JP4632947B2 - Paint supply equipment for water-based paint - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a paint supply facility for supplying paint to a plurality of paint gun equipment parts for painting an object to be coated with a paint gun,
Specifically, each of the paint forward path connected to the discharge side of the paint supply pump and the paint return path connected to the suction side of the paint supply pump is extended over a plurality of paint gun equipment parts,
In each of these paint gun equipment sections, a paint bypass path that short-circuits the paint forward path and the paint return path is provided to form a paint take-out section that takes out the paint supplied to the paint gun. The present invention relates to a paint supply facility for water-based paint provided with a paint take-off valve that branches a paint take-out path from a bypass path and opens and closes the paint take-out path.

  This type of paint supply equipment (see FIG. 4) is that when each paint gun equipment section 2 stops taking out the paint T by closing the paint on / off valve 15, the paint supply pump P causes the paint forward path 4 ″ to pass through the paint bypass path. When the paint T is taken out by opening the paint take-off valve 15 and the total amount of the paint T being diverted to 12, the paint T being diverted from the paint forward path 4 ″ to the paint bypass path 12 by the paint supply pump P. The surplus portion of the paint is returned to the paint return path 5 ″ from the paint bypass path 12 in a short-circuit manner, so that the paint extends over the paint forward path 4 ″, the paint bypass path 12 and the paint return path 5 ″ of each paint gun equipment section 2 The circulation state is maintained, thereby preventing the paint components in the paint solvent from settling in the pipes forming the respective paths.

  Conventionally, in this type of paint supply facility, as shown in FIG. 4, the diameter of the forward pipe Hs ″ forming the paint forward path 4 ″ is reduced toward the downstream side where the paint flow rate decreases as the paint is taken out by each paint gun equipment portion 2. In addition to reducing the diameter, the diameter of the return pipe Hr ″ forming the paint return path 5 ″ is also made smaller toward the upstream side where the paint flow rate is smaller, so that the paint in each part of the paint forward path 4 ″ and the paint return path 5 ″ The paint T was circulated through the paint bypass path 12 of each paint gun equipment part 2 with the flow rate kept high.

  Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 4, in the painting booth 1 or the like, in the case where the painting gun equipment unit 2 is arranged in parallel in the article conveyance direction on each of the one side and the other side of the article conveyance path K, Each of the paint forward path 4 ″ and the paint return path 5 ″ extends over the one side of the coating material transporting path so as to extend over the plurality of coating gun equipment portions 2 located on the one side of the coating material transporting path K. Subsequently, the paint forward path 4 ″ and the paint return path 5 ″ are traversed from one side to the other side of the article transport path K, and the crossed paint forward path 4 ″ and the paint return path 5 ″ are respectively passed. Is extended across the plurality of coating gun equipment parts 2 located on the other side of the coating material conveyance path K and extended on the other side of the coating material conveyance path K.

  That is, one system is provided for a plurality of coating gun equipment portions 2 located on the lateral side of the article conveyance path K and a plurality of painting gun equipment sections 2 located on the other side of the article conveyance path K. The paint forward path 4 ″ and the paint return path 5 ″ are connected in series.

  In FIG. 4, 10 is a paint replenishment path for replenishing the paint T to the paint circulation system S, and 8 ″ is a paint T connected by connecting the downstream end of the paint forward path 4 ″ and the upstream end of the paint return path 5 ″. It is a small-diameter terminal connection path that compensates for the minimum circulating flow rate.

  However, the above-described conventional paint supply facilities have the following problems (a) to (e).

  (A) Since the viscosity of paint is higher than that of water, etc., the pipe diameter is smaller at the part where the paint flow rate is smaller, and the paint flow rate in each part of the paint forward path 4 ″ and the paint return path 5 ″ is kept high. The pressure loss of the passing paint T in the paint forward path 4 ″ and the paint return path 5 ″ becomes considerably large. For this reason, the paint T having a required flow rate is circulated through the paint forward path 4 ″ and the paint return path 5 ″. A high-power paint supply pump P is required, and the initial cost and running cost are high.

  (B) Since it is necessary to individually select the pipe diameter for each part of the paint forward path 4 ″ and the paint return path 5 ″, it takes time at the design stage, and the paint forward path 4 ″ because pipes of various diameters are used. Also, the piping construction of the paint return path 5 ″ is complicated, and therefore it takes a long time to complete the equipment, and the initial cost is further increased. Difficult to cope with remodeling.

  (C) Since the paint has high curability, it is necessary to periodically clean the pipes Hs ″ and Hr ″ forming the paint forward path 4 ″ and the paint return path 5 ″, but the diameter of each part of the pipe is different. Since it is difficult to insert a cleaning tool such as a pig into the pipe, the pipe cleaning work is complicated and requires a long time. This increases maintenance costs and presses the operating efficiency of the equipment.

  (D) When changing the paint color, it is necessary to wash all of the paint forward path 4 ″ and the paint return path 5 ″. However, since the diameter of each part of the piping is different, the cleaning liquid such as thinner is circulated for a long time. Therefore, it takes a long time to clean the inside of the pipe when changing the paint color, and this also imposes pressure on the operating efficiency of the equipment. Further, in-pipe cleaning using only cleaning liquid circulation tends to be insufficiently cleaned, and there is a high risk of causing poor quality of the coated product due to this.

