WO2019026938A1 - Liquid storage device and method for cleaning same - Google Patents

Abstract

This liquid storage device (10) comprises a cylinder (50) disposed such that an axis thereof extends substantially horizontally. In this method for cleaning the liquid storage device (10), there are performed: a first washing step in which a washing fluid is supplied into a storage chamber (51) from a first opening/closing valve (44a) that is provided above an agitation member (60) in the cylinder (50), and the agitation member (60) is caused to rotate; and a second washing step in which a washing fluid is supplied into the storage chamber (51) from a second opening/closing valve (44b) provided below the agitation member (60) in the cylinder (50), and the agitation member (60) is caused to rotate.

Description

Liquid storage device and cleaning method thereof

The present invention relates to a liquid storage device provided with a cylinder in which a storage chamber capable of storing liquid is formed, and a method of cleaning the same.

For example, Japanese Patent No. 5901359 proposes a liquid storage device and a cleaning method for supplying a cleaning liquid into a storage chamber of a cylinder capable of storing paint to clean the storage chamber when changing the color of the paint. .

In the prior art described above, the paint adhering to the bottom surface (flat surface) of the cylinder constituting the storage chamber is efficiently cleaned by changing the direction in which the cleaning liquid flows in the storage chamber. In such a liquid storage device, improvement of the cleaning efficiency in the storage chamber is desired.

The present invention has been made in connection with the above-mentioned proposal, and an object thereof is to provide a liquid storage device capable of effectively cleaning the storage chamber and a cleaning method thereof.

In order to achieve the above object, in a liquid storage device according to the present invention, a storage chamber capable of storing a predetermined liquid is formed, and a cylinder disposed so that an axis extends substantially horizontally, and the storage chamber A stirring member provided in the cylinder, a first on-off valve provided at a position above the stirring member in the cylinder, and capable of supplying a cleaning liquid and a gas into the storage chamber, a portion below the stirring member in the cylinder And a second on-off valve capable of supplying a cleaning liquid and a gas into the storage chamber, wherein the liquid storage device can discharge the cleaning liquid in the storage chamber from a position below the stirring member in the cylinder It is characterized in that

According to such a configuration, the cleaning liquid and the gas supplied into the storage chamber from the first on-off valve and the second on-off valve are stirred by the stirring member, and the cleaning liquid in the storage chamber is discharged from a position below the stirring member in the cylinder. can do. Thus, the stirring member and the storage chamber can be efficiently cleaned.

In the liquid storage device, the first on-off valve may be configured to be capable of discharging the gas in the storage chamber, and the second on-off valve may be configured to be capable of discharging the cleaning liquid in the storage chamber.

According to such a configuration, the cleaning liquid and the gas in the storage chamber can be efficiently discharged.

In the liquid storage device, the stirring member, the first on-off valve, and the second on-off valve may be located on the same plane.

According to such a configuration, the cleaning liquid and the gas can be efficiently supplied to the stirring member from the vertical direction of the stirring member. Thus, the stirring member and the storage chamber can be efficiently cleaned.

In the liquid storage device described above, the stirring member has a rotating shaft extending along an axial direction of the cylinder, and a blade portion extending radially outward from the rotating shaft, the first stirring member The on-off valve may be located above the blade, and the second on-off valve may be located below the blade.

According to such a configuration, the blade can be effectively cleaned.

In the liquid storage device described above, a first passage connected to the first on-off valve for discharging the predetermined liquid stored in the storage chamber, and via the first passage and the first on-off valve A cleaning fluid in the storage chamber via a first cleaning supply unit capable of supplying a cleaning fluid and a gas into the storage chamber, a second passage connected to the second on-off valve, and the second passage and the second on-off valve And a second cleaning supply unit capable of supplying a gas.

According to such a configuration, since the cleaning liquid and the gas can be supplied from the first cleaning supply unit into the storage chamber through the first passage and the first on-off valve, the first passage and the first on-off valve are cleaned. be able to.

In the liquid storage device described above, the cylinder may further include a drain valve provided below the stirring member in the cylinder and capable of discharging the cleaning liquid and the gas in the storage chamber.

According to such a configuration, since the cleaning fluid in the storage chamber can be discharged from the drain valve, it is possible to suppress the contamination of the second passage with the cleaning fluid containing the predetermined liquid.

In the liquid storage device described above, the second cleaning supply unit may have a drain valve capable of discharging the cleaning liquid and the gas discharged from the second on-off valve to the second passage.

The cleaning method of a liquid storage device according to the present invention is a cleaning method of a liquid storage device including a cylinder for storing a predetermined liquid, wherein the cylinder is disposed such that an axis extends substantially horizontally. A rotatable stirring member is provided in a storage chamber of the cylinder, and a cleaning liquid is supplied to the storage chamber from a first on-off valve provided at a position above the stirring member in the cylinder, and the stirring member A first cleaning step of rotating the second rotation step, and a second cleaning step of supplying a cleaning solution into the storage chamber from a second on-off valve provided at a location below the stirring member in the cylinder and rotating the stirring member; It is characterized by doing.

According to such a method, the same effect as the liquid storage device described above is obtained.

In the above-described cleaning method, in the first cleaning step, the cleaning liquid is supplied toward the stirring member from the first on-off valve and gas is supplied toward the stirring member from the second on-off valve, and the second In the cleaning step, the gas may be supplied toward the stirring member from the first on-off valve and the cleaning liquid may be supplied toward the stirring member from the second on-off valve.

According to such a method, the stirring member and the storage chamber can be effectively cleaned by the cleaning liquid and the gas.

In the above cleaning method, the liquid storage device is connected to the first on-off valve and is connected to a first passage for discharging the predetermined liquid stored in the storage chamber, and to the second on-off valve A cleaning fluid and a gas are supplied from the first passage toward the stirring member through the first on-off valve in the first cleaning step, and in the second cleaning step The cleaning solution and the gas may be supplied from the second passage to the stirring member via the second on-off valve.

According to such a method, the first passage and the first on-off valve can be cleaned.

In the above cleaning method, in the first cleaning step, the cleaning liquid and the gas in the storage chamber are discharged to the outside through the second on-off valve and the second passage, and in the second cleaning step, the second passage The cleaning liquid and gas are supplied into the storage chamber from the second on-off valve and the stirring member is rotated, and the cleaning liquid and gas in the storage chamber are externally transferred to the outside via the first on-off valve and the first passage. A passage cleaning process for discharging, and a storage chamber for supplying a cleaning liquid and a gas from the second passage to the storage chamber via the second on-off valve in a state where the first on-off valve is closed and rotating the stirring member After the cleaning step and the storage chamber cleaning step, a discharging step of discharging the cleaning liquid and the gas in the storage chamber to the outside through the second on-off valve and the second passage may be performed.

According to such a method, even if the second passage is contaminated by the cleaning liquid containing the predetermined liquid in the first cleaning step, the second passage can be cleaned by the passage cleaning step. In addition, the stirring member and the storage chamber can be effectively cleaned by the storage chamber cleaning step and the discharging step.

In the above-described cleaning method, the liquid storage device further includes a drain valve provided at a portion below the stirring member in the cylinder, and in the first cleaning step, the cleaning liquid and gas in the storage chamber are drained The cleaning solution and the gas are supplied from the second passage to the storage chamber through the second on-off valve in a state where the first on-off valve is closed in the second cleaning step. A storage chamber cleaning step of rotating the stirring member and a discharge step of discharging the cleaning liquid and the gas in the storage chamber from the drain valve to the outside may be performed after the storage chamber cleaning step.

