JP4728927B2 - Paint cartridge - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a paint cartridge that is detachably attached to a paint filling device or a painting machine.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a coating system that coats an object to be coated such as an automobile body, high-quality coating is required, and thus an electrostatic coating machine excellent in coating efficiency and smoothness of a coating film has been used.

  The electrostatic coating machine is provided with a rotary atomizing head for atomizing the water-based paint for electrostatic coating. By applying a high voltage to the rotary atomizing head, the rotary atomizing head is atomized. The paint particles are charged and electrostatic coating is performed. This electrostatic coating machine is equipped with a paint cartridge mounted on the main body of the paint machine and filled with a predetermined amount of paint extrusion liquid (working fluid) to push the paint in the paint cartridge and supply it to the rotary atomizing head for painting. There is a painting machine that is supposed to do.

  However, since current may leak through the paint flowing through the paint supply system, an insulation measure to prevent it is necessary. As a countermeasure, it has been proposed that a paint cartridge 100 (see FIGS. 9A to 9C) including a paint bag (such as a pouch bag 101) that can be filled with paint is attached to the main body of the coating machine. If this paint cartridge 100 is used, the paint leakage to the outside of the pouch bag 101 is completely prevented, so that the leakage of current can be more reliably prevented. In this case, by filling the coating material extrusion liquid into the coating material cartridge 100 and pushing out the coating material in the pouch bag 101, the pouch bag 101 is shrunk and the coating material is supplied to the rotary atomizing head. As shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C, the paint cartridge 100 is mounted not only on the paint machine but also on the paint filling device 110 (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The paint filling device 110 fills the pouch bag 101 with the paint when the paint cartridge 100 is mounted, and inflates the pouch bag 101.

  By the way, the paint in the pouch bag 101 may be emptied in spite of being in the middle of the painting work. In this case, since it is necessary to perform repainting to prevent deterioration of the quality of the object to be coated, the pouch bag 101 is filled with paint again. However, since the filling amount of the paint at the time when the repainting is completed is not known, if the paint is filled by the subsequent painting, the paint exceeding the capacity of the pouch bag 101 is filled in the pouch bag 101, and the pouch bag 101 is filled. May burst. Therefore, it is necessary to know the filling amount of the paint in the pouch bag 101 accurately.

Therefore, in the filling station, a filling state detection unit 102 (see FIGS. 9A to 9C) is provided outside the coating material cartridge 100, and the filling amount detection unit 102 is used to determine the filling amount of the coating material in the pouch bag 101. It has been proposed to detect. More specifically, the filling state detection unit 102 includes a light source 103 and a light detector 104, and the light source 103 and the light detector 104 are disposed opposite to the outer peripheral side of the paint cartridge 100. When the filling state detection unit 102 detects that the non-opening end 101a of the pouch bag 101 exists on the optical path connecting the light source 103 and the photodetector 104 (see FIG. 9A), the filling state detection unit 102 It is determined that the paint filling is not completed. When the pouch bag 101 is inflated and the non-opening end 101a of the pouch bag 101 does not exist on the optical path (see FIG. 9B), the filling state detection unit 102 fills the pouch bag 101 with the paint. Is determined to be complete.
JP 2000-176328 A (refer to FIG. 6 etc.)

  However, when a paint having a relatively large specific gravity is used, the pouch bag 101 may hang down gradually due to its own weight (see FIG. 9C). Further, the pouch bag 101 may hang down even when the paint or the pouch bag 101 is softened due to poor storage conditions (temperature). In these cases, since the non-opening end 101a of the pouch bag 101 exists on the above optical path, the filling state detection means 102 is in spite of completion of filling of the paint into the pouch bag 101. It is judged that the filling has not been completed yet. As a result, the pouch bag 101 cannot be accurately filled with paint. Moreover, since the pouch bag 101 is continuously filled with the paint, the pouch bag 101 may burst.

