Cleaning device for an electrode assembly of an atomizer, related operating method and corresponding electrode assembly - Patents.com

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cleaning device for cleaning an electrode assembly (3) having a plurality of finger-like external electrodes (4) for electrostatic external charging on a sprayer (1), in particular a rotary sprayer (1), comprising a first cleaning chamber (7) having an insertion opening for receiving one of the finger-like external electrodes (4) of the electrode assembly (3) during the cleaning process. The present invention provides at least a second cleaning chamber (8-10) having an insertion opening for receiving one of the finger-like external electrodes (4) of the electrode assembly (3) during the cleaning process, such that at least two of the finger-like external electrodes (4) of the electrode assembly (3) can be cleaned simultaneously during the cleaning process. Furthermore, the present invention comprises a corresponding operating method for such a cleaning device.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning device for cleaning an electrode assembly having a plurality of finger-like external electrodes ("finger electrodes") for electrostatic external charging in sprayers (e.g. rotary sprayers). Furthermore, the present invention relates to a corresponding operating method for such a cleaning device. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a correspondingly adapted electrode assembly for electrostatic external charging in sprayers (e.g. rotary sprayers). [Background technology]

[0002] In modern painting installations for painting body parts, rotary sprayers moved by multi-axis painting robots are usually used as application devices. To increase the application efficiency (ratio of the amount of paint deposited on the body part to the amount of paint sprayed) or to reduce annoying overspray, electrostatic paint charging is usually used, i.e. the applied paint is electrostatically charged while the body part to be painted is electrically grounded, so that the electrostatically charged paint is mainly deposited on the electrically grounded body part, which is desirable. In one variant of this electrostatic paint charging, finger-shaped external electrodes are used, which protrude obliquely forward and outward from the sprayer housing of the rotary sprayer and which electrostatically charge the spray jet of paint released by the rotary sprayer. The problem here is that paint can also deposit on the finger-shaped external electrodes, which is undesirable since it leads to high-voltage interference and thus to interruptions of the painting process. For this reason, it is known from the prior art to clean the finger-shaped external electrodes of such electrode assemblies. For this purpose, individual finger-like external electrodes can be inserted one after the other into a cleaning device, in which the external electrodes are cleaned with a cleaning fluid (eg, a rinsing fluid, a mixture of air and rinsing fluid).

[0003] A drawback here is the fact that the time required to clean the electrode assembly is relatively long, since the individual finger-like outer electrodes can only be cleaned one after the other.

[0004] Another disadvantage of the known cleaning device is that the painting robot must be programmed so that the finger-like external electrodes are inserted precisely into the cleaning device, and the movement sequences required for this are relatively complex, so that the programming of the robot movements for the cleaning process is correspondingly complex.

[0005] For the technical background of the present invention, reference should also be made to US Pat. No. 5,399,433, US Pat. No. 5,499,463, US Pat. No. 5,523,367, and US Pat. No. 5,523,467. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] DE 10110098 A1 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2020 / 021109 [Patent Document 3] DE 102019135360 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The present invention is therefore based on the problem of creating a correspondingly improved cleaning device for an electrode assembly of a sprayer. Furthermore, the present invention is based on the problem of specifying a corresponding operating method for such a cleaning device. Furthermore, the present invention is based on the problem of creating an electrode assembly suitable for electrostatic external charging. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] This object is achieved by the cleaning device according to the invention and by the corresponding operating method according to the independent claims.

[0009] Firstly, in accordance with known cleaning devices, the cleaning device according to the invention comprises a first cleaning chamber having an insertion opening for receiving one of the finger-like outer electrodes of the electrode assembly during the cleaning process, as already described above with respect to the prior art.

[0010] The cleaning device according to the present invention is characterized in that not only one cleaning chamber is provided, but also at least one second cleaning chamber having an insertion opening for receiving one of the finger-like external electrodes during the cleaning process, so that at least two of the finger-like external electrodes of the electrode assembly can be cleaned simultaneously during the cleaning process.

[0011] Thus, the cleaning device according to the invention has at least two cleaning chambers for each finger-like external electrode, so that the finger-like external electrodes of a corresponding number of electrode assemblies can be cleaned simultaneously, which correspondingly reduces the time required for the cleaning process. For example, the cleaning device according to the invention may have at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or even 8 cleaning chambers.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cleaning chambers of the cleaning device according to the invention are all aligned parallel to one another with respect to the insertion direction of these cleaning chambers. This is particularly advantageous if the electrode assemblies to be cleaned have finger-like external electrodes, which are also aligned parallel to one another at least with respect to their free ends. In this case, the finger-like external electrodes of the electrode assemblies can be inserted simultaneously into the corresponding cleaning chambers.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a seal is provided at the insertion opening of each individual washing chamber to prevent the cleaning fluid (e.g., rinsing liquid, a mixture of rinsing liquid and air) from escaping from the washing chamber during the cleaning process, which may lead to contamination of the surroundings. Regarding the structural design of this seal, various possibilities exist within the scope of the invention.

[0014] One possibility for structurally realizing the seal is to provide a contact seal, which may be, for example, an annular sealing lip that annularly surrounds the external electrode to be cleaned during the cleaning process and abuts outwardly against the outer surface of the external electrode to be cleaned, preferably with a certain contact pressure.

[0015] Another way of structurally realising the seal of the insertion opening is a contactless seal, for example in the form of a blowing air ring which blows an air curtain across the insertion opening, as is known per se from the prior art.

[0016] The actual cleaning of the finger-like external electrodes of the electrode assembly is carried out inside individual cleaning chambers, for which purpose spray nozzles are arranged in the cleaning chambers and can spray the finger-like external electrodes with the respective cleaning fluid during the cleaning process.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, different types of spray nozzles are arranged in each of the cleaning chambers. A first spray nozzle is preferably used to spray the cleaning fluid onto the outer surface of the finger-shaped outer electrode during the cleaning process. Meanwhile, a second spray nozzle is preferably used to spray the cleaning fluid axially onto the free end (i.e., end face) of the outer electrode during the cleaning process. When the finger-shaped outer electrode to be cleaned is inserted downwards from above into the cleaning chamber, this second spray nozzle is preferably located below the outer electrode to be cleaned.

[0018] A first spray nozzle for spraying the outer surface of the finger-shaped external electrode is preferably located in each cleaning chamber, above and near the insertion opening, for example in the upper quarter or upper fifth of the cleaning chamber.

[0019] Furthermore, it should be mentioned that the first spray nozzles for spraying the outer surface of the finger-shaped outer electrode are preferably radially aligned in a cross section perpendicular to the central axis of each cleaning chamber.

[0020] It should also be mentioned that the first spray nozzles for spraying the outer surfaces of the finger-like external electrodes are preferably inclined away from the respective insertion openings of the washing chamber, in particular at an angle of 0°-60°, 5°-50°, or 10°-30° relative to the central axis of the washing chamber. This inclination of the first spray nozzles helps to prevent the washing fluid from escaping from the insertion openings, if possible.