According to such a method, since the cleaning fluid and the gas in the storage chamber are discharged from the drain valve to the outside, it is possible to suppress the contamination of the second passage with the cleaning fluid containing the predetermined liquid.

In the above-described cleaning method, the first cleaning step and the second cleaning step may be alternately repeated plural times.

According to such a method, the stirring member and the storage chamber can be cleaned more effectively.

According to the present invention, the cleaning liquid and the gas supplied into the storage chamber can be stirred by the stirring member, and the cleaning liquid in the storage chamber can be discharged from a position below the stirring member in the cylinder. It can be cleaned efficiently.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a schematic block diagram of the coating system provided with the liquid storage apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the cross section of the liquid storage apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the washing | cleaning method using the liquid storage apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the introduction process of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the washing | cleaning process of FIG. It is 1st explanatory drawing which shows the state which is filling the 1st color paint in a storage chamber. It is 2nd explanatory drawing which shows the state which is filling the 1st color paint in a storage chamber. It is explanatory drawing of an air discharge process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state in which the paint of multiple colors was introduce | transduced in the storage chamber. It is explanatory drawing of a mixing process. It is explanatory drawing of a transfer process. It is explanatory drawing of a 1st washing | cleaning process. It is explanatory drawing of a 2nd washing | cleaning process. FIG. 14A is a partially omitted longitudinal sectional view of a liquid storage device provided with a stirring member according to a first modification, and FIG. 14B is a partial omission of a liquid storage device provided with a stirring member according to a second modification It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view. FIG. 15A is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of a liquid storage device provided with a wall portion between each supply valve and a stirring member, and FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view along line XVB-XVB in FIG. 15A. . It is a partially omitted sectional view of the liquid storage device which explains a guide recess. It is a schematic diagram which shows the cross section of the liquid storage apparatus explaining the example which provided the trigger valve in the cylinder. It is an explanatory view of the 1st washing process concerning a modification. It is a flow chart which shows the 2nd cleaning process concerning a modification. It is explanatory drawing of a channel | path washing | cleaning process. It is explanatory drawing of a storage chamber washing | cleaning process. It is explanatory drawing of a discharge process. It is a schematic diagram which shows the cross section of the liquid storage apparatus which concerns on a modification. It is explanatory drawing of the 1st washing | cleaning process of the liquid storage apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the 2nd washing | cleaning process of the liquid storage apparatus of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the storage chamber washing | cleaning process of the liquid storage apparatus of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the discharge process of the liquid storage apparatus of FIG.

Hereinafter, a liquid storage device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, by way of preferred embodiments in relation to a cleaning method thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the liquid storage device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured as a paint mixing device for mixing and adjusting paints of a plurality of colors that are liquids. The liquid storage device 10 is incorporated in a coating system 12 that applies mixed paint obtained by mixing and adjusting paints of a plurality of colors onto a work W such as a vehicle body. The mixed paint may be, for example, a paint for priming the work W, or a paint for the top coat of the work W.

The liquid storage device 10 is not limited to one that mixes paints of a plurality of colors, and any device that mixes a plurality of types of liquids may be used. That is, the liquid storage device 10 may be one in which a curing agent is mixed with a predetermined liquid.

First, the coating system 12 will be described. The coating system 12 includes a paint supply unit 14, a plurality of supply passages 16, a liquid storage device 10, a trigger valve 18, a transfer passage 20, an intermediate reservoir 22, a paint passage 24 and a paint gun 26.

As shown in FIG. 2, the paint supply unit 14 is for supplying paint of a plurality of colors to the liquid storage device 10, and a plurality of (6 in the example of FIG. 2) of the paint of each color stored. It has a tank 28. The supply passages 16 connect the tanks 28 and the liquid storage device 10 to each other. That is, the paint stored in each tank 28 is supplied to the liquid storage device 10 via the supply passage 16. The detailed configuration of the liquid storage device 10 will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer passage 20 is a passage for transferring the mixed paint obtained by the liquid storage device 10 to the intermediate reservoir 22. The intermediate storage portion 22 is for storing the mixed paint. The intermediate reservoir 22 includes an intermediate cylinder 30, an intermediate piston 32, an intermediate rod 34, a power converter 36, and a drive source 38.

An intermediate piston 32 is slidably disposed in the intermediate cylinder 30 so as to form an intermediate storage chamber 31 capable of storing mixed paint. The intermediate rod 34 is connected to the surface of the intermediate piston 32 opposite to the intermediate storage chamber 31. The power conversion unit 36 is connected to the intermediate rod 34. The drive source 38 is a servomotor that moves the intermediate piston 32 along the axial direction. The rotational motion of the drive source 38 is converted into linear motion by the power conversion unit 36 and transmitted to the intermediate piston 32 via the intermediate rod 34.

The paint passage 24 is a passage for leading the mixed paint in the intermediate storage chamber 31 to the paint gun 26. The coating gun 26 is for coating the work W with the mixed paint led from the paint passage 24 and is attached to, for example, a robot arm or the like (not shown). The coating gun 26 can be configured, for example, as a known rotary atomization type coating gun.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the liquid storage device 10 is for mixing and color-adjusting paints of a plurality of colors (mixing a plurality of types of liquids). The liquid storage device 10 includes a mixing device main body 40, a plurality of supply valves 42, a first on-off valve 44a, a first passage 46a, a first cleaning system 48a, a second on-off valve 44b, a second passage 46b, and a second cleaning system 48b. And a control unit 49.

In FIG. 1, the mixing device main body 40 includes a cylinder 50, a piston 52, a rod 54, a power conversion unit 56, a drive source 58, an agitation member 60, and an agitation drive unit 62.

The cylinder 50 is arranged (horizontally placed) such that the axis is substantially horizontal. A piston 52 is disposed slidably in the axial direction in the cylinder 50 so as to form a storage chamber 51 capable of storing paint of a plurality of colors.

An annular seal member 63 in fluid-tight contact with the inner circumferential surface 50b of the cylinder 50 is mounted on the outer circumferential surface of the piston 52 via an annular groove. The rod 54 is connected to the surface of the piston 52 opposite to the storage chamber 51. The power conversion unit 56 is connected to the rod 54. The drive source 58 is a servomotor that moves the piston 52 along the axial direction. The rotational movement of the drive source 58 is converted into linear movement by the power conversion unit 56 and transmitted to the piston 52 via the rod 54.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the stirring member 60 is provided in the storage chamber 51 and can stir the paint of a plurality of colors in the storage chamber 51. The stirring member 60 has a rotating shaft 64 and a plurality of blades 66. The rotation shaft 64 extends in the axial direction of the piston 52. Specifically, with the rotary shaft 64 positioned on the axis of the piston 52, the end surface 50a of the cylinder 50 that constitutes the storage chamber 51 and is located on the opposite side of the piston 52 (in the direction of the arrow X1 of the cylinder 50 It extends to penetrate the end face 50a). Each blade 66 extends radially outward from the rotation shaft 64.

The plurality of blade portions 66 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the rotation shaft 64. In FIG. 2, four blades 66 are illustrated. However, the number of blade portions 66 can be arbitrarily set, and may be one, two, three, or five or more. The radially outer end (outer end) of the blade 66 is spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface 50 b of the cylinder 50 constituting the storage chamber 51. The blade 66 is located in the vicinity of the end surface 50 a of the cylinder 50. The stirring drive unit 62 rotates the rotating shaft 64 based on the signal from the control unit 49.

