JP2008207112A - Coating material supply apparatus and coating material recovery method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To miniaturize a coating material supply apparatus and shorten the time taken for a color change. <P>SOLUTION: Pigment stations 30 and 40 of a coating material supply apparatus 10 keep a coating material hose 50 connected and comprise main channels 31a and 41a which a pig 90 can enter, pig reception faces 34b and 462b which inhibit movement of the pig 90, and auxiliary channels 31b, 34a, 41b and 462c communicating with the main channels 31a and 41a, wherein the second auxiliary channels 34a and 462c are blocked the pig 90 by making the pig 90 come into contact with the pig reception faces 34a and 462b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a paint supply apparatus capable of collecting paint in a paint tank when the paint color is switched in an automobile paint line, and a paint collection method for collecting paint in the paint tank.

  The paint supply equipment used in automobile paint lines, etc., is a paint tank in which paint of each color is charged, a pump that pumps this paint, and a paint that guides the paint from the paint tank to the paint machine (actually a color change valve unit) As many paint tanks, pumps, and paint pipes as the number of paint colors are installed. And the paint of the coating color according to a vehicle specification is sprayed by switching the color change valve unit provided in the upstream of the coating machine.

  By the way, a common circulation pipe is provided for a plurality of paint colors, and the fore-color paint remaining in the paint pipe is collected by passing a movable member (free piston) called a pig in the paint pipe. Has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In such a paint supply device using a pig, for example, when the paint in the circulation pipe is collected and the cleaning liquid is circulated, or when the paint of the next color is circulated after washing the circulation pipe, the pig is retracted from the circulation pipe. In addition to the circulation piping, a dedicated piping is required to clean the pig itself. For this reason, the paint supply apparatus is increased in size, and the paint collecting operation and the piping / pig washing operation are inefficient.

JP 2002-126608 A

  An object of this invention is to provide the coating material supply apparatus and coating material collection method which can aim at size reduction of a coating material supply apparatus, and shortening of the time required for color change.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a paint pipe into which a pig is reciprocally moved along an axial direction, and first and second pigs connected to ends of the paint pipe, respectively. A feeding portion, and supplying the extrusion fluid from the first pig landing portion side to move the pig to the second pig landing portion through the paint piping, thereby allowing the paint piping to move into the paint piping. A paint supply apparatus capable of collecting a filled paint, wherein at least one of the first and second pig landing parts is connected to the paint pipe, and a main passage into which the pig can enter And a pig receiving surface for preventing the movement of the pig, and at least two sub passages communicating with the main passage, and the pig abuts the pig receiving surface so that the at least two sub passages One of which the pig seals Feeding device is provided.

  In the present invention, the pig seals one of at least two sub-passages by the pig coming into contact with the pig receiving surface. For this reason, in the second pig landing part on the paint tank side, the sub-passage connected to the paint tank is blocked by the pig, and the sub-passage that is not blocked by the pig is kept in the state where the pig is held in the main passage. The inside of the paint pipe can be cleaned using the passage. In addition, in the first pig landing part on the coating machine side, the secondary passage that is not connected to the coating machine is blocked by the pig, and the secondary passage that is not blocked by the pig while being held in the main passage. Can be used to supply paint to the coating machine. Therefore, there is no need for a dedicated pipe for retracting the pig from the paint pipe when the paint pipe is washed or when the paint is supplied, and the paint supply device can be downsized and the time required for color change can be shortened. it can.

  In order to achieve the above invention, according to the present invention, by supplying the extrusion fluid from the first pig landing part side and moving the pig to the second pig landing part via the paint pipe, A recovery step of recovering the paint filled in the paint pipe, and a cleaning step of cleaning the interior of the paint pipe by supplying a cleaning fluid into the paint pipe after recovering the paint in the paint pipe A paint collecting method comprising: a state where the paint pipe is connected in the first or second pig landing part and the pig is held in a main passage into which the pig can enter. Thus, a paint recovery method for cleaning the inside of the paint pipe is provided.

  In the present invention, the paint pipe is cleaned while the pig is held in the main passage of the first or second pig landing part. This eliminates the need for a dedicated pipe for retracting the pig from the paint pipe when cleaning the paint pipe, thereby reducing the size of the paint supply device and reducing the time required for color change.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a paint supply apparatus according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a receiving pig station of the paint supply apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIGS. 3A and 3B show the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a feed-side pig station of the paint supply apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view showing the coating system according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the coating material supply apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention uses a lot of coating materials to be supplied to a coating gun 2 composed of, for example, an air atomizing coating machine or a rotary atomizing coating machine. A main color change valve unit 20 (hereinafter referred to as a main CCV 20) for selecting from among various types of paint is provided, and the paint supplied from the main CCV 20 is guided to the paint gun 2. .