  (E) In the case of a paint containing a solid additive such as aluminum powder in order to circulate the paint T while maintaining a high flow rate through the paint forward path 4 "and the paint return path 5", the paint due to wear or damage of the solid additive Deterioration is likely to occur, and this may lead to a decrease in the quality of the coated product or a paint loss due to disposal of the deteriorated paint.

In response to this situation, the main problem of the present invention is that, as described above, a rational improvement focusing on the fact that water-based paints have recently become widespread as paints with low sedimentation properties of paint components in solvents (hard to settle). The problem is to effectively solve the problem.

[1] A first characteristic configuration of the present invention relates to a paint supply facility for a water-based paint ,
Each of the paint forward path connected to the discharge side of the paint supply pump and the paint return path connected to the suction side of the paint supply pump are extended over a plurality of paint gun equipment parts,
In each of these paint gun equipment sections, a paint bypass path that short-circuits the paint forward path and the paint return path is provided to form a paint take-out section that takes out the paint supplied to the paint gun. In the configuration in which the paint take-off path is branched from the bypass path and the paint supply valve for opening and closing the paint take-out path is provided,
Each of the paint forward path and the paint return path is formed by piping having the same diameter over the entire length.

  In other words, according to the first characteristic configuration, each of the paint forward path and the paint return path is formed by a pipe having the same diameter over the entire length, and therefore, an appropriate diameter is selected for each of the paint forward path and the paint return path. For example, the internal pressure distribution of each of the forward piping that forms the paint outward route and the return passage that forms the paint return route is leveled as much as possible over the entire length of each piping, and the forward piping and return piping are provided with a plurality of coating gun equipment parts. The paint can be circulated through the paint forward path, the paint bypass path of each paint gun equipment section, and the paint return path.

  Then, by circulating the paint in such a manner that each of the forward path piping that forms the paint forward path and the return path pipe that forms the paint return path functions as a header, the paint forward path and the paint return are compared with the conventional equipment described above. While the paint flow velocity in each of the passages is reduced on average to effectively reduce the pressure loss of the passing paint, the paint bypass passages of each paint gun equipment with the equalized pipe pressure in each pipe as the header In addition, the paint supply pump can be supplied uniformly to the paint take-out path, and as a result, the paint supply pump that circulates the paint through the paint forward path and the paint return path can be completed with a smaller output than the conventional equipment, and the initial cost can be reduced. In addition, the running cost can be effectively reduced.

  In addition, because the paint flow rate in the paint forward path and paint return path can be reduced on average as described above, the paint containing solid additives such as aluminum powder is caused by wear or damage of the solid additive during the paint circulation. It is possible to effectively prevent the paint deterioration, and thereby effectively avoid the deterioration of the quality of the coated product caused by the paint deterioration and the paint loss due to the disposal of the deteriorated paint.

  In addition, since each of the paint forward path and the paint return path is formed by piping of the same diameter over the entire length, the piping design is easier than in the conventional equipment where it is necessary to individually select the pipe diameter for each part of the paint forward path and the paint return path. In addition, the piping type of the paint forward path and the paint return path becomes easy by limiting the caliber type of the pipe material, which can effectively shorten the time required to complete the equipment and further increase the initial cost. It can be effectively reduced, and it is also possible to easily cope with equipment modifications such as expansion of the paint gun equipment section and change of arrangement.

  Furthermore, since the pipes forming the paint forward path and the paint return path have the same diameter over the entire length, the pipes can be easily cleaned, thereby reducing maintenance costs compared to conventional equipment. In addition, the operating efficiency of the equipment can be increased, and the defective quality of the coated product due to insufficient cleaning can be more effectively prevented.

In the first feature structure, since taking the embodiment averagely smaller than the paint flow rate at the paint forward and paints Kaero in conventional equipment, intended for water-based paints precipitated in the solvent coating components is low paint In the case of a paint, the paint supply equipment is particularly suitable.

  Further, in the implementation of the first characteristic configuration, from the viewpoint of facilitating piping design and piping construction as described above, or facilitating cleaning of the inside of the pipe, both the paint forward path and the paint return path are made of pipes having the same diameter. Although it is more desirable to form, in some cases, each of the paint forward path and the paint return path is formed by pipes having the same diameter over the entire length, but the paint forward path and the paint return path are formed by pipes having different diameters. Embodiments may be adopted.

[2] The second characteristic configuration of the present invention specifies an embodiment suitable for the implementation of the first characteristic configuration.
The paint forward path and the paint return path are formed by pipes having the same diameter as each other, and the downstream end of the paint forward path and the upstream end of the paint return path are connected by a connection pipe having the same diameter as those pipes,
The pipe cleaning means for moving the pipe cleaning pipe in the pipe is provided for these pipes.

