WO2006132214A1

WO2006132214A1 - Device for replacing coating material tank

Info

Publication number: WO2006132214A1
Application number: PCT/JP2006/311281
Authority: WO
Inventors: Takao Nomura; Shigeyoshi Inada; Shinichi Nakane; Shigeki Fujiwara; Takanobu Mori; Kengo Honma; Akira Kato; Yasushi Ogawa
Original assignee: Trinity Industrial Corporation; Toyota Jidosha Kabusiki Kaisha
Priority date: 2005-06-06
Filing date: 2006-06-06
Publication date: 2006-12-14
Also published as: JP2006334551A; JP4832001B2

Abstract

A coating material tank replacement device (1) enables extremely simple and quick replacement in a tight space of the coating material tank (3) which is attached to and detached from a coating machine (2) by laterally sliding the tank (3). The coating material tank replacement device (1) has a stocker (10), a tank installation device (20), and a tank recovery device (30). In the stocker (10), vertically movable magazines (12) are arranged around the outer periphery of a horizontally rotating frame (13), and each magazine (12) has a required number of vertically arranged tank holders (11) each contain one coating material tank (3). The tank installation device (20) pulls out a coating material tank (3) from a tank holder (11) positioned at a preset tank take-out position (TP) and pushes out the tank (3) into the coating machine (2). The tank recovery device (30) returns a used coating material tank (3used), sent out from the coating machine (2) when the tank (3) is slid and pushed in, to a tank holder (11) positioned at a tank recovery position (RP) of the stocker (10).

Description

Specification

Paint tank changer

Technical field

[0001] In the present invention, the paint tank is slid in a direction perpendicular to a mounting axis assumed to pass through the paint machine and the paint tank with the paint tank attached to the rear end side of the paint machine. The present invention relates to a paint tank exchange device that removes a used paint tank and replaces a paint tank by installing a new paint tank on a coating machine that attaches and detaches a paint tank by riding.

Background art

[0002] Paints using organic solvents are the mainstream for painting automobile bodies, but from the viewpoint of environmental protection and pollution prevention, reducing volatile organic solvents generated in large quantities in the painting process! As a countermeasure, painting with water-based paint is attracting attention.

[0003] In order to use water-based paint without waste, it is preferable to apply with an electrostatic coating machine having high coating efficiency, but water-based paint is electrostatically passed through paint flowing through a paint supply system having low electrical resistance. Since the rotary atomizing head of the coating machine and the ground side are easily connected, insulation measures must be taken throughout the paint supply system to prevent leakage of the high voltage of 60 to 90 kV applied to the rotary atomizing head. Don't be.

[0004] For this reason, conventionally, a paint tank that is detachably attached to the coating machine is filled with paint, and the paint supply system is electrically shielded by painting out the paint from the paint tank cover. Even if a high voltage is applied to the coating machine, it should not leak.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-317354

[0005] By the way, since the paint tank is usually filled with only the amount of paint necessary to paint one car body, the painting of the preceding car body transported on the painting line is completed. The tank must be changed within a short time before the following car body arrives, and the replacement work is automated.

[0006] For example, a paint tank mounting part is formed on the back side of the machine body with a paint atomizing head formed on the front side. In the case of tank replacement for a built-in coating machine, conventionally, the tank of the tank replacement robot is advanced just above the coating machine positioned at the tank replacement position with the mounting part facing upward. After grabbing the used paint tank, pulling it upward, retracting it to the specified position and storing it, grab a new paint tank and advance it directly above the painting machine, move it downward and push it into the painting machine It is attached by.

[0007] That is, the arm of the replacement robot removes at least the used paint tank attached to the coating machine or pushes and inserts a new paint tank to insert and remove the used paint tank. Since it must be powered in different directions depending on when it is evacuated or when a new paint tank is advanced just above the painting machine, the replacement robot must be enlarged and widened along the painting line to secure a replacement space. There was a problem.

[0008] On the other hand, since automobile bodies with different paint colors are mixed and transported on the painting line, the paint machine must be washed with different colors each time the paint tank is replaced, which requires more time for replacement. There is a need for further shortening.

However, if the used paint tank is stored and the force is not stored, a new paint tank cannot be installed.Therefore, it takes time to replace it, and if you try to do this in a short time, An exchange robot equipped with a separate robot arm for mounting is required, which not only increases the size of the robot itself but also increases the cost.

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0009] Therefore, the present invention has as a technical problem to enable a paint tank to be replaced very simply and quickly even in a narrow space.

