JP5375882B2 - Paint mixing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a paint mixing apparatus for mixing paint applied to, for example, a vehicle body.

  Conventionally, for example, when a paint is applied to a vehicle body, a plurality of paints are mixed to create a suitable color. For this reason, a paint mixing device is used.

  This type of paint mixing apparatus includes a plurality of tanks that hold paints of different colors, and a viscosity mixing unit that mixes the colors of these tanks (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, this type of paint mixing apparatus includes a quantitative adjustment device that adjusts the amount of paint discharged from each tank when creating a desired color (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-135559 JP-A-6-226154

  However, in the structure including the viscosity mixing unit as in Patent Document 1 and the structure including the quantitative adjustment device as in Patent Document 2, or the structure including both the viscosity mixing unit and the quantitative adjustment device, the device The structure becomes complicated. Furthermore, the initial cost of the device itself is increased and the subsequent running cost is increased. For this reason, it is not preferable that the structure of the paint mixing apparatus is complicated.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a paint mixing apparatus capable of simplifying the structure.

The paint mixing apparatus according to claim 1 of the present application includes a plurality of paint holding tanks for holding paints of different colors, connected devices to which paint is supplied from the paint holding tanks, and the paint holding tanks. A supply passage that communicates with the connected device and guides the paint from each of the paint holding tanks to the connected device, and is provided in each of the supply passages, and sends the paint from the respective paint holding tanks to the connected device A pump, a valve provided in each supply passage for opening and closing the supply passage, a flow meter for detecting the amount of paint supplied to the connected device, and controlling the operation of the pump and the operation of the valve A control unit. The control unit is provided in the supply passage connecting the plurality of paint holding tanks to be used and the connected devices when different paints supplied from the plurality of paint holding tanks are mixed in the connected device. The paint holding tank on the side to which the paint is not supplied and the paint holding tank to supply the paint to the connected device one by one from the plurality of paint holding tanks one by one The pump provided in the supply passage connecting to the connected device is stopped and the valve is closed .

  In the paint mixing device according to claim 2 of the present application, in the paint mixing device according to claim 1, the connected device is a mixing tank.

  In the paint mixing apparatus according to claim 3 of the present application, in the paint mixing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, the flowmeter is provided in each of the mixing passages.

  In the paint mixing apparatus according to claim 4 of the present application, in the paint mixing apparatus according to claim 2, the flow meter is provided downstream of the mixing tank.

  In the paint mixing apparatus of the present invention, when mixing paints, the paints are mixed one by one from the paint holding tank used among the plurality of paint holding tanks. This cycle is repeated a plurality of times. Since the degree of mixing increases according to the number of repetitions, the number of repetitions may be set in accordance with the desired degree of mixing (quality). In other words, if the total amount of paint supplied in one round is reduced, the degree of mixing increases. Therefore, the total quantity of paint supplied in one round may be determined according to the degree of confusion to be obtained. Since the paints are easily mixed by mixing the paints one by one in order, there is no need for a separate device for mixing paints such as a stick mixer. For this reason, the structure of a coating material mixing apparatus can be simplified.

  Furthermore, by mixing the paints from the plurality of paint holding tanks to the connected devices one by one in order, there is no need for a quantitative mixing device that adjusts the amount of paint mixed from each paint holding tank to the connected devices. This point will be specifically described.

  When mixing paint from a plurality of paint holding tanks to the connected device, by mixing one by one in order, for the mixing passage that connects the paint holding tank mixing the paint and the connected device, There is no pressure in the direction that obstructs the flow of the paint (pressure from the connected device side toward the paint holding tank side).

  For this reason, the correlation between the time when the valve is open and the amount of paint to be mixed is constant, and therefore the amount of paint to be mixed can be adjusted by controlling the time when the valve is open. Become. As a result, since a separate quantitative mixing device or the like is not required, the configuration of the paint mixing device can be simplified.

  Moreover, the paint to be mixed can be mixed efficiently by using the mixing tank as the connected device.

  Further, by providing a flow meter in each mixing passage, the amount of paint mixed from each paint holding tank can be detected. For this reason, when there is a shortage in the total amount of the mixed paint, it is possible to detect the shortage of paint type and the shortage amount in each paint type. Also, the mixing ratio of the paint can be maintained.

  Also, by providing a flow meter downstream of the mixing tank, the amount of paint mixed in the mixing tank is measured, so the number of flow meters is not increased, and therefore the structure of the paint mixing device Can be simplified.

Schematic which shows operation | movement of the coating material coating system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the coating material mixing apparatus shown by FIG. 1, and operation | movement of a gun. Schematic which shows the coating material coating system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the coating material mixing apparatus shown by FIG. 3, and operation | movement of a gun. Schematic which shows the coating material coating system which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the coating material mixing apparatus shown by FIG. 5, and operation | movement of a gun. Schematic which shows the coating material coating system which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the coating material mixing apparatus shown by FIG. 7, and operation | movement of a gun.