  In other words, according to the second characteristic configuration, each of the paint forward path and the paint return path is formed by pipes having the same diameter over the entire length, and the paint forward path and the paint return path are formed by pipes having the same diameter. Since the downstream end of the paint forward path and the upstream end of the paint return path are connected by a connecting pipe having the same diameter as those pipes, the pipe cleaning pipe is transferred from the paint forward path to the paint return path through the connection pipe by the above-described pig cleaning means. In-pipe cleaning pigs in the pipes that form the paint forward path and the paint return path in the form of being moved in the pipe and conversely moving in the pipe from the paint return path to the paint forward path through the connecting pipe Can be washed at once by scraping off the deposits in the pipe, which makes it easier and more efficient to wash the pipes that form the paint forward path and the paint return path, And it can be reliably performed.

  In particular, when it is necessary to change the top coat color, which has strict requirements for paint quality, in a short time, the conventional equipment cannot respond flexibly. Can be easily and reliably washed, so that it can be flexibly handled.

  In the implementation of the second characteristic configuration, the pipe cleaning pig is moved in the pipe in the direction opposite to the paint flow direction, that is, the pipe cleaning pig is directed from the downstream side to the upstream side of the paint return path. Moving the pipe in the pipe and then moving the pipe in the pipe from the downstream side to the upstream side of the paint forward path through the connecting pipe is more effective than scraping the pipe cleaning pipe against the deposits in the pipe. Can be increased.

  In order to move the pipe cleaning pig in the pipe in the implementation of the second feature configuration, the pipe cleaning pipe is moved in the pipe by the fluid pressure of the cleaning fluid, or the pipe cleaning pig is pulled by a wire or the like. Alternatively, various moving methods such as a method of making the in-pipe cleaning pig itself a self-propelled type can be adopted.

[3] The third characteristic configuration of the present invention specifies an embodiment suitable for the implementation of the first or second characteristic configuration.
The downstream end of the paint forward path and the upstream end of the paint return path are connected via a terminal opening / closing valve or a terminal flow rate adjusting valve.

  In other words, according to the third characteristic configuration, at the time of painting work in which paint is taken out in each paint gun equipment section, the terminal opening / closing valve is closed, and the paint return path is connected from the downstream end of the paint forward path through the terminal opening / closing valve. The paint flow rate from the downstream end of the paint forward path to the upstream end of the paint return path through the terminal flow rate adjustment valve is reduced by reducing the opening of the terminal flow rate adjustment valve when the paint passage to the flow end is blocked. By limiting the amount to the amount, the paint circulation flow as the entire equipment from the paint forward path to the paint return path is reduced, and the required output of the paint supply pump is reduced. A sufficient amount of paint can be uniformly and reliably supplied to the paint bypass path and the paint take-out path of each paint gun equipment by the leveled pipe pressure in the paint return path.

  In addition, when the painting operation is stopped at each paint gun equipment section, the terminal open / close valve is opened, and the paint from the downstream end of the paint forward path to the upstream end of the paint return path through the terminal open / close valve is opened. By allowing the passage, or by increasing the opening of the terminal flow rate adjustment valve and increasing the paint passage flow rate from the paint flow path downstream end to the paint return path upstream end through the terminal flow rate adjustment valve, While maintaining the required output of the paint supply pump to be small (or even smaller) while reducing the overall paint passage resistance from the paint forward path to the paint return path, a relatively large amount of The paint can be circulated from the paint forward path to the paint return path through the terminal opening / closing valve or the terminal flow rate adjusting valve, and sedimentation of the paint component in the solvent in the pipe can be further effectively prevented.

  That is, since the required output of the paint supply pump can be reduced in this way, the paint component in the solvent can be more effectively prevented from settling in the pipe, so that the output of the paint supply pump can be reduced more effectively. be able to.

  In addition, when this 3rd characteristic structure is implemented along with the said 2nd characteristic structure, what is necessary is just to employ | adopt the valve which can pass the pipe | tube for pipe | tube washing | cleaning as a terminal on-off valve or a terminal flow control valve.

[4] The fourth characteristic configuration of the present invention specifies an embodiment suitable for the implementation of any of the first to third characteristic configurations,
A pump output adjusting unit for adjusting the output of the paint supply pump is provided.

  That is, according to the fourth feature configuration, the output of the paint supply pump is adjusted in accordance with changes in various operating conditions such as changes in the amount of paint taken out at each paint gun equipment and changes in paint viscosity due to temperature changes. Compared with the case where the paint supply pump having a margin for output is always operated at a constant output, in combination with the reduction of the pressure loss in the paint forward path and the paint return path as described above, The power consumption of the paint supply pump can be reduced more effectively, and the running cost of the equipment can be reduced more effectively.

  In particular, in the implementation of the third characteristic configuration in which the terminal on-off valve or the terminal flow rate adjusting valve is provided, when the pump output adjusting means for adjusting the output of the paint supply pump is provided, the terminal on-off valve is opened or closed or the terminal flow rate is adjusted. The output of the paint supply pump can be adjusted according to the change in the opening of the adjusting valve, so that the power consumption of the paint supply pump can be reduced while the paint bypass path and the paint take-out path of each paint gun equipment section as described above. A sufficient amount of coating material is supplied uniformly and reliably, and the opening and closing of the terminal on-off valve or the increase in the opening of the terminal flow rate adjustment valve prevents the sedimentation of paint components in the solvent more effectively. The function can be exhibited more reliably.