  The main CCV 20 includes a manifold 21 and a plurality of first three-way valves 22, and a first port of each first three-way valve 22 is connected to the manifold 21. A second port of each three-way valve 22 is connected to a receiving pig station 30 (described later) so that paint is supplied. Moreover, the 3rd port of each three-way valve 22 is connected to the 1st dump valve 23 for releasing a pressure or performing waste liquid. In the main CCV 20, by selecting one of the plurality of first three-way valves 22, the paint is supplied into the manifold 21, and further, by opening a trigger valve (not shown) in the paint gun 2, The paint is discharged to the object to be coated. Each of the first three-way valves 22 opens and closes based on a control signal from a control device (not shown).

  In FIG. 1, only one first three-way valve 22 is shown, and the three-way valve 22 will be described in detail below as a representative of a plurality of first three-way valves. Incidentally, components other than the illustrated first three-way valve 22 may be configured in the same manner as the first three-way valve 22, or the main supply pipe may be directly connected from the paint tank.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first three-way valve 22 is connected to the receiving side via a paint hose so that the first port communicates with a passage 32a (see FIG. 2) formed in the first sensor base 32. It is connected to the pig station 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the first sensor base 32 is fixed to the station main body 31 of the receiving pig station 30, and the passage 32 a of the first sensor base 32 is formed inside the station main body 31. The first sub passage 31b communicates with the first sub passage 31b. The first pressure sensor 33 is fixed to the first sensor base 32 so that the pressure-sensitive surface 33a faces the passage 32a.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first pressure sensor 33 is connected to the determination device 70 via a cable so that the detection result can be transmitted. The determination device 70 includes a CPU and the like, and can determine the position of the pig 90 based on the detection results of the first and second pressure sensors 33 and 44. A specific determination method by the determination device 70 will be described later.

  The position of the pig 90 determined by the determination device 70 is displayed on the notification device 80 including a monitor or the like. Further, the notification device 80 notifies the trouble information such that the pig 90 does not exist at the predetermined position.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first sub-passage 31 b of the station main body 31 branches from a main passage 31 a formed in the station main body 31. At one end of the main passage 31a, one end of the paint hose 50 into which the pig 90 is inserted so as to be able to reciprocate is fixed by a cap 31c, and the inner hole of the paint hose 50 and the station body 31 main passages 31a communicate with each other.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the pig 90 according to the present embodiment has a substantially cylindrical shape in which the diameters at two locations near both ends are enlarged. It has the 1st seal part 91 which contact | abuts to surface 34b, 462b and seals 2nd sub channel | path 34a, 462c, and the 2nd seal part 92 closely_contact | adhered to the inner wall face of the paint hose 50.

  The first seal portion 91 is composed of both end surfaces of the pig 90, and the circular edge portions thereof are in close contact with the pig receiving surfaces 34b and 462b so as to block the second sub passages 34a and 462c. It has become.

  The second seal portion 92 is configured from a portion whose diameter is increased in the pig 90. The outer shape D1 of the second seal portion 92 is substantially the same as the inner diameter D2 (see FIG. 2) of the paint hose 50 (D1 = D2), and the pig 90 moves in the paint hose 50. The second seal portion 92 scrapes off the paint remaining in the paint hose 50.

  By providing the first seal portion 91 and the second seal portion 92 at different portions in the pig 90, the wear of the seal portions 91 and 92 can be delayed to extend the life of the pig 90.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the main passage 31a of the station body 31 has an inner diameter D3 that is relatively larger than the outer diameter D1 of the pig 90 (D3> D1), and holds the pig 90 in the main passage 31a. In this state, the fluid can be circulated in the main passage 31a.

  A manifold 34 is fixed to the other end of the station main body 31, and a main passage 31 a of the station main body 31 communicates with a second sub passage 34 a formed in the manifold 34. As shown in FIG. 2, the inner diameter D4 of the second sub-passage 34a is relatively smaller than the inner diameter D3 of the main passage 31a (D4 <D3) and relatively smaller than the outer diameter D1 of the pig 90. (D4 <D1). For this reason, the pig receiving surface 34b for the pig 90 which has moved to the receiving side pig station 30 through the paint hose 50 to come into contact and stop is formed by the end surface of the manifold 34 on the station main body 31 side. In the present embodiment, the pig receiving surface 34b has a concave spherical shape formed around the opening of the second sub-passage 34a.