  A paint mixing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic view schematically showing a paint mixing apparatus 20 of the present embodiment. FIG. 1 is also a schematic view schematically showing a state in which a paint application gun 10 is connected to the paint mixing apparatus 20.

  The paint mixing apparatus 20 and the gun 10 constitute a paint application system 200 that applies paint to an automobile body 100 that is an example of an object to be coated with paint. The paint mixing device 20 and the gun 10 can be connected (coupled) to each other and can be disconnected.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the paint mixing device 20 includes a plurality of paint holding tanks, a mixing tank 30, a supply system 40, a flow meter 50, a connecting pipe 60, and a control device 70.

  The plurality of paint holding tanks hold different colors of paint. In the present embodiment, as an example, a first paint holding tank 80 that holds white paint and a second paint holding tank 90 that holds black paint are provided. The first and second paint holding tanks 80 and 90 are examples of the paint holding tank referred to in the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, two paint holding tanks 80 and 90 are used as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The number of paint holding tanks can be increased or decreased depending on the desired color, and the number is not limited.

  The mixing tank 30 is connected to the first and second paint holding tanks 80 and 90 by a supply system 40 which will be described later, and the paint held by the first and second paint holding tanks 80 and 90 is supplied to the mixing tank 30. The paint can be mixed and held. In the present embodiment, the mixing tank 30 is an example of a connected device referred to in the present invention.

  The supply system 40 connects each of the first and second paint holding tanks 80 and 90 and the mixing tank 30 in an independent state. In the present embodiment, since the first and second paint holding tanks 80 and 90 are used, the supply system 40 includes a first supply system 41 that connects the first paint holding tank 80 and the mixing tank 30. And a second supply system 42 that connects the second paint holding tank 90 and the mixing tank 30 to each other.

  Since the supply system connects each paint holding tank and the mixing tank, for example, a plurality of different paint holding tanks (paint holding tanks other than the first and second paint holding tanks 80 and 90, for example, five or six In the case of a structure including one paint holding tank), each of the plurality of paint holding tanks and the mixing tank are connected to each other by a supply system. The structure of the supply system used for each paint holding tank may be the same as each other. An example of the structure of the supply system will be described using the first and second supply systems 41 and 42.

  The first supply system 41 includes a first supply passage 43, a first pump 44, and a first valve 45. The first supply passage 43 is formed of, for example, a pipe member, one end is connected to the mixing tank 30 and communicates with the mixing tank 30, and the other end is connected to the first paint holding tank 80. The first paint holding tank 80 communicates with the first paint holding tank 80. The first supply passage 43 is an example of the supply passage referred to in the present invention.

  The first supply passage 43 communicates the first paint holding tank 80 and the mixing tank 30. The first pump 44 is provided in the first supply passage 43 and can discharge and supply the paint held in the first paint holding tank 80 toward the mixing tank 30. The first pump 44 is an example of a pump referred to in the present invention.

  The first valve 45 is provided in the first supply passage 43. As an example, the first valve 45 is provided in the first supply passage 43 at a position downstream of the first pump 44 and upstream of the mixing tank 30. The first valve 45 opens and closes the first supply passage 43. In a state where the first valve 45 is open, the paint passes through the first valve 45 and is guided to the mixing tank 30. In the state where the first valve 45 is closed, the paint cannot pass through the first valve 45, and therefore the paint is not led to the mixing tank 30. The first valve 45 is an example of a valve referred to in the present invention.

  The second supply system 42 includes a second supply passage 46, a second pump 47, and a second valve 48. The second supply passage 46 is formed of, for example, a pipe member, and one end is connected to the mixing tank 30 and communicates with the mixing tank 30, and the other end is connected to the second paint holding tank 90 and It communicates with the second paint holding tank 90. The second supply passage 46 is an example of the supply passage in the present invention.

  The second supply passage 46 communicates the second paint holding tank 90 and the mixing tank 30. The second pump 47 is provided in the second supply passage 46, and can discharge and supply the paint in the second paint holding tank 90 toward the mixing tank 30. The second pump 47 is an example of a pump referred to in the present invention.

  The second valve 48 is provided in the second supply passage 46. As an example, the second valve 48 is provided at a position downstream of the second pump 47 and upstream of the mixing tank 30 in the second supply passage 46. The second valve 48 opens and closes the second supply passage 46. In a state where the second valve 48 is open, the paint passes through the second valve 48 and is guided to the mixing tank 30. With the second valve 48 closed, no paint can pass through the second valve 48, and therefore no paint is directed to the mixing tank 30. The second valve 48 is an example of a valve referred to in the present invention.