[0021] For example, the first spray nozzle for spraying the outer surface of the finger-shaped outer electrode can be designed as a flat jet nozzle emitting a flat jet of cleaning fluid. Alternatively, however, it is also possible to design the first spray nozzle for spraying the outer surface of the finger-shaped outer electrode as a full cone jet nozzle emitting a cone-shaped symmetric jet of cleaning fluid. Furthermore, at least one first spray nozzle can be a rotary nozzle.

[0022] A second spray nozzle for spraying the tip surface of the finger-shaped external electrode is preferably disposed at the bottom surface within each cleaning chamber, the second spray nozzle being positioned below the external electrode to be cleaned during the cleaning process.

[0023] Thus, a second spray nozzle for spraying the end faces of the finger-like outer electrodes may be centrally located within each cleaning chamber.

[0024] In this case, the second spray nozzle may be aligned parallel to the central axis of each cleaning chamber and spray cleaning fluid upward along the central axis of each cleaning chamber towards the outer electrode to be cleaned.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one drying nozzle is preferably arranged in each cleaning chamber to blow compressed air onto the external electrode to be cleaned after the cleaning process, thereby drying the external electrode to be cleaned. The drying nozzle preferably blows compressed air downwards and obliquely with respect to the central axis of each cleaning chamber to strip the cleaning fluid adhering to the external electrode to be cleaned.

[0026] For example, the drying nozzle can be designed as an annular slot nozzle blowing an air curtain against the outer electrode to be dried, but alternatively, the drying nozzle can consist of a number of individual nozzles distributed in an annular manner around each washing chamber and blowing compressed air inwardly against the finger-like outer electrode to be dried.

[0027] With regard to the drying nozzle, it must be mentioned that drying does not necessarily take place by blowing compressed air, but rather it is also possible for the drying nozzle to be designed as a suction nozzle and for drying to take place by sucking in air or a mixture of air, paint and / or rinsing agent.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the washing chambers are distributed across multiple washing modules, each washing module containing multiple washing chambers. For example, a first washing module may have two washing chambers arranged in a row, and the two washing chambers in the first washing module are preferably aligned in parallel. The second washing module also preferably has at least two washing chambers arranged in a row, and these are also preferably aligned in parallel with each other. The two washing modules are preferably aligned in parallel with each other, and the rows of washing chambers in the two washing modules are parallel with each other.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning modules are arranged opposite each other so that the cleaning chambers are all aligned in parallel. Here, the opposite cleaning modules may include a space between them to accommodate the sprayer when multiple external electrodes attached to the sprayer are inserted into the cleaning chambers. Thus, the sprayer (e.g., a rotary sprayer) may be immersed with the sprayer housing in the space between the two opposite cleaning modules with the finger-like external electrodes of the electrode assembly inserted into the respective cleaning chambers of the cleaning modules.

[0030] The cleaning liquid is preferably supplied by a cleaning agent supply device. Furthermore, the cleaning device according to the invention preferably has a compressed air supply device for supplying compressed air, which is also used in the cleaning process. In this case, a mixture of cleaning liquid and compressed air can be sprayed through the spray nozzle in order to clean the finger-shaped external electrode. Here, a valve device can be provided, which is connected on the input side to the cleaning agent supply device and the compressed air supply device and on the output side to at least one spray nozzle. The valve device can take different valve positions that perform a number of different functions. In the mixing position, the valve device can mix the compressed air with the cleaning liquid and pass this mixture to the spray nozzle. On the other hand, in the drying position, the valve device selects only the compressed air and passes the compressed air without the cleaning liquid to the spray nozzle in order to dry the external electrode.

[0031] The individual washing chambers may be connected on the outlet side to a separation device which receives the medium (e.g. paint residues, rinsing liquid, compressed air) from the washing chambers and separates the liquid medium (e.g. rinsing liquid) from the gaseous medium (e.g. compressed air).

[0032] Such a separation device may be connected on the outlet side to a waste system (eg, a collection vessel), which receives the liquid medium from the washing chamber.

[0033] A controllable valve (eg, a ball valve) may be disposed between the separation device and a waste system (eg, a collection container), the controllable valve controlling outflow from the separation device to the collection container.

[0034] Furthermore, within the scope of the invention it is also possible for the separation device to be open on the outlet side, for example opening into a funnel arranged below the separation device.

[0035] With regard to the arrangement of the separation devices in the washing chambers, various possibilities exist within the scope of the invention, which are briefly described below. In one variant of the invention, each washing chamber has its own separation device, which disposes of the liquid medium in its own waste system. In another variant of the invention, the washing chambers each have their own separation device, but the liquid medium is disposed of in a common waste system. Finally, there is also the alternative possibility that the washing chambers have a common separation device, which disposes of the liquid medium in a common waste system.

[0036] It has already been mentioned above that spray nozzles can be provided in the cleaning chamber to spray the external electrodes with cleaning fluid. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a number of such spray nozzles are provided, which are supplied with cleaning fluid from a common distributor ring. In this case, it is advantageous if the distributor ring is designed in such a way that the cleaning fluid automatically flows out of it after the cleaning process. This is advantageous, since no cleaning fluid remains in the distributor ring, which can dry out or drip off.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning device has a spring suspension with at least one spring for resiliently mounting the cleaning device on the base. This is advantageous for cushioning a collision between the electrode assembly to be cleaned on the one hand and the cleaning device on the other hand. Thus, the spring suspension allows the resiliently mounted cleaning device to move out of the way in the event of a collision, and damage to the electrode assembly and the cleaning device can be largely prevented. Furthermore, the spring suspension also serves to provide a robust seal to maintain pressure on the sealing point.

[0038] Only the cleaning of the individual finger-like external electrodes of the electrode assembly has been described above. In addition to this, it is also necessary to clean the sprayer or the sprayer housing. For this purpose, in addition to the above-mentioned cleaning chamber for the individual finger-like external electrodes, a separate cleaning chamber can be provided, into which the sprayer can be inserted in order to clean the sprayer in the separate cleaning chamber. Here, the cleaning device for the finger-like external electrodes of the electrode assembly can be built around the cleaning device for the sprayer housing.

[0039] The cleaning chamber for cleaning the finger-shaped external electrode is preferably located approximately centrally in the cleaning device, and the sprayer can insert its external electrode into the cleaning chamber from both sides of the cleaning device. On the other hand, if the cleaning chamber is located significantly off-center, the sprayer needs to be located on the side of the cleaning device closer to the off-center cleaning chamber in order to clean the external electrode of the sprayer.

[0040] Furthermore, it should be mentioned that the washing chamber preferably has liquid-tight and / or gas-tight walls.