  Since the pig receiving surface 34b has a spherical shape and the first seal portion 91 of the pig 90 has a circular edge portion, the second sub-side is provided regardless of the contact angle of the pig 90 with respect to the pig receiving surface 34b. It is possible to reliably block the passage 34a. As a result, in this embodiment, since the pressure accurately fluctuates in the piping system, it is possible to detect the pig position using an explosion-proof pressure sensor instead of the conventional pig position detection using the magnet embedded in the pig. In addition, the cost of the paint supply device can be reduced, and the device structure can be simplified.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a manifold 34 fixed to the other end of the station main body 31 has a first cleaning liquid supply valve 35a capable of supplying a cleaning liquid and a second air supply capable of supplying pressurized air. A valve 35b and a second dump valve 35c for discharging the liquid outside are provided. Each of the valves 35a to 35c can be opened and closed by a control signal from a control device (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 4, one end of the station main body 41 of the feeding-side pig station 40 is fixed to the other end of the paint hose 50 by a cap 41d. A main passage 41a formed in the main body 41 communicates. The main passage 41a has an inner diameter D5 that is relatively larger than the outer diameter D1 of the pig 90 (D5> D1), and the main passage 41a is held in the main passage 41a with the pig 90 held in the main passage 41a. The fluid can be circulated.

  A second sensor base 43 is fixed to the station main body 41, and a passage 43a formed in the second sensor base 43 communicates with a first sub-passage 41b branched from the main passage 41a. . The second pressure sensor 44 is fixed to the second sensor base 43 so that the pressure-sensitive surface 44a faces the passage 43a. Similar to the first pressure sensor 33, the second pressure sensor 44 is connected to the determination device 70 via a cable so that the detection result can be transmitted. As shown in FIG. 1, a third dump valve 45 for draining liquid to the outside is connected to the passage 43 a of the second sensor base 43.

  Returning to FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, a stopper 42 made of, for example, an air cylinder is fixed to the station main body 41, and the stopper pin 42 a is inserted through a through hole 41 c formed on the side surface of the station main body 41. Can be moved forward and backward in the main passage 41a. When the stopper pin 42a advances into the main passage 41a, the movement of the pig 90 is blocked, and when the stopper pin 42a moves out of the main passage 41a, the movement of the pig 90 becomes possible. .

  An attachment / detachment portion 46 for taking out the pig 90 from the sending-side pig station 40 is fixed to the other end portion of the station main body 41. As shown in FIG. 4, the attaching / detaching portion 46 is fixed to the first attaching / detaching member 461 fixed to the station main body 41 and the end portion of the sub color change valve unit 47 (hereinafter referred to as sub CCV 47). The second detachable member 462 and a clamp 463 for connecting the first detachable member 461 and the second detachable member 462 are configured.

  The first detachable member 461 has a substantially disk shape having a flange portion 461a, and a passage 461b having the same inner diameter D5 as the main passage 41a of the station main body 41 is formed at the center thereof. The first detachable member 46a is fixed to the station body 41 so that the main passage 41a and the passage 461b communicate with each other.

  Similarly, the second detachable member 462 has a substantially disk shape having a flange portion 462a, and a second sub passage 462c is formed at the center thereof. The inner diameter D6 of the second sub-passage 462c is relatively smaller than the inner diameter D5 of the main passage 41a (D6 <D5) and relatively smaller than the outer diameter D1 of the pig 90 (D6 < D1). For this reason, the pig receiving surface 462b for the pig 90 that has moved to the feeding-side pig station 40 through the paint hose 50 to come into contact and stop is opposed to the first attaching / detaching member 461 in the second attaching / detaching member 462. It is comprised by the end surface. In the present embodiment, the pig receiving surface 462b has a concave spherical shape formed around the opening of the second auxiliary passage 462c, similarly to the above-described pig receiving surface 34b.

  The pig receiving surface 462b has a spherical shape, and the first seal portion 91 of the pig 90 has a circular edge, so that the second auxiliary sub-portion 462b is independent of the contact angle of the pig 90 with respect to the pig receiving surface 462b. It is possible to securely block the passage 462c. As a result, in this embodiment, since the pressure accurately fluctuates in the piping system, it is possible to detect the pig position using an explosion-proof pressure sensor instead of the conventional pig position detection using the magnet embedded in the pig. In addition, the cost of the paint supply device can be reduced, and the device structure can be simplified.

