JP2009220031A - Coating system and method for recovering coating - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coating system and a method for recovering a coating which can efficiently recovering the coating dwelling in a piping system while suppressing an increase of an installation cost and a maintenance cost. <P>SOLUTION: The coating system 100 possesses a tightly-closed coating tank 110 storing the coating P, a discharge means 130 for discharging the coating P, the piping system 140, a first pressure feed means 120, a second pressure feed means 150, and a pressure control means 122. The piping system 140 is used for connecting the coating tank 110 and the discharge means 130, the first pressure feed means 120 is used for feeding the coating P stored in the coating tank 110 to the discharge means 130 through the piping system 140 by pressure-feeding the coating P stored in the coating tank 110 by pressurizing with a compressed gas, and the second pressure feed means 150 is used for recovering the coating P dwelling in the piping system 140 to the coating tank 110 through the same route as that used at the time of being fed to the discharge means 130 by pressurizing the coating P dwelling in the piping system 140 and by pressure-feeding it. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a coating system and a paint recovery method.

In the painting system of parts such as automobile bodies, multiple paint circulation piping systems are provided, and various paint colors are supported by switching the paint supplied to the painting machine by the color change valve unit. When the color is changed, the amount of paint discarded is reduced by collecting the paint staying in the piping system in the paint tank (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-190852 A

  However, in order to recover the paint remaining in the piping system, it is necessary to use expensive high-pressure compatible equipment and apply a pressure higher than the pressure when supplying the paint to the paint, which reduces equipment costs and maintenance costs. Has an increasing problem.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the problems associated with the above-described prior art, and can efficiently recover the paint staying in the piping system while suppressing an increase in equipment cost and maintenance cost. It is another object of the present invention to provide a paint recovery method.

  In order to achieve the above object, a uniform phase of the present invention includes a sealed paint tank for containing paint, a discharge means for discharging paint, a piping system, a first pressure feed means, a second pressure feed means, and a pressure control means. It is a painting system. The piping system is used to connect the paint tank and the discharge means. The first pressure feeding means is used for supplying the paint contained in the paint tank to the discharge means via a piping system by pressurizing and feeding the paint with a compressed gas. The second pressurizing means collects the paint staying in the piping system by pressurizing and compressing with a compressed gas, and recovers it to the paint tank via the same path used when being supplied to the discharge means. Used for. The pressure control means is used for reducing the internal pressure of the paint tank pressurized by the first pressure feeding means during the recovery.

  Another aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object is to discharge the paint tank and the paint by pressurizing and feeding the paint contained in the hermetic paint tank with the compressed gas of the first pressure feeding means. This is a paint recovery method for recovering the paint staying in the piping system to the paint tank by supplying it to the discharge means via a piping system connecting between the discharge means and the discharge means. In the paint recovery method, after the internal pressure of the paint tank is lowered, the paint is pressurized and fed by the compressed gas of the second pumping means, and used when supplied to the discharge means. Then, it is collected in the paint tank via the same route.

  According to the coating system according to the uniform phase of the present invention and the paint recovery method according to another uniform phase, when the paint is recovered, the internal pressure of the sealed paint tank is reduced, so that the paint staying in the piping system is removed. The second pumping means that pressurizes and pressurizes is not required to have a high pressure specification, and can suppress an increase in equipment cost and maintenance cost. In addition, since the paint returns to the sealed paint tank via the same path used when being supplied to the discharge means, there is no path where unrecovered paint remains, and efficient recovery is achieved. It is possible. That is, it is possible to provide a coating system and a coating material recovery method that can efficiently recover the paint staying in the piping system while suppressing an increase in equipment cost and maintenance cost.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a coating system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The coating system 100 includes a coating tank 110 that stores the coating P, a coating machine (discharge means) 130 that discharges the coating P to the workpiece W, and a coating piping system that connects the coating tank 110 and the coating machine 130. 140, for example, has a function of collecting the paint P staying in the paint piping system 140 in the paint tank 110 at the time of color change. The workpiece W is, for example, a car body. The paint P is, for example, an organic solvent-based paint such as an acrylic resin type or a melamine-alkyd resin type, and is applied to an intermediate coating or top coating of the workpiece W.

