station 78.1 and a second pig station 84.1 on the piston dispenser 22.1. If the entire feed line 42.1 or the feed section 80.1 is designed as a pig line, there is a pig station on the color changing device 48.1.

Die erste Molchstation 78.1 ist außerdem in bekannter Weise mit einer Arbeitsleitung 86.1 verbunden, die mittels eines nicht eigens gezeigten Ventils verschlossen oder freigegeben werden kann und über welche der ersten Molchstation 78.1 und auf diesem Wege dem molchbaren Abschnitt 82.1 der Zuführleitung 41.1 ein Arbeitsmedium zugeführt werden kann oder welche als Ausgangsleitung dienen kann, um Medium aus dem Leitungssystem abzulassen. An der zweiten Molchstation 84.1 steht eine solche Arbeitsleitung durch die Reinigungsleitung 30 zur Verfügung.The first pig station 78.1 is also connected in a known manner to a working line 86.1, which can be closed or opened by means of a valve (not shown) and via which a working medium can be fed to the first pig station 78.1 and in this way to the piggable section 82.1 of the feed line 41.1 or which can serve as an outlet line to drain medium from the line system. Such a working line is available through the cleaning line 30 at the second pig station 84.1.

Bei nicht eigens gezeigten Abwandlungen kann der erste Zuführabschnitt 80.1 der Zuführleitung 42.1 alternativ oder ergänzend gemolcht sein. In diesem Fall ist eine Molchstation auch an der Andockeinheit 58.1 vorhanden.In the case of modifications that are not specifically shown, the first feed section 80.1 of the feed line 42.1 can be pigged as an alternative or in addition. In this case there is also a pig station on the docking unit 58.1.

Ein nicht eigens gezeigter Molch jedenfalls kann zwischen den Molchstationen 78.1 und 84.1 in beiden Richtungen bewegt werden.In any case, a pig that is not specifically shown can be moved in both directions between the pig stations 78.1 and 84.1.

Beim in Figur 1 gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel sind zwei Farbwechseleinrichtungen 48.1, 48.2 mit jeweils eigenen Anschlussblöcken 50.1, 50.2 vorhanden, die jeweils eine Andockeinheit 58.1 bzw. 58.2 führen.at in figure 1 In the exemplary embodiment shown, there are two color changing devices 48.1, 48.2, each with their own connection blocks 50.1, 50.2, which each carry a docking unit 58.1 or 58.2.

Figur 2 zeigt als zweites Ausführungsbeispiel ein Beschichtungssystem 10, bei dem eine, dort mit 48 bezeichnete, einzige Farbwechseleinrichtung mit einem Anschlussblock 50 vorhanden ist, welche beide Andockeinheiten 58.1 und 58.2 umfasst. Dementsprechend stellt der Anschlussblock 50 die mit den Ringleitungen 54 verbundenen Anschlüsse 56.1 und 56.2, die Führungseinrichtungen 62.1 und 62.2 sowie die Koppeleinrichtungen 64.1 und 64.2 für beide Andockeinheiten 58.1, 58.2 bereit. In Figur 2 sind der Einfachheit halber nicht alle Komponenten mit einem Bezugszeichen versehen. figure 2 1 shows a coating system 10 as a second exemplary embodiment, in which there is a single color changing device, designated 48 there, with a connection block 50, which includes both docking units 58.1 and 58.2. Accordingly, the connection block 50 provides the connections 56.1 and 56.2 connected to the ring lines 54, the guide devices 62.1 and 62.2 and the coupling devices 64.1 and 64.2 for both docking units 58.1, 58.2. In figure 2 not all components are provided with a reference number for the sake of simplicity.

Beim in Figur 2 gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel sind beide Andockeinheiten 58.1, 58.2 auf derselben Seite des Anschlussblocks 50 angeordnet. Bei einer nicht eigens gezeigten Abwandlung können die Andockeinheiten 58.1 und 58.2 auch an unterschiedlichen, insbesondere an gegenüberliegenden Seiten des Anschlussblockes 50 geführt sein.at in figure 2 In the exemplary embodiment shown, both docking units 58.1, 58.2 are arranged on the same side of the connection block 50. In a modification that is not specifically shown, the docking units 58.1 and 58.2 can also be guided on different sides of the connection block 50, in particular on opposite sides.