The plurality of supply valves 42 are for individually supplying paint of a plurality of colors into the storage chamber 51, and are provided on the inner circumferential surface 50 b of the cylinder 50 that constitutes the storage chamber 51. Each of the plurality of supply passages 16 is connected to each supply valve 42. Each supply valve 42 has an open state in which the inside of the supply passage 16 and the inside of the storage chamber 51 communicate with each other based on a signal from the control unit 49 and a closed state in which the communication between the inside of the supply passage 16 and the inside of the storage chamber 51 is interrupted. It is configured to be switchable to the state.

The plurality of supply valves 42 are provided in the vicinity of the blade 66. The plurality of supply valves 42 are located radially outward of the rotary shaft 64 with respect to the blade 66 and are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. In FIG. 2, six supply valves 42 are illustrated. However, if the number of supply valves 42 is two or more, it can be set arbitrarily.

The first on-off valve 44 a is provided on the inner circumferential surface 50 b of the cylinder 50 that constitutes the storage chamber 51. The first passage 46a is connected to the first on-off valve 44a. The first on-off valve 44a has an open state in which the inside of the first passage 46a and the inside of the storage chamber 51 communicate with each other based on a signal from the control unit 49, and the communication between the inside of the first passage 46a and the inside of the storage chamber 51 It is configured to be switchable to the shut off state.

The first on-off valve 44 a is located near the end face 50 a of the cylinder 50 and above the blade 66 (the stirring member 60). In other words, the first on-off valve 44 a is located at the upper end (uppermost part) of the inner circumferential surface 50 b of the cylinder 50 that constitutes the storage chamber 51. The first on-off valve 44a functions as an air discharge unit capable of discharging the air in the storage chamber 51 to the outside. In this case, the first passage 46a functions as an exhaust passage that leads air to the outside.

Further, the first on-off valve 44 a functions as a first cleaning valve (first cleaning unit) that supplies the cleaning solution and the gas toward the blade 66. For example, water is used as the cleaning liquid. For example, air is used as the gas. However, the cleaning solution and the gas are not limited to water and air. The first on-off valve 44a can supply the cleaning liquid and the gas toward the blade 66, and can discharge the gas.

The first passage 46a is a passage connecting the first on-off valve 44a and the first cleaning system (first cleaning supply unit) 48a to each other. The first cleaning system 48a includes a first cleaning liquid supply unit 70a, a first cleaning liquid passage 72a, a first cleaning liquid supply valve 74a, a first gas supply unit 76a, a first gas passage 78a, a first gas supply valve 80a, and a first port. 82a and a first drain valve 84a.

The first cleaning liquid supply unit 70a is for supplying the cleaning liquid pressurized to the first cleaning liquid supply valve 74a. The first cleaning liquid supply unit 70a can include, for example, a water pump. The first cleaning liquid supply valve 74a is opened based on a signal from the control unit 49, in which the inside of the first cleaning liquid passage 72a and the first port 82a are in communication with each other, the inside of the first cleaning liquid passage 72a and the first port 82a, It is configured to be switchable to the closed state in which the communication of the is blocked.

The first gas supply unit 76a is for supplying the pressurized gas to the first gas supply valve 80a. The first gas supply unit 76a can include, for example, an air pump. The first gas supply valve 80a is opened based on a signal from the control unit 49, in which the inside of the first gas passage 78a and the first port 82a communicate with each other, the inside of the first gas passage 78a and the first port 82a, It is configured to be switchable to the closed state in which the communication of the is blocked.

The first port 82a is in communication with the inside of the first passage 46a. The first drain valve 84 a is for discharging the gas led from the storage chamber 51 to the first port 82 a via the first passage 46 a to the outside. The first drain valve 84a is opened based on a signal from the control unit 49, in which the drain passage (not shown) and the first port 82a communicate with each other, and the communication between the drain passage and the first port 82a is closed. It is configured to be switchable to the state. The first port 82 a communicates with the transfer passage 20 via the trigger valve 18. The trigger valve 18 has an open state in which the first port 82a and the inside of the transfer passage 20 communicate with each other based on a signal from the control unit 49, and a closed state in which the communication between the first port 82a and the inside of the transfer passage 20 is interrupted. It is configured to be switchable to the state.

The second on-off valve 44 b is located in the vicinity of the end face 50 a of the cylinder 50 and located below the blade 66 (the stirring member 60). In other words, the second on-off valve 44 b is located at the lower end (lowermost part) of the inner circumferential surface 50 b of the cylinder 50 that constitutes the storage chamber 51.

The second on-off valve 44 b functions as a second cleaning valve (second cleaning unit) that supplies the cleaning solution and the gas toward the blade 66. The second on-off valve 44 b can supply the cleaning liquid and the gas toward the blade 66 and can discharge the cleaning liquid. The blade 66, the first on-off valve 44a and the second on-off valve 44b are located on the same plane orthogonal to the axis of the cylinder 50.

The second passage 46 b is a passage that connects the second on-off valve 44 b and the second cleaning system (second cleaning supply unit) 48 b to each other. The second cleaning system 48b includes a second cleaning liquid supply unit 70b, a second cleaning liquid passage 72b, a second cleaning liquid supply valve 74b, a second gas supply unit 76b, a second gas passage 78b, a second gas supply valve 80b, and a second port. 82b and a second drain valve 84b.

The second cleaning liquid supply unit 70 b is for supplying the cleaning liquid pressurized to the second cleaning liquid supply valve 74 b. The second cleaning liquid supply unit 70b is configured in the same manner as the first cleaning liquid supply unit 70a described above. The second cleaning liquid supply valve 74b is opened based on a signal from the control unit 49, in which the second cleaning liquid passage 72b and the second port 82b communicate with each other, and the second cleaning liquid passage 72b and the second port 82b. It is configured to be switchable to the closed state in which the communication of the is blocked.

The second gas supply unit 76b is for supplying the pressurized gas to the second gas supply valve 80b. The second gas supply unit 76b is configured in the same manner as the first gas supply unit 76a described above. The second gas supply valve 80b is opened based on a signal from the control unit 49, in which the second gas passage 78b and the second port 82b communicate with each other, the second gas passage 78b, and the second port 82b. It is configured to be switchable to the closed state in which the communication of the is blocked.

The second port 82b is in communication with the second passage 46b. The second drain valve 84 b is for discharging the cleaning liquid and the gas led from the storage chamber 51 to the second port 82 b via the second passage 46 b to the outside. The second drain valve 84b is opened based on a signal from the control unit 49, in which the drain passage (not shown) and the second port 82b communicate with each other, and the communication between the drain passage and the second port 82b is shut off. It is configured to be switchable to the state.

The control unit 49 controls the plurality of supply valves 42 and the pistons 52 so that the paint of a plurality of colors is sequentially sucked into the storage chamber 51 one by one. In addition, the control unit 49 is a pressure adjusting unit capable of reducing the pressure in the storage chamber 51 such that the pressure in the storage chamber 51 is lower than the pressure in the tank 28 storing the liquid supplied to the supply passage 16. Function.

Next, the operation of the liquid storage device 10 will be described in relation to the liquid mixing method and the cleaning method. In the initial state, the piston 52 of the liquid storage device 10 is located at the end on which the stirring member 60 is located (in the direction of the arrow X1). That is, the piston 52 is positioned close to the blade 66, and the volume in the storage chamber 51 is minimized.

In the liquid mixing method, first, as shown in FIG. 3, a mixing ratio calculation step is performed (step S1). In the mixing ratio calculation step, the control unit 49 calculates the mixing ratio of the paint of the color necessary for the color mixing based on the predetermined paint information.

Thereafter, a supply amount calculation process is performed (step S2). In the supply amount calculation step, the control unit 49 calculates the supply amounts of the respective paints based on the calculated mixing ratio.