  Furthermore, by increasing the output of the paint supply pump in a state where the paint passage resistance is lowered by opening the terminal opening / closing valve or increasing the opening of the terminal flow rate adjusting valve, the paint supply is reduced by reducing the paint passage resistance. While increasing the output increase of the pump as much as possible, a large amount of paint can be circulated to wash away sediment in the pipe.

  In the implementation of the fourth characteristic configuration, in order to adjust the output of the paint supply pump, various output adjustment methods such as a method of adjusting the rotation speed of the pump drive motor by inverter control can be adopted.

[5] The fifth characteristic configuration of the present invention specifies an embodiment suitable for any one of the first to fourth characteristic configurations.
The paint gun equipment located on the upstream side of the paint forward path has a longer paint path length from the paint forward path to the terminal of the paint take-out path.

  That is, even if each of the paint forward path and the paint return path is formed by pipes having the same diameter over the entire length and these pipes function as a header with a uniform pressure in the pipe, the paint forward path and the paint return path are extended. If the length (that is, the pipe length) is considerably large, the paint supply pressure to the paint bypass passage tends to increase to a certain extent as the paint gun equipment section located upstream of the paint forward passage remains. If the paint path length from the paint forward path to the terminal of the paint take-out path is increased as the paint gun equipment section located on the upstream side of the paint forward path, the resistance difference due to the difference in the paint path length causes each paint gun equipment section to The paint supply pressure at the paint take-out path terminal portion can be made uniform, whereby the paint can be supplied in a more uniform state to each paint gun equipment part.

[6] The sixth characteristic configuration of the present invention specifies an embodiment suitable for the implementation of any of the first to fifth characteristic configurations,
Whereas the paint gun equipment is arranged side by side in the object conveyance direction on each of the lateral side and lateral side of the object conveyance path, the paint forward path and the paint return path,
While providing a paint forward path and a paint return path of one side system extending across the plurality of coating gun equipment parts located on the side of the one side of the article transport path,
A paint forward path and a paint return path of the other side system extending across the plurality of the coating gun equipment portions located on the other side of the workpiece conveyance path are provided,
The paint forward path of the one side system and the paint forward path of the other side system are connected in parallel to the discharge side of the paint supply pump, and the paint return path of the one side system and the paint return path of the other side system Is connected in parallel to the suction side of the paint supply pump.

  In other words, according to the sixth feature configuration, the paint forward path and the paint return path are connected to the plurality of paint gun equipment portions located on the lateral side of the object transport path, and the one-side system paint forward path and paint return path; System is divided into the other side system's paint forward path and paint return path for multiple paint gun equipment located on the other side of the workpiece transport path, and these one side system's paint forward path, paint return path and other side system As shown in the above-mentioned conventional equipment, a plurality of coating gun equipment parts located on one side of the object conveyance path are used. Compared to the piping system in which a single paint forward path and paint return path are connected in series to a plurality of coating gun equipment parts located on the other side of the object conveyance path, one side of the object conveyance path Paint gun equipment located on the other side of the paint gun equipment section located at The relative and each can be made to the paint supply pressure of paint supply pump spans more evenly.

  In addition, for each of the one side system and the other side system, as described above, each of the paint forward path and the paint return path is formed by a pipe having an appropriate same diameter over the entire length, and these pipes are used as headers having a uniform pipe pressure distribution. From the viewpoint of functioning, the paint supply pressure of the paint supply pump is higher for each of the paint gun equipment located on one side of the workpiece transfer path and for each of the paint gun equipment located on the other side. It is possible to extend the state more evenly.

  That is, according to the sixth feature configuration described above, in the configuration in which the coating gun equipment section is arranged in parallel in the workpiece conveyance direction on each of the one side and the other side of the workpiece conveyance path, Compared with the paint gun, the paint is more uniform in each of the paint gun equipment located on one side of the workpiece transport path and in the paint gun equipment located on the other side of the paint transport path. Can be supplied.

FIG. 1 shows a paint supply facility for water-based paint in a painting booth 1 that coats an object W (in this example, an automobile body) that is sequentially transported by a conveyor. The robot painting part 2A and the hand-blown painting part 2B, which are parts 2, are arranged side by side in the article conveyance direction on each of the lateral side and lateral side of the article conveyance path K. In this painting booth, Each part of the coating W is divided by a plurality of coating gun equipment units 2 and applied in order, or the coating of each layer in the multi-layer coating such as a so-called wet-on-wet system is shared by a plurality of coating gun equipment units 2. The articles W to be sequentially conveyed are painted by the painting gun 3 in each painting gun equipment section 2 by a method such as sequentially performing.

  One side system in a state where the outer side of the painting booth 1 on the lateral side of the article conveyance path K is extended to a plurality of painting gun equipment parts 2 located on the lateral side of the article conveyance path K. The paint forward path 4 and the paint return path 5 are extended in the direction in which the coating material is transported, and similarly, on the outer side of the coating booth 1 on the other lateral side of the coating material transport path K, The paint forward path 4 'and the paint return path 5' of the other side system are extended in the direction of the object to be coated in a state where the paint guns 2 are placed across the plurality of paint gun equipment parts 2 located on the other side.