Das Beschichtungssystem 10 funktioniert nun wie folgt, wobei nachfolgend lediglich die hier interessierenden Abläufe erläutert werden, ohne dass im Einzelnen auf ergänzende und bekannte Vorgänge, die beispielsweise zum Reinigen von Leitungsabschnitten erforderlich sind, eingegangen wird.The coating system 10 now functions as follows, with only the processes of interest here being explained below without going into detail about supplementary and known processes which are necessary, for example, for cleaning line sections.

Als Ausgangssituation sei eine Arbeitskonfiguration des Beschichtungssystems 10 angenommen, bei welcher der Applikationseinrichtung 12 Lack aus dem zweiten Kolbendosierer 22.2 zugeführt wird, indem dessen Kolben 36.2 in Richtung auf die Ventileinheit 40.2 zu bewegt wird. Die Ventileinheit 40.2 sperrt dabei die Zuführleitung 42.2 und die Auslassleitung 44.2 und gibt den Strömungsweg zum Verteiler 28 frei. Dieser verbindet seinerseits die Speiseleitung 24.2 mit der Abgabeleitung 18 der Applikationsvorrichtung 12, welche das Material aus dem zweiten Kolbendosierer 22.2 auf einen Gegenstand appliziert. Die Speiseleitung 24.1 zwischen dem Verteiler 28 und dem ersten Kolbendosierer 22.1 ist gereinigt und trocken, so dass dort eine elektrische Isolationsstrecke ausgebildet ist.A working configuration of the coating system 10 is assumed as the initial situation, in which the application device 12 is supplied with paint from the second piston metering device 22.2, in that its piston 36.2 is moved in the direction of the valve unit 40.2. The valve unit 40.2 blocks the supply line 42.2 and the outlet line 44.2 and opens the flow path to the distributor 28. This in turn connects the feed line 24.2 to the delivery line 18 of the application device 12, which applies the material from the second piston dispenser 22.2 to an object. The feed line 24.1 between the distributor 28 and the first piston dispenser 22.1 is cleaned and dry, so that an electrical insulation gap is formed there.

Bei einem Farbwechsel wird nun die Andockeinheit 58.1 der ersten Farbwechseleinrichtung 48.1 zu dem Anschluss 56 derjenigen Ringleitung 52 bewegt, die das Lackmaterial führt, welches als nächstes appliziert werden soll. Beispielsweise sei dies die Lackleitung 52a. In Figur 1 ist der Koppelanschluss 60.1 der Andockeinheit 58.1 entsprechend mit dem Anschluss 56a der ersten Farbwechseleinrichtung 48.1 gekoppelt.When there is a color change, the docking unit 58.1 of the first color change device 48.1 is now moved to the connection 56 of that ring line 52 that carries the paint material that is to be applied next. For example, this is the paint line 52a. In figure 1 the coupling connection 60.1 of the docking unit 58.1 is correspondingly coupled to the connection 56a of the first color changing device 48.1.

Die Ventilanordnung 76.1 wird in eine Beladungskonfiguration gestellt, bei welcher der Koppelanschluss 60.1 mit dem Druckraum 74.1 verbunden ist, wobei der Kolben 72.1 zunächst nach vorne gefahren ist, so dass der Druckraum 74.1 das kleinstmögliche Volumen hat. Nun wird der Kolben 72.1 zurückbewegt, wodurch sich der Druckraum 74.1 mit Material aus der Lackleitung 54a füllt.The valve assembly 76.1 is placed in a loading configuration in which the coupling port 60.1 is connected to the pressure chamber 74.1, wherein the Piston 72.1 is first moved forward, so that the pressure chamber 74.1 has the smallest possible volume. The piston 72.1 is now moved back, as a result of which the pressure chamber 74.1 is filled with material from the paint line 54a.