Subsequently, an introduction step is performed (step S3). In the introduction step, the paints of the respective colors are sequentially introduced into the storage chamber 51 one by one based on the calculated supply amount. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, in the introduction step, the control unit 49 controls the supply valve 42 to which the paint of the first color is introduced into an open state (step S10). The paint of the first color is selected in an amount larger than the minimum volume in the storage chamber 51. Further, the control unit 49 controls all the other supply valves 42 and the second on-off valve 44b in the closed state, and controls the first on-off valve 44a and the first drain valve 84a in the open state.

As a result, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the paint of the first color is filled in the storage chamber 51 from the predetermined tank 28 through the supply passage 16 and the supply valve 42 (step S11). At this time, the air in the storage chamber 51 is pushed by the paint and discharged to the outside through the first on-off valve 44a, the first passage 46a, the first port 82a, and the first drain valve 84a.

Then, when the first color paint is filled in the storage chamber 51, the control unit 49 controls the drive source 58 to expand the volume in the storage chamber 51 by a predetermined length in a direction (arrow X2 direction). Move Thereby, the first color paint stored in the predetermined tank 28 is sucked into the storage chamber 51 via the supply passage 16 and the supply valve 42 (step S12 in FIG. 4). At this time, the control unit 49 moves the piston 52 such that a larger amount of paint than the calculated supply amount of the first color paint is introduced into the storage chamber 51.

Thereafter, in FIG. 4, the air discharging process is performed (step S13). In the air discharging process, the control unit 49 controls the first open / close valve 44a to the open state and controls the drive source 58 to move the piston 52 in the direction in which the volume in the storage chamber 51 is reduced (arrow X1 direction). (See Figure 8). Thus, the air remaining in the storage chamber 51 is discharged to the outside of the storage chamber 51 via the first on-off valve 44a. In the air discharging step, the control unit 49 causes the paint in the storage chamber 51 to be introduced to the first on-off valve 44a and the first-color paint in the storage chamber 51 to reach the amount calculated in the supply amount calculating step. The piston 52 is moved.

Subsequently, a pressure adjustment step is performed (step S14). In the pressure adjustment step, the control unit 49 controls the supply valve 42, the first on-off valve 44a, and the second on-off valve 44b to be in a closed state, such that the volume in the storage chamber 51 is expanded (arrow X2 direction). The piston 52 is moved by a predetermined length. Thereby, the pressure (liquid pressure) in the storage chamber 51 is lower than the pressure (liquid pressure) in each tank 28. The amount of movement of the piston 52 in the pressure adjustment step can be set arbitrarily, and may be larger or smaller than the amount of movement of the piston 52 when the paint of the next color is introduced into the storage chamber 51.

Thereafter, the paint of the next color (the second and subsequent colors) is introduced into the storage chamber 51. Specifically, the control unit 49 controls the supply valve 42 to which the paint of the next color is introduced into an open state (step S15). At this time, the control unit 49 controls all the other supply valves 42, the first on-off valve 44a and the second on-off valve 44b in a closed state. Then, the control unit 49 controls the drive source 58 to move the piston 52 by a predetermined length in the direction in which the volume in the storage chamber 51 is expanded (arrow X2 direction). Thus, the paint of the next color stored in the predetermined tank 28 is sucked into the storage chamber 51 via the supply passage 16 and the supply valve 42 (step S16). Subsequently, the control unit 49 controls the supply valve 42 in the open state to the closed state (step S17).

Next, the control unit 49 determines whether paint of all colors has been introduced into the storage chamber 51 (step S18). If the control unit 49 determines that the paint of all the colors has not been introduced into the storage chamber 51 (step S18: NO), the processes of steps S14 to S17 are sequentially performed. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, when the control unit 49 determines that the paint of all the colors has been introduced into the storage chamber 51 (step S18: YES), the introduction step is ended. Although FIG. 9 shows an example in which the paint of four colors is introduced into the storage chamber 51, the number of colors of the paint introduced into the storage chamber 51 can be arbitrarily set.

When the introduction step is completed, the mixing step shown in FIG. 3 is performed (step S4). In the mixing step, the control unit 49 drives the stirring drive unit 62 to rotate the stirring member 60 (see FIG. 10). As a result, since the blade 66 rotates in the storage chamber 51, paint of a plurality of colors is mixed and toned in the storage chamber 51, and a mixed paint is manufactured. When the mixing process is completed, the control unit 49 stops the driving of the stirring drive unit 62.

Thereafter, the transfer process is performed (step S5). In the transfer step, the control unit 49 controls all the supply valves 42 and the second on-off valves 44 b in the closed state, and controls the first on-off valves 44 a and the trigger valve 18 in the open states. Further, the control unit 49 drives the drive source 58 to move the piston 52 in the direction (arrow X1 direction) in which the volume in the storage chamber 51 is reduced, and drives the drive source 38 to reduce the volume in the intermediate storage chamber 31. Moves the intermediate piston 32 in the direction in which the Then, the mixed paint in the storage chamber 51 is transferred into the intermediate storage chamber 31 via the first on-off valve 44a, the first passage 46a, the trigger valve 18, and the transfer passage 20 (see FIG. 11). When the transfer process is completed, the control unit 49 stops the drive of the drive source 58 and the drive source 38 and controls the trigger valve 18 in the closed state.

Subsequently, a painting process is performed (step S6). In the painting process, the control unit 49 drives the drive source 38 to move the intermediate piston 32 in the direction in which the inside of the intermediate storage chamber 31 is contracted. As a result, the mixed paint in the intermediate storage chamber 31 is guided to the paint gun 26 and painted on the work W.

After the end of the coating process, the cleaning process is performed (step S7). However, the cleaning process may be performed during the coating process, or may be performed before the start of the coating process. As shown in FIG. 5, in the cleaning step, the control unit 49 drives the stirring drive unit 62 to rotate the stirring member 60 in a state where the piston 52 is positioned such that the volume in the storage chamber 51 is minimized. It starts (step S20). The stirring member 60 may be continuously rotated until the cleaning step without stopping the rotation of the stirring member 60 after the end of the mixing step. In this case, step S20 is unnecessary.

Then, the first cleaning step is performed (step S21). In the first cleaning step, the control unit 49 controls all the supply valves 42 in the closed state and controls the first on-off valve 44a and the second on-off valve 44b in the open state. Further, the control unit 49 controls the first cleaning liquid supply valve 74a and the second gas supply valve 80b in the open state and controls the first gas supply valve 80a and the second cleaning liquid supply valve 74b in the closed state. Further, the control unit 49 controls the first drain valve 84a to be in the closed state and controls the second drain valve 84b to be in the open state.

Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the cleaning liquid of the first cleaning liquid supply unit 70a is processed through the first cleaning liquid passage 72a, the first cleaning liquid supply valve 74a, the first port 82a, the first passage 46a and the first on-off valve 44a. It is discharged toward the blade 66. The gas of the second gas supply unit 76b is discharged toward the blade 66 through the second gas passage 78b, the second gas supply valve 80b, the second port 82b, the second passage 46b, and the second on-off valve 44b. . That is, the cleaning liquid is supplied from above the blade 66 and the gas is supplied from below the blade 66. As a result, the paint adhering to the rotating blade 66 and the paint adhering to the inner surface of the storage chamber 51 are effectively removed.