  The first attaching / detaching member 461 and the second attaching / detaching member 462 are configured so that the positioning pins of the second attaching / detaching member 462 are inserted into the positioning holes of the first attaching / detaching member 461 and are in close contact with each other. By sandwiching the portions 461a and 462a with the clamp 463, they are detachably connected. Note that, in the connected state, the passage 461b of the first attachment / detachment member 461 and the second sub passage 462b of the second attachment / detachment member 462 communicate with each other, and the passage of the first attachment / detachment member 461 The pig receiving surface 462b formed on the second detachable member 462 is located at the end point of 461b.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sub-CCV 47 includes a manifold 48 fixed to the detachable portion 46 and first to fifth switching valves 49a to 49e to which paint is supplied from a paint tank. By selecting one of the switching valves 49a to 49e, the paint is supplied to the passage 48a formed in the manifold 48. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the passage 48 a communicates with the second sub passage 462 c of the attaching / detaching portion 46 so that the paint is supplied from the sub CCV 47 to the main passage 41 a via the attaching / detaching portion 46. It has become.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the sub-CCV 47 includes a second cleaning liquid supply valve 49f capable of supplying a cleaning liquid, a second air supply valve 49g capable of supplying pressurized air, and a fourth for waste liquid to the outside. And a dump valve 49h. Each of the valves 49a to 49h can be opened and closed by a control signal from a control device (not shown).

  The paint 61b supplied to the first to fifth switching valves 49a to 49e is housed in a sealed paint tank 61, respectively. Each paint tank 61 is connected to the first port of the second three-way valve 61a. Pressurized air is supplied to the second port of the second three-way valve 61a, and the pressurized air is released through the third port of the second three-way valve 61a. Is possible. By closing the third port, pressurized air is supplied from the second port to the sealed paint tank 61 so that the paint is pumped from the first port toward the first switching valve 49a. It has become. On the other hand, by opening the third port, the pressurized air supplied from the second port is released, and the paint can be collected from the paint hose 50 toward the paint tank 61. . In FIG. 1, the paint tank 61 and the second three-way valve 61a are connected only to the first switching valve 49a, but actually, the paint is also applied to the second to fifth switching valves 49b to 49e. A tank 61 and a second three-way valve 61a are connected.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the coating material supply apparatus 10 configured as described above is provided, for example, for each of the plurality of painting robots 4 provided in the painting booth B to constitute a painting system. A coating gun 2 is provided as an end effector at the tip of the coating robot 4, and each color paint can be supplied to the paint gun 2 from the paint supply device 10.

  In the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the coating system as described above. For example, one paint supply device 10 may be assigned to a plurality of painting robots 4.

  Below, the coating material collection | recovery method which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated according to the color change procedure of the coating material supply apparatus 10. FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a paint recovery method according to the present embodiment, FIGS. 7A to 7F are block diagrams showing a paint supply apparatus in each step shown in FIG. 6, and FIGS. 8A and 8B are drawings showing a receiving surface of a pig in a pig station. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the layer structure of the extrusion fluid during paint recovery.

  First, as shown in FIG. 7A, a state (step S10 in FIG. 6) in which the paint supply device 10 is supplying the paint of the previous color (the paint 61b accommodated in the paint tank 61) to the paint gun 2 will be described. . In the initial state, the pig 90 is positioned in the feeding-side pig station 40, the stopper pin 42a of the stopper 42 is retracted from the main passage 41a, and all the valves are closed. In such a state, since the third port of the second three-way valve 61a is closed, air is introduced into the paint tank 61 through the second port of the second three-way valve 61a. The inside of the paint tank 61 is pressurized. Here, when the first switching valve 49a of the sub CCV 47 is opened and the second dump valve 35c is opened, the paint in the paint tank 61 is transferred from the passage 48a of the manifold 48 to the second of the second detachable member 462. The sub-passage 462c → the passage 461b of the first attachment / detachment member 461 → the main passage 41a of the station body 41 → the paint hose 50 is reached to the receiving pig station 30. During this time, the pig 90 is pressure-fed from the feeding-side pig station 40 to the receiving-side pig station 30 via the paint hose 50, and stops when it abuts on the pig-receiving surface 34b of the receiving-side pig station 30. By contact between the first seal portion 91 of the pig 90 and the pig receiving surface 34b, as shown in FIG. 8A, the second sub-passage 34a is blocked, and the flow path to the second dump valve 35c is automatically set. Is blocked. In the present embodiment, the pig receiving surface 34b has a spherical shape, and the first seal portion 91 of the pig 90 has a circular edge. Therefore, as shown in FIG. Even when the pig 90 abuts obliquely against the receiving surface 34b, the second sub-passage 34a can be reliably sealed.

  At this time, the determination device 70 compares the pressure P 1 detected by the first pressure sensor 33 with the pressure P 2 detected by the second pressure sensor 44. When these pressures P1 and P2 are substantially the same (P1 = P2), the determination device 70 determines that the pig 90 has moved to the receiving pig station 30.