Hiernach wird die Ventilanordnung 76.1 der Andockeinheit 58.1 ein eine Druckerzeugungskonfiguration gestellt, so dass der Druckraum 74.1 mit der Zuführleitung 42.1 und konkret mit deren erstem Zuführabschnitt 80.1 verbunden ist. Der Kolben 36.1 des ersten Kolbendosierers 22.1 ist nach vorne geschoben, so dass der Arbeitsraum 38.1 das kleinstmögliche Volumen hat. Nun wird der Kolben 72.1 nach vorne bewegt, wodurch der Lack mit einem Förderdruck in die Zuführleitung 42.1 und dabei in den ersten und den zweiten Zurführabschnitt 80.1 und 82.1 eingedrückt wird. Der Förderdruck kann über den Kolbenvortrieb eingestellt werden. Auf diese Weise kann der Lack mit einem reproduzierbaren und insbesondere gleichmäßigen Druck zu dem Kolbendosierer 22.1 gefördert werden, ohne dass es zu Druckschwankungen kommt, wie sie auftreten können, wenn der Eigendruck in dem Ringleitungssystem 52 genutzt wird, um ein Lackmaterial zu einem der Kolbendosierer 22.1, 22.2 zu fördern. Auch dem durch den kleineren Querschnitt in den Zuführleitungen 42.1, 42.2 bedingtem Druckverlust entlang der Förderstrecke kann so effektiv entgegengewirkt werden.Thereafter, the valve arrangement 76.1 of the docking unit 58.1 is placed in a pressure-generating configuration, so that the pressure chamber 74.1 is connected to the feed line 42.1 and specifically to its first feed section 80.1. The piston 36.1 of the first piston dispenser 22.1 is pushed forward so that the working space 38.1 has the smallest possible volume. The piston 72.1 is now moved forward, as a result of which the paint is pressed into the feed line 42.1 and thereby into the first and the second feed section 80.1 and 82.1 with a feed pressure. The delivery pressure can be adjusted via the piston advance. In this way, the paint can be conveyed to the piston metering device 22.1 with a reproducible and, in particular, uniform pressure, without pressure fluctuations occurring, as can occur when the intrinsic pressure in the ring line system 52 is used to transfer a paint material to one of the piston metering devices 22.1 , 22.2 to promote. The pressure loss along the conveying path caused by the smaller cross section in the feed lines 42.1, 42.2 can also be effectively counteracted in this way.

Im zweiten Zuführabschnitt 82.1 der ersten Zuführleitung 42.1 wird der Lack mittels der Molchtechnik weiter zum Kolbendosierer 22.1 gefördert, wie dies an und für sich bekannt ist. Wenn der Lack zu dem ersten Kolbendosierer 22.1 gelangt, fährt dessen Kolben 36.1 zurück, so dass der Lack durch die Ventileinheit 40.1 in dessen Arbeitsraum 38.1 einströmen kann.In the second feed section 82.1 of the first feed line 42.1, the paint is conveyed further to the piston metering device 22.1 by means of pig technology, as is known per se. When the paint reaches the first piston dispenser 22.1, its piston 36.1 moves back so that the paint can flow through the valve unit 40.1 into its working space 38.1.

Da die Förderdruckeinrichtung 66.1 dazu dient, den Eingangsdruck für die Einspeisung der Medien in die Zuführleitung 42.1 einzustellen, kann das Volumen des Druckraumes 74.1 kleiner sein als das für die Applikation benötigte Volumen an Lack, welches von dem Kolbendosierer 22.1 aufgenommen werden muss. In diesem Fall erfolgt die Auffüllung des Kolbendosierers 22.1 in entsprechender Weise in zwei oder mehreren Schritten chargenweise, wobei währenddessen die Applikation mit Material aus dem zweiten Kolbendosierer 22.2 weiter durchgeführt werden kann.Since the delivery pressure device 66.1 serves to set the inlet pressure for feeding the media into the feed line 42.1, the volume of the pressure chamber 74.1 can be smaller than the volume of paint required for the application, which must be taken up by the piston dispenser 22.1. In this case, the filling of the piston metering device 22.1 takes place in a corresponding manner in two or more steps in batches, during which time the application with material from the second piston metering device 22.2 can continue.

Bevor nun der nächste elektrostatische Applikationsvorgang eingeleitet und die Applikationsvorrichtung 12 auf Hochspannungspotential gesetzt werden kann, muss zunächst die Applikationsvorrichtung 12 von dem Material aus dem zweiten Kolbendosierer 22.2 befreit und gereinigt und zugleich die Zuführleitung 42.1 von leitendem Material befreit und getrocknet werden, so dass in der Zuführleitung 42.1 eine elektrische Isolationsstrecke aufgebaut wird.Before the next electrostatic application process can be initiated and the application device 12 can be set to high voltage potential, the application device 12 must first be freed from the material from the second piston dispenser 22.2 and cleaned, and at the same time the feed line 42.1 must be freed from conductive material and dried so that in the Supply line 42.1 an electrical insulation gap is established.