  Further, the pouch bag 101 is formed of a very flexible material in order to have durability against expansion / shrinkage. Therefore, when the pouch bag 101 is bent or falls down, the bent portion is easily fatigued, so that the pouch bag 101 is easily torn.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a paint cartridge capable of accurately detecting the paint filling state in the pouch bag and preventing damage to the pouch bag.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first aspect of the present invention is a cartridge body that is detachably attached to a paint filling device or a paint machine, and a pouch bag that is provided in the cartridge body and can be filled with paint. A pouch container in which a spout is disposed on the open end side of the pouch bag, and the distance from the open end to the non-open end of the pouch bag becomes shorter as the pouch bag expands when the paint is filled, while the paint is discharged. A paint cartridge capable of detecting a paint filling state in the pouch bag by optically detecting whether or not the non-opening end is present on an optical path; Stabilizes the shape of the pouch bag when filling the paint by abutting against the outer surface of the pouch bag and restricting the expansion of the pouch bag Expansion restricting member for is that the gist of the paint cartridge, characterized in that provided on the outside of the pouch container in the cartridge body.

  Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since the expansion regulating member stabilizes the shape of the pouch bag so that it always expands to the same shape when the paint is filled, the non-opening end of the pouch bag exists on the optical path. It is possible to accurately detect whether or not the paint is filled in the pouch bag. In addition, since the shape of the pouch bag is stabilized, the pouch bag can be prevented from being bent and fatigued at the portion, and therefore, the pouch bag can be prevented from being damaged. Furthermore, since the expansion regulating member is provided not on the inside of the pouch container but on the outside, it is easy to provide the expansion regulating member in the cartridge.

  In the above invention, the expansion regulating members are arranged to face each other on the inner end side of the cartridge base that supports the spout, and are separated from each other toward the non-opening end side of the pouch bag, and the first main surface of the pouch bag And it is preferable to have a pair of contact part which can contact | abut to a 2nd main surface (Claim 2). According to this configuration, since the expansion regulating member is disposed on the inner end side of the cartridge base, the expansion regulating member supports the pouch bag from the lower side when attached to the paint filling device. Therefore, as compared with the case where the pouch bag is supported from the upper side or the side by the expansion regulating member, the expansion of the pouch bag can be reliably controlled and the pouch bag can be stably supported. In addition, since the expansion restriction member is located on the inner end side of the cartridge base, that is, on the opening end side of the pouch bag, the optical path where the non-opening end of the pouch bag may exist is not easily blocked by the expansion restriction member. Further, since the pair of contact portions are separated from each other toward the non-opening end side of the pouch bag, both contact portions gradually contact the outer surface of the pouch bag from the base end side. Therefore, the tip of the contact portion is less likely to damage the pouch bag. Further, the pair of abutting portions are in contact with each other when the pouch bag is contracted, and abut against the first main surface and the second main surface that are separated from each other when the pouch bag is inflated. For this reason, the expansion of the pouch bag can be effectively regulated by the expansion regulating member.

  The pair of abutting portions are preferably a pair of abutting plates formed in a plate shape using a resin material having flexibility. According to this configuration, since the pair of contact portions has flexibility, the contact portions easily follow the outer surface of the pouch bag. In addition, when the contact portion bends as the pouch bag is inflated, an elastic force (reaction force) is generated in the contact portion, so that the contact portion presses the outer surface of the pouch bag. Thereby, expansion | swelling of a pouch bag can be effectively controlled by a contact part. Moreover, if the contact portion has flexibility, the shape of the pouch bag is always stable because the contact portion reliably contacts the outer surface of the pouch bag even when the filling amount is small. . Therefore, the paint filling state in the pouch bag can be detected more accurately. Further, since the pair of contact portions are contact plates formed in a plate shape, the contact portions are in surface contact with the outer surface of the pouch bag. Therefore, the force is less likely to concentrate on one point on the outer surface of the pouch bag, and the contact portion is less likely to damage the pouch bag.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the cartridge body and the expansion regulating member are formed using a transparent material. When the cartridge body is formed using a transparent material, it is possible to optically detect whether or not the non-opening end of the pouch bag is present on the optical path by disposing an optical sensor or the like outside the cartridge body. . Further, if the expansion regulating member is formed using a transparent material, the expansion regulating member is transparent even if cracks occur inside the expansion regulating member as a result of using the expansion regulating member for a long period of time. Therefore, cracks can be detected early. Furthermore, when both the cartridge main body and the expansion regulating member are formed using a transparent material, the state of the pouch bag (paint filling state, abnormality, etc.) can be easily known. In particular, when the contact portion of the expansion restriction member is a contact plate formed in a plate shape, it is difficult to know the state of the pouch bag because the expansion restriction member covers most of the outer surface of the cartridge body. It is. Therefore, the effect of forming the expansion regulating member with a transparent material is increased.