[0041] The parallel ends of the external electrodes of the electrode assembly to be cleaned are preferably at least 1 cm, 2 cm, or 3 cm long. This parallel alignment of the finger-like external electrodes is advantageous because in this case the finger-like external electrodes can be inserted together into each cleaning chamber of the cleaning device as part of a single linear motion.

[0042] Moreover, it has already been briefly mentioned above that the cleaning fluid can be a mixture of compressed air and cleaning liquid. The concentration of the cleaning fluid in this mixture can be adjusted depending on the degree of soiling of the finger-like external electrodes, as will be explained in more detail later. Cleaning is not limited to spraying. Cleaning can also be performed dry or with a dry or wet brush or with a dry or wet fiber cloth.

[0043] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning chambers are arranged together on a rotating mechanism that can rotate around a rotation axis between different rotation positions, and the cleaning chambers are preferably aligned parallel to the rotation axis, and at each rotation position, multiple finger-shaped external electrodes can be cleaned simultaneously. For example, the electrode assembly to be cleaned may have eight finger-shaped external electrodes. In this case, the cleaning device may have, for example, four cleaning chambers arranged on the rotating mechanism. This means that four finger-shaped external electrodes can be cleaned simultaneously. To clean the other four finger-shaped external electrodes, it is only necessary to rotate the rotating mechanism a little so that the cleaning chambers are aligned in the extension of the other finger-shaped external electrodes. The finger-shaped external electrodes can be inserted or extracted from the cleaning chambers, for example, by a painting robot or by a separate lifting mechanism that raises or lowers the cleaning chambers.

[0044] In addition to the cleaning device according to the invention as described above, the invention also comprises a corresponding method of operation, characterized in that a number of external electrodes are inserted into corresponding cleaning chambers of the cleaning device and are thereby cleaned simultaneously.

[0045] Different types of spray nozzles may be arranged in the individual washing chambers to spray the washing fluid onto the outer or tip surfaces of the finger-like outer electrodes.

[0046] It should further be mentioned that the spray nozzles of the individual washing chambers can be controlled together, so that the washing fluid can be delivered simultaneously. Alternatively, the washing processes in the various washing chambers can be staggered in time. For this purpose, the spray nozzles in the individual washing chambers are controlled independently of one another, one after the other.

[0047] It should also be mentioned that the spraying of the outer surface and the spraying of the tip surface of the finger-like outer electrode can be performed simultaneously or one after the other.

[0048] The invention also makes it possible to adapt the cleaning process to the degree of soiling of the individual finger-like external electrodes. For example, if the external electrodes are heavily soiled, a correspondingly strong cleaning process is required. In contrast, if the external electrodes are only slightly soiled, a correspondingly gentle cleaning process is sufficient. The invention therefore preferably provides for determining the degree of soiling of the individual finger-like external electrodes, which can be done, for example, as part of a visual inspection by an operator or automatically using a measuring device. However, it is also possible to determine the degree of soiling by evaluating the variables of the electrostatic coating agent charge (e.g. current, voltage). In this case, the software can determine the optimal cleaning time depending on the determined degree of soiling. In this case, the cleaning fluid is adjusted depending on the determined degree of soiling. For example, the concentration of the rinsing liquid in the cleaning fluid can be adjusted for this purpose. In the case of heavy soiling, a relatively high concentration of the rinsing liquid is selected in order to achieve a correspondingly good cleaning effect. Furthermore, the amount of cleaning fluid delivered during the cleaning process can be adjusted depending on the degree of soiling or depending on the spray pressure with which the cleaning fluid is sprayed.

[0049] In addition to the cleaning device described above and the corresponding operating method also described above, the invention also claims the protection of a correspondingly adapted electrode assembly for the electrostatic external charging of coating agents (e.g. paints).

[0050] The electrode assembly according to the present invention comprises a plurality of finger-like external electrodes which serve to electrostatically charge the sprayed coating agent (e.g. paint) in accordance with the known electrode assemblies for electrostatic external charging in sprayers described at the outset.

[0051] The electrode assembly according to the invention is characterized in that the finger-like external electrodes are aligned parallel to one another at least at their ends, which is advantageous since parallel external electrodes can be introduced together into a number of cleaning chambers aligned parallel to one another.

[0052] It should be mentioned here that the finger-shaped external electrodes do not have to be aligned parallel to one another over their entire length, but rather it is also possible for the finger-shaped external electrodes to be aligned parallel to one another only at their ends.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the electrode assembly has an annular mounting ring for attachment to the atomizer, where the annular mounting ring can simply be plugged into the atomizer housing of, for example, a rotary atomizer, thereby securing the electrode assembly to the atomizer in the plugged condition.

[0054] Furthermore, it should be mentioned that the finger-like external electrodes are preferably distributed around the circumference of the annular electrode assembly, and the locations of the individual finger-like external electrodes are preferably equally spaced.

[0055] In this case, the individual finger-like external electrodes may be aligned such that their parallel ends are preferably perpendicular to the mounting ring.

[0056] It should further be mentioned that each of the finger-like external electrodes may have an outer casing made of an electrically insulating material (e.g., plastic), whereby the tip of the actual electrode may be inserted into the outer casing and protrude axially from the outer casing.

[0057] Furthermore, it should be mentioned that the electrode assembly according to the present invention is preferably exchangeable. This allows for exchanging different electrode assemblies for different application situations. For example, an electrode assembly for exterior painting can be exchanged for an electrode assembly for interior painting. Furthermore, when painting is performed without electrostatic coating agent charging, the electrode assembly for electrostatic external charging can also be replaced with a cover (dummy). Furthermore, a universal charging ring used for both interior and exterior painting can be installed instead.

[0058] Finally, the invention also claims protection for an atomizer (eg a rotary atomizer) comprising such an electrode assembly according to the invention.

[0059] Other advantageous further embodiments of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims or are explained in more detail below together with the description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0060] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a cleaning device according to the invention comprising two cleaning modules, each having two cleaning chambers. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the cleaning device of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the cleaning device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a top view of the cleaning apparatus of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a rotary sprayer with an electrode assembly inserted into a module of a cleaning device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional perspective view corresponding to FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a side view of the cleaning device according to FIGS. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows a side view of a cleaning device according to the invention with spring suspension. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of a cleaning chamber of a cleaning apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional side view of a cleaning chamber of a cleaning apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows a side view illustrating two possible positions of the rotary sprayer during the cleaning process. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 shows a side view of a cleaning apparatus in which the rotary sprayer must assume a specific position during the cleaning process. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 shows a flow diagram illustrating an operational procedure according to the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 shows a schematic diagram of a cleaning device according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0061] First, an embodiment of a cleaning device according to the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described below.