  The connecting pipe 60 is connected to the mixing tank 30. The connecting pipe 60 and the mixing tank 30 communicate with each other. The connecting pipe 60 can guide the paint held in the mixing tank 30 to the gun 10. For this reason, the position of the connecting pipe 60 is located downstream of the mixing tank 30 in the flow of paint from the first and second paint holding tanks 80, 90 to the gun 10. The downstream referred to here is the downstream referred to in the present invention.

  A valve 31 is provided at a portion of the mixing tank 30 that is connected to the connecting pipe 60. When the valve is closed, the paint in the mixing tank 30 does not go outside through the connecting pipe 60, so that the paint can be held in the mixing tank 30 when the valve 31 is closed. When the valve is open, the paint in the mixing tank 30 can be discharged to the connecting pipe 60. This valve is not limited to being provided in the mixing tank 30. For example, it may be provided in the connecting pipe 60.

  The connecting tube 60 is detachably connected to the gun 10. The gun 10 applies the paint to the body 100 by spraying the paint on the body 100 of the automobile, for example. The gun 10 includes a tank 11 that holds the paint. In a state where the connecting pipe 60 is connected to the gun 10, the paint can be guided from the mixing tank 30 into the tank 11 of the gun 10. A pump 32 that discharges and supplies paint from the mixing tank 30 to the tank 11 is provided in the connecting pipe 60.

  The gun 10 performs internal application type electrostatic coating. For this reason, when the paint is sprayed from the gun 10, an electric charge is applied to the paint in the gun 10. The paint sprayed from the gun 10 is guided to the body 100 by electric charges.

  For this reason, when the paint is sprayed from the gun 10, the connecting pipe 60 is removed from the gun 10 to prevent current from flowing from the gun 10 to the paint mixing device 20. When the gun 10 is of the external application type (the charge is applied to the paint after the paint is sprayed from the gun 10), the connecting pipe 60 is connected to the mixing tank 30 when the gun 10 sprays the paint. It may be in the state where it was done.

  The flow meter 50 is provided in the connecting pipe 60 and detects the flow rate of the paint flowing through the connecting pipe 60. The flow meter 50 is an example of a flow meter referred to in the present invention.

  The control device 70 controls the operation of the first and second valves 45 and 48 and the operation of the first and second pumps 44 and 47. Further, the control device 70 transmits data on the amount of paint detected by the flow meter 50 from the flow meter 50. In the present embodiment, as an example, the control device 70 controls the operations of the valve 31, the pump 32, and the gun 10. The control device 70 is an example of a control unit referred to in the present invention.

  The first and second valves 45 and 48, the first and second pumps 44 and 47, the flow meter 50, the valve 31, the pump 32, and the gun 10 are connected to the control device 70 by wire to operate signals and data. May be transmitted or received, or operation signals and data may be transmitted and received in a wireless format.

  Next, the operation combining the operation of the paint mixing device 20 and the operation of the gun 10, that is, the operation of mixing the paints and finishing applying the mixed paint to the body 100 (the operation of the paint application system 200). Will be explained.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the paint application system 200. In the present embodiment, as an example, the paint mixing device 20 creates 200 ml (milliliter) of paint formed by mixing white: black at a ratio of 4: 1, and applies the paint mixed with the gun 10 to the body 100. The operation will be described as an example. In addition, 200 ml is the quantity of the coating material used by one application | coating operation | movement with respect to one body 100 as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 2, first, the worker inputs the paint mixture ratio to the control device 70 in step ST1. At this time, the worker inputs the data from the input unit 71 of the control device 70. In the present embodiment, as described above, as an example, 200 ml of a coating formed by mixing white: black at a ratio of 4: 1 is formed. For this reason, the ratio of white: black is input as 4: 1. Then, the process proceeds to step ST2.

  In step ST <b> 2, the worker inputs the required amount of paint to the control device 70 from the input unit 71. In this embodiment, the worker inputs 200 ml as an example. Then, the process proceeds to step ST3.

  In step ST <b> 3, the worker inputs the discharge amount in one cycle to the control device 70. In the present embodiment, as an example, the total discharge amount in one cycle is 20 ml. In addition, what is necessary is just to set the sum total of the discharge amount of the coating material of 1 cycle according to the quality (mixing degree) of the mixed paint to obtain | require (step ST3). When the input of the discharge amount in one cycle is completed, the process proceeds to step ST4.

  In step ST4, the control device 70 calculates the number of cycle discharges. Here, the number of cycle discharges will be described. First, the mixing of the paint into the mixing tank 30 will be specifically described.

  The control device 70 includes first and second pumps 44 and 47 and first and second valves so as to supply paint to the mixing tank 30 in order from one of the first and second paint holding tanks 80 and 90. 45 and 48 are controlled.