  The paint forward path 4 of the one side system and the paint forward path 4 ′ of the other side system have one end in the extending direction (that is, their upstream end) connected in parallel to the main paint forward path 6, The paint forward path 6 is connected to the discharge port of the paint supply pump P installed outside the paint booth 1. Further, the paint return path 5 of the one side system and the paint return path 5 ′ of the other side system are connected in parallel to the main paint return path 7 at one end in their extending direction (that is, their downstream end). The main paint return path 7 is connected to the suction port of the paint supply pump P.

  The paint forward path 4 and the paint return path 5 of the one side system connect the other ends in the extending direction thereof (that is, the downstream end of the paint forward path 4 and the upstream end of the paint return path 5) by the terminal connection path 8. The terminal connection path 8 is provided with a terminal open / close valve V of one side system. Similarly, the paint forward path 4 'and the paint return path 5' of the other side system are other in their extending direction. The ends (that is, the downstream end of the paint forward path 4 'and the upstream end of the paint return path 5') are connected by a terminal connection path 8 ', and the terminal open / close valve V' of the other side system is connected to the terminal connection path 8 '. Is intervening.

  A paint tank 9 is installed outside the painting booth 1, and this paint tank 9 is connected to the downstream end of the main paint return path 7 through the paint replenishment path 10. 8, 5 and the paint tank 9 through the paint supply path 10 to the paint circulation system S formed by the paths 4 ', 8', 5 'of the other side system and the main paint forward path 6 and the main paint return path 7. The paint T is replenished.

  In FIG. 1, only one of the paint circulation systems S including the paint tank 9, the paint replenishment path 10, and the paint supply pump P is shown. In the painting booth 1, the painting gun apparatus unit 2 performs painting. In order to make it possible to change the paint color for each article W, the paint circulation system S is made of n paints Ta to Tn of about 20 to 30 different colors (n colors using water as a solvent in this example). The paint circulation system S represents each of the paint circulation systems Sa to Sn provided for the respective color paints Ta to Tb.

  That is, the one-side system paint forward path 4, the paint return path 5, and the terminal connection path 8 are the one-side system paint forward paths 4a to 4n, the paint return paths 5a to 5n, and the terminal connection path provided for each color paint Ta to Tn. Representing each of 8a to 8n, the other system paint forward path 4 ', the paint return path 5', and the terminal connection path 8 'are the other system paint forward paths 4a' to 4n provided for the respective color paints Ta to Tn. 'Represents the paint return paths 5a' to 5n 'and the terminal connection paths 8a' to 8n ', and the main paint forward path 6, the main paint return path 7 and the paint supply pump P are provided for each color paint Ta to Tn. The main paint forward paths 6a to 6n, the main paint return paths 7a to 7n, and the paint supply pumps Pa to Pn are representative. The paint tank 9 and the paint replenishment path 10 are paint tanks 9a provided for the respective color paints Ta to Tn. ~ 9n, representing the paint supply paths 10a to 10n.

  Each paint gun equipment section 2 is provided with a paint take-out section 11 for selectively taking out the paint T (Ta to Tn) supplied to the paint gun 3 from the paint circulation system S (Sa to Sn) for each color. The paint take-out section 11 is provided in each paint gun equipment section 2 for each color paint T (Ta to Tn), as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, with the nearest paint forward paths 4 (4a to 4n) and 4 '( 4a ′ to 4n ′) and the nearest paint return path 5 (5a to 5n), 5 ′ (5a ′ to 5n ′) are provided with paint bypass paths 12 (12a to 12n) for short-circuiting, The paint bypass passages 12 (12a to 12n) branch from the color-specific paint take-out passages 13 (13a to 13n), and the paint take-out passages 13 (13a to 13n) are connected to the color change valve unit 14 according to the colors. (15a to 15n) are connected separately. .

  In addition, the color changing valve unit 14 fixed to the booth wall 1a of the painting booth 1 is provided in parallel with the above-described paint removing valves 15 (15a to 15n) for each color connecting the paint removing passages 13 (13a to 13n). A manifold pipe 14a connected to the interior of the paint booth 1 is provided as a terminal structure of the paint outlet 11 by passing through the boot outlet wall 1a through a common terminal outlet 16 extending from the manifold pipe 14a. It has a structure that faces it.

  That is, by selectively opening the paint removal valves 15 (15a to 15n) of the required color in each paint gun equipment unit 2, the paint forward paths 4 (4a to 4a to 4) for the respective colors by the paint supply pumps P (Pa to Pn). 4n) and 4 '(4a' to 4n '), only the required color paints of the respective color paints T (Ta to Tn) supplied to the color-specific paint bypass paths 12 (12a to 12n) It is introduced into the manifold pipe 14a of the color change valve unit 14 through the paint take-out path 13 (13a to 13n) and sent to the terminal take-out path 16.

  And in each paint gun equipment part 2, paint other than a required color among each color paint T (Ta-Tn) supplied to paint bypass path 12 (12a-12n) according to color, and a surplus of required color paint For each minute, the paint return paths 5 (5a to 5n) and 5 '(5a' to 5n ') are returned to each color through the paint bypass paths 12 (12a to 12n). (Ta to Tn), the paint forward paths 4 (4a to 4n), 4 '(4a' to 4n '), the paint bypass paths 12 (12a to 12n) and the paint return paths 5 (5a to 5a 5n) and 5 '(5a' to 5n ') are maintained in a paint circulation state.