Means for solving the problem

[0010] In order to solve this problem, the paint tank replacement device according to the present invention is assumed to be installed in a direction penetrating the paint machine and the paint tank in a state where the paint tank is attached to the rear end side of the paint machine. Remove the used paint tank from the coating machine that slides the paint tank in the direction perpendicular to the axis and removes the paint tank. At the same time, install a new paint tank and replace the paint tank. A device,

A stock force consisting of the required number of tank holders for storing paint tanks one by one Tank holder force positioned at the specified tank take-out position The tank mounting device that pulls out the paint tank and pushes it into the coating machine, and the tank is pushed by the paint tank installed in the coating machine and sent out from the coating machine. And a tank recovery device for returning the used paint tank to a tank holder positioned at a preset tank recovery position.

The invention's effect

[0011] According to the paint tank exchange device of the present invention, a tank holder having an arbitrary stocking force is positioned at the tank take-out position, a new paint tank is taken out by the tank mounting device, and the paint tank is set at the tank change position. It is pushed in the direction perpendicular to the mounting axis of the machine.

At the same time, the used paint tank mounted on the coating machine is pushed to the opposite side perpendicular to the mounting shaft and sent out to the tank recovery device.

Therefore, the used paint tank can be removed and the paint tank can be easily and quickly replaced simply by pushing a new paint tank with the tank mounting device.

[0012] While the tank replacement is completed and painting, the used paint tank is washed and returned to the stock force, and the desired paint tank is drawn from the stock force to the tank mounting device to apply the next color paint. The operation of filling and waiting for the paint can be performed in parallel, and the paint tank can be replaced at the same time as the coating machine arrives at the tank replacement position when painting is completed. It can be shortened.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0013] In this example, for the purpose of exchanging the paint tank in a narrow space very simply and quickly, the left and right side forces are pushed into the new paint tank against the coating machine set at the tank exchange position. This was achieved by replacing the used paint tank so that it was sent out to the other side while it was installed.

FIG. 1 is an external view showing an example of a paint tank changing apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof, FIG. 3 is a front view thereof, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing its operation.

[0015] The paint tank changer 1 shown in Fig. 1 is mounted on the mounting axis X that is assumed to pass through the painter 2 and the paint tank 3 with the paint tank 3 attached to the rear end side of the painter 2. Against this By sliding a new paint tank 3 in a direction orthogonal to the paint tank 3, the used paint tank 3used is sent out and the paint tank 3 is replaced.

The mounting part 4 of the sprayer 2 is mounted by sliding the paint tank 3 with the engaging part 5 downward when the mounting shaft X is set in the vertical direction with this facing upward, and vice versa. It can be removed by sliding it to the side.

[0016] The paint tank changing device 1 is detached from the paint machine, the stocking force 10 for accommodating a large number of paint tanks 3, the tank mounting device 20 for taking out the arbitrary paint tank 3 and mounting it on the coating machine. And a tank recovery device 30 for returning the used paint tank 3used to the stocking force 10.

[0017] The stocker 10 has a magazine 12 in which a required number of tank holders 11 are vertically arranged so that the engaging portions 5 to the coating machine 2 formed on the front end side of the paint tank 3 are directed downward and stored one by one vertically. ································ 1S It is arranged so as to be able to move up and down along the vertical rails 14 ·-provided on the outer periphery of the rotating frame 13 that rotates in the forward and reverse directions.

When the rotary frame 13 is rotated and the predetermined magazine 12 is positioned at the tank take-out position TP and the tank collection position RP set in advance, the magazine 12 is moved up and down by the elevator devices 15 and 16, and an arbitrary tank holder 11 is moved. Can be positioned.

[0018] The tank mounting device 20 is used to pull out the coating tank 3 from the tank holder 11 positioned at the tank take-out position TP and mount it on the coating machine 2, and replace the tank with the coating machine 2. Positioned on one side of CP.

This tank mounting device 20 is a piston cylinder in which a chuck 23 for gripping the paint tank 3 is formed at a tip on a turntable 22 that forms a guide 21 that guides the paint tank 3 drawn back and forth in a state where the paint tank 3 pulled out from the stocker 10 is upright. A linear actuator 24 such as is provided.

The turntable 22 has a take-out direction TD for pulling out the paint tank 3 stored in the tank holder 11 positioned at the tank take-out position TP, and a direction in which the drawn paint tank 3 is perpendicular to the mounting axis X of the coating machine 2. Push-in mounting direction It is formed so as to be rotatable with respect to SD. Also, under the turntable 22, after the paint tank 3 is pulled out to the turntable 22, and before the paint tank 3 is mounted, the paint filling device 25 fills the paint tank 3 with a desired color paint. Is arranged.