  As described above in detail, according to the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, it is possible to provide a paint cartridge capable of accurately detecting the paint filling state in the pouch bag and preventing damage to the pouch bag.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, the configuration of the coating machine 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the coating machine 1 is attached to the tip of an arm 2 of a painting robot. A rotary atomizing head 4 is rotatably attached to the front surface of the coating machine body 3. A high voltage is applied to the rotary atomizing head 4 from a high voltage generator (not shown). That is, the coating machine 1 is an electrostatic coating machine that performs coating in a state where the coating material is negatively charged and an object to be coated such as an automobile body is grounded.

  A paint cartridge 10 is detachably attached to a mounting portion provided on the back surface of the coating machine body 3. A cartridge main body 11 provided in the paint cartridge 10 is made of a solvent-resistant resin and includes a main body portion 11a and a cartridge base 11c. The main body portion 11a is formed of a transparent resin material, and is open at both ends, and one opening portion is closed by the lid portion 11b. Further, the cartridge base 11c can be connected to the mounting portion of the coating machine main body 3. A main body 11a is attached to the cartridge base 11c, thereby closing the other opening of the main body 11a.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a pouch container 31 is provided in the cartridge body 11. The pouch container 31 includes a pouch bag 32 that can be filled with paint and a spout 33 that is disposed on the open end 32 a side of the pouch bag 32. The pouch bag 32 is a bag made of a transparent resin material having flexibility, and is formed by heat-sealing an edge of the pouch bag 32 in a state where the resin films are stacked. And the coating material which has light-shielding property is apply | coated to the outer surface by the side of the non-opening end 32b of the pouch bag 32 (light-shielding coating part 32e). The pouch bag 32 divides the internal region of the cartridge body 11 into a paint chamber 13 in which paint is filled and a paint extrudate chamber 14 in which paint extruding liquid for extruding the paint from the paint chamber 13 is supplied and discharged. Thus, contact between the paint and the paint extruding liquid is prevented. In the present embodiment, the inside of the pouch bag 32 is the paint chamber 13. Here, the paint used in the present embodiment is an electroconductive water-based paint for electrostatic coating, and the paint extrusion liquid used in the present embodiment is an aliphatic hydrocarbon or naphthenic hydrocarbon having insulating properties. It is an oily transparent liquid.

  In addition, the pouch bag 32 shown by FIG.1, FIG.3 etc. is shrunk when the coating-material extrusion liquid 14 is filled in the coating-solution extrusion liquid chamber 14 at the time of coating-material discharge | emission. Accordingly, the paint in the pouch bag 32 (in the paint chamber 13) is pushed out to the outside region of the cartridge body 11, and the distance from the open end 32a to the non-open end 32b of the pouch bag 32 is increased (FIG. 5 ( a)). On the other hand, the pouch bag 32 is inflated when the paint chamber 13 is filled with paint (at the time of paint filling). As a result, the reduced paint extrudate in the paint extruding chamber 14 is pushed out of the cartridge body 11 and the distance from the open end 32a of the pouch bag 32 to the non-open end 32b is shortened (FIG. 7). (See (a) etc.).

  Further, in the cartridge main body 11, a support column 16 is provided that constitutes a paint movement path that allows communication between the paint chamber 13 (in the pouch bag 32) and an external region of the cartridge main body 11. The support column 16 prevents the pouch bag 32 from falling when the pouch bag 32 is shrunk. A base end portion of the column 16 is connected to the spout 33, and the spout 33 is connected to a paint stop valve 11d on a paint movement path provided in the cartridge base 11c. As shown in FIG. 3, the support column 16 tapers from the proximal end portion toward the distal end portion. A guide groove 17 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the support column 16 to guide the paint toward the base end of the support column 16.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and the like, in the cartridge main body 11, a paint extruding liquid moving tube 15 constituting a paint extruding liquid moving path capable of communicating between the paint extruding liquid chamber 14 and an external region of the cartridge main body 11. Is provided. The distal end of the paint extruding liquid moving tube 15 opens in the paint extruding liquid chamber 14, and the base end of the paint extruding liquid moving pipe 15 is the paint extruding liquid on the paint extruding liquid moving path provided in the cartridge base 11c. It is connected to a stop valve 11e. The paint extrusion liquid stop valve 11e is opened when attached to the coating machine 1, and the paint extrusion liquid chamber 14 communicates with the external region of the cartridge body 11. Further, the paint extrusion liquid stop valve 11e is closed when not attached to the coating machine 1, and the paint extrusion liquid chamber 14 and the external region of the cartridge body 11 are not communicated with each other.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the support column 16 communicates with the paint discharge passage 5 in the coating machine body 3 through the paint stop valve 11d. The paint discharge passage 5 is a passage that is inserted through the tubular rotary shaft 4 a of the air motor 4 b and supplies the paint pushed out from the paint chamber 13 to the rotary atomizing head 4. In addition, a trigger valve 7 that communicates or blocks the paint discharge passage 5 is provided on the paint discharge passage 5. On the other hand, the paint extruding liquid moving tube 15 communicates with the paint extruding liquid passage 6 in the coating machine body 3 through the paint extruding liquid stop valve 11e. The paint extruding solution passage 6 is a passage for supplying the paint extruding solution into the paint extruding solution chamber 14 of the cartridge body 11 through a pipe extending along the arm 2 of the painting robot. In addition, a trigger valve 8 for communicating or blocking the paint extruding fluid passage 6 is provided on the paint extruding fluid passage 6. The trigger valves 7 and 8 of the present embodiment are electromagnetic valves that are operated by a solenoid (not shown).