In the first cleaning step, the cleaning liquid and the gas in the storage chamber 51 are intermittently discharged to the outside through the second on-off valve 44b, the second passage 46b, the second port 82b, and the second drain valve 84b. It is also good. In this case, the control unit 49 controls the first cleaning liquid supply valve 74a and the second gas supply valve 80b in the closed state and controls the trigger valve 18 and the second drain valve 84b in the open state. Further, the drive source 38 is driven to move the intermediate piston 32 in the direction in which the volume in the intermediate reservoir 22 is reduced. Then, the air in the intermediate storage section 22 is introduced into the storage chamber 51 via the transfer passage 20, the trigger valve 18, the first port 82a, the first passage 46a, and the first on-off valve 44a. Thus, the cleaning liquid in the storage chamber 51 is discharged to the outside by the air introduced from the first open / close valve 44a through the second open / close valve 44b, the second passage 46b, the second port 82b, and the second drain valve 84b. .

In FIG. 5, when the first cleaning step is completed, the second cleaning step is performed (step S22). In the second cleaning step, the control unit 49 controls the first gas supply valve 80a and the second cleaning liquid supply valve 74b in the open state and controls the first cleaning liquid supply valve 74a and the second gas supply valve 80b in the closed state. . Further, the control unit 49 controls the second drain valve 84b in the closed state and controls the first drain valve 84a in the open state.

Then, as shown in FIG. 13, the gas of the first gas supply unit 76 a passes through the first gas passage 78 a, the first gas supply valve 80 a, the first port 82 a, the first passage 46 a, and the first on-off valve 44 a. It is discharged toward the blade 66. The cleaning fluid of the second cleaning fluid supply unit 70b is discharged toward the blade 66 through the second cleaning fluid passage 72b, the second cleaning fluid supply valve 74b, the second port 82b, the second passage 46b and the second on-off valve 44b. . That is, the gas is supplied from above the blade 66 and the cleaning liquid is supplied from below the blade 66. As a result, the paint adhering to the rotating blade 66 and the paint adhering to the inner surface of the storage chamber 51 are effectively removed. Further, in the second cleaning step, the cleaning liquid and the gas in the storage chamber 51 may be intermittently discharged as in the first cleaning step described above.

Thereafter, in FIG. 5, the control unit 49 determines whether or not the number of times of the first cleaning step and the second cleaning step has reached a predetermined number (step S23). If the control unit 49 determines that the number of times of the first cleaning step and the second cleaning step has not reached the predetermined number, the first cleaning step (step S21) and the second cleaning step (step S22) are repeated. .

When the control unit 49 determines that the number of times of the first cleaning step and the second cleaning step has reached a predetermined number, the blowing step is performed (step S24). In the blow process, the control unit 49 controls the first gas supply valve 80a to the open state, and controls the first cleaning liquid supply valve 74a, the second cleaning liquid supply valve 74b, and the second gas supply valve 80b to the closed state. Further, the control unit 49 controls the first drain valve 84a to be in the closed state and controls the second drain valve 84b to be in the open state. Thus, the gas supplied from the first gas supply unit 76a into the storage chamber 51 adheres to the inner surface of the first passage 46a, the outer surface of the stirring member 60, the inner surface of the storage chamber 51, and the inner surface of the second passage 46b. The cleaning solution is drained from the second drain valve 84b.

Thereafter, the control unit 49 stops the driving of the stirring drive unit 62 (step S25). Thereby, the rotation of the blade portion 66 is stopped. At this stage, the washing process is completed and the current process of the liquid mixing method and the washing method is completed.

In this case, the liquid storage device 10 and the liquid mixing method according to the present embodiment have the following effects.

In the liquid storage device 10 and the liquid mixing method, since the plurality of supply valves 42 are provided in the cylinder 50, the overall size of the device can be made compact and the facility cost can be reduced. In addition, since the paint of a plurality of colors is sucked into the storage chamber 51 by the movement of the piston 52, the paint can be introduced into the storage chamber 51 with a simple configuration and an accurate amount.

The liquid storage device 10 includes a stirring member 60 capable of stirring paint of a plurality of colors in the storage chamber 51. The stirring member 60 has a rotation shaft 64 extending along the axial direction of the piston 52 and a blade portion 66 extending radially outward from the rotation shaft 64. The vane portion 66 constitutes the storage chamber 51 and is located in the vicinity of the end face 50 a of the cylinder 50 located on the opposite side to the piston 52.

In this case, the volume in the storage chamber 51 can be effectively reduced by bringing the piston 52 close to the blade 66. As a result, the paint of the first color can be sucked into the storage chamber 51 in a precise amount.

The plurality of supply valves 42 are provided in the vicinity of the blade 66. Therefore, the supply valve 42 can be prevented from being covered by the piston 52 in a state in which the piston 52 is close to the blade 66.

The plurality of supply valves 42 are located radially outward of the rotary shaft 64 with respect to the blade 66 and are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. Thus, the supply valve 42 can be more reliably prevented from being covered by the piston 52 in a state in which the piston 52 is close to the blade 66.

In the liquid mixing method of the present embodiment, in the introducing step, each of the paints of a plurality of colors is sequentially sucked into the storage chamber 51 one by one. Therefore, the paint of a plurality of colors can be accurately sucked into the storage chamber 51 by a predetermined amount.

The mixing step is not performed during the introduction step, but is performed after the end of the introduction step. Therefore, the paint can be smoothly sucked into the storage chamber 51 from the supply valves 42 in the introduction step.

In the liquid storage device 10 and the liquid mixing method according to the present embodiment, the air in the storage chamber 51 can be discharged to the outside by the first on-off valve 44 a (air discharge unit). When mixing paint of multiple colors, it is possible to suppress air (air bubbles) from being mixed in the paint. Therefore, high quality mixed paint can be obtained.

The first on-off valve 44 a is provided at the uppermost portion of the inner circumferential surface 50 b of the cylinder 50 constituting the storage chamber 51. In this case, when the paint is introduced into the storage chamber 51, the air in the storage chamber 51 is discharged from the upper first on-off valve 44a as the liquid surface of the paint accumulated in the lower portion of the storage chamber 51 rises. Ru. Thereby, the air in the storage chamber 51 can be smoothly discharged to the outside.

The cylinder 50 is disposed such that the axis is positioned substantially horizontally, and the first on-off valve 44a is located near the end face 50a of the cylinder 50 that constitutes the storage chamber 51 and is opposite to the piston 52. There is. Thereby, when the first color paint is introduced into the storage chamber 51, the first on-off valve 44a can be prevented from being covered by the piston 52, so the air in the storage chamber 51 is made outside from the first on-off valve 44a. It can be discharged smoothly.

The first on-off valve 44a is configured to be switchable between an open state in which the first passage 46a and the storage chamber 51 communicate with each other and a closed state in which the communication between the first passage 46a and the storage chamber 51 is blocked. It is done. Therefore, the air in the storage chamber 51 can be discharged to the outside by opening the first on-off valve 44a. Further, the paint in the storage chamber 51 can be prevented from leaking out of the storage chamber 51 by closing the first on-off valve 44a.

In the liquid mixing method of the present embodiment, in the introducing step, the air discharging step is performed when introducing the paint of the first color into the storage chamber 51, and the air after introducing the liquid of the second color and the like into the storage chamber 51. Do not carry out the discharge process. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently discharge the air in the storage chamber 51 to the outside and to suppress the leakage of the paint in the storage chamber 51 from the first on-off valve 44a when introducing the paint of the second and subsequent colors. it can.

In the air discharging step, after the piston 52 is moved in the direction in which the volume in the storage chamber 51 is expanded to introduce the liquid of the first color into the storage chamber 51, the paint of the first color in the storage chamber 51 is opened and closed firstly. The piston 52 is moved in the direction in which the volume in the storage chamber 51 is reduced so as to be introduced into the valve 44a. Therefore, the air in the storage chamber 51 can be reliably discharged to the outside.