  On the other hand, when the predetermined time has passed with the pressures P1 and P2 being not identical (P1 ≠ P2), the determination device 70 determines that the pig 90 has not moved to the receiving pig station 30. The notification device 80 notifies the defect information.

  When it is detected that the pig 90 has moved to the receiving pig station 30, the first dump valve 23 is opened for a predetermined time. By this opening, the paint reaching the main passage 31a of the station body 31 reaches the second port of the first three-way valve 22 of the passage 32a → paint hose → main CCV 20 in the first sensor base 32. The first three-way valve 22 is filled, and the preparation for painting is completed. When the paint stored in the paint tank 61 needs to be painted, the first three-way valve 22 is opened and the paint is supplied to the painting gun 2.

  When the painting operation is completed and a different paint is applied, the color changing operation of the paint supply device 10 is performed according to the following procedure.

  First, as shown in step S <b> 20 of FIG. 6, the paint that has been applied is collected in the paint tank 61. Based on the signal indicating the completion of the coating of the previous color paint, the second dump valve 35c is closed, the third port of the second three-way valve 61a is opened, and the pressurization in the paint tank 61 is released. Then, the first cleaning liquid supply valve 35 a or the first air supply valve 35 b of the receiving side pig station 30 is opened, and the cleaning liquid or pressurized air is supplied to be located in the receiving side pig station 30. The pig 90 is pushed back to the feeding side pig station 40, and the paint filled in the paint hose 50 is collected in the paint tank 61. The pig 90 stops by coming into contact with the pig receiving surface 462b of the feeding-side pig station 40. The second sub-passage 462c is blocked by the contact between the first seal portion 91 of the pig 90 and the pig receiving surface 462b, and the flow path to the sub CCV 47 is automatically shut off.

  At this time, the determination device compares the pressure P 1 detected by the first pressure sensor 33 with the pressure P 2 detected by the second pressure sensor 44. When these pressures P1 and P2 are substantially the same (P1 = P2), the determination device 70 determines that the pig 90 has moved to the feeding-side pig station 40, and the notification device 80 monitors, for example. Etc., the position of the pig 90 is displayed.

  On the other hand, when the predetermined time has elapsed with the pressures P1 and P2 being not identical (P1 ≠ P2), the determination device 70 determines that the pig 90 has not moved to the feeding-side pig station 40. The notification device 80 notifies the defect information via a monitor or the like.

  As the cleaning liquid supplied via the first cleaning liquid supply valve 35a, thinner can be used when the paint is an organic solvent-based paint, and water is used when the paint is a water-based paint. be able to. Further, when the paint is a water-based paint, the first air supply valve 35b may be omitted.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the paint is pushed back through the pig 90, the cleaning liquid or air supplied from the first cleaning liquid supply valve 35a or the first air supply valve 35b is used as the extrusion fluid. However, the present invention is not particularly limited, and the following extrusion fluid 100 may be used.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the extrusion fluid 100 for pushing back (collecting) the paint 61b filled in the paint hose 50 to the paint tank 61 via the pig 90 is a first composed of air. Layer 101 and a second layer 102 made of a solvent, and the first layer 101 is interposed between the second layer 102 and the pig 90. Pressurized air is supplied from the first air supply valve 35b to form the first layer 101, and then the cleaning liquid is supplied from the first cleaning liquid supply valve 35a to form the second layer 102. Thus, the extrusion fluid 100 can be configured. The length L along the axial direction of the first layer 101 in the paint hose 50 is preferably about 10 to 30 mm depending on the inner diameter and length of the paint hose 50. In addition, you may comprise the 1st layer 101 with the solvent and dilution solvent which are contained in the coating material.

  The first layer 101 of the extrusion fluid 100 can prevent the cleaning liquid from being mixed into the coating material, and can stabilize the quality of the coating material. Further, the second layer 102 of the extruding fluid 100 can reduce the amount of compression of the extruding fluid 100 at the time of collecting the paint, and can stably operate the apparatus.

  When it is detected that the pig 90 has moved to the feeding-side pig station 40, as shown in FIG. 7B, the third dump valve 45 is opened and the first cleaning liquid supply valve 35a or the first air supply valve 35b is opened. Is opened (step S30 in FIG. 6). As a result, a path extending from the second sub-passage 34 a in the manifold 34 → the main passage 31 a in the station body 31 → the paint hose 50 → the main passage 41 a in the station body 41 → the passage 43 a in the second sensor base 43. Is washed.