[0062] The drawing shows a rotary sprayer 1, which is moved by a painting robot, which is not shown. The rotary sprayer 1 has as application element a bell cup 2, which rotates at high speed during operation, as known from the prior art. The rotary sprayer 1 has a removable electrode assembly 3 for electrostatic external charging of the sprayed paint, the electrode assembly 3 having a total of eight finger electrodes 4, which are equally spaced and distributed on the circumference of the electrode assembly 3 and have parallel ends.

[0063] In this embodiment, the cleaning device according to the invention comprises two cleaning modules 5, 6, each of which includes two cleaning chambers 7, 8 and two cleaning chambers 9, 10. Thus, in the cleaning module 5, two finger electrodes 4 can be cleaned simultaneously. Similarly, two of the finger electrodes 4 can also be cleaned simultaneously in the other cleaning module 6.

[0064] The two cleaning modules 5, 6 are mounted on the outside of vertical mounting plates 11, 12, respectively, which enclose an intermediate space 13. During the cleaning process, the rotary sprayer 1 with the sprayer housing 14 can enter the intermediate space 13 between the two cleaning modules 5, 6, so that the finger electrodes 4 are inserted into the corresponding cleaning chambers 7-10.

[0065] In this embodiment, four of the eight finger electrodes 4 can be cleaned simultaneously during a cleaning process. To clean the other four finger electrodes 4 of the electrode assembly 3, the rotary sprayer 1 has to be repositioned accordingly by the painting robot. However, only two cleaning processes are required instead of the eight required with the conventional cleaning device described at the beginning.

[0066] Figures 3 to 6 show a variant embodiment of a cleaning device according to the invention, which corresponds generally to the cleaning device described above and shown in Figures 1 and 2, and to avoid repetition reference is made to the above description and the same reference numbers are used for corresponding details.

[0067] A special feature of this embodiment is that the two cleaning modules 5,6 are mounted on the inside of the two mounting plates 11,12, rather than on the outside of the two mounting plates 11,12.

[0068] 6 further shows that a blow air ring 15 is arranged in the washing chamber 9 near the insertion opening on the upper side, which blows an air curtain laterally against the insertion opening, thereby preventing cleaning agent or paint residues from escaping from the washing chamber 9 during the cleaning process. The blow air ring 15 thus forms a contactless seal of the insertion opening of the washing chamber 9.

[0069] It can further be seen from the drawing that a number of spray nozzles 16 are arranged circumferentially distributed within the cleaning chamber 9, which in this embodiment are designed as flat spray nozzles and spray the cleaning fluid onto the outer surfaces of the finger electrodes 4.

[0070] It can further be seen from the drawing that a spray nozzle 17 is centrally located at the bottom surface of the cleaning chamber 9, the spray nozzle 17 being aligned axially upwards and spraying cleaning fluid onto the lower end surfaces of the finger electrodes 4.

[0071] 7 shows the arrangement of the rotary sprayer 1 during the cleaning process. For this purpose, the rotary sprayer 1 is moved from top to bottom so that the finger electrodes 4 to be cleaned are inserted into the respective cleaning chambers 7. It should be mentioned here that the cleaning chambers 7 are arranged approximately centrally in the cleaning module 5. This means that between the central axis 18 of the cleaning chamber 7 and the lateral outer contour of the cleaning module 6 there are distances ba and bi, respectively, and the two distances ba, bi are approximately equal.

[0072] Furthermore, it must be mentioned that the rotary sprayer 1 has a clear width lw between the outer contour of the sprayer housing 14 and the finger electrodes 4, which is greater than the distances ba, bi. This is advantageous since it allows the rotary sprayer 1 to be positioned in other ways than to the right of the cleaning module 5 as shown. Alternatively, it is also possible to position the rotary sprayer 1 to the left of the cleaning module 5 during the cleaning process.

[0073] 8 shows a spring suspension of the cleaning device. The cleaning device is spring suspended on a base 19 by a spiral spring 20. The spring suspension of the cleaning device is particularly advantageous because in the event of a collision between the rotary sprayer 1 or the electrode assembly 3 and the cleaning device, the spiral spring 20 of the suspension allows the cleaning device to move away, thereby substantially preventing damage to the electrode assembly 3 or the cleaning device.

[0074] Furthermore, it can be seen from the drawing that drain funnels 21, 22 are arranged at the bottom of the two washing chambers 7, 8, which drain into a common waste system 23. Thus, during the washing process, paint residues, rinsing agent and compressed air can be drained through the drain funnels 21, 22 into the common waste system 23, as indicated by the arrows.

[0075] It can further be seen from the drawing that the blow air rings 24, 25 are supplied with compressed air from a common compressed air supply 26.

[0076] FIG. 10 shows a variant of the above-described embodiment, in which the spray nozzle 16 is designed as a full cone spray nozzle.

[0077] Figures 11 and 12 again show the arrangement of the rotary sprayer 1 on the cleaning module 5. In the variant according to Figure 11, the cleaning chamber 7 is arranged centrally so that the rotary sprayer 1 can be arranged on either side as desired during the cleaning process, whereas in the variant according to Figure 12, the cleaning chamber 7 is arranged off-centre so that the rotary sprayer 1 can only be arranged on the right side in the figure during the cleaning process, and when cleaning the other finger electrodes 4, the rotary sprayer 1 has to be repositioned, which is time consuming.

[0078] In the following, a flow chart according to FIG. 13 will be described, which explains an example of an operating method according to the present invention.

[0079] In a first step S1, the degree of contamination of the individual finger-like outer electrodes ("finger electrodes") of the electrode assembly is first determined. This can be done by an operator or can be automated by a measuring device.

[0080] In a next step S2, the finger-like outer electrodes of the electrode assembly are introduced into the respective cleaning chambers of the cleaning device.

[0081] In a further step S3, cleaning parameters are set individually for the individual cleaning chambers depending on the degree of soiling of each finger-like external electrode. For example, a high concentration of rinse agent can be used to clean heavily soiled finger-like external electrodes, whereas a low concentration of rinse agent can be used for cleaning only slightly soiled finger-like external electrodes.

[0082] In a next step S4, the outer faces and end faces of the finger-like outer electrodes are sprayed with a cleaning fluid, which can be, for example, a mixture of cleaning fluid and compressed air.

[0083] In a next step S5, the finger-shaped outer electrodes may be dried, for example by blowing compressed air onto the finger-shaped outer electrodes.

[0084] In the next step S6, the finger-shaped outer electrode is withdrawn from the cleaning chamber of the cleaning device.

[0085] Finally, Figure 14 shows a schematic diagram of a cleaning device according to the invention with a rotation mechanism 27, where four cleaning chambers 28-31 are arranged on the rotation mechanism 27. The cleaning chambers 28-31 can be rotated around a rotation axis 32 by the rotation mechanism 27.