  Specifically, first, the first valve 45 is opened and the first pump 44 is driven in order to discharge the paint from the first paint holding tank 80 toward the mixing tank 30. At this time, the second pump 47 is stopped and the second valve 48 is closed. Thus, when the paint is supplied from the first paint holding tank 80, the paint is not supplied from the second paint holding tank 90.

  Next, the second valve 48 is opened and the second pump 47 is driven to supply the paint from the second paint holding tank 90 to the mixing tank 30. At this time, the operation of the first pump 44 is stopped and the first valve 45 is closed. For this reason, when the paint is supplied from the second paint holding tank 90, the paint is not supplied from the first paint holding tank 80.

  Moreover, when supplying a coating material in order from the 1st, 2nd coating material holding tanks 80 and 90, the total amount of the coating material supplied in one circuit shall be 20 ml, for example. Specifically, the cycle in which the paint is supplied from the first paint holding tank 80 and then the paint is supplied from the second paint holding tank 90 is defined as one cycle, and is supplied into the mixing tank 30 during this one cycle. The total amount of paint applied, that is, the total amount of paint supplied from the first paint holding tank 80 and the amount of paint supplied from the second paint holding tank 90 during one cycle is 20 ml.

  Even when the paint is supplied to the mixing tank 30 from another plurality of paint holding tanks such as five or six, for example, the plurality of paint holding tanks are sequentially supplied once (one cycle). At the same time, the total amount of paint supplied into the mixing tank 30 during one cycle is 20 ml.

  The cycle discharge number calculation is to calculate how many cycles are required with respect to the required paint amount obtained in step ST2.

  For this reason, in step ST4, the number of cycles is calculated based on the required paint requirement input in step ST2 and the paint supply amount in one cycle. In the present embodiment, since the required amount of paint is 200 ml and the discharge amount in one cycle is 20 ml, the number of cycle discharges is 10.

  For example, when the required amount of paint is 210 ml, the number of cycle discharges is 10.5 times. If a decimal number appears, it is moved up, and therefore the number of cycle discharges is 11. When the cycle discharge count is calculated, the process proceeds to step ST5.

  In this embodiment, the total amount of paint in one cycle is set to 20 ml. In addition, since the mixing ratio of the paint is 4: 1, the amount of paint supplied from the first paint holding tank 80 in one cycle is 16 ml, and the paint discharged from the second paint holding tank 90 in one cycle. Is 4 ml.

  For example, when the required paint amount is 210 ml, the number of cycle discharges is 11. For this reason, even if the discharge amount in one cycle is 20 ml in advance, the discharge amount in one cycle is approximately 19 ml. Thus, although the total supply amount of paint in one cycle is set in advance (in this embodiment, it is set to 20 ml as an example), it is changed depending on the number of cycle discharges calculated in step ST4.

  In step ST5, the control device 70 calculates the discharge time of the paint from each of the first and second paint holding tanks 80 and 90 during one cycle. In the present embodiment, the amount of paint discharged by the first pump 44 per unit time (per second) is always the same. The same applies to the second pump 47. For this reason, the amount of paint supplied from the first and second paint holding tanks 80 and 90 varies depending on the opening time of the first and second valves 45 and 48. The paint discharge time referred to here is the time for opening the first and second valves 45 and 48 in one cycle.

  The correlation between the opening time of the first valve 45 and the amount of paint supplied within the opening time is stored in advance in the control device 70 as data such as a map. Similarly, the correlation between the opening time of the second valve 48 and the amount of paint supplied within the opening time is stored in the control device 70 as data such as a map in advance.

  Therefore, in step ST5, the first and second valves 45 in one cycle are based on the supply amounts from the first and second paint holding tanks 80 and 90 in one cycle and the data such as the map described above. , 48 are calculated.

  In this embodiment, as an example, the performance (discharge force) of the first and second pumps 44 and 47 is the same, so the opening time of the first valve 45 is 4 times the opening time of the second valve 48. Doubled. Then, the process proceeds to step ST6.

  In step ST <b> 6, the control device 70 controls the operations of the first and second pumps 44 and 47 and the operations of the first and second valves 45 and 48 in order to supply the paint to the mixing tank 30. Specifically, paint is supplied one by one from the first and second paint holding tanks 80 and 90 during one cycle, and 16 ml of paint is supplied from the first paint holding tank 80 during one cycle. The operation of the first and second pumps 44 and 47 is performed so that 4 ml of the paint is supplied to the mixing tank 30 and discharged from the second paint holding tank 90 to the mixing tank 30 during one cycle. The operation of the second valves 45 and 48 is controlled.

  More specifically, first, the first valve 45 is opened and the first pump 44 is driven so that 16 ml of the paint is supplied from the first paint holding tank 80. At this time, the second valve 48 is closed and the second pump 47 is stopped so that the paint is not supplied from the second supply system 42 (second paint holding tank 90).