  In addition, since the pig 90 is held in the main passage 31a of the station main body 41 at the time of this step S30, the tip portion on the pig station 40 side in the pig 90 is washed. Further, since the cleaning liquid or air also passes through the passage 43a of the second sensor base 43, the pressure sensitive surface 44a of the second pressure sensor 44 is cleaned.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7C, the stopper 42 is operated to move the stopper pin 42a into the main passage 41a, and the first cleaning liquid supply valve 35a and the first air supply valve 35b are closed, In this state, the second cleaning liquid supply valve 49f and the second air supply valve 49g are alternately opened (step S40 in FIG. 6). Accordingly, the passage 48a of the manifold 48 of the sub CCV 47 → the second sub passage 462c of the second attaching / detaching member 462 → the passage 461b of the first attaching / detaching member 461 → the main passage 41a of the station main body 41 → the second sensor base 43. The path leading to the passage 43a is cleaned with a cleaning liquid and air. Further, at the time of this step S40, since the movement of the pig 90 to the receiving-side pig station 30 side is restricted by the stopper 42, the rear end portion of the pig 90 is washed.

  As the cleaning liquid supplied through the second cleaning liquid supply valve 49f, thinner can be used when the paint is an organic solvent-based paint, and water is used when the paint is a water-based paint. be able to. Further, when the paint is a water-based paint, the first air supply valve 49g may be omitted.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7D, the third dump valve 45 is closed and the first dump valve 23 is opened. In this state, the second cleaning liquid supply valve 49f and the second air supply valve 49g are used. Are alternately opened (step S50 in FIG. 6). Thereby, the passage 48a of the manifold 48 of the sub CCV 47 → the second auxiliary passage 462c of the second attaching / detaching member 462 → the passage 461b of the first attaching / detaching member 461 → the main passage 41a of the station main body 41 → the paint hose 50 → the station main body. The flow path from the main passage 31a of 31 to the passage 33a of the first sensor base 33 to the first three-way valve 21 is washed.

  At this time, the pig 90 is held in the main passage 41a of the feed-side pig station 40 by the stopper 42, and the outer diameter D1 thereof is relatively smaller than the inner diameter D5 of the main passage 41a. Since the cleaning liquid and air pass through the periphery of the pipe 90, the pig 90 is more reliably cleaned.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7E, the first dump valve 23 is closed and the second dump valve 35c is opened. In this state, the second cleaning liquid supply valve 49f and the second air supply valve 49g Are alternately opened (step S60 in FIG. 6). Thereby, the passage 48a of the manifold 48 of the sub CCV 47 → the second auxiliary passage 462c of the second attaching / detaching member 462 → the passage 461b of the first attaching / detaching member 461 → the main passage 41a of the station main body 41 → the paint hose 50 → the station main body. The path from the main passage 31a of 31 to the second sub-passage 34a of the manifold 34 is cleaned.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7F, the second dump valve 35c, the second cleaning liquid supply valve 49f, and the second air supply valve 49g are closed, and the fourth dump valve 49h and the first air supply are closed. The valve 35b is opened (step S70 in FIG. 6). As a result, the pig 90 regulated by the stopper 42 moves toward the pig receiving surface 462b of the feeding-side pig station 40. Next, the fourth dump valve 49h and the first air supply valve 35b are closed, and the stopper pin 42a is retracted from the main passage 41a, whereby the paint supply device 10 is returned to the initial state.

  The color change operation is completed through the above steps S20 to S70, and the paint supply device 10 can be filled with the next color paint.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in the receiving-side pig station 30, the pig 90 abuts against the pig receiving surface 34b, thereby blocking the second sub-passage 34a not connected to the coating gun 2, and The paint can be supplied to the coating gun 2 using the first sub-passage 31b that is not sealed by the pig 90 while being held in the main passage 31a.

  Further, in the feed-side pig station 40, the pig 90 abuts against the pig receiving surface 462b, whereby the second sub-passage 462c connected to the paint tank 61 is blocked by the pig 90, and the pig 90 is connected to the main passage 41a. The inside of the paint hose 50 can be cleaned using the first sub-passage 41b that is not sealed by the pig 90 while being held inside.

  Therefore, there is no need for a dedicated pipe for retracting the pig 90 from the paint hose 50 or the pig stations 30 and 40 when the paint hose 50 or the pig stations 30 and 40 are washed or when the paint is supplied, and the paint supply apparatus 10 can be downsized. In addition, the time required for color change can be shortened.

  In the above-described embodiment, the position of the pig 90 is detected based on the difference between the pressures detected by the first and second pressure sensors 33 and 44. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this.

  FIG. 10 is a time chart showing a detection method of the pig position in the paint supply apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the uppermost part of FIG. 10 shows the detection signal of the pressure sensor according to the time axis.