  The paint tank 110 is a sealed container and has a lower piping part 112 and an upper piping part 114. The lower piping part 112 is configured to be able to discharge the paint P to be accommodated, and is connected to the paint piping system 140 via a three-way valve 142. Since the paint P is sealed and accommodated, deterioration is prevented and continuous use for a long period of time becomes possible. In addition, when the metallic paint etc. which are easy to produce pigment precipitation are applied to the coating P, it is preferable to provide a stirrer in consideration of physical properties such as dispersibility.

  The three-way valve 142 has a first port 142A to which the lower piping part 112 is connected, a second port 142B to which the paint piping system 140 is connected, and a third port 142C to which the cleaning agent recovery tank 170 is connected. The upper piping part 114 is configured to be able to communicate with the upper space of the paint P to be accommodated, and is connected to the supply pressure feeding device (first pressure feeding means) 120.

  The supply pressure feeding device 120 includes a three-way valve (pressure control means) 122, a gas piping system 124, and a compressed gas source 126. The three-way valve 122 has a first port 122A to which the upper piping part 114 is connected, a second port 122B to which the gas piping system 124 is connected, and a third port 122C to which the leak piping system is connected. The gas piping system 124 is used to connect the three-way valve 122 and the compressed gas source 126. The compressed gas source 126 includes, for example, a compressor that pressurizes ambient air and discharges it as compressed air CA (compressed gas).

  Therefore, when the compressed gas source 126 is moved while the third port 122C of the three-way valve 122 is closed and the first port 122A and the second port 122B are in communication, the compressed air CA from the compressed gas source 126 is used. Is introduced into the upper piping part 114 via the gas piping system 124 and the three-way valve 122, so that the paint P stored in the paint tank 110 can be pressurized. When the third port 142C of the three-way valve 142 is closed and the first port 142A and the second port 142B are communicated with the paint P stored in the paint tank 110 pressurized, the paint P is It is possible to introduce (pressure feed) the paint piping system 140 via the lower piping portion 112 and the three-way valve 142.

  On the other hand, when the second port 122B of the three-way valve 122 is closed and the first port 122A and the third port 122C are communicated, the compressed air CA occupying the upper space of the paint tank 110 is discharged from the upper piping part 114. Since it is discharged from the leak piping system via the third port 122C of the three-way valve 122, the internal pressure of the paint tank 110 can be reduced. In addition, it is preferable to reduce the internal pressure of the paint tank 110 to atmospheric pressure in order to collect the paint described later.

  The painting machine 130 is an air spray type or airless spray type painting gun incorporated in, for example, a painting robot or a reciprocating type automatic painting machine, and is connected to the paint piping system 140 via a four-way valve 144. The four-way valve 144 is connected to a first port 144A to which the connector part 132 of the coating machine 130 is connected, a second port 144B to which the paint piping system 140 is connected, and a recovery pumping device (second pumping means) 150. The third port 144C has a fourth port 144D to which the cleaning agent tank 180 is connected.

  The recovery pressure feeding device 150 includes a gas piping system 154 and a compressed gas source 156. The gas piping system 154 is used to connect the third port 144C and the compressed gas source 156. The compressed gas source 156 includes, for example, a compressor that pressurizes ambient air and discharges the compressed air as compressed air CA (compressed gas).

  Therefore, when the compressed gas source 156 is moved in a state where the first port 144A and the fourth port 144D of the four-way valve 142 are closed and the second port 144B and the third port 144C are communicated, the compressed gas source 156 Since the compressed air CA from is introduced into the paint piping system 140 via the gas piping system 154 and the four-way valve 144, the paint staying in the paint piping system 140 can be pressurized.