  Next, when the first valve 45 for the discharge time calculated in step ST5 is opened, the first valve 45 is closed and the first pump 44 is stopped. As a result, the paint is not supplied from the first supply system 41 (first paint holding tank 80).

  Next, in order to supply 4 ml of paint from the second paint holding tank 90, the second valve 48 is opened and the second pump 47 is driven. When the second valve 48 opens for the discharge time calculated in step ST5, the second valve 48 is closed and the second pump 47 is stopped.

  The above operation is one cycle. When the paint is supplied to the mixing tank 30, the valve 31 of the mixing tank 30 is closed and the operation of the pump 32 is performed so that the paint does not flow out of the mixing tank 30 through the connecting pipe 60. Stopped.

  Since the operation of one cycle described above is performed 10 times (10 cycles), the paint is supplied into the mixing tank 30 little by little, so that the paint is used for mixing the paints. It is naturally mixed well without the need for a mixer. When the supply of the paint over 10 cycles is completed, the process proceeds to step ST7.

  In step ST7, when the supply of the paint over 10 cycles is completed, the control device 70 stops the operation of the first and second pumps 44 and 47, and the first and second valves 45 and 48 are closed. For this reason, the paint is not supplied to the mixing tank 30 from the first and second paint holding tanks 80 and 90. Then, the process proceeds to step ST8.

  In step ST <b> 8, the paint supplied and mixed in the mixing tank 30 is filled in the tank 11 of the gun 10. Specifically, when it is confirmed that the connecting pipe 60 is connected to the gun 10, for example, the valve 31 of the mixing tank 30 is opened and the pump 32 is operated, so that the gun 10 is moved from the mixing tank 30. The tank 11 is filled with paint. This operation may be performed by the control device 70 or may be performed by an operator. In this embodiment, the control apparatus 70 performs as an example. In other words, the control device 70 controls the operation of the valve 31 and the operation of the pump 32.

  At this time, the amount of paint filled in the tank 11 of the gun 10 is detected by the flow meter 50. The amount of paint detected by the flow meter 50 is transmitted to the control device 70. Then, the process proceeds to step ST9.

  In step ST9, when all the paint in the mixing tank 30 is filled in the tank 11 of the gun 10, the paint filling operation is finished. Specifically, the control device 70 takes in advance the discharge amount per unit time of the pump 32 and stores it as data such as a map, and when the pump 32 operates for a predetermined time, as the filling is completed, the valve of the mixing tank 30 is closed, The operation of the pump that discharges the paint from the mixing tank 30 stops. Then, the process proceeds to step ST10. Note that the operation of step ST9 may be performed by the control device 70 or may be performed by an operator. In this embodiment, the control apparatus 70 performs as an example.

  In step ST10, the control device 70 confirms the amount of paint filled in the tank 11 of the gun 10 from the detection result of the flow meter 50. Then, the process proceeds to step ST11.

  In step ST11, the control device 70 determines whether or not the amount of paint filled in the tank 11 of the gun 10 is within an allowable range. The allowable amount can be arbitrarily set with respect to the required paint amount input in step ST1, and is input to the control device 70 in advance. If control device 70 determines that the amount detected by flow meter 50 is within the allowable range, control device 70 proceeds to step ST12.

  In step ST <b> 12, the gun 10 is operated under the control of the control device 70 and the paint is applied to the body 100. Specifically, the connecting pipe 60 is removed from the gun 10 before the gun 10 sprays the paint. As a result, the connection between the gun 10 and the paint mixing device 20 is released. The gun 10 is an internal application type. By releasing the connection between the gun 10 and the paint mixing device 20, it is possible to suppress a current from flowing to the paint mixing device 20 through the connection pipe 60. Then, the process proceeds to step ST13.

  In the present embodiment, the control device 70 controls the operation of the gun 10 as an example. However, for example, an operator or the like may control the operation of the gun 10.

  In step ST <b> 13, when the application of the paint to the body 100 is completed, the control device 70 ends the painting operation by the gun 10. Then, the process proceeds to step ST14.

  In step ST14, the color of the paint that the gun 10 applies next is confirmed. Specifically, the worker next confirms the color of the paint applied to the body 100.

  If it is determined in step ST14 that the next color used in the coating operation is a different color, the process proceeds to step ST15. In step ST15, the paint mixing apparatus 20 is cleaned. Specifically, as an example, an operator cleans the flow path from the mixing tank 30 to the gun 10 and the tank 11 of the gun 10. This is to prevent the color of the paint used before from being mixed with the color of the paint used previously.

  When the cleaning is completed, the application operation by the paint mixing device 20 and the gun 10 is completed. Next, when a paint of a different color is created and applied to the body 100, the process returns to step ST1 and processing is performed from step ST1.