  The paint cartridge 10 is filled with paint in a state of being attached to the paint filling system 20 shown in FIG. The paint filling system 20 constitutes a part of a filling station, and includes a paint filling device 21, a paint extrusion liquid feed pipe 29, a paint extrusion liquid return pipe 28, and the like. The paint filling device 21 is connected to a paint extrusion liquid storage container (not shown) via a paint extrusion liquid feed pipe 29 and a paint extrusion liquid return pipe 28. The paint extrusion liquid storage container is a container for storing the paint extrusion liquid. The paint filling device 21 is provided with a cartridge attachment portion 30, and the paint cartridge 10 is detachably attached to the upper surface of the cartridge attachment portion 30. Since the paint stop valve 11 d is in an open state when the paint cartridge 10 is attached, the paint filling device 21 can guide the paint into the paint chamber 13.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a paint manifold 22 having a plurality of color valves 23 is attached to the lower surface of the cartridge attachment portion 30. A paint filling path 22 a is provided in the paint manifold 22 to guide the paint accumulated in the paint tank 27 into the paint chamber 13 by the paint pump 26 when the color valve 23 is switched to the open state. Further, a discharge valve 22b that discharges paint or the like when switched to the open state is mounted on the lower surface of the cartridge mounting portion 30. In the cartridge mounting portion 30, a paint discharge path 22c for discharging the paint in the paint chamber 13 to the outside through the discharge valve 22b is provided. Further, one of the paint stop valve 11d, the paint filling path 22a, and the paint discharge path 22c is cut off at the connecting portion between the paint stop valve 11d, the paint filling path 22a, and the paint discharge path 22c, and the remaining two A trigger valve 22d for communicating the two is provided. Note that the color valve 23, the discharge valve 22b, and the trigger valve 22d of the present embodiment are electromagnetic valves that are operated by a solenoid (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 2, a liquid supply valve 24 is provided on the paint extrusion liquid feed pipe 29 to switch the paint extrusion liquid feed pipe 29 to an open state or a closed state. When the liquid supply valve 24 is switched to the open state, the paint extruding solution chamber 14 can be filled with the paint extruding solution via the paint extruding solution feed pipe 29 and the cartridge mounting portion 30. Note that the liquid supply valve 24 of the present embodiment is an electromagnetic valve that is operated by a solenoid (not shown). The paint extrusion liquid feed pipe 29 is a path for supplying the paint extrusion liquid stored in the paint extrusion liquid storage container to the paint extrusion liquid chamber 14.

  Further, a liquid discharge valve 25 for switching the paint extrusion liquid return pipe 28 to an open state or a closed state is provided on the paint extrusion liquid return pipe 28. The liquid discharge valve 25 can discharge the paint extruding liquid in the paint extruding liquid chamber 14 when switched to the open state. The liquid discharge valve 25 of the present embodiment is an electromagnetic valve that is operated by a solenoid (not shown). The paint extrusion liquid return pipe 28 is a path for returning the paint extrusion liquid discharged from the paint extrusion liquid chamber 14 to the paint extrusion liquid storage container via the paint filling device 21 and the paint extrusion liquid return pipe 28.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the paint filling system 20 includes a filling state detection means 51 that detects a paint filling state (paint filling amount) in the pouch bag 32, and a control device that controls the filling state detection means 51. (Not shown). The filling state detection means 51 is a photo interrupter composed of a light emitting element 52 (light source) and a light receiving element 53 (light detector). The light emitting element 52 and the light receiving element 53 are arranged to face each other on the outer peripheral side of the main body portion 11a with the cartridge main body 11 interposed therebetween. The light emitting element 52 emits light based on the light emission signal output from the control device. The light receiving element 53 receives light from the light emitting element 52 that has passed through the cartridge body 11.