  On the other hand, when the third port 142C in the three-way valve 142 disposed between the paint piping system 140 and the paint tank 110 is closed and the first port 142A and the second port 142B are communicated, the paint tank 110 and the paint It is possible to communicate with the piping system 140. Further, in the three-way valve 122 to which the upper piping part 114 configured to communicate with the upper space of the paint P accommodated in the paint tank 110 is connected, the second port 122B is closed, and the first port 122A and the first port 122A are connected. When communicating with the 3 port 122C, the compressed air CA occupying the upper space of the paint tank 110 is discharged from the leak piping system from the upper piping portion 114 via the third port 122C of the three-way valve 122. The internal pressure of the paint tank 110 can be reduced.

  Therefore, for example, when the internal pressure of the paint tank 110 is reduced at the time of color change, the pressure of the compressed air CA from the recovery pumping device 150 is the pressure of the compressed air CA from the supply pumping device 120 at the time of supplying the paint. Even if the pressure is smaller than the pressure, the paint staying in the paint piping system 140 is pumped toward the paint tank 110 and collected in the paint tank 110 via the same path used when being supplied to the coating machine 130. be able to.

  In other words, since the compressed air CA for collecting paint is low in pressure, it does not require expensive equipment for high pressure specification (compatible with high pressure) for collecting paint, it is easy to handle the equipment, and the compressed air CA for collecting paint is used. It is possible to reduce the energy cost for preparation. In addition, the paint piping system 140 can improve the disposition by applying a flexible hose or the like having a low pressure specification instead of the high pressure piping having high rigidity. Furthermore, since noise generated at the time of paint collection is small, the operation can be reliably detected by a sensor that monitors the internal pressure in the coating system 100, for example. Therefore, increase in equipment cost and maintenance cost can be suppressed.

  In addition, since the paint P returns to the paint tank 110 through the same path used when being supplied to the coating machine 130, there is no path where unrecovered paint remains, and efficient recovery is achieved. Is possible. In addition, the paint supply and recovery system has a dead-end structure and requires a smaller amount of paint compared to a circulation system that requires reciprocating piping, so the paint tank 110 can be made smaller. Furthermore, since a pump for circulating the paint is not necessary, it is difficult to apply the pump, for example, it is possible to use a paint having extremely low viscosity.

  The cleaning agent tank 180 contains the cleaning agent S used for cleaning the paint piping system 140 and has a lower piping portion 182 and an upper piping portion 184. As the cleaning agent S, for example, a thinner (diluent) for the paint P is applied. The lower piping part 182 is configured to be able to discharge the stored cleaning agent S, and is connected to the paint piping system 140 via the fourth port 144D of the four-way valve 144. The upper pipe portion 184 is configured to be able to communicate with the upper space of the cleaning agent S to be accommodated, and is connected to the cleaning pressure feeding device 190.

  The cleaning pressure feeding device 190 includes a three-way valve 192, a gas piping system 194, and a compressed gas source 196. The three-way valve 192 has a first port 192A to which the upper piping part 184 is connected, a second port 192B to which the gas piping system 194 is connected, and a third port 192C to which the leak piping system is connected. The gas piping system 194 is used to connect the three-way valve 192 and the compressed gas source 196. The compressed gas source 196 includes, for example, a compressor that pressurizes ambient air and discharges it as compressed air CA (compressed gas).

  Therefore, when the compressed gas source 196 is moved in a state where the third port 192C in the three-way valve 192 is closed and the first port 192A and the second port 192B are in communication, the compressed air CA from the compressed gas source 196 is used. Is introduced into the upper piping part 184 via the gas piping system 194 and the three-way valve 192, so that the cleaning agent S accommodated in the cleaning agent tank 180 can be pressurized. In this state, when the first port 144A and the third port 144C in the four-way valve 142 are closed and the second port 144B and the fourth port 144D are communicated with each other, the cleaning agent S is supplied to the lower piping portion 182 and It is possible to introduce (pressure feed) the paint piping system 140 via the four-way valve 144.

  When the first port 142A of the three-way valve 142 disposed between the paint piping system 140 and the paint tank 110 is closed and the second port 142A and the third port 142C are communicated, the cleaning agent recovery tank 170 And the paint piping system 140 communicate with each other. Accordingly, the cleaning agent S introduced into the paint piping system 140 is pumped to the cleaning agent recovery tank 170 via the paint piping system 140 and the three-way valve 142. That is, the cleaning agent S that has cleaned the paint piping system 140 can be recovered by the cleaning agent recovery tank 170.