  In step ST11, when the amount of paint filled in the gun 10 is not within the allowable range, the process proceeds to step ST16. In step ST16, the control device 70 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the operation of supplying the paint from the first and second paint holding tanks 80, 90. Then, the process proceeds to step ST17. In step ST17, the mixing tank 30 and the connecting pipe 60 are cleaned by, for example, an operator. Then, the process proceeds to step ST18.

  In step ST <b> 18, the control device 70 calculates the paint shortage based on the comparison between the paint quantity detected by the flow meter 50 and the paint quantity to be filled in the tank 11 of the gun 10. This shortage is the amount that it is desired to fill the tank 11 of the gun 10 further.

  In step ST18, the control device 70 determines the first and second valves 45, based on the amount of paint detected by the flow meter 50 with respect to the time when the first and second valves 45, 48 are actually opened. Data on the opening time of 48 and the supply amount of paint are updated.

  In this case, the mixing ratio of the paint detected by the flow meter 50 and recognized as being filled in the tank 11 of the gun 10 is assumed to be the same as the mixing ratio input in step ST1. Data on the correlation between the opening time of the second valves 45 and 48 and the discharge amount is updated. That is, the mixing ratio of the white paint and the black paint in the supplied paint is calculated on the assumption that 4: 1 is maintained. The updated correlation data is used in step ST5. In step ST5, the discharge time in one cycle (time for opening the first and second valves 45 and 48) is calculated, and the mixing is performed for the time for opening the first and second valves 45 and 48 used here. The data of the amount of paint to be updated (for example, a map or the like) is updated in step ST18.

  In the paint mixing apparatus 20 configured as described above, when a paint having a desired color is created by mixing the paint held by the first paint holding tank 80 and the paint held by the second paint holding tank 90, The paints are supplied one by one from the first and second paint holding tanks 80 and 90 in order. By supplying the paints one by one in order, the paints are easily mixed.

  In this way, when a plurality of paints are mixed to create a paint of a desired color, the paint holding tank to which the paint is to be supplied and the paint is sequentially supplied from the plurality of paint holding tanks to the mixing tank one by one. By supplying the paint from the paint holding tank other than the paint holding tank at the same time as the paint is being supplied, the paint can be mixed naturally enough. Does not require a device to mix. For this reason, the structure of the coating material mixing apparatus 20 can be simplified.

  Furthermore, the paint is supplied to the mixing tank one by one from a plurality of paint holding tanks, and when the paint holding tank to which the paint is to be supplied is supplying the paint, the paint is supplied from a paint holding tank other than the paint holding tank. Is not supplied at the same time, it is not necessary to provide a quantitative supply device for adjusting the amount of paint supplied from each paint holding tank to the mixing tank 30. This point will be specifically described.

  When supplying paint from a plurality of paint holding tanks to the mixing tank 30, the supply passage connecting the paint holding tank supplying the paint and the mixing tank 30 by sequentially supplying the paint one by one, There is no pressure in the direction that obstructs the flow of the paint (pressure from the mixing tank 30 side toward the paint holding tank side).

  For example, when supplying the paint from the first and second paint holding tanks 80 and 90 to the mixing tank 30 simultaneously, the pressure from the second pump 47 acts on the first supply passage 43 from the side of the mixing tank 30. Similarly, the pressure from the first pump 44 acts on the second supply passage 46 from the mixing tank 30 side.

  As a result, the correlation between the time during which the first and second valves 45 and 48 are open and the amount of paint to be supplied is not constant. Is required.

  However, as described in the present embodiment, when the paint is supplied from the first paint holding tank 80, the paint is not supplied from the second paint holding tank 90, and the second paint holding tank is used. By preventing the paint from being supplied from the first paint holding tank 80 when the paint is supplied from 90, a pressure that impedes the flow of the paint in the supply passage connected to the paint holding tank that supplies the paint. Does not work.

  For this reason, the correlation between the time during which the valve is open and the amount of paint to be supplied is constant, so that the amount of paint to be supplied can be adjusted by controlling the time during which the valve is open. Become. As a result, since a separate quantitative supply device or the like is not required, the configuration of the paint mixing device 20 can be simplified.

  In addition, by appropriately setting and matching the quality (mixing degree) of the mixed paint for obtaining the amount of paint applied in one cycle, a plurality of types of paint supplied in one cycle can be mixed with the desired quality. become.

  Further, since the mixing tank 30 is used, the paint can be mixed efficiently. In addition, since the flow meter 50 is provided downstream of the mixing tank 30, the number of flow meters is not increased (in this embodiment, one flow meter is used). For this reason, the structure of the coating material mixing apparatus 20 can be simplified.

  In addition, even if it is a structure provided with a plurality of paint holding tanks (in this embodiment, the first and second paint holding tanks 80 and 90 as an example), only the paint held by any one of the paint holding tanks is used. When an abnormality occurs in the filling amount of the paint into the tank 11 of the gun 10, the flow meter 50 can accurately determine from which paint holding tank the abnormality has occurred in the supply.