[0086] Further, an electrode assembly 33 is shown, which performs the function of electrostatic external charging and has eight finger electrodes 34-41. In the illustrated rotational position of the rotating mechanism 27, the finger electrodes 35, 37, 39, 41 are located in the corresponding washing chambers 28, 29, 30, 31, respectively, and can be washed simultaneously. To wash the other finger electrodes 34, 36, 38, 40, the entire electrode assembly 33 must first be pulled out of the washing device. This can be done by a washing robot or by a separate lifting mechanism. The rotating mechanism 27 is then rotated in the direction of the double arrow, and the other finger electrodes 34, 36, 38, 40 can then enter the washing chambers 28-31 and be washed therein.

[0087] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned preferred embodiment. Rather, the present invention also encompasses various modifications and variations that utilize the concept of the present invention in the same way and are therefore included within the scope of protection. In particular, the present invention also claims protection for the subject matter and features of the dependent claims, independently of each of the claims referred to, and without specifically accompanying the features of the main claim. Thus, the present invention includes various aspects of the present invention that enjoy protection independently of each other.

[0088] (Additional Note) (Appendix 1) A cleaning device for cleaning an electrode assembly (3) having a plurality of finger-like external electrodes (4) for electrostatic external charging in a sprayer (1), in particular in a rotary sprayer (1), comprising: (a) a first cleaning chamber (7) having an insertion opening for receiving one of the finger-like outer electrodes (4) of the electrode assembly (3) during a cleaning process; (b) having at least one second cleaning chamber (8-10) having an insertion opening for receiving one of the finger-like external electrodes (4) of the electrode assembly (3) during the cleaning process, so that at least two of the finger-like external electrodes (4) of the electrode assembly (3) can be simultaneously cleaned during the cleaning process; Characterized by: Cleaning equipment.

[0089] (Appendix 2) the cleaning chambers (7-10) are all aligned parallel to one another and receive the parallel finger-like outer electrodes (4) of the electrode assembly (3); 2. A cleaning device as described in claim 1.

[0090] (Appendix 3) (a) a seal is provided at the insertion opening of each of the washing chambers (7-10), the seal preventing leakage of washing fluid from the washing chambers (7-10) during a washing process; (b) the seal at the insertion opening of the washing chamber (7-10) may optionally include (b1) in a contact manner, in particular as an annular sealing lip that annularly surrounds the external electrode (4) to be cleaned during the cleaning process and abuts against the outside of the external electrode (4) to be cleaned, preferably elastically with a contact force, or (b2) in a non-contact manner, in particular as a blowing air ring (15, 24, 25) blowing an air curtain across the insertion opening What is designed? Characterized by: 3. A cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2.

[0091] (Appendix 4) (a) at least one first spray nozzle (16) is arranged in at least one of the cleaning chambers (7-10), and the at least one first spray nozzle (16) sprays the cleaning fluid onto the outer surface of the finger-shaped external electrode (4) during the cleaning process; and / or (b) at least one second spray nozzle (17) is arranged in at least one of the cleaning chambers (7-10) for spraying the cleaning fluid axially onto the free end of the external electrode (4) during the cleaning process, in particular axially from the front with respect to the external electrode (4) to be cleaned; Characterized by: 4. A cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

[0092] (Appendix 5) (a) the at least one first spray nozzle (16) is disposed in each of the washing chambers (7-10) near the upper side of the insertion opening, in particular in the upper quarter or fifth of the washing chambers (7-10); (b) the first spray nozzles (16) are radially aligned in a cross section perpendicular to the central axis of each of the washing chambers (7-10); and / or (c) the first spray nozzle (16) is inclined in a direction away from the insertion opening of each of the washing chambers (7-10), particularly at an angle of 0° to 60°, 5° to 50°, or 10° to 30° with respect to a central axis of the washing chamber (7-10); (d) the first spray nozzle (16) optionally comprises: (d1) as a flat jet nozzle that emits a flat jet of the cleaning fluid; or (d2) a full cone jet nozzle emitting a cone-shaped symmetric jet of the cleaning fluid; What is designed? Characterized by: 5. A cleaning device as described in appended claim 4.

[0093] (Appendix 6) (a) the second spray nozzle (17) is arranged at the bottom in each of the cleaning chambers (7-10), the second spray nozzle (17) being located below the external electrode (4) to be cleaned during the cleaning process; and / or (b) the second spray nozzle (17) is centrally located within each of the washing chambers (7-10); and / or (c) the second spray nozzles (17) are aligned parallel to the central axis of each of the cleaning chambers (7-10) and spray the cleaning fluid upward along the central axis (18) of each of the cleaning chambers (7-10) towards the external electrode (4) to be cleaned; Characterized by: 6. A cleaning device according to claim 4 or 5.

[0094] (Appendix 7) (a) a drying nozzle is arranged in at least one of the cleaning chambers (7-10) for blowing compressed air onto the external electrode (4) to be cleaned or for sucking compressed air from the external electrode (4) to be cleaned after the cleaning process, thereby drying the external electrode (4) to be cleaned; (b) the drying nozzle blows compressed air downward, preferably obliquely with respect to the central axis of each of the cleaning chambers (7 to 10), in order to peel off cleaning fluid adhering to the external electrode (4) to be cleaned; (c) the drying nozzle optionally comprises: (c1) as a circular circulation slot nozzle blowing an air curtain onto the external electrode (4) to be dried, or (c2) as a plurality of individual nozzles distributed in an annular manner around each of the cleaning chambers (7-10) and which preferably blow compressed air inwards in each case against the external electrode (4) to be dried; What is designed? Characterized by: 7. A cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

[0095] (Appendix 8) (a) a first cleaning module (5) having at least two cleaning chambers (7, 8) arranged in a row for receiving and cleaning an external electrode (4) in each case, the two cleaning chambers (7, 8) in the first cleaning module (5) being aligned in parallel; (b) a second cleaning module (6) having at least two cleaning chambers (9, 10) arranged in a row for receiving and cleaning one external electrode (4) in each case, said two cleaning chambers (9, 10) being aligned in parallel within said second cleaning module (6); Equipped with (c) the cleaning modules (5, 6) are optionally aligned parallel to one another, and the rows of the cleaning chambers (7-10) in the two cleaning modules (5, 6) are parallel to one another; Characterized by: 8. A cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

[0096] (Appendix 9) (a) the two cleaning modules (5, 6) are arranged opposite each other such that the cleaning chambers (7-10) are all aligned in parallel; (b) the two cleaning modules (5, 6) surround a space (13) between the two cleaning modules (5, 6) for receiving the sprayer (1) when a plurality of external electrodes (4) attached to the sprayer (1) are inserted into the cleaning chamber (7-10); Characterized by: 9. A cleaning device as described in claim 8.