  In the coating material supply apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the pig receiving surfaces 34b and 462b have a concave spherical shape as in the first embodiment, and the first seal portion 91 of the pig 90 has a circular shape. It has a shaped edge. Accordingly, the second sub passages 34a and 462c can be reliably sealed regardless of the contact angle of the pig 90 with respect to the pig receiving surfaces 34b and 462b, and the pressure in the main passage 31a can be accurately determined. fluctuate. Therefore, the position of the pig 90 can also be detected based on the detection result of either the first pressure sensor 33 or the second pressure sensor 44 instead of the differential pressure between the first and second pressure sensors. .

  That is, in step S10 of FIG. 6 described above, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the determination device 70 determines that the pressure P1 detected by the first pressure sensor 33 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value α within a predetermined time. It is determined whether or not it has risen. When the pressure P1 becomes equal to or higher than the threshold value α within a predetermined time (P1 ≧ α), the determination device 70 determines that the pig 90 has moved to the receiving pig station 30.

  On the other hand, when the pressure P1 is less than the threshold value α within a predetermined time (P1 <α), the determination device 70 determines that the pig 90 has not moved to the receiving-side pig station 30, and notifies the user. The device 80 notifies the defect information.

  In step S20 of FIG. 6 described above, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the determination device 70 causes the pressure P2 detected by the second pressure sensor 44 to be equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value β within a predetermined time. It is determined whether or not it has risen. When the pressure P2 becomes equal to or higher than the threshold value β within a predetermined time (P2 ≧ β), the determination device 70 determines that the pig 90 has moved to the feeding-side pig station 40.

  On the other hand, when the pressure P2 is less than the threshold value β within a predetermined time (P2 <β), the determination device 70 determines that the pig 90 has not moved to the sending-side pig station 40, and notifies the user. The device 80 notifies the defect information.

  The embodiment described above is described for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and is not described for limiting the present invention. Therefore, each element disclosed in the above embodiment is intended to include all design changes and equivalents belonging to the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the pig 90 is cleaned in a state where the pig 90 is held in the feeding-side pig station 40. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the receiving-side pig station 30 is not limited thereto. In addition, a stopper for restricting the movement of the pig 90 may be provided, and the pig 90 may be washed in a state where the pig 90 is held in the receiving-side pig station 30.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the paint supply apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the receiving pig station of the paint supply apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a side view showing the pig according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3B is a front view showing the pig according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the feed-side pig station of the paint supply apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view showing the coating system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the paint recovery method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7A is a block diagram showing the paint supply device in a state where a front color paint is being applied (painting step). FIG. 7B is a block diagram showing the paint supply device in a state where the inside of the paint supply device is cleaned (collection step and first cleaning step) after the previous color paint is recovered. FIG. 7C is a block diagram illustrating the paint supply device in a state where the inside of the paint supply device is being cleaned (second cleaning step). FIG. 7D is a block diagram illustrating the paint supply apparatus in a state where the paint supply apparatus is cleaned (third cleaning step). FIG. 7E is a block diagram showing the paint supply device in a state where the inside of the paint supply device is being cleaned (fourth cleaning step). FIG. 7F is a block diagram illustrating the paint supply device in a state where the pig is returned to the origin position (return step). FIG. 8A is a schematic view showing a state where the pig is in contact with the receiving surface in the pig station. FIG. 8B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state where the pig is in contact with the receiving surface obliquely in the pig station. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the layer structure of the extrusion fluid during paint recovery. FIG. 10 is a time chart showing a pig position detection method in the paint supply apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

10 ... Paint recovery device 20 ... Main CCV
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 ... Reception side pig station 31 ... Station main body 31a ... Main passage 31b ... 1st subpassage 32 ... 1st sensor base 33 ... 1st pressure sensor 34 ... Manifold 34a ... 2nd subpassage 34b ... Pig receiving surface 40 ... feeding pig station 41 ... station body 41a ... main passage 41b ... first sub passage 42 ... stopper 43 ... second sensor base 44 ... second pressure sensor 46 ... detachable part 462b ... pig receiving surface 462c ... first 2 secondary passages 47 ... sub CCV
50 ... Paint hose 61 ... Paint tank 61a ... Second three-way valve 90 ... Pig

Claims (19)