In the liquid storage device 10 and the liquid mixing method according to the present embodiment, the transfer pump for supplying the paint into the storage chamber 51 becomes unnecessary by sucking the paint into the storage chamber 51 by the movement of the piston 52, The entire device can be made compact. Further, in a state in which the pressure in the storage chamber 51 is lower than the pressure in each tank 28, the paint of a plurality of colors is sequentially sucked into the storage chamber 51 one by one. Therefore, the correct amount of paint can be introduced into the storage chamber 51.

The control unit 49 reduces the pressure in the storage chamber 51 by controlling the supply valve 42 and the piston 52 so that the piston 52 moves in the direction in which the volume in the storage chamber 51 is expanded with all the supply valves 42 closed. ing. Thereby, the pressure in the storage chamber 51 can be reduced with a simple configuration.

The control unit 49 keeps the storage chamber closed with all the supply valves 42 closed after the previous introduction of the paint into the storage chamber 51 is completed and the current introduction of the paint into the storage chamber 51 is started. The supply valve 42 and the piston 52 are controlled so that the piston 52 moves in the direction in which the volume in 51 increases. Therefore, a more accurate amount of liquid can be introduced into the storage chamber 51.

In the liquid storage device 10 and the cleaning method according to the present embodiment, the cleaning liquid and the gas supplied into the storage chamber 51 from the first on-off valve 44a (first cleaning valve) and the second on-off valve 44b (second cleaning valve) Can be stirred by the stirring member 60. Further, since the axis of the cylinder 50 extends substantially horizontally, the paint in the storage chamber 51 can be discharged to the outside from the second on-off valve 44b together with the cleaning liquid. Therefore, the inside of the stirring member 60 and the storage chamber 51 can be cleaned efficiently.

The stirring member 60, the first on-off valve 44a and the second on-off valve 44b are located on the same plane. Thus, the cleaning liquid and the gas can be efficiently supplied to the stirring member 60 from the vertical direction of the stirring member 60. Therefore, the inside of the stirring member 60 and the storage chamber 51 can be cleaned efficiently.

The first on-off valve 44 a is located above the blade 66, and the second on-off valve 44 b is located below the blade 66. Thereby, the blade | wing part 66 can be wash | cleaned effectively.

In the liquid storage device 10, the cleaning liquid and the gas can be supplied from the first cleaning liquid supply unit 70a and the first gas supply unit 76a into the storage chamber 51 through the first passage 46a and the first on-off valve 44a. The first passage 46a and the first on-off valve 44a through which the fluid flows can be cleaned.

In the cleaning method of the liquid storage device 10 of the present embodiment, the first cleaning step and the second cleaning step are performed in the cleaning step. In the first cleaning step, the cleaning liquid is supplied toward the stirring member 60 from the first on-off valve 44 a and the gas is supplied toward the stirring member 60 from the second on-off valve 44 b. In the second cleaning step, the gas is supplied from the first on-off valve 44 a toward the stirring member 60 and the cleaning liquid is supplied from the second on-off valve 44 b toward the stirring member 60. Thus, the inside of the stirring member 60 and the storage chamber 51 can be effectively cleaned by the cleaning liquid and the gas.

In the washing step, the first washing step and the second washing step are alternately repeated plural times. Therefore, the inside of the stirring member 60 and the storage chamber 51 can be cleaned more effectively.

The present invention is not limited to the configurations and methods described above.

The liquid storage device 10 may have a stirring member 90 shown in FIG. 14A. As shown in FIG. 14A, the stirring member 90 has a blade 92. In the surface (the surface on the side opposite to the piston 52) on the side (the direction of the arrow X1) on which the rotary shaft 64 is located among the blades 92, the inclined surface 94 inclined in the direction of the arrow X1 radially outward It is formed. Further, the end surface 50 a of the cylinder 50 constituting the storage chamber 51 extends along the inclined surface 94 of the blade 92. According to such a configuration, the paint introduced into the storage chamber 51 can be efficiently stirred.

The liquid storage device 10 may have a stirring member 96 shown in FIG. 14B. As shown in FIG. 14B, the stirring member 96 has a blade 98. In the surface (the surface on the opposite side to the piston 52) on the side (the direction of the arrow X1) where the rotary shaft 64 is located among the wing portion 98, the inclined surface 100 inclined in the direction of the arrow X2 radially outward It is formed. Further, the end surface 50 a of the cylinder 50 constituting the storage chamber 51 extends along the inclined surface 100 of the blade 98. And each supply valve 42 is provided in the end surface 50a of the cylinder 50 so that a coating material may be discharged by the inclined surface 100 of the blade part 98. As shown in FIG. According to such a configuration, the paint introduced into the storage chamber 51 can be efficiently stirred.

As shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, a wall 102 may be provided between each supply valve 42 and the stirring member 60 in the storage chamber 51 of the liquid storage device 10. Each wall portion 102 extends from the end surface 50 a of the cylinder 50 constituting the storage chamber 51 so as to cover the stirring member 60. According to such a configuration, the wall portion 102 is provided between each supply valve 42 and the stirring member 60, so that the paint drawn from the supply valve 42 is prevented from hitting the stirring member 60 and the generation of air bubbles. Can.

As shown in FIG. 16, a guide recess 104 for guiding the paint to the first on-off valve 44 a may be formed on the inner circumferential surface 50 b of the cylinder 50 constituting the storage chamber 51. On the wall surface constituting the guiding recess 104, a first guiding surface 106 positioned in the arrow X1 direction than the first on-off valve 44a and a second guiding surface 108 positioned in the arrow X2 direction than the first on-off valve 44a It is provided. The first guide surface 106 is inclined radially outward of the cylinder 50 in the direction of the arrow X2. The second guide surface 108 is inclined radially outward of the cylinder 50 in the arrow X1 direction.

According to such a configuration, since the air in the cylinder 50 can be smoothly guided to the first on-off valve 44a in the introduction step, the mixing of the air into the paint can be further suppressed. Further, in the transfer step, the mixed paint in the storage chamber 51 can be smoothly led to the first on-off valve 44a.

As shown in FIG. 17, the coating system 12 may include the liquid storage device 10 a. A trigger valve 110 is provided in the cylinder 50 of the liquid storage device 10a. Although FIG. 17 shows an example in which seven supply valves 42 are provided, the number of supply valves 42 can be set arbitrarily.

The trigger valve 110 is provided next to the second on-off valve 44b. That is, the trigger valve 110 is provided below the stirring member 60. The trigger valve 110 is opened based on a signal from the control unit 49 such that the storage chamber 51 and the transfer passage 20 are in communication with each other, and the communication between the storage chamber 51 and the transfer passage 20 is blocked. It is configured to be switchable to the state. In this case, the above-mentioned trigger valve 18 of FIG. 1 is omitted. Even with such a configuration, the mixed paint in the storage chamber 51 can be smoothly transferred into the intermediate storage chamber 31.

In addition, the pressure adjustment unit may have a spare chamber that can communicate with the inside of the storage chamber 51 via the on-off valve. According to such a configuration, the volume in the storage chamber 51 can be increased without moving the piston 52 by opening the on-off valve and making the inside of the storage chamber 51 communicate with the spare chamber in the pressure adjustment step. It can be substantially expanded. Therefore, the pressure in the storage chamber 51 can be made lower than the pressure in each tank 28.

In the introduction step, after the air discharging step (step S13), the control unit 49 may drive the stirring drive unit 62 to start the rotation of the stirring member 60. Thereby, even when the viscosity of the paint is relatively high, paints of multiple colors can be efficiently mixed.