  The filling state detection means 51 determines whether or not the non-open end 32b (specifically, the light shielding coating portion 32e) of the pouch bag 32 exists on the optical path K1 connecting the light emitting element 52 and the light receiving element 53. Is detected optically to detect the filling amount of the paint. Specifically, when the pouch bag 32 is deflated (see FIGS. 2, 5, and 6), the non-opening end 32b (light-shielding coating portion 32e) is present on the optical path K1, and thus the light receiving element 53. Cannot receive light from the light emitting element 52. On the other hand, when the pouch bag 32 is inflated and the filling of the paint into the pouch bag 32 is completed (see FIG. 7), the non-opening end 32b (light-shielding coating portion 32e) does not exist on the optical path K1. The element 53 can receive light from the light emitting element 52. In this case, the light receiving element 53 outputs a filling completion signal to the control device.

  Further, the control device switches the color valve 23 to the closed state via a driver circuit (not shown) based on the filling completion signal output from the light receiving element 53, and stops the filling of the paint into the pouch bag 32. Further, the control device drives the trigger valve 22d via a driver circuit (not shown), switches the paint stop valve 11d to a closed state, and shuts off the paint filling path 22a and the inside of the pouch bag 32. The control device is also electrically connected to the discharge valve 22b, the trigger valve 22d, the liquid supply valve 24, and the liquid discharge valve 25, and controls them via a driver circuit (not shown).

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, an expansion restriction plate 41 (expansion restriction member) is provided outside the pouch container 31 in the cartridge body 11. The expansion regulating plate 41 is in contact with the outer surface of the pouch bag 32 to regulate the expansion of the pouch bag 32, thereby stabilizing the shape of the pouch bag 32 when the paint is filled. The expansion regulating plate 41 is formed by bending a substantially oval plate made of a transparent resin material having flexibility (in this embodiment, polyvinyl chloride resin) at the center. In the present embodiment, the expansion regulating plate 41 is set to a length of 260 mm, a width of 85 mm, and a thickness of 0.5 mm. As shown in FIG. 4, a spout insertion hole 43 through which the spout 33 can be inserted is provided at the center of the expansion regulating plate 41. The spout insertion hole 43 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape of 40 mm in length and 50 mm in width, and the length of one side is larger than the maximum diameter of the spout 33 and smaller than the width of the expansion regulating plate 41. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the expansion regulating plate 41 is sandwiched between the cartridge base 11 c and the pouch bag 32 in a state where the spout 33 is inserted into the spout insertion hole 43. Mounted interchangeably.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the expansion regulating plate 41 includes a pair of contact plates 42 (contact portions). Both abutting plates 42 are arranged to face each other, are connected to each other on the inner end side of the cartridge base 11c, and are separated from each other toward the non-opening end 32b side of the pouch bag 32. Further, both contact plates 42 are formed so that the distances (130 mm in this embodiment) from the base end portion (connecting portion) to the tip end portion are equal to each other, and are substantially V-shaped as a whole. The tip portions of both contact plates 42 are formed in a substantially semicircular shape, and have a radius of 42.5 mm when viewed from the thickness direction of the contact plates 42. The tip of the contact plate 42 is located on the inner end side of the cartridge base 11c with respect to the light emitting element 52 and the light receiving element 53 (that is, the optical path K1). There is no need to be blocked by the plate 42. That is, the expansion regulating plate 41 is disposed so as to avoid the optical path K1. The abutment plates 42 can abut on the first main surface 32c and the second main surface 32d located on opposite sides of the pouch bag 32 (surface contact is possible). In addition, the angle which both contact plates 42 make is set to 18 ± 5 degrees in the state which is not contact | abutting to the 1st main surface 32c and the 2nd main surface 32d.

  Next, a paint filling method using the paint filling system 20 of the above embodiment will be described.