  When the second port 192B of the three-way valve 192 is closed and the first port 192A and the third port 192C are communicated with each other in the cleaning pressure feeding device 190, the compressed air that occupies the upper space of the cleaning agent tank 180 is used. Since CA is discharged from the leak piping system via the upper piping portion 184 via the third port 192C of the three-way valve 192, the internal pressure of the cleaning agent tank 180 can be reduced.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the paint recovery method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the present paint recovery method, the paint P stored in the paint tank 110 is supplied to the coating machine 130 via the paint piping system 140, so that the paint P staying in the paint piping system 140 is changed, for example, by color change. At this time, the paint tank 110 is used for recovery.

  At this time, after the internal pressure of the paint tank 110 was reduced, the paint P was pressurized by the compressed air CA of the recovery pressure feeding device 150 and fed by being supplied to the coating machine 130. It collects in the paint tank 110 via the same route.

  More specifically, the compressed gas source 156 of the recovery pressure feeding device 150 is set in a state where the first port 144A and the fourth port 144D of the four-way valve 142 are closed and the second port 144B and the third port 144C are in communication. When moving, the compressed air CA from the compressed gas source 156 is introduced into the paint piping system 140 via the gas piping system 154 and the four-way valve 144, so that the paint staying in the paint piping system 140 is pressurized. Is done.

  On the other hand, when the third port 142C of the three-way valve 142 disposed between the paint piping system 140 and the paint tank 110 is closed and the first port 142A and the second port 142B are communicated, the paint tank 110 and the paint tank are connected. It communicates with the piping system 140. Then, the three-way valve 122 to which the upper piping part 114 configured to communicate with the upper space of the paint P accommodated in the paint tank 110 is connected is controlled. In the three-way valve 122, the second port 122B is closed, and the first port 122A and the third port 122C communicate with each other. Therefore, since the compressed air CA occupying the upper space of the paint tank 110 is discharged from the leak piping system through the third port 122C of the three-way valve 122 from the upper pipe portion 114, the internal pressure of the paint tank 110 is increased. Decreases.

  Therefore, although the pressure of the compressed air CA from the compressed gas source 156 of the recovery pressure feeding device 150 is smaller than the pressure of the compressed air CA from the compressed gas source 126 of the supply pressure feeding device 120 at the time of supplying the paint, the paint piping system The paint staying in 140 is pumped toward the paint tank 110 and is collected in the paint tank 110 via the same path used when being supplied to the coating machine 130.

  That is, in the present paint recovery method, as with the effect of the coating system 100, the paint staying in the piping system can be efficiently recovered while suppressing an increase in equipment cost and maintenance cost.

  3 and 4 are schematic diagrams for explaining the first and second modifications according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The pressure feeding of the paint P and the cleaning agent S is not limited to a form using compressed air obtained by pressurizing the surrounding air, and for example, pressurizing dry air DA (FIG. 3) or inert gas IG (FIG. 4). It is also possible to apply the compressed gas obtained. In the case of dry air, it is possible to apply a paint that is reactive to moisture (water vapor) (for example, a two-component paint such as a two-component urethane paint). It becomes possible to apply more various paints having The inert gas is nitrogen gas from the economical viewpoint.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining a third modification according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The paint tank that stores the paint is not limited to a single one, and a plurality of paint tanks 110A, 110B, and 110C that store paints of different colors can be used. In this case, for example, by disposing the color change valve (CCV) 146 instead of the three-way valve 142, it is possible to easily cope with various paint colors. The number of paint tanks 110 is not particularly limited, and is appropriately set according to the coating color condition for the workpiece W.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining a third modification according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In order to reduce the paint P remaining in the paint piping system 140 after the paint is collected, it is possible to arrange a pig 148 in the paint piping system 140. In this case, the pig 148 is driven by the paint recovery compressed air CA introduced from the recovery pumping device 150 into the paint piping system 140, and moves in the pipe line of the paint piping system 140 toward the paint tank. Then, the paint P in the pipeline is pumped. The pig 148 is formed of, for example, a foamed resin or a rubber material having an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the paint piping system 140 and having corrosion resistance to the components of the paint P.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the paint is recovered, the internal pressure of the paint tank is reduced. Therefore, the recovery pressure feeding device that pressurizes and feeds the paint staying in the paint piping system is a high pressure. There is no need to make specifications, and an increase in equipment cost and maintenance cost can be suppressed. In addition, since the paint returns to the paint tank through the same path used when it is supplied to the coating machine, there is no path where unrecovered paint remains, and efficient recovery can be achieved. Is possible. That is, the present embodiment can provide a coating system and a coating material recovery method that can efficiently recover paint staying in the piping system while suppressing an increase in equipment cost and maintenance cost.