The mixing step may be initiated during the introducing step. In this case, since the paint of a plurality of colors is stirred while being sucked into the storage chamber 51, the time from the start of the introduction step to the end of the mixing step can be shortened.

The cylinder 50 is not limited to the example arrange | positioned so that an axis line may extend substantially horizontally. The cylinder 50 may be disposed in any manner, for example, the axis may extend substantially vertically.

The first cleaning step (step S21) and the second cleaning step (step S22) are not limited to the above-described method, and may be, for example, the first cleaning step shown in FIG. 18 and the second cleaning step shown in FIGS. It may be.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 18, in the first cleaning step, the control unit 49 controls all the supply valves 42 to be in the closed state, and opens the first on-off valve 44a and the second on-off valve 44b. Control. Further, the control unit 49 controls the first cleaning liquid supply valve 74a and the first gas supply valve 80a in the open state, and controls the second cleaning liquid supply valve 74b and the second gas supply valve 80b in the closed state. Further, the control unit 49 controls the first drain valve 84a to be in the closed state and controls the second drain valve 84b to be in the open state.

Then, the cleaning liquid of the first cleaning liquid supply unit 70a and the gas of the first gas supply unit 76a are discharged toward the blade 66 through the first port 82a, the first passage 46a, and the first on-off valve 44a. Thereby, the first passage 46a and the first on-off valve 44a are effectively cleaned.

The cleaning liquid introduced into the storage chamber 51 from the first on-off valve 44 a diffuses substantially uniformly throughout the storage chamber 51 by the action of the rotation of the blade 66. Thereby, the paint in the storage chamber 51 is diluted. At this time, a shearing force is applied to the cleaning liquid by the rotation of the blade 66. Therefore, the viscosity of the cleaning liquid containing the paint decreases. Then, the gas and the cleaning liquid in the storage chamber 51 are smoothly discharged to the outside through the second on-off valve 44b, the second passage 46b, and the second drain valve 84b.

In the second cleaning step, the passage cleaning step (step S30), the storage chamber cleaning step (step S31), and the discharging step (step S32) shown in FIG. 19 are sequentially performed. As shown in FIG. 20, in the passage cleaning step, the control unit 49 controls the first cleaning liquid supply valve 74a and the first gas supply valve 80a to be in the closed state, and the second cleaning liquid supply valve 74b and the second gas supply valve 80b. Control to the open state. In addition, the second drain valve 84b is controlled to be closed and the first drain valve 84a is controlled to be opened. The first on-off valve 44a and the second on-off valve 44b are in the open state.

Then, the cleaning liquid of the second cleaning liquid supply unit 70b and the gas of the second gas supply unit 76b are discharged into the storage chamber 51 through the second port 82b, the second passage 46b, and the second on-off valve 44b. Thereby, the second passage 46b is effectively cleaned. Thus, even if the second passage 46b is soiled by the cleaning liquid containing the paint in the first cleaning step, the second passage 46b can be cleaned by the passage cleaning step.

The cleaning liquid introduced into the storage chamber 51 from the second on-off valve 44 b diffuses substantially uniformly throughout the storage chamber 51 by the action of the rotation of the blade 66. Thereby, the paint in the storage chamber 51 is diluted. At this time, a shearing force is applied to the cleaning liquid by the rotation of the blade 66. Therefore, the viscosity of the cleaning liquid containing the paint decreases. Further, the cleaning liquid and the gas in the storage chamber 51 are discharged to the outside through the first on-off valve 44a, the first passage 46a and the first drain valve 84a.

As shown in FIG. 21, in the storage chamber cleaning step, the control unit 49 controls the first on-off valve 44 a in the closed state while maintaining the second on-off valve 44 b in the open state. Then, the cleaning liquid of the second cleaning liquid supply unit 70 b and the gas of the second gas supply unit 76 b are discharged into the storage chamber 51 via the second passage 46 b and the second on-off valve 44 b.

The cleaning liquid introduced into the storage chamber 51 from the second on-off valve 44 b is stored in the storage chamber 51. The storage amount of the cleaning liquid in the storage chamber 51 is set to half or less of the volume of the storage chamber 51. The cleaning liquid stored in the storage chamber 51 is diffused substantially equally throughout the storage chamber 51 by the action of the rotation of the blade portion 66. Thereby, the inside of the storage chamber 51 (the inner surface of the storage chamber 51, the rotating shaft 64 and the blade portion 66) is effectively cleaned.

As shown in FIG. 22, in the discharging step, the second cleaning liquid supply valve 74b and the second gas supply valve 80b are controlled to be in a closed state, and the second on-off valve 44b and the second drain valve 84b are controlled to be in an open state. Thus, the cleaning liquid and the gas in the storage chamber 51 are discharged to the outside through the second on-off valve 44b, the second passage 46b, and the second drain valve 84b. Even in the first cleaning step and the second cleaning step, the same effect as the above-described cleaning step can be obtained.

As shown in FIG. 23, the coating system 12 may include the liquid storage device 10b. In the liquid storage device 10 b, the drain valve 120 is provided at the lowermost position of the cylinder 50. In this case, the second on-off valve 44 b is located next to the drain valve 120. Further, in the liquid storage device 10b, the first drain valve 84a and the second drain valve 84b described above are omitted. Although FIG. 23 shows an example in which seven supply valves 42 are provided, the number of supply valves 42 can be set arbitrarily.

In the liquid storage device 10b having the configuration of FIG. 23, the first cleaning step shown in FIG. 24 and the second cleaning step shown in FIGS. 25 to 27 are performed.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 24, in the first cleaning step, the gas and the cleaning liquid in the storage chamber 51 are discharged to the outside through the drain valve 120 as compared with the first cleaning step shown in FIG. 18 described above. The only difference is that they are discharged smoothly.

Further, as shown in FIG. 25, in the second cleaning step, the storage chamber cleaning step (step S31) and the discharging step (step S32a) are sequentially performed. In the storage chamber cleaning step, as shown in FIG. 26, the control unit 49 controls the first on-off valve 44a and the drain valve 120 in the closed state and the second cleaning liquid supply valve 74b, the second gas supply valve 80b and the second The on-off valve 44b is controlled to be open. Thereby, the cleaning liquid of the second cleaning liquid supply unit 70 b and the gas of the second gas supply unit 76 b are discharged into the storage chamber 51.

In the discharging step, the control unit 49 controls the second on-off valve 44b in a closed state and controls the drain valve 120 in an open state. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 27, the cleaning liquid and the gas in the storage chamber 51 are discharged to the outside through the drain valve 120. Even in the first cleaning step and the second cleaning step, the same effect as the above-described cleaning step can be obtained.

Further, in this case, since the cleaning solution introduced into the storage chamber 51 does not pass through the first passage 46a and the second passage 46b in the discharging step, the first passage 46a and the second passage 46b may be contaminated by the cleaning solution containing paint. It can be suppressed. Therefore, the cleaning operation can be performed efficiently.

In the liquid storage devices 10, 10a and 10b described above, the control unit 49 reduces the pressure in the storage chamber 51 in the pressure adjustment step. However, the liquid storage devices 10, 10a, 10b may be provided with a pressure adjustment unit separately from the control unit 49. In this case, the pressure adjustment unit may be configured to be able to cool the inside of the storage chamber 51 such that the pressure in the storage chamber 51 is lower than the pressure in each tank 28.

In the coating system 12, the intermediate reservoir 22 may be omitted and the paint of the liquid reservoirs 10, 10 a, 10 b may be supplied directly to the coating gun 26 via the trigger valve 18. The liquid storage devices 10 a and 10 b may be provided with the above-described stirring members 90 and 96 instead of the stirring member 60.