  That is, by maintaining the circulation state of the paint T (Ta to Tn) in the paint circulation system S (Sa to Sn) of each color in this way, the paint solvent in the pipes forming the paint circulation systems S (Sa to Sn). It prevents the paint component in (in this example, water) from settling.

  Of the painting gun equipment 2, the robot painting part 2A for painting by the painting robot 17 is connected to the docking station 18 arranged inside the booth wall 1a with the terminal take-out path 16 from the color change valve unit 14. On the other hand, the painting gun 3 (3A) provided at the arm tip of the painting robot 17 is equipped with a paint filling tank 19 for filling the paint T used in one painting.

  That is, the robot painting unit 2A moves the painting gun 3A to the docking station 18 by the operation of the painting robot 17 every time one painting is completed, and the docking port 20a on the painting gun side and the docking port 20 on the docking station side , The paint T (Ta to Tb) of the required color used for the next painting is filled into the paint filling tank 19 of the paint gun 3A from the terminal take-out path 16, and after the paint filling is completed, the painting robot 17 is again filled. In the state where both the docking ports 20a and 20b are separated by the operation of the above and the painting gun 3A is moved to the painting work side, the next painting method using the paint T (Ta to Tn) in the paint filling tank 19 is adopted. ing.

  On the other hand, in the painting gun equipment unit 2, the manual spray painting unit 2 </ b> B in which an operator performs painting using the manual spray painting gun 3 (3 </ b> B), the manual spray painting gun 3 (3 </ b> B) is connected through the paint supply hose 21. It is connected to the terminal take-out path 16, and in each coating, the paint T (Ta to Tn) of a required color is supplied to the paint gun 3B for manual spraying through the paint supply hose 21.

  As for the piping configuration, as shown in FIG. 4, for each of the color paint circulation systems S (Sa to Sn), the length of each of the paint forward path 4 (4a to 4n) and the paint return path 5 (5a to 5n) of the one-side system is full-length. Are formed with pipes Hs and Hr having the same diameter, and including the connection pipe He that forms the terminal connection path 8 of the one side system, the forward path pipe Hs, the return path pipe Hr, and the connection pipe He of the one side system. Similarly, the pipes Hs' and Hr having the same diameter are provided over the entire length of each of the paint forward paths 4 '(4a' to 4n ') and the paint return paths 5' (5a 'to 5n') of the other system. , And including the connection pipe He ′ that forms the terminal connection path 8 ′ of the other system, the three of the forward pipe Hs ′, the return pipe Hr ′, and the connection pipe He ′ of the other system They have the same diameter.

  Further, each of the main paint forward path 6 and the main paint return path 7 is formed by pipes Hss and Hrr having the same diameter over the entire length, and each of the one side systems including the main forward path pipe Hss and the main return path pipe Hrr is also included. The pipes Hs, Hr, He, and the pipes Hs ′, Hr ′, He ′ of the other side system all have the same diameter d, and the forward pipe Hs and return pipe Hr of the one side system and the other side system The outgoing pipe Hs ′ and the return pipe Hr ′ have substantially the same extension length (that is, the pipe length).

  In other words, by appropriately selecting the pipe diameters d that are identical to each other in this piping configuration, in the paint circulation with the terminal on-off valves V and V ′ of the one side system and the other side system closed, The pressure distribution in each of the forward piping Hs of the one side system including the forward piping Hss and the outgoing piping Hs ′ of the other side system is made as uniform as possible over the entire length of each piping, and the one including the main return piping Hrr. The pressure distribution in each of the return line pipe Hr of the side system and the return line pipe Hr ′ of the other side system is also made as uniform as possible over the entire length of each pipe, and thereby, the color paint circulation system S (Sa to Sn) For each of them, the forward piping Hs that forms the one-side system paint returning path 4 (4a to 4n) and the return piping Hr that forms the one-side system coating return path 5 (5a to 5n) Multiple located on one side of The forward piping Hs ′ that functions as a distribution header and a collective header for the respective color paints T (Ta to Tn) with respect to the gun equipment unit 2 and similarly forms the paint forward path 4 ′ (4a ′ to 4n ′) of the other side system. In addition, each of the color paints for the plurality of coating gun equipment portions 2 located on the other side of the article transport path K is provided with a return pipe Hr 'that forms the paint return path 5' (5a 'to 5n') of the other side system. Each color paint T is circulated through the paint bypass path 12 (12a to 12n) of each paint gun equipment unit 2 in a form that functions as a distribution header and a collective header of T (Ta to Tn).

  And, by adopting such a paint circulation form, the paint flow velocity in each of the forward pipes Hs, Hs and the return pipes Hr, Hr ′ including the main forward pipe Hss and the main return pipe Hrr is reduced on average. While effectively reducing the pressure loss of the passing paint T (Ta to Tn), each of the outgoing pipes Hs, Hs ′ and the return pipes Hr, Hr ′ serving as headers has an equalized in-pipe pressure. Each color paint T (Ta to Tn) can be uniformly supplied to the paint bypass path 12 (12a to 12n) and the paint take-out path 13 (13a to 13n) of the paint gun equipment section 2.