  Next, a paint mixing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the structure which has the same function as 1st Embodiment attaches | subjects the same code | symbol as 1st Embodiment, and abbreviate | omits description. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the arrangement structure of the flowmeter. Other structures may be the same as those in the first embodiment. The different points will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic view schematically showing the paint application system 200 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the arrangement structure of the flowmeter is different from that of the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, a first flow meter 51 and a second flow meter 52 are provided instead of the flow meter 50.

  The first flow meter 51 is provided in the first supply passage 43. The first flow meter 51 is disposed between the first valve 45 and the mixing tank 30 and detects the amount of paint passing through the first supply passage 43. The first flow meter 51 is an example of a flow meter referred to in the present invention.

  The second flow meter 52 is provided in the second supply passage 46. The second flow meter 52 is disposed between the second valve 48 and the mixing tank 30 and detects the amount of paint passing through the second supply passage 46. The second flow meter 52 is an example of a flow meter referred to in the present invention.

  The detection results of the first and second flow meters 51 and 52 are transmitted to the control device 70. For example, in the case of a structure including five or six supply passages, a flow meter is provided in each of the plurality of supply passages, and a detection result of each flow meter is transmitted to the control device 70.

  Next, the operation of the paint application system 200 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the paint application system 200 of this embodiment. Note that steps indicating the same operations as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same step symbols as those in FIG.

  In this embodiment, when the paint is supplied from the first and second paint holding tanks 80 and 90 to the mixing tank 30 in steps ST6 and ST7, the first and second flowmeters 51 and 52 are used to The amount of paint supplied from each of the paint holding tanks 80 and 90 (total amount of paint supplied in all cycles) is detected.

  In step ST10, the control device 70 assumes that the total amount of paint detected by the first and second flow meters 51, 52 is the total amount of paint filled in the tank 11 of the gun 10, and the tank 11 of the gun 10 It is determined whether or not the amount filled in is an allowable value.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, step ST20 is used instead of step ST18, and the process proceeds to step ST20 after step ST17. In step ST20, the control device 70 compares the paint required amount input to the control device 70 in step ST2 with the total amount of paint detected by the first and second flowmeters 51 and 52, and the paint shortage amount. , And from the detection results of the first and second flow meters 51 and 52, the insufficient amount of paint supplied from the first paint holding tank 80 and the second paint holding tank 90 are supplied. The amount of paint shortage is calculated for each.

  Further, the control device 70 adjusts the opening time of the first and second valves 45 and 48 based on the insufficient amount of the paint held by the first and second paint holding tanks 80 and 90. Specifically, the amount of paint supplied from the first and second paint holding tanks 80 and 90 obtained based on the detection results of the first and second flow meters 51 and 52, and the first and second valves 45. , 48 based on the actual opening time, the correlation between the opening time of each of the first and second valves 45, 48 and the amount of paint supplied is calculated, and the first, second valves 45, 48 are calculated. The opening time of the paint, the amount of paint supplied, and data (for example, a map) are updated. Then, the process returns to step ST5.

  In step ST5, the control device 70 calculates the data calculated in step ST20 and updated based on the correlation data between the opening times of the first and second valves 45 and 48 and the supplied paint. The opening time of the first and second valves 45 and 48 is calculated. Subsequent operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, by providing the first and second flow meters 51 and 52, the amounts of paint supplied from the first and second paint holding tanks 80 and 90 can be detected, respectively. For this reason, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, when a shortage occurs in the paint filled in the tank 11 of the gun 10, the mixing ratio in the paint further supplied to compensate for the shortage can be obtained. Therefore, the mixing ratio of the paint filled in the tank 11 of the gun 10 can be maintained at a desired mixing ratio.

  Next, a paint mixing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the structure which has the same function as 1st Embodiment attaches | subjects the same code | symbol as 1st Embodiment, and abbreviate | omits description. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the paint mixing device 20 does not include the mixing tank 30. Other structures may be the same as those in the first embodiment. The above different points will be specifically described.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the paint application system 200 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the paint mixing apparatus 20 of this embodiment does not include the mixing tank 30. For this reason, neither the valve 31 nor the pump 32 is provided.

  The connecting pipe 60 is connected to the joining portion 250 of the first and second supply passages 43 and 46. For this reason, the flow meter 50 is disposed downstream of the joining portion 250 of the first and second supply passages 43 and 46. The connecting pipe 60 is an example of a connecting portion referred to in the present invention.

  For example, in the case of a structure in which five or six supply passages are used, the flow meter 50 is provided downstream of the joining portion of the plurality of supply passages. In the present embodiment, the paint is mixed in the tank 11 of the gun 10. In the present embodiment, the gun 10 is an example of a connected device referred to in the present invention.