The liquid storage device and the cleaning method therefor according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various configurations can be adopted without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (13)

1. A cylinder (50) having a reservoir (51) capable of storing a predetermined liquid and having an axis extending substantially horizontally;
   Stirring members (60, 90, 96) provided in the storage chamber (51);
   A first on-off valve (44a) provided at a position above the stirring member (60, 90, 96) in the cylinder (50) and capable of supplying a cleaning liquid and a gas into the storage chamber (51);
   A second on-off valve (44b) provided at a portion of the cylinder (50) below the stirring member (60, 90, 96) and capable of supplying a cleaning liquid and a gas into the storage chamber (51); Equipped
   The liquid storage device (10, 10a, 10b) is configured to be able to discharge the cleaning liquid in the storage chamber (51) from a position below the stirring member (60, 90, 96) in the cylinder (50) Yes,
   Liquid storage device (10, 10a, 10b) characterized in that.
2. In the liquid storage device (10, 10a, 10b) according to claim 1,
   The first on-off valve (44a) is configured to be able to discharge the gas in the storage chamber (51);
   The second on-off valve (44b) is configured to be able to discharge the cleaning liquid in the storage chamber (51).
   Liquid storage device (10, 10a, 10b) characterized in that.
3. The liquid storage device (10, 10a, 10b) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
   The stirring members (60, 90, 96), the first on-off valve (44a) and the second on-off valve (44b) are located on the same plane.
   Liquid storage device (10, 10a, 10b) characterized in that.
4. The liquid storage device (10, 10a, 10b) according to any one of claims 1 to 3
   The stirring members (60, 90, 96) are
   An axis of rotation (64) extending along the axial direction of the cylinder (50);
   The blade portion (66, 92, 98) extending radially outward from the rotation shaft (64);
   The first on-off valve (44a) is located above the blade portion (66, 92, 98),
   The second on-off valve (44b) is located below the blade portion (66, 92, 98),
   Liquid storage device (10, 10a, 10b) characterized in that.
5. In the liquid storage device (10, 10a, 10b) according to claim 1,
   A first passage (46a) connected to the first on-off valve (44a) for discharging the predetermined liquid stored in the storage chamber (51);
   A first cleaning supply unit (48a) capable of supplying a cleaning solution and a gas into the storage chamber (51) via the first passage (46a) and the first on-off valve (44a);
   A second passage (46b) connected to the second on-off valve (44b);
   And a second cleaning supply unit (48b) capable of supplying a cleaning solution and a gas into the storage chamber (51) through the second passage (46b) and the second on-off valve (44b).
   Liquid storage device (10, 10a, 10b) characterized in that.
6. In the liquid storage device (10b) according to claim 5,
   The cylinder (50) is further provided with a drain valve (120) provided at a position below the stirring member (60, 90, 96) and capable of discharging the cleaning liquid and gas in the storage chamber (51).
   Liquid storage device (10b) characterized in that.
7. In the liquid storage device (10, 10a) according to claim 5,
   The second cleaning supply portion (48b) has a drain valve (84b) capable of discharging the cleaning liquid and gas discharged from the second on-off valve (44b) to the second passage (46b).
   Liquid storage device (10, 10a) characterized in that.
8. A method of cleaning a liquid storage device (10, 10a, 10b) comprising a cylinder (50) for storing a predetermined liquid, comprising:
   The cylinder (50) is disposed such that the axis extends substantially horizontally,
   In the storage chamber (51) of the cylinder (50), a rotatable stirring member (60, 90, 96) is provided,
   The cleaning member is supplied into the storage chamber (51) from a first on-off valve (44a) provided at a position above the stirring members (60, 90, 96) in the cylinder (50) and the stirring member ( 60, 90, 96), and a first cleaning step;
   The cleaning member is supplied into the storage chamber (51) from a second on-off valve (44b) provided at a position below the stirring members (60, 90, 96) in the cylinder (50) and the stirring member ( 60, 90, 96) and a second cleaning step;
   A method of cleaning a liquid storage device (10, 10a, 10b) characterized in that
9. The method for cleaning a liquid storage device (10, 10a, 10b) according to claim 8, wherein
   In the first cleaning step, the cleaning liquid is supplied from the first on-off valve (44a) toward the stirring member (60, 90, 96) and the gas is supplied from the second on-off valve (44b) to the stirring member (60). , 90, 96) supply,
   In the second cleaning step, the gas is supplied toward the stirring members (60, 90, 96) from the first on-off valve (44a) and the cleaning fluid is supplied from the second on-off valve (44b) to the stirring member (60). , 90, 96) to supply
   A method of cleaning a liquid storage device (10, 10a, 10b) characterized in that
10. The method for cleaning a liquid storage device (10, 10a, 10b) according to claim 8, wherein
    The liquid storage device (10, 10a, 10b) is
    A first passage (46a) connected to the first on-off valve (44a) for discharging the predetermined liquid stored in the storage chamber (51);
    And a second passage (46b) connected to the second on-off valve (44b),
    In the first cleaning step, a cleaning solution and a gas are supplied from the first passage (46a) to the stirring members (60, 90, 96) through the first on-off valve (44a),
    In the second cleaning step, a cleaning solution and a gas are supplied from the second passage (46b) to the stirring member (60, 90, 96) through the second on-off valve (44b).
    A method of cleaning a liquid storage device (10, 10a, 10b) characterized in that
11. The method for cleaning a liquid storage device (10, 10a) according to claim 10,
    In the first cleaning step, the cleaning liquid and the gas in the storage chamber (51) are discharged to the outside through the second on-off valve (44b) and the second passage (46b),
    In the second cleaning step,
    While supplying a cleaning fluid and a gas from the second passage (46b) into the storage chamber (51) via the second on-off valve (44b), the stirring member (60, 90, 96) is rotated, and the storage is performed A passage cleaning step of discharging the cleaning liquid and gas in the chamber (51) to the outside through the first on-off valve (44a) and the first passage (46a);
    In a state where the first on-off valve (44a) is closed, a cleaning liquid and a gas are supplied from the second passage (46b) to the storage chamber (51) via the second on-off valve (44b) and the stirring A storage chamber cleaning step of rotating the members (60, 90, 96);
    After the storage chamber cleaning step, discharging the cleaning liquid and the gas in the storage chamber (51) to the outside through the second on-off valve (44b) and the second passage (46b); ,
    A method of cleaning a liquid storage device (10, 10a) characterized in that.
12. In the method for cleaning a liquid storage device (10b) according to claim 10,
    The liquid storage device (10b) further includes a drain valve (120) provided at a location below the stirring member (60, 90, 96) in the cylinder (50),
    In the first cleaning step, the cleaning liquid and the gas in the storage chamber (51) are discharged to the outside from the drain valve (120),
    In the second cleaning step,
    In a state where the first on-off valve (44a) is closed, a cleaning liquid and a gas are supplied from the second passage (46b) to the storage chamber (51) via the second on-off valve (44b) and the stirring A storage chamber cleaning step of rotating the members (60, 90, 96);
    Performing a draining step of draining the cleaning liquid and gas in the storage chamber (51) from the drain valve (120) to the outside after the storage chamber cleaning step;
    A method of cleaning a liquid storage device (10b) characterized in that
13. The method for cleaning a liquid storage device (10, 10a, 10b) according to any one of claims 8 to 12,
    The first cleaning step and the second cleaning step are alternately repeated plural times,
    A method of cleaning a liquid storage device (10, 10a, 10b) characterized in that

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