A paint pipe inserted so that the pig can reciprocate along the axial direction;
First and second pig landing parts connected respectively to the ends of the paint pipe,
By supplying an extrusion fluid from the first pig landing part side and moving the pig to the second pig landing part via the paint pipe, the paint filled in the paint pipe is recovered. A paint supply device capable of
At least one of the first and second pig landing parts is:
A main passage through which the paint pipe is connected and the pig can enter;
A pig receiving surface for preventing movement of the pig;
And at least two sub passages communicating with the main passage,
The paint supply device in which the pig seals one of the at least two sub-passages by the pig coming into contact with the pig receiving surface.   The paint supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second pig landing parts includes a restricting unit that restricts movement of the pig toward the second or first pig landing part.   The paint supply device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sub-passage sealed by the pig has an inner diameter that is relatively smaller than a diameter of a contact portion that contacts the pig receiving surface in the pig. The pig receiving surface is formed in a spherical shape around the opening of the sub passage blocked by the pig,
The paint supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a contact portion of the pig that contacts the pig receiving surface has at least a circular edge. The pig
A first seal portion that contacts the pig receiving surface and seals the auxiliary passage;
A second seal portion that is in close contact with the inner wall surface of the paint pipe,
The paint supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first seal portion and the second seal portion are provided at different portions in the pig. The extrusion fluid is
A first layer composed of air or solvent;
A second layer composed of a cleaning liquid for cleaning the inside of the paint pipe,
The paint supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first layer is interposed between the pig and the second layer in the paint pipe. Detecting means for detecting a pressure in the main passage of at least one of the first and second pig landing parts;
The determination means for determining whether the said pig is located in the said 1st or 2nd pig landing part based on the detection result of the said detection means, The further provided in any one of Claims 1-6 The coating material supply apparatus as described.   The determination unit is configured to determine whether the pig is located in the first or second pig landing part based on a pressure difference in the main passage between the first and second pig landing parts detected by the detection unit. The paint supply apparatus according to claim 7, wherein it is determined whether or not the paint is present. The determination means includes
When the pressure in the main passage of the first pig landing part is different from the pressure in the main passage of the second pig landing part, it is determined that the pig is located in the paint pipe. ,
When the pressure in the main passage of the first pig landing part and the pressure in the main passage of the second pig landing part are substantially the same, the inside of the first or second pig landing part The paint supply apparatus according to claim 8, wherein it is determined that the pig is located in the position.   8. The paint supply apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the determination means determines that the pig is not located in the first or second pig landing portion when the pressure in the main passage does not rise within a predetermined time. . A recovery step of recovering the paint filled in the paint pipe by supplying an extruding fluid from the first pig start-and-drop section side and moving the pig to the second pig start-and-drop section via the paint pipe; ,
A cleaning step of recovering the paint in the paint pipe and then cleaning the inside of the paint pipe by supplying a cleaning fluid into the paint pipe,
The paint recovery method for cleaning the paint pipe in the state where the paint pipe is connected in the first or second pig landing part and the pig is held in the main passage into which the pig can enter. . In the collecting step, the pig blocks one of at least two sub-passages communicating with the main passage of the second pig landing part,
The paint recovery method according to claim 11, wherein in the cleaning step, a cleaning fluid is supplied into the paint pipe from the first pig landing part side.   The cleaning fluid is supplied into the paint pipe from the second pig landing part side in a state where the movement of the pig to the first pig landing part side is restricted in the cleaning step. The paint recovery method as described. A supply step of supplying paint from the second pig landing part to the paint pipe;
In the supply step, the pig moves from the second pig landing part to the first pig landing part via the paint pipe along with the paint supply, and enters the main passage of the first pig landing part. The paint recovery method according to claim 11, wherein one of at least two communicating sub-passages is blocked. The extrusion fluid used in the recovery step is
A first layer composed of air or solvent;
A second layer composed of a cleaning liquid for cleaning the inside of the paint pipe,
The paint recovery method according to claim 11, wherein the first layer is interposed between the pig and the second layer in the paint pipe.   Whether or not the pressure in at least one main passage of the first or second pig landing part is detected, and whether the pig is located in the first or second pig landing part based on the detection result The paint recovery method according to claim 11, further comprising a determination step of determining.   In the determining step, it is determined whether or not the pig is located in the first or second pig landing part based on a differential pressure in the main passage of the first and second pig landing parts. Item 17. The paint recovery method according to Item 16. In the determining step,
When the pressure in the main passage of the first pig landing part is different from the pressure in the main passage of the second pig landing part, it is determined that the pig is located in the paint pipe. ,
When the pressure in the main passage of the first pig landing part and the pressure in the main passage of the second pig landing part are substantially the same, the pig is the first or second 18. The paint recovery method according to claim 17, wherein it is determined that the paint is located in the pig landing part.     The paint recovery method according to claim 16, wherein, in the determination step, it is determined that the pig is not located in the first or second pig landing portion when the pressure in the main passage does not increase within a predetermined time. .

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