[0097] (Appendix 10) (a) a cleaning agent supply device for supplying a cleaning liquid; (b) a compressed air supply device for supplying compressed air; (c) at least one spray nozzle for spraying the mixture of the cleaning liquid and the compressed air onto the finger-shaped external electrodes (4); (d) a valve device connected at an inlet side to the cleaning agent supply device and the compressed air supply device and connected at an outlet side to the at least one spray nozzle; Equipped with (e) the valve device (e1) a mixing position, in which the valve device mixes the compressed air with the cleaning liquid and passes the mixture to the spray nozzle; (e2) a drying position, in which the valve device selects only the compressed air and passes the compressed air without the cleaning liquid to the spray nozzle to dry the external electrode (4); At least one of the valve positions Characterized by: 10. A cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

[0098] (Appendix 11) (a) at least one of the washing chambers (7-10) is connected on the outlet side to a separation device which receives the medium from the washing chamber (7-10) and separates the liquid medium from the gaseous medium, and / or (b) the separating device is connected at its outlet side to a waste system, in particular to a collection vessel receiving the liquid medium from the washing chambers (7-10); and / or (c) a controllable valve, in particular a ball valve, for valving the outflow from the separating device to the collecting vessel is arranged between the separating device and the disposal system; and / or (d) the separator is open at the outlet side, preferably to a funnel located below the separator; Characterized by: 11. A cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

[0099] (Appendix 12) (a) each of said washing chambers (7 to 10) has a separation device for disposing of the liquid medium in each case to an individual disposal system, or (b) each of the individual washing chambers (7-10) has a separation device for disposing of the liquid medium into a common disposal system, or (c) the washing chambers (7-10) have a common separation device for disposing of the liquid medium to a common disposal system; Characterized by: 12. The cleaning apparatus of claim 11.

[0100] (Appendix 13) (a) a plurality of spray nozzles (16, 17) are provided for spraying a cleaning fluid onto the external electrode (4); (b) the spray nozzles (16, 17) are supplied with the cleaning fluid from a common distributor ring; and (c) the distributor ring is designed so that the cleaning fluid flows independently out of the distributor ring after a cleaning operation; Characterized by: 13. A cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

[0101] (Appendix 14) (a) the cleaning device comprises a spring suspension having a spring (20) for resiliently mounting the cleaning device on a base, in particular for preventing collisions between the electrode assembly (3) to be cleaned and the cleaning device; and / or (b) in addition to the washing chamber for washing the finger-like external electrode (4), a separate washing chamber (7-10) is provided for washing the sprayer (1), so that the external electrode (4) and the sprayer (1) can be washed simultaneously; and / or (c) the cleaning chamber (7-10) is disposed approximately centrally within the cleaning apparatus such that the sprayer (1) can insert the external electrode (4) of the sprayer (1) into the cleaning chamber (7-10) from both sides of the cleaning apparatus; and / or (d) the washing chambers (7-10) have liquid-tight and / or air-tight walls, and / or (e) the parallel ends of the external electrodes (4) are at least 1 cm, 2 cm, or 3 cm long; and / or (f) the cleaning fluid is a mixture of compressed air and a cleaning liquid; Characterized by: 14. A cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

[0102] (Appendix 15) (a) the cleaning chambers (7-10) are arranged together on a rotation mechanism (27) which can be rotated around a rotation axis (32) between different rotation positions, the cleaning chambers (28-31) being preferably aligned parallel to the rotation axis (32), and in each of the rotation positions, in each case, a number of finger-shaped external electrodes (34-41) can be cleaned simultaneously; (b) optionally, a lifting mechanism is provided for lifting the cleaning chambers (28-31) together along the insertion direction, thereby inserting the finger-shaped external electrodes (34-41) to be cleaned into the cleaning chambers (28-31) or removing the finger-shaped external electrodes (34-41) to be cleaned from the cleaning chambers (28-31); Characterized by: 15. A cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

[0103] (Appendix 16) A method for operating a cleaning device for cleaning an electrode assembly (3) having a plurality of finger-shaped external electrodes (4) for electrostatic external charging in a sprayer (1), in particular a cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, comprising the steps of: (a) inserting one of the finger-shaped external electrodes (4) of the electrode assembly (3) into a first cleaning chamber (7-10) of the cleaning device; (b) inserting another one of the finger-shaped external electrodes (4) of the electrode assembly (3) into a second cleaning chamber (7-10) of the cleaning device; (c) simultaneously cleaning the finger-shaped external electrodes (4) in the cleaning chamber of the cleaning device. Characterized by: How to drive.

[0104] (Appendix 17) A step for cleaning the finger-like external electrodes (4), (a) spraying the finger-shaped external electrode (4) in the cleaning chamber with a cleaning fluid by at least one first spray nozzle (16) directed in each case towards an outer surface of the finger-shaped external electrode (4); (b) spraying the cleaning fluid onto the finger-shaped external electrode (4) in the cleaning chamber by means of at least one second spray nozzle (17) directed in each case substantially axially onto the end face of the finger-shaped external electrode (4); Characterized by: The operating method described in Appendix 16.

[0105] (Appendix 18) (a) the spray nozzles (16, 17) of each of the washing chambers (7-10) are controlled together to deliver the washing fluid simultaneously; or (b) the spray nozzles (16, 17) of the individual washing chambers (7-10) are controlled independently of each other and the washing fluid can be delivered with a time delay in the various washing chambers (7-10); Characterized by: The operating method described in Appendix 17.

[0106] (Appendix 19) (a) in each of the washing chambers (7-10), the first spray nozzle (16) and the second spray nozzle (17) are controlled together and the washing fluid is delivered simultaneously; or (b) In each of the washing chambers (7-10), the first spray nozzle (16) and the second spray nozzle (17) are controlled independently of each other, and the washing fluid can be delivered by the first spray nozzle (16) and the second spray nozzle (17) with a time delay. Characterized by: 19. The method of operation described in appendix 17 or 18.

[0107] (Appendix 20) (a) in each of the washing chambers (7-10), the washing fluid for the first spray nozzle (16) is selected independently of the washing fluid for the second spray nozzle (17); (b) optionally, the first spray nozzle (16) ejects air as a cleaning fluid onto the outer surface of the finger-like outer electrode (4); (c) Optionally, the second spray nozzle (17) sprays a mixture of rinsing fluid and air as a cleaning fluid onto the end surface of the finger-shaped external electrode (4). Characterized by: 20. The method of any one of claims 17 to 19.

[0108] (Appendix 21) (a) determining the degree of soiling of each of the finger-like external electrodes (4) prior to a cleaning process, said degree of soiling being optionally determined by an operator or a measuring device; (b) depending on the degree of contamination of the finger-like external electrodes (4) introduced into each of the cleaning chambers (7-10), in particular the operating parameters of the cleaning fluid, (b1) a concentration of the rinsing fluid in the cleaning fluid, the cleaning fluid being a mixture of the rinsing fluid and air; and (b2) the amount of cleaning fluid dispensed during the cleaning process; and (b3) a spraying pressure at which the cleaning fluid is sprayed; and adjusting the wash fluid in each of the wash chambers by adjusting one of Characterized by: 21. The method of any one of claims 16 to 20.