  When the paint in the pouch bag 32 of the paint cartridge 10 runs out due to painting by the paint machine 1, the paint cartridge 10 is removed from the paint machine 1 and attached to the cartridge mounting portion 30 of the paint filling device 21. In this state, when a drive signal is output from the control device to the color valve 23 and the trigger valve 22d, the color valve 23 is switched to the open state, the trigger valve 22d is driven and the paint stop valve 11d is opened, and the paint filling path 22a and the inside of the pouch bag 32 communicate. As a result, the paint in the paint tank 27 passes through the paint filling path 22a, the paint stop valve 11d, and the support column 16 by the paint pump 26, and is filled in the pouch bag 32.

  Further, the control device outputs a drive signal to the liquid discharge valve 25 at the same time as outputting a drive signal to the color valve 23 and the trigger valve 22d, and switches the liquid discharge valve 25 to an open state. As a result, the coating solution in the coating solution chamber 14 flows into the coating solution moving pipe 15 as the pouch bag 32 is filled with the coating material. Then, the paint extrusion liquid sequentially passes through the paint extrusion liquid movement path, the liquid discharge valve 25 and the paint extrusion liquid return pipe 28 and flows into the paint extrusion liquid storage container.

  The control device constantly outputs a light emission signal to the light emitting element 52 to cause the light emitting element 52 to emit light. The light receiving element 53 receives light from the light emitting element 52 that has passed through the cartridge body 11. By the way, when the paint cartridge 10 is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 30 (see FIGS. 5A and 5B), the pouch bag 32 remains in a contracted state, and the pouch bag 32 is not on the optical path K1. The light receiving element 53 cannot receive light from the light emitting element 52 because the opening end 32b (light shielding coating portion 32e) exists. At this time, the expansion regulating plate 41 is not in contact with the first main surface 32c and the second main surface 32d of the pouch bag 32 at all.

  The non-opening end 32b (light-shielding coating portion 32e) continues to exist on the optical path K1 even during the filling of the paint (that is, during the expansion of the pouch bag 32) (FIGS. 6A and 6B). The light receiving element 53 cannot receive the light from the light emitting element 52 even at this time. The two contact plates 42 of the expansion regulating plate 41 start to contact from the lower side of the first main surface 32c and the lower side of the second main surface 32d of the pouch bag 32. Both contact plates 42 bend as the pouch bag 32 expands, and follow the first main surface 32 c and the second main surface 32 d of the pouch bag 32. Along with this, the angle formed between the two contact plates 42 gradually increases, and the elastic force (reaction force) generated on both contact plates 42 increases. For this reason, both contact plates 42 press the first main surface 32 c and the second main surface 32 d, and suppress excessive expansion of the pouch bag 32.

  When the filling of the paint is completed (see FIGS. 7A and 7B), the non-opening end 32b (light-shielding coating portion 32e) does not exist on the optical path K1, so that the light receiving element 53 is separated from the light emitting element 52. It becomes possible to receive the light. Thereby, the light receiving element 53 outputs a filling completion signal to the control device. Further, substantially the whole of both contact plates 42 of the expansion regulating plate 41 abuts (surface contact) with the first main surface 32c and the second main surface 32d to support the pouch bag 32 from below, and the pouch bag 32 Stabilize the shape. Further, the control device outputs a drive signal to the color valve 23 and the trigger valve 22d based on the input filling completion signal. As a result, the color valve 23 is switched to the closed state, the trigger valve 22d is driven, the paint stop valve 11d is closed, and the paint filling path 22a and the inside of the pouch bag 32 are shut off.

  Thereafter, when the filling of the paint into the pouch bag 32 is completed, the paint cartridge 10 is detached from the cartridge attachment portion 30 of the paint filling device 21 and attached to the coating machine 1. When the paint cartridge 10 is attached to the coating machine 1, the paint extruding liquid is supplied into the paint extruding liquid chamber 14 of the paint cartridge 10 by another driving source. Accordingly, the pouch bag 32 is shrunk, so that the paint in the pouch bag 32 is discharged from the rotary atomizing head 4 through the trigger valve 7 and the like, and coating is performed.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  (1) According to the paint cartridge 10 of the present embodiment, the expansion regulating plate 41 abuts against the outer surface of the pouch bag 32 so that the pouch bag 32 is always inflated to the same shape when the paint is filled. Dripping (see FIG. 9C) can be prevented. As a result, it can be accurately detected whether or not the non-opening end 32b (light-shielding coating portion 32e) of the pouch bag 32 is present on the optical path K1, and as a result, whether or not the filling of the paint into the pouch bag 32 is completed. Can be detected accurately.