  In addition, in each paint gun equipment part 2, the paint take-out part 11 is configured to be upstream of the paint forward paths 4 (4a to 4n) and 4 '(4a' to 4n ') in each of the one side system and the other side system. The paint gun equipment part 2 located in the area of the paint gun is made larger in the paint path length from the paint forward path 4 (4a-4n), 4 '(4a'-4n') to the terminal of the paint take-out path 13 (13a-13n). Thus, the paint supply pressure at the terminal portion of the paint take-out path 13 (13a to 13n) in each paint gun equipment part 2 is made more uniform with the resistance difference due to the difference in the paint path length, and each paint gun equipment is provided. The paint can be supplied to the portion 2 in a more uniform state.

  In each paint gun equipment section 2, paint bypass paths 12 (12a to 12n) and paint take-out paths 13 (13a to 13n) are formed of flexible tubes. The paint path length from the paint forward path 4 (4a to 4n), 4 '(4a' to 4n ') to the terminal of the paint take-out path 13 (13a to 13n) can be easily adjusted.

  In the above pipe configuration, the downstream end of the main return pipe Hrr is provided with a pig loading part 23a for loading the pipe cleaning pig 22 into the pipe, and the upstream end of the main forward pipe Hss is provided in the pipe. A pig take-out portion 23b for taking out the cleaning pig 22 from the pipe is provided, and a cleaning fluid L such as water or compressed air is supplied to the main return pipe Hrr in the main forward pipe Hss and the main return pipe Hrr. A fluid supply passage 24a for cleaning is connected to the downstream end of the terminal, and the terminal on-off valves V and V 'of the one side system and the other side system are connected to the pipe cleaning pig 22 in the open state. A ball valve with a diameter that can be passed is used.

  That is, the pig loading unit 23a, the pig removing unit 23b, and the cleaning fluid supply path 24a constitute a pig cleaning means C that moves the pipe cleaning pig 22 in the pipe and cleans the inside of the pipe. In 23a, the cleaning fluid L is supplied from the cleaning fluid supply passage 24a in a state where the pipe cleaning pig 22 is loaded in the pipe of the main return pipe Hrr, so that the pipe is cleaned by the fluid pressure of the cleaning fluid L. The piping 22 is moved in the piping so as to pass from the return piping Hr of the one side system to the outgoing piping Hs of the one side system through the open terminal opening / closing valve V, or the return piping Hr of the other side system In the form in which the pipe cleaning pipe 22 is taken out from the pig taking-out portion 23b by moving the pipe in the pipe so as to pass through the terminal open / close valve V 'in the open state to the outgoing pipe Hs' in the other side system. System and others The pipes Hs, He, Hr, Hs ′, He ′, Hr ′, and the main return pipe Hrr and the main forward pipe Hss in the system are scraped off and washed by the pipe cleaning pipe 22 in the pipe. Wash by rinsing with working fluid L. Reference numeral 24b denotes a cleaning fluid discharge path connected to the upstream end of the main forward pipe Hrr.

  25 is an opening / closing operation of the terminal opening / closing valves V (Va to Vn), V ′ (Va ′ to Vn ′), an on / off operation of the paint supply pump P (Pa to Pn), and a paint supply pump P (Pa to Pn) by inverter control. ), And the like, in the painting booth 1, the following operation is performed by various operations from the operation operation unit 25.

  At the time of a painting operation in which each color paint T (Ta to Tn) is taken out in each painting gun equipment section 2, the terminal on-off valves V (Va to Vn) and V '(Va' to Va 'to one side system and the other side system as described above. The paint supply pump P (Pa to Pn) is operated with Vn ′) closed, and each color paint T (Ta to Tn) is circulated through the paint bypass path 12 (12a to 12n) of each paint gun equipment section 2. In addition, the output of the paint supply pump P (Pa to Pn) is adjusted according to the detected paint pressure, and the supply pressure of each color paint T (Ta to Tn) to each paint gun equipment unit 2 is adjusted to an appropriate pressure.

  In addition, when the painting operation is stopped to stop the paint removal at each coating gun equipment section 2, the terminal on-off valves V (Va to Vn), V '(Va' to Vn ') of the one side system and the other side system are basically. ) Is opened, the paint supply pump P (Pa to Pn) is operated, and each color paint T (Ta to Tn) is connected to the terminal connection paths 8 (8a to 8n), 8 'of the one side system and the other side system. (8a 'to 8n') and the output of the paint supply pump P (Pa to Pn) is flow resistance by opening the terminal on-off valves V (Va to Vn) and V '(Va' to Vn '). The amount of decrease will be reduced compared to the time of painting work, thereby further saving energy.

  In addition, when the painting operation is suspended, the above-described pipe cleaning is periodically performed, and the terminal open / close valves V (Va to Vn) and V ′ (Va ′ to Vn ′) of the one side system and the other side system are periodically provided. ) Is opened, the paint supply pump P (Pa to Pn) is operated, and each color paint T (Ta to Tn) is connected to the terminal connection paths 8 (8a to 8n), 8 'of the one side system and the other side system. (8a 'to 8n') and the output of the paint supply pump P (Pa to Pn) is greatly increased, whereby terminal open / close valves V (Va to Vn), V '(Va' to Vn ') While increasing the output increase width of the paint supply pump P (Pa to Pn) by the amount of decrease in flow path resistance due to the opening of the valve, a large flow of paint T (Ta to Tn) is circulated to Wash off.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the operation operation unit 25 constitutes a pump output adjustment unit that adjusts the output of the paint supply pump P (Pa to Pn).