[0109] (Appendix 22) An electrode assembly (3) for a sprayer (1), in particular a rotary sprayer (1), for the electrostatic external charging of a coating agent, comprising: (a) a plurality of finger-shaped external electrodes (4) for electrostatically charging the coating agent externally; (b) the finger-shaped external electrodes (4) are aligned parallel to each other at least at their ends; Electrode assembly (3).

[0110] (Appendix 23) (a) the electrode assembly (3) has an annular mounting ring for mounting to the atomizer; (b) the finger-like external electrodes (4) are distributed, in particular at equal intervals, on the circumference of the annular electrode assembly; (c) the finger-like external electrodes (4) are aligned such that at least their parallel ends are perpendicular to the mounting ring; (d) each of the finger-like external electrodes (4) has an exterior made of an electrically insulating material, in particular a plastic; and / or (e) at the free end of each of the finger-shaped external electrodes (4), a tip of the electrode projects axially from the outer casing; Characterized by: 23. The electrode assembly (3) of claim 22.

[0111] (Appendix 24) A sprayer (1), in particular a rotary sprayer (1), (a) a sprayer central axis, in particular a rotation axis of a bell cup (2), the sprayer (1) discharging droplets of coating agent along the sprayer central axis; (b) an electrode assembly (3) having a plurality of finger-shaped external electrodes (4) for electrostatic external charging of the coating agent; having (c) the electrode assembly (3) is designed according to appendix 22 or 23; Sprayer (1). [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 1 Rotary Sprayer 2 Rotary Sprayer Bell Cup 3. Electrode Assembly for Electrostatic External Charging 4 Finger electrodes of electrode assembly 5, 6 Cleaning module of the cleaning device 7~10 Cleaning chamber of cleaning device 11, 12 Mounting plate for mounting the cleaning module 13 Space between cleaning modules 14 Sprayer housing of rotary sprayer 15 Blow air ring for sealing the insertion opening of the cleaning chamber 16 Spray nozzles on the side of the wash chamber 17 Spray nozzles at the bottom of the cleaning chamber 18 Central axis of the cleaning chamber 19 Pedestal supporting the cleaning device 20 Coil spring for elastically supporting the cleaning device on the base 21, 22 Drain funnel at the bottom of the washing chamber 23 Waste Treatment System 24, 25 Blow air ring 26 Common compressed air supply for blow air ring 27 Rotation mechanism 28~31 Cleaning chamber 32 Rotational axis of the rotating mechanism 33 Electrode Assembly for Electrostatic External Charging 34~41 Finger electrodes of electrode assembly lw Clear width between the parallel ends of the finger electrodes and the atomizer housing ba Width between the inserted finger electrode and the outer wall of the cleaning module bi Structural width between the inserted finger electrodes and the inner outer wall of the cleaning module

Claims

1. A cleaning device for cleaning an electrode assembly (3) having a plurality of finger-like external electrodes (4) for electrostatic external charging in a sprayer (1), in particular in a rotary sprayer (1), comprising: (a) a first cleaning chamber (7) having an insertion opening for receiving one of the finger-like external electrodes (4) of the electrode assembly (3) during a cleaning process; (b) having at least one second cleaning chamber (8-10) having an insertion opening for receiving one of the finger-like external electrodes (4) of the electrode assembly (3) during the cleaning process, such that at least two of the finger-like external electrodes (4) of the electrode assembly (3) can be cleaned simultaneously during the cleaning process; Characterized by: Cleaning equipment.

2. the washing chambers (7-10) are all aligned parallel to one another and receive the parallel finger-like outer electrodes (4) of the electrode assembly (3); The cleaning device according to claim 1 .

3. (a) a seal is provided at the insertion opening of each of the washing chambers (7-10), the seal preventing leakage of washing fluid from the washing chambers (7-10) during the washing process; (b) the seal at the insertion opening of the washing chamber (7-10) optionally comprises: (b1) in a contact manner, in particular as an annular sealing lip that annularly surrounds the external electrode (4) to be cleaned during the cleaning process and abuts against the outside of the external electrode (4) to be cleaned, preferably elastically with a contact force, or (b2) in a non-contact manner, in particular as a blowing air ring (15, 24, 25) blowing an air curtain across the insertion opening. What is designed? Characterized by: The cleaning device according to claim 1 .

4. (a) at least one first spray nozzle (16) is arranged in at least one of the cleaning chambers (7-10), and the at least one first spray nozzle (16) sprays the cleaning fluid onto the outer surface of the finger-like external electrode (4) during the cleaning process; and / or (b) at least one second spray nozzle (17) is arranged in at least one of the cleaning chambers (7-10) for spraying the cleaning fluid axially onto the free end of the external electrode (4) during the cleaning process, in particular axially from the front with respect to the external electrode (4) to be cleaned; Characterized by: The cleaning device according to claim 1 .

5. (a) the at least one first spray nozzle (16) is arranged in each of the washing chambers (7-10) near the insertion opening, above, in particular in the upper quarter or fifth of the washing chambers (7-10); (b) the first spray nozzles (16) are radially aligned in a cross section perpendicular to the central axis of each of the washing chambers (7-10); and / or (c) the first spray nozzles (16) are inclined away from the insertion opening of each of the washing chambers (7-10), in particular at an angle of 0° to 60°, 5° to 50°, or 10° to 30° relative to a central axis of the washing chambers (7-10); (d) the first spray nozzle (16) optionally comprises: (d1) as a flat jet nozzle that emits a flat jet of the cleaning fluid; or (d2) As a full cone jet nozzle that emits a cone-shaped symmetric jet of the cleaning fluid. What is designed? Characterized by:

5. The cleaning device according to claim 4.

6. (a) the second spray nozzle (17) is arranged at the bottom in each of the cleaning chambers (7-10), the second spray nozzle (17) being located below the external electrode (4) to be cleaned during the cleaning process; and / or (b) said second spray nozzle (17) is centrally located within each of said washing chambers (7-10); and / or (c) the second spray nozzles (17) are aligned parallel to the central axis of each of the cleaning chambers (7-10) and spray the cleaning fluid upwards along the central axis (18) of each of the cleaning chambers (7-10) towards the external electrode (4) to be cleaned. Characterized by:

5. The cleaning device according to claim 4.

7. (a) a drying nozzle is arranged in at least one of the cleaning chambers (7-10) for blowing compressed air onto the external electrode (4) to be cleaned or for sucking compressed air from the external electrode (4) to be cleaned after the cleaning process, thereby drying the external electrode (4), (b) the drying nozzle blows compressed air downward, preferably obliquely with respect to the central axis of each of the cleaning chambers (7-10), in order to peel off cleaning fluid adhering to the external electrode (4) to be cleaned; (c) the drying nozzle optionally comprises: (c1) as a circular circulation slot nozzle blowing an air curtain onto the external electrode (4) to be dried, preferably; or (c2) as a plurality of individual nozzles distributed in an annular manner around each of the washing chambers (7-10) and which preferably blow compressed air inwards in each case against the external electrode (4) to be dried; What is designed? Characterized by: The cleaning device according to claim 1 .