  In addition, when dry air is used for pumping paint and cleaning agent, it is possible to apply a paint that is reactive to moisture (water vapor), and when using an inert gas, there is a greater variety of reactivity. It becomes possible to apply various paints.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. For example, the paint is not limited to an organic solvent-based paint, and a water-based paint (emulsion type, water-soluble type, aqueous dispersion type) can also be applied. In this case, the cleaning agent is, for example, water. .

It is the schematic for demonstrating the coating system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic for demonstrating the coating material collection | recovery method which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic for demonstrating the modification 1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic for demonstrating the modification 2 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic for demonstrating the modification 3 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic for demonstrating the modification 4 which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100 painting system,
110, 110A, 110B, 110C paint tank,
112 Lower piping section,
114 Upper piping section,
120 pumping device for supply,
122 3-way valve,
122A first port,
122B second port,
122C third port,
124 gas piping system,
126 compressed gas source,
130 coating machine,
132 connector part,
140 Paint piping system,
142 3-way valve,
142A first port,
142B second port,
142C third port,
144 4-way valve,
144A first port,
144B second port,
144C 3rd port,
144D 4th port,
146 Color change valve,
148 pigs,
150 Pumping device for recovery,
154 gas piping system,
156 compressed gas source,
170 cleaning agent recovery tank,
180 cleaning agent tank,
182 Lower piping section,
184 Upper piping section,
190 Pressure feeding device for cleaning,
192 3-way valve,
192A first port,
192B second port,
192C 3rd port,
194 gas piping system,
196 compressed gas source,
CA compressed air,
DA dry air,
IG inert gas,
P paint,
S cleaning agent,
W Work.

Claims (6)

Sealed paint tank that contains paint,
Discharging means for discharging the paint;
A piping system connecting the paint tank and the discharge means;
A first pumping means for supplying the paint contained in the paint tank to the discharge means via the piping system by pressurizing the paint with a compressed gas;
A second pressure feed for collecting the paint staying in the piping system by pressurizing and compressing with a compressed gas to the paint tank via the same path used when being supplied to the discharge means. Means and
A coating system comprising pressure control means for reducing the internal pressure of the paint tank pressurized by the first pumping means during the recovery.   The coating system according to claim 1, wherein the compressed gas of the first pressure feeding unit and the compressed gas of the second pressure feeding unit are dry air.   The coating system according to claim 1, wherein the compressed gas of the first pumping unit and the compressed gas of the second pumping unit are inert gases. The paint contained in the hermetic paint tank is pressurized by the compressed gas of the first pressure feeding means and fed by pressure, via a piping system connecting the paint tank and the discharge means for discharging the paint. Then, by supplying the discharge means, the paint staying in the piping system is a paint recovery method for recovering to the paint tank,
After reducing the internal pressure of the paint tank, the paint is pressurized by the compressed gas of the second pumping means and pumped to pass through the same path used when being supplied to the discharge means. And collecting the paint in the paint tank.   5. The paint recovery method according to claim 4, wherein the compressed gas of the first pressure feeding unit and the compressed gas of the second pressure feeding unit are dry air.   5. The paint recovery method according to claim 4, wherein the compressed gas of the first pressure feeding unit and the compressed gas of the second pressure feeding unit are inert gases. 6.

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