  (2) In this embodiment, the expansion regulating plate 41 is brought into contact with the outer surface of the pouch bag 32 to stabilize the shape of the pouch bag 32 when it is inflated. It can prevent fatigue. Therefore, since the lifetime of the pouch bag 32 is extended, damage to the pouch bag 32 can be prevented. Further, the expansion regulating plate 41 can be managed so that the pouch bag 32 is always inflated into the same shape. For this reason, even if the specific gravity, temperature, etc. of the paint change and the pouch bag 32 is likely to hang down, the filling amount of the paint can be managed accurately.

  (3) By the way, it is conceivable to stabilize the shape of the pouch bag 32 by providing the expansion regulating plate 41 in the pouch bag 32 and bringing the expansion regulating plate 41 into contact with the inner surface of the pouch bag 32. However, in order to realize this, it is necessary to perform an operation such as forming an insertion hole in the pouch bag 32 and inserting the expansion restriction plate 41 through the formed insertion hole. Is hard.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the expansion restricting plate 41 is provided outside the pouch bag 32, the expansion restricting plate 41 can be easily installed. Further, even if the expansion restriction plate 41 is large, the expansion restriction plate 41 can be installed without much difficulty. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to process the pouch bag 32 when the expansion regulating plate 41 is provided, a commercially available pouch bag can be used. Further, the expansion regulating plate 41 regulates the expansion of the pouch bag 32 by pressing the first main surface 32c and the second main surface 32d rather than pulling the first main surface 32c and the second main surface 32d. The expansion restriction of the pouch bag 32 by the expansion restriction plate 41 becomes easy.

  (4) In this embodiment, the pouch bag 32 is supported from both sides by the pair of contact plates 42 of the expansion regulating plate 41. Moreover, both contact plates 42 are formed so that the distance from the base end portion to the tip end portion is equal to each other. Therefore, the pouch bag 32 can be easily supported, and the pouch bag 32 can be more reliably prevented from hanging down. Further, since the tip end portion of the contact plate 42 is formed in a substantially semicircular shape having a rounded shape, the tip end portion of the contact plate 42 can be prevented from coming into contact with the outer surface of the pouch bag 32 and being damaged.

  In addition, you may change embodiment of this invention as follows.

  In the above embodiment, the expansion restriction plate 41 is used as the expansion restriction member. However, for example, a guide spacer 61 shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C may be used as the expansion restriction member. The guide spacer 61 is formed in a lump shape with a highly rigid material, and is installed on the cartridge base 11c. A concave portion is formed on the upper surface of the guide spacer 61, and the inner surface of the concave portion is a tapered surface whose inner diameter increases toward the non-opening end side of the pouch bag 32. In addition, it is preferable that the shape of the guide spacer 61 is changed according to the filling amount of the paint in the pouch bag 32. For example, when the filling amount is the same as the pouch bag 32 of the above embodiment (see FIG. 8A), or when the filling amount is larger than the pouch bag 32 of the above embodiment (see FIG. 8B), The guide spacer 61 is shaped to support the pouch bag 32 from the lower surface side. On the other hand, when the filling amount is smaller than the pouch bag 32 of the above embodiment (see FIG. 8C), the guide spacer 61 has a shape that supports the pouch bag 32 not only from the lower surface side but also from the side surface side. Become. If the expansion restriction plate 41 as in the above embodiment is used as an expansion restriction member, there is no need to change the expansion restriction plate 41 according to the filling amount.

  The expansion regulating plate 41 of the above embodiment is arranged on the inner end side of the cartridge base 11c and supports the pouch bag 32 from the lower side. However, the expansion regulating plate 41 may be disposed on the inner side surface of the main body portion 11a to support the pouch bag 32 from the side, or may be disposed on the inner end side of the lid portion 11b to dispose the pouch bag 32. It may be supported from above.

  The expansion regulating plate 41 of the above embodiment includes a contact plate 42 that can contact the first main surface 32c of the pouch bag 32, and a contact plate 42 that can contact the second main surface 32d of the pouch bag 32. However, any one of the contact plates 42 may be omitted.

  -The expansion regulation board 41 of the said embodiment was formed by bending a board | plate material in the center part. However, the expansion regulating plate 41 may be formed by connecting a pair of contact plates 42 formed separately. Further, the expansion regulating plate 41 may be formed by injection molding.