  Operation | movement of the coating material coating system 200 of this embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the paint application system 200 of the present embodiment. In FIG. 6, steps showing operations similar to those in the flowchart described in FIG. 2 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the structure is not provided with the mixing tank 30, but the paint is mixed in the tank 11 of the gun 10. For this reason, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, steps ST8 and ST9 are omitted, and the paint is directly supplied to the tank 11.

  In this embodiment, since the mixing tank 30 is not used, in addition to the effect of 1st Embodiment, the structure of the coating material mixing apparatus 20 can be simplified further.

  Next, a paint mixing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the structure which has the same function as 2nd Embodiment attaches | subjects the same code | symbol as 2nd Embodiment, and abbreviate | omits description. This embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that the paint mixing device 20 does not include the mixing tank 30. Other structures may be the same as in the second embodiment. The different points will be specifically described.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the paint application system 200 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the paint mixing apparatus 20 of this embodiment does not include the mixing tank 30, and the paint is mixed in the tank 11 of the gun 10. For this reason, neither the valve 31 nor the pump 32 is provided. In the present embodiment, the gun 10 is an example of a connected device referred to in the present invention.

  Next, the operation of the paint application system 200 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the paint application system 200. In FIG. 8, steps showing the same operations as those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. In the present embodiment, the paint is mixed in the tank 11 of the gun 10. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, in this embodiment, steps ST8 and ST9 are omitted and the paint is directly supplied to the tank 11 with respect to the operation described in FIG. 4 of the second embodiment. .

  In this embodiment, since the mixing tank 30 is not used, in addition to the effect of 2nd Embodiment, the structure of the coating material mixing apparatus 20 can be simplified further.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, you may delete some components from all the components shown by embodiment mentioned above. Furthermore, you may combine the component covering different embodiment suitably.
Hereinafter, the invention described in the scope of claims of the present application will be appended.
[Appendix 1]
A plurality of paint holding tanks each holding paint of a different color;
Connected device to which paint is supplied from each paint holding tank;
A supply passage that communicates the paint holding tank and the connected device, and guides the paint from the paint holding tank to the connected device;
A pump that is provided in each of the supply passages and feeds the paint from each of the paint holding tanks to the connected device;
A valve provided in each supply passage to open and close the supply passage;
A flow meter for detecting the amount of paint supplied to the connected device;
A control unit for controlling the operation of the pump and the operation of the valve;
Comprising
The control unit is provided in the supply passage that connects the plurality of paint holding tanks to be used and the connected devices when different paints supplied from the plurality of paint holding tanks are mixed in the connected device. The operation of the pump and the valve is controlled, and the paint is supplied to the connected device one by one from the plurality of paint holding tanks one by one.
A paint mixing apparatus characterized by that.
[Appendix 2]
The connected device is a mixing tank
The paint mixing apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein:
[Appendix 3]
The flow meter is provided in each mixing passage.
The paint mixing apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1 or Supplementary Note 2, wherein
[Appendix 4]
The flow meter is provided downstream of the mixing tank.
The paint mixing apparatus according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Gun (device to be connected), 20 ... Paint mixing device, 30 ... Mixing tank, 43 ... First supply passage (supply passage), 44 ... First pump (pump), 45 ... First valve (valve) ), 46 ... second supply passage (supply passage), 47 ... second pump (pump), 48 ... second valve (valve), 50 ... flow meter, 51 ... first flow meter (flow meter) 52 ... second flow meter (flow meter), 60 ... connecting pipe (connecting portion), 70 ... control device (control portion), 80 ... first paint holding tank (paint holding tank), 90 ... second Paint holding tank (paint holding tank), 250.

Claims (4)

A plurality of paint holding tanks each holding paint of a different color;
Connected device to which paint is supplied from each paint holding tank;
A supply passage that communicates the paint holding tank and the connected device, and guides the paint from the paint holding tank to the connected device;
A pump that is provided in each of the supply passages and feeds the paint from each of the paint holding tanks to the connected device;
A valve provided in each supply passage to open and close the supply passage;
A flow meter for detecting the amount of paint supplied to the connected device;
A control unit that controls the operation of the pump and the operation of the valve;
The control unit is provided in the supply passage connecting the plurality of paint holding tanks to be used and the connected devices when different paints supplied from the plurality of paint holding tanks are mixed in the connected device. The paint holding tank on the side to which the paint is not supplied and the paint holding tank to supply the paint to the connected device one by one from the plurality of paint holding tanks one by one A paint mixing apparatus, wherein the pump provided in the supply passage connecting to a connected apparatus is stopped and the valve is closed . The paint mixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connected apparatus is a mixing tank. The said flow meter is provided in each said mixing channel. The coating material mixing apparatus of Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. The paint mixing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the flow meter is provided downstream of the mixing tank.

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