Bei dem Reinigungsvorgang wird Lackmaterial durch die Zuführleitung 42.1 zurück in die Ringleitung 52a gedrückt. Hierzu wird das Lackmaterial zunächst in den Druckzylinder 68.1 gefördert, wozu die Ventilanordnung 76.1 die Zuführleitung 42.1 mit dessen Druckraum 74.1 verbindet. Wenn die Phasengrenze zwischen Reinigungsfluid und Lackmaterial aus der Zuführleitung 42.1 an der Ventilanordnung 76.1 der ersten Farbwechseleinrichtung 48.1 ankommt, wird die Ventilanordnung 76.1 so eingestellt, dass der Druckraum 74.1 mit dem Anschluss 56.1a verbunden ist. Das Lackmaterial wird dann mit Hilfe des Kolbens 72. 1 aus dem Druckraum 74.1 gegen deren Eigendruck in die Ringleitung 54a gedrückt. Hiernach wird die Andockeinheit 58.1 von dem Anschluss 56a entkoppelt, zum Anschluss 56e der Ablassleitung 54a gefahren und mit diesem gekoppelt, so dass der Rest des Materials aus dem Leitungssystem abgelassen werden kann.During the cleaning process, paint material is pressed back into the ring line 52a through the feed line 42.1. For this purpose, the paint material is first conveyed into the pressure cylinder 68.1, for which purpose the valve arrangement 76.1 connects the feed line 42.1 to its pressure chamber 74.1. When the phase boundary between cleaning fluid and paint material from the supply line 42.1 arrives at the valve assembly 76.1 of the first color changing device 48.1, the valve assembly 76.1 is set so that the pressure chamber 74.1 is connected to the port 56.1a. The paint material is then pressed with the aid of the piston 72.1 from the pressure chamber 74.1 against its own pressure into the ring line 54a. Thereafter, the docking unit 58.1 is decoupled from the connection 56a, moved to the connection 56e of the discharge line 54a and coupled to it, so that the rest of the material can be discharged from the line system.

Zum Reinigen des Druckzylinders 68.1 kann dieser bzw. die zugehörige Ventilanordnung 76.1 mit einer eigenen Reinigungsmittelleitung und/oder einer eigenen Ablassleitung verbunden sein, so dass für den Druckzylinder 68.1 ein von der Farbwechseleinrichtung 48.1 unabhängiger Reinigungsvorgang durchgeführt werden kann.To clean the pressure cylinder 68.1, it or the associated valve arrangement 76.1 can be connected to its own cleaning agent line and/or its own drain line, so that a cleaning process can be carried out for the pressure cylinder 68.1 that is independent of the color change device 48.1.

Nun ist der erste Versorgungsstrang 26.1 bereit für die Applikation des Lackmaterials aus dem Kolbendosierer 22.1, wozu die Ventileinheit 40.1 die Zuführleitung 42.1 sperrt und den Kolbendosierer 22.1 mit dem Verteiler 28 verbindet, welcher den Strömungsweg zur Abgabeleitung 18 freigibt. Der Kolben 36.1 wird in Richtung auf die Ventileinheit 40.1 bewegt und der Lack appliziert.The first supply line 26.1 is now ready for the application of the paint material from the piston dispenser 22.1, for which purpose the valve unit 40.1 blocks the supply line 42.1 and connects the piston dispenser 22.1 to the distributor 28, which opens the flow path to the discharge line 18. The piston 36.1 is moved in the direction of the valve unit 40.1 and the paint is applied.

Während dieses Applikationsvorgangs kann nun der zweite Kolbendosierer 22.2 des zweiten Versorgungsstranges 26.2 in der oben erläuterten Art und Weise mit Material gefüllt werden.During this application process, the second piston dispenser 22.2 of the second supply line 26.2 can now be filled with material in the manner explained above.

Beim Beschichtungssystem nach Figur 2 werden diese Vorgänge analog durchgeführt, wobei die Andockeinheiten 58.1, 58.2 an dem einzigen vorhandenen Anschlussblock 50 bewegt werden.With the coating system figure 2 these processes are carried out analogously, with the docking units 58.1, 58.2 being moved on the only existing connection block 50.