[0019] As a result, the paint tank 3 of the tank holder 11 positioned at the tank take-out position TP is gripped by the chuck 23 of the linear actuator 24 in the state where the turntable 22 is directed toward the take-out direction TD, and the paint tank 3 After taking out and placing it on the turntable 22 and filling the paint with the paint filling device 25, the tank is replaced by rotating the turntable 22 and extending the linear actuator 24 in the mounting direction SD. Filled paint tank 3 can be installed in the applicator 2 set at position CP.

[0020] The tank recovery device 30 returns the used paint tank 3 _US ed removed from the coating machine 2 to the tank holder 11 positioned at the preset tank recovery position RP. It is arranged on the opposite side of the tank mounting device 20 with the pinch in between.

In this tank recovery device 30, a turntable 32 that forms a guide 31 that guides back and forth in a state where the used paint tank 3 used from the painting machine 2 is set up is placed on the extension line of the installation direction SD from the painting machine 2. It is formed so as to be able to rotate in a receiving direction GD for receiving the used paint tank 3 used, and a collecting direction RD for returning the paint tank 3 to the stock force 10. A linear actuator 34 such as a piston cylinder formed with a chuck 33 for gripping the paint tank 3 is arranged so that it can be moved up and down by a lifting cylinder 35 so as not to disturb the rotating turntable 32. When the turntable 32 is positioned in the collecting direction RD, the turntable 32 is lifted up and is arranged so as to push the used paint tank 3used into the tank holder 11 with respect to the turntable 32.

Also, under the turntable 32, after the used paint tank 3used is drawn out to the turntable 32, before it is returned to the stocker 10, the paint attached to the engaging portion 5 of the used paint tank 3used is washed. A cleaning device 36 to be removed is arranged.

[0021] With this, when the paint tank 3 is attached to the coating machine 2 by the tank mounting device 20 with the turntable 32 facing the receiving direction GD, the used paint tank 3 _US ed is received from the coating machine 2 in the receiving direction. It is pushed out by GD and sent onto the turntable 32. The used paint tank 3uses by the cleaning device 36 in a state where the turntable 32 is rotated and directed in the collecting direction RD. After cleaning and removing paint adhering to the engaging part 5 of d, the tank holder located at the collection position RP is obtained by holding the used paint tank 3used with the chuck 33 and extending the linear actuator 34. 11 Used paint tank 3used can be returned.

[0022] It should be noted that the tank replacement position CP has a cleaning port (not shown) for docking with the coating machine 2 positioned to replace the coating tank 3 and cleaning the paint remaining in the coating machine 2. It is arranged.

The above is an example of the configuration of the present invention.

For example, while painting the car body conveyed by the conveyor with the coating machine 2 equipped with the paint tank 3, the rotating frame 13 is rotated and the desired magazine 12 is moved up and down to follow the car body. The tank holder 11 that accommodates the paint tank 3 for the next color paint, which is the paint color of the car body, is positioned at the tank take-out position TP (FIG. 4 (a)).

Next, the turntable 22 is rotated to the take-out direction TD, the linear actuator 24 is extended, the paint tank 3 is gripped by the chuck 23, transferred onto the turntable 22, and then transferred by the paint filling device 25. Fill with color paint (Fig. 4 (b)).

Then turn the turntable 22 in the mounting direction SD, and wait until the coating machine 2 returns after painting is completed.

At this time, the turntable 32 of the tank recovery device 30 is rotated and directed toward the receiving direction GD.

[0024] When the painting is completed, the painting machine 2 is returned to the tank replacement position CP with its mounting axis X vertical, and is docked with a cleaning port (not shown) to wash the paint remaining in the painting machine 2. (Fig. 4 (c)).

When the linear actuator 24 of the tank mounting device 20 is extended, the filled paint tank 3 advances along the guide 21 while sliding in the mounting direction SD perpendicular to the mounting axis X. While pushing the used paint tank 3used mounted on the mounting part 4, it moves onto the mounting part 4 while driving, and the engaging part 5 and the mounting part 4 of the coating machine 2 are engaged (Fig. 4 (d), ( e)) ₀ At this time, the used paint tank 3used is pushed by the filled paint tank 3 and slid in the direction of extension of the installation direction SD, which is perpendicular to the installation axis X. Sent out. [0025] In this way, the filled paint tank 3 can be attached and the used paint tank 3used can be removed in one operation at the same time, and it is sufficient to clean only the coating machine 2 when replacing the tank. The paint tank 3 can be replaced very easily and quickly, and the next color paint for painting the subsequent automobile body can be quickly prepared even in a painting line with a short conveying interval.

[0026] Then, when the following automobile body arrives, painting is performed with the painting machine 2 equipped with the paint tank 3 filled with the next color paint, and at the same time, the used paint tank 3 _US ed is washed. Clean and store, and then fill the paint tank 3 for the next color paint, which is the paint color of the car body.