[Another embodiment]
Another embodiment of the present invention will be listed below.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the coating forward paths 4 and 4 ′ and the coating return paths 5 and 5 ′ are systematically divided into two parallel systems of one side system and the other side system has been described. The paint forward path 4 and the paint return path 5 extending over 2 may be provided in only one system, or may be divided into three or more systems in parallel.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the downstream ends of the paint forward paths 4 and 4 and the upstream ends of the paint return paths 5 and 5 ′ are connected via the terminal open / close valves V and V ′ is shown. At the time of painting work in which the downstream end and the upstream end of the paint return path 5, 5 ′ are connected via the terminal flow rate adjustment valve and the paint gun equipment 2 takes out the paint, the opening degree of the terminal flow rate adjustment valve is reduced. The flow rate of the paint passing from the downstream end of the paint forward path through the terminal flow rate adjustment valve to the upstream end of the paint return path is limited to a small value. The resistance may be reduced, and the paint may be circulated in a state where the output of the paint supply pump P is reduced by the reduction of the flow path resistance.

  When a pump output adjustment unit for adjusting the output of the paint supply pump P is provided, the pump output adjustment unit automatically adjusts the output of the paint supply pump P by human operation, or automatically based on detection information or a setting schedule. Any of the adjustments may be made.

  The coating gun equipment unit 2 is not limited to the robot coating unit and the hand-blown coating unit shown in the above-described embodiment, and may be a reciprocating coating machine that performs coating while reciprocating the coating gun. Further, the article W is not limited to the automobile body, and may be a casing of an electrical appliance.

The paint supply equipment for water-based paint according to the present invention is not limited to application to a painting booth, and can be applied to any painting equipment as long as it has a plurality of painting gun equipment.

In the above-described embodiment, an example in which a plurality of colors of paint T is selectively taken out in each paint gun equipment unit 2 is shown. However, the paint supply equipment for water-based paint according to the present invention has one color paint in each paint gun equipment unit 2. The present invention can also be applied to the case where only a plurality of types of paint other than the paint color are taken out, and also to the case where each paint gun equipment part selectively takes out.

Schematic plan view showing the overall configuration of the water-based paint supply equipment Enlarged side view showing the paint removal part Enlarged side view showing the paint removal part Schematic plan view showing conventional equipment configuration

P Paint supply pump 4 Paint forward path 5 Paint return path 2 Paint gun equipment part 3 Paint gun T Paint 11 Paint take-out part 12 Paint bypass path 13 Paint take-off path 15 Paint take-off valve Hs Forward pipe Hr Paint return path Return pipe to be formed d Pipe diameter He Connection pipe 22 Pig for cleaning in pipe C Cleaning means V Terminal open / close valve or terminal flow rate adjustment valve 25 Pump output adjustment part 4 'Paint path of other system 5' Paint return of other system Road

Claims (6)

Each of the paint forward path connected to the discharge side of the paint supply pump and the paint return path connected to the suction side of the paint supply pump are extended over a plurality of paint gun equipment parts,
In each of these paint gun equipment sections, a paint bypass path that short-circuits the paint forward path and the paint return path is provided to form a paint take-out section that takes out the paint supplied to the paint gun. A paint supply facility that is provided with a paint take-off valve that branches the paint take-out path from the bypass path and opens and closes the paint take-out path,
A paint supply facility for water-based paint in which each of the paint forward path and the paint return path is formed by piping of the same diameter over the entire length. The paint forward path and the paint return path are formed by pipes having the same diameter as each other, and the downstream end of the paint forward path and the upstream end of the paint return path are connected by a connection pipe having the same diameter as those pipes,
The paint supply equipment for water-based paint according to claim 1, wherein a pig cleaning means for moving the pipe cleaning pig in the pipe is provided for these pipes. The paint supply facility for water-based paint according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a downstream end of the paint forward path and an upstream end of the paint return path are connected via a terminal opening / closing valve or a terminal flow rate adjusting valve. The paint supply equipment for water-based paint according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a pump output adjusting unit for adjusting the output of the paint supply pump. The water-based property according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a paint path length from the paint forward path to a terminal of the paint take-out path is increased as the paint gun equipment portion is located upstream of the paint forward path. Paint supply equipment for paint. Whereas the paint gun equipment is arranged side by side in the object conveyance direction on each of the lateral side and lateral side of the object conveyance path, the paint forward path and the paint return path,
While providing a paint forward path and a paint return path of one side system extending across the plurality of coating gun equipment parts located on the side of the one side of the article transport path,
A paint forward path and a paint return path for the other side system extending across the plurality of coating gun equipment portions located on the other side of the workpiece conveyance path are provided,
The paint forward path of the one side system and the paint forward path of the other side system are connected in parallel to the discharge side of the paint supply pump, and the paint return path of the one side system and the paint return path of the other side system The paint supply equipment for water-based paint according to claim 1, wherein the paint supply pump is connected in parallel to the suction side of the paint supply pump.

Images