Bei nicht eigens gezeigten Abwandlungen könne auch anders ausgebildete Förderdruckeinrichtungen von der Andockeinheit 58.1, 58.2 mitgeführt werden. Dies können beispielsweise Pumpen oder dergleichen sein. Auch anderer Techniken, beispielsweise Balge oder Membranen, kommen in Betracht.In the case of modifications that are not specifically shown, differently designed conveying pressure devices can also be carried along by the docking unit 58.1, 58.2. This can be pumps or the like, for example. Other techniques, such as bellows or membranes, can also be considered.

Claims (10)

  1. A changing device for media, in particular for varnishes, comprising
    a) multiple connections (56.1, 56.2), each of which can be connected to a reservoir (54) for a medium ;
    b) at least one docking unit (58.1, 58.2), comprising a coupling connection (60.1, 60.2), which is complementary to the connections (56.1, 56.2), which coupling connection can be connected to a supply line (42.1, 42.2) for an applicator (12) of a coating system (10) ;
    c) a positioning device (62.1, 64.1; 62.2, 64.2) by means of which the docking unit (58.1, 58.2) can be moved relative to the connections (56.1, 56.2);
    d) a delivery pressure device (66.1, 66.2) by means of which the inlet pressure, with which a medium is fed into the supply line (42.1, 42.2), can be adjusted and / or supported, and/or by means of which the return pressure, with which a medium is returned from the supply line (41.1, 42.2) into its reservoir (54), can be adjusted and / or supported,
    characterized in that
    e) by means of a valve assembly (76.1, 76.2) the coupling connection (60.1, 60.2) can be directly connected to the supply line (42.1, 42.2), such that the medium can be lead past the delivery pressure device (66.1, 66.2).
  2. The changing device according to patent claim 1, characterized in that the delivery pressure device (66.1, 66.2) is carried along by the docking unit (58.1, 58.2).
  3. The changing device according to patent claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the delivery pressure device (66.1, 66.2) is a pressure cylinder (68.1, 68.2) with a pressure chamber (74.1, 74.2), which, by means of a valve assembly (76.1, 76.2), can be optionally connected to the docking station (58.1, 58.2) or to the supply line (42.1, 42.2).
  4. The changing device according to any one of patent claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least two docking units (58.1, 58.2) exist.
  5. The changing device according to patent claim 4, characterized in that for each reservoir (54) two connections (56.1, 56.2) and two docking units (58.1, 58.2) exist, of which the first docking unit (58.1) cooperates with one of the connections (56.1, 56.2) for each reservoir (54), and the second docking unit (58.2) cooperates with the other one of the connections (56.2, 56.1) for each reservoir (54).
  6. A coating system (10) for coating objects comprising
    a) an applicator device (12) ;
    b) a supply system (26) with at least one supply line (42.1, 42.2) via which a liquid medium can be supplied to the applicator device (12),
    characterized in that
    c) the supply system (26) comprises at least one changing device (48.1, 48.2) for media according to any one of patent claims 1 to 5.
  7. The coating system according to patent claim 6, characterized in that at least one section (80.1, 82.1; 80.2, 82.2) of the supply line (42.1, 42.2) is pigged.
  8. The coating system according to patent claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the supply line (42.1, 42.2), at its end remote from the changing device (48.1, 48.2), is connected to a storage tank (20.1, 20.2), from which the applicator device (12) can be fed.
  9. The coating system according to patent claim 8, characterized in that the storage tank (20.1, 20.2) is a piston dosing unit (22.1, 22.2).
  10. The coating system according to any one of patent claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the supply system (26) comprises a distributor (28) via which the applicator device (12) can be fed from a first supply branch (26.1) or a second supply branch (26.2), wherein each supply branch (26.1, 26.2) comprises a separate supply line (42.1, 42.2), and all other components according to patent claims 7 to 10 exist separately on the first supply branch (26.1) and on the second supply branch (26.2).
EP16730331.2A 2015-07-13 2016-06-14 Changing device and coating system for coating objects Active EP3322540B1 (en)

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DE102015008845.9A DE102015008845A1 (en) 2015-07-13 2015-07-13 Changing device and coating system for coating objects
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3322540A1 (en) 2018-05-23
CN107847959A (en) 2018-03-27
US20180193865A1 (en) 2018-07-12
WO2017008977A1 (en) 2017-01-19
DE102015008845A1 (en) 2017-01-19

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