[0027] That is, the turntable 3 on which the used paint tank 3used removed from the coating machine 2 is placed.

When 2 rotates and is directed in the tank recovery direction RD, the engaging portion 5 of the used paint tank 3used is cleaned by the cleaning device 36 (FIG. 4 (f)).

In this case, if the color of the paint to be filled in the paint tank 3 is determined, the color will not be mixed in the tank, so that the paint adhering to the engaging portion 5 is dried after being removed from the coating machine 2. In order to prevent this, it is sufficient to clean and remove only that part, and it is not necessary to clean the inside of the tank, so that the amount of cleaning liquid “cleaning air” can be reduced.

[0028] During this time, the magazine 12 is moved up and down and the rotating frame 13 is rotated.

Furthermore, the tank holder 11 storing the paint tank 3 for the next color paint, which is the paint color of the subsequent automobile body, is positioned at the tank take-out position TP, taken out by the tank mounting device 20, and the next color by the paint filling device 25. Fill the paint (Fig. 4 (a), (b)).

[0029] Further, after the paint tank 3 for the next color paint is taken out from the tank holder 11, the rotary frame 13 is rotated again and the magazine 12 is moved up and down to remove the used paint tank 3us ed. The tank holder 11 to be stored is positioned at the tank collection position RP.

When cleaning of the used paint tank 3used is completed, if the used paint tank 3used is gripped by the chuck 33 and the linear actuator 34 is extended, the used paint tank 3used will be stored in the specified tank holder. Return to 11 (Fig. 4 (g)).

[0030] In this way, according to this example, while the next color paint is applied! /, The cleaning of the used paint tank 3used and the preparation of the paint tank 3 for the next color paint are performed in parallel. Because it can be done at the same time By the end of painting, the preparation of the paint tank 3 filled with the next color paint is completed, and it is possible to stand by in the mounting direction SD.

Therefore, when the painter 2 finishes painting and returns to the tank replacement position CP, the paint tank 3 can be immediately replaced, and the tact time required for tank replacement can be shortened. Even a short paint line can be used without becoming a bottleneck, and productivity can be improved.

Industrial applicability

[0031] The present invention can be applied to an application for automating the tank replacement of a coating machine that is used with a paint tank.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is an external view showing an example of a paint tank replacement device according to the present invention.

[Figure 2] Plan view.

[Figure 3] Front view.

[4] An explanatory diagram showing the operation.

Explanation of symbols

1 Paint tank changer

2 Coating machine

3 Paint tank

dused Used paint tank

X mounting shaft

10 Stocker

11 Tank holder

12 Magazine

13 Rotating frame

20 Tank mounting device

30 Tank recovery device

TP tank entry position

RP tank collection position CP tank replacement position TD Extraction direction SD Mounting direction GD Receiving direction RD Collection direction

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] With the paint tank mounted on the rear end side of the sprayer, slide the paint tank in a direction perpendicular to the mounting axis assumed to pass through the painter and the paint tank, and then remove the paint tank. A paint tank changer that removes the used paint tank and replaces the paint tank with a new paint tank at the same time.

Stock force with the required number of tank holders for storing paint tanks one by one and tank holder force positioned at a preset tank take-out position Tank installation for pulling out paint tank and pushing it into the coating machine And a tank recovery device for returning the used paint tank pushed out by the paint tank attached to the coating machine to the tank holder positioned at the tank recovery position set in advance. A paint tank changer characterized by comprising:

[2] The stocker force according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of elevating and lowering magazines each having a predetermined number of tank holders for storing one by one in a state where the paint tank is set up are provided on a rotating frame that rotates horizontally. Paint tank changer.

[3] The tank mounting device is disposed on one side of a tank replacement position for tank replacement with respect to the coating machine, and has a paint tank stored in a tank holder positioned at a preset tank removal position. It is formed so as to be able to rotate in the pulling-out direction and the pushing-in direction in which the drawn-out paint tank is pushed in a direction perpendicular to the mounting axis of the coating machine,

The tank recovery device is disposed on the opposite side of the tank mounting device with respect to the tank replacement position, and receives a used coating tank sent out on the opposite side of the pushing direction around the mounting shaft of the coating machine. The paint tank changer according to claim 1, wherein the paint tank changer is formed so as to be rotatable in a direction and a collecting direction for returning the paint tank to the stock force.

4. The paint tank replacement device according to claim 1, further comprising a paint filling device that fills a paint tank drawn out to the tank mounting device with a desired paint.

5. The paint tank replacement apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cleaning device that cleans the used paint tank sent to the tank recovery device before returning it to the stock force.