  -Although the expansion regulation board 41 of the said embodiment was formed using the transparent material, it does not need to be transparent. The main body 11a of the cartridge main body 11 of the above embodiment is also formed using a transparent material. However, the main body 11a may be not transparent if it is a material that does not block the optical path K1 (a material having optical transparency). Good. Furthermore, although the pouch bag 32 of the said embodiment was also formed using the transparent material, it does not need to be transparent. In this way, it is not necessary to provide the light shielding coating portion 32e on the outer surface of the pouch bag 32 on the non-opening end 32b side.

  Next, in addition to the technical ideas described in the claims, the technical ideas grasped by the embodiment described above are listed below.

  (1) The paint cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the expansion regulating member is arranged so as to avoid the optical path.

  (2) In Claim 2, the expansion restricting member is an expansion restricting plate formed by bending a plate material at a central portion, and the expansion restricting plate has a spout insertion hole through which the spout can be inserted. The paint cartridge is replaceably attached to the cartridge body by inserting the spout through the spout insertion hole and sandwiching the spout between the cartridge base and the pouch bag.

  (3) In Claim 3, the pair of contact plates are formed such that the distances from the base end portion to the tip end portion are equal to each other, and the base end portions are connected to each other so as to be substantially V-shaped as a whole. A paint cartridge characterized by comprising:

  (4) In the technical idea (3), the tip portion of each of the pair of contact plates has a rounded shape as viewed from the thickness direction of the contact plates.

  (5) A cartridge body, a pouch container provided in the cartridge body and having a spout disposed on the open end side of the pouch bag in which paint can be filled, and inside the cartridge body on the outside of the pouch container An expansion regulating member that stabilizes the shape of the pouch bag at the time of filling the paint by contacting the outer surface of the pouch bag and regulating the expansion of the pouch bag. A paint cartridge in which the distance to the opening end becomes shorter as the pouch bag expands when the paint is filled, and becomes longer as the pouch bag shrinks when the paint is discharged, and a cartridge to which the paint cartridge is detachably attached An attachment portion is provided, and when the paint cartridge is attached, the paint is applied to the paint cart. A paint filling device for guiding the inside of the pouch, and a filling state detecting means for detecting the paint filling state in the pouch bag by optically detecting whether or not the non-open end exists on the optical path. A paint filling system characterized by that.

The schematic sectional drawing which shows the coating machine in this embodiment. The block diagram which shows the coating material filling system in this embodiment. The whole perspective view which shows a pouch container. The whole perspective view which shows an expansion control board. (A), (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the state before a coating material is filled. (A), (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the state during paint filling. (A), (b) is explanatory drawing which shows a state when filling of a coating material is completed. (A)-(c) is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the coating material cartridge etc. in other embodiment. (A), (b) is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the coating material cartridge etc. in a prior art, (c) is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the problem of a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Coating machine 10 ... Paint cartridge 11 ... Cartridge main body 21 ... Paint filling device 31 ... Pouch container 32 ... Pouch bag 32a ... Pouch bag open end 32b ... Pouch bag non-open end 32c ... Pouch bag first main surface 32d ... 2nd main surface 33 of a pouch bag ... Spout 41 ... Expansion restriction plate 42 as an expansion restriction member ... Contact plate K1 as a contact portion ... Optical path

Claims (4)

A cartridge main body detachably attached to the paint filling apparatus or the coating machine, and a pouch container provided in the cartridge main body and having a spout disposed on the open end side of the pouch bag in which the paint can be filled. The distance from the open end to the non-open end of the pouch bag is shortened as the pouch bag is inflated when the paint is filled, and the distance is shortened as the pouch bag is deflated when the paint is discharged. A paint cartridge capable of detecting a paint filling state in the pouch bag by optically detecting whether or not an end exists,
An expansion regulating member that stabilizes the shape of the pouch bag when filling the paint by abutting against the outer surface of the pouch bag to regulate the expansion of the pouch bag is provided outside the pouch container in the cartridge body. The paint cartridge characterized by being made.   The expansion regulating members are arranged to face each other on the inner end side of the cartridge base that supports the spout, and are separated from each other toward the non-opening end side of the pouch bag, and the first main surface and the second main surface of the pouch bag are separated from each other. The paint cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of contact portions that can contact the surface.   The paint cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the pair of contact portions are a pair of contact plates formed in a plate shape using a flexible resin material.   The paint cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cartridge body and the expansion regulating member are formed using a transparent material.

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