8. (a) a first cleaning module (5) having at least two cleaning chambers (7, 8) arranged in a row for receiving and cleaning an external electrode (4) in each case, the two cleaning chambers (7, 8) in the first cleaning module (5) being aligned in parallel; (b) a second cleaning module (6) having at least two cleaning chambers (9, 10) arranged in a row for receiving and cleaning one external electrode (4) in each case, said two cleaning chambers (9, 10) being aligned in parallel within said second cleaning module (6); Equipped with (c) the cleaning modules (5, 6) are optionally aligned parallel to one another, and the rows of the cleaning chambers (7-10) in the two cleaning modules (5, 6) are parallel to one another. Characterized by: The cleaning device according to claim 1 .

9. (a) the two cleaning modules (5, 6) are arranged opposite each other such that the cleaning chambers (7-10) are all aligned in parallel; (b) the two cleaning modules (5, 6) enclose a space (13) between the two cleaning modules (5, 6) for receiving the sprayer (1) when a plurality of external electrodes (4) attached to the sprayer (1) are inserted into the cleaning chamber (7-10). Characterized by:

9. The cleaning device according to claim 8.

10. (a) a cleaning agent supply device for supplying a cleaning liquid; (b) a compressed air supply device for supplying compressed air; (c) at least one spray nozzle for spraying the mixture of the cleaning liquid and the compressed air onto the finger-shaped external electrodes (4); (d) a valve device connected at an inlet side to the cleaning agent supply device and the compressed air supply device and connected at an outlet side to the at least one spray nozzle; Equipped with (e) the valve device (e1) a mixing position, in which the valve device mixes the compressed air with the cleaning liquid and passes the mixture to the spray nozzle; (e2) a drying position, in which the valve device selects only the compressed air and passes the compressed air without the cleaning liquid to the spray nozzle to dry the external electrode (4); having at least one valve position among Characterized by: The cleaning device according to claim 1 .

11. (a) at least one of the washing chambers (7-10) is connected on the outlet side to a separation device which receives the medium from the washing chamber (7-10) and separates the liquid medium from the gaseous medium, and / or (b) said separating device is connected on the outlet side to a waste system, in particular to a collection vessel receiving the liquid medium from said washing chambers (7-10); and / or (c) a controllable valve, in particular a ball valve, for valving the outflow from the separating device to the collecting vessel is arranged between the separating device and the disposal system; and / or (d) the separation device is open on the outlet side, preferably to a funnel arranged below the separation device; Characterized by: The cleaning device according to claim 1 .

12. (a) each of said washing chambers (7-10) comprises a separation device for disposing of the liquid medium in each case to an individual disposal system, or (b) each of said individual washing chambers (7-10) has a separation device for disposing of the liquid medium into a common disposal system, or (c) said washing chambers (7-10) have a common separation device for disposing of the liquid medium into a common disposal system; Characterized by:

12. The cleaning device according to claim 11.

13. (a) a plurality of spray nozzles (16, 17) are provided for spraying a cleaning fluid onto the external electrode (4); (b) the spray nozzles (16, 17) are supplied with the cleaning fluid from a common distributor ring; and (c) the distributor ring is designed so that the cleaning fluid flows independently out of the distributor ring after a cleaning operation; Characterized by: The cleaning device according to claim 1 .

14. (a) the cleaning device comprises a spring suspension with a spring (20) for resiliently mounting the cleaning device on a base, in particular for preventing collisions between the electrode assembly (3) to be cleaned and the cleaning device; and / or (b) in addition to the washing chamber for washing the finger-like external electrode (4), a separate washing chamber (7-10) is provided for washing the atomizer (1), so that the external electrode (4) and the atomizer (1) can be washed simultaneously; and / or (c) the washing chamber (7-10) is substantially centrally located within the cleaning device such that the sprayer (1) can insert its outer electrode (4) into the cleaning chamber (7-10) from both sides of the cleaning device; and / or (d) the washing chambers (7-10) have liquid-tight and / or gas-tight walls; and / or (e) the parallel ends of the external electrodes (4) are at least 1 cm, 2 cm, or 3 cm long; and / or (f) the cleaning fluid is a mixture of compressed air and a cleaning liquid; Characterized by: The cleaning device according to claim 1 .

15. (a) the cleaning chambers (7-10) are arranged together on a rotation mechanism (27) which can be rotated around a rotation axis (32) between different rotation positions, the cleaning chambers (28-31) being preferably aligned parallel to the rotation axis (32), in each of the rotation positions a number of finger-like external electrodes (34-41) can in each case be cleaned simultaneously; (b) optionally, a lifting mechanism is provided for lifting the cleaning chambers (28-31) together along the insertion direction, thereby inserting the finger-shaped external electrodes (34-41) to be cleaned into the cleaning chambers (28-31) or removing the finger-shaped external electrodes (34-41) to be cleaned from the cleaning chambers (28-31). Characterized by: The cleaning device according to claim 1 .

16. A method for operating a cleaning device for cleaning an electrode assembly (3) having a plurality of finger-shaped external electrodes (4) for electrostatic external charging in a sprayer (1), comprising the steps of: (a) inserting one of the finger-like outer electrodes (4) of the electrode assembly (3) into a first cleaning chamber (7-10) of the cleaning device; (b) inserting another one of the finger-like external electrodes (4) of the electrode assembly (3) into a second cleaning chamber (7-10) of the cleaning device; (c) simultaneously cleaning the finger-shaped external electrodes (4) in the cleaning chamber of the cleaning device. Characterized by: How to drive.

17. A step for cleaning the finger-like external electrodes (4), (a) spraying the finger-shaped external electrode (4) in the washing chamber with a washing fluid by at least one first spray nozzle (16) directed in each case towards an outer surface of the finger-shaped external electrode (4); and (b) spraying the cleaning fluid onto the finger-shaped external electrode (4) in the cleaning chamber by means of at least one second spray nozzle (17) directed in each case substantially axially onto the end face of the finger-shaped external electrode (4); Characterized by:

17. The method of claim 16.

18. (a) the spray nozzles (16, 17) of each of the washing chambers (7-10) are controlled together to deliver the washing fluid simultaneously; or (b) the spray nozzles (16, 17) of the individual washing chambers (7-10) are controlled independently of each other and the washing fluid can be delivered with a time delay in the various washing chambers (7-10); Characterized by:

18. The method of claim 17.

19. (a) in each of the washing chambers (7-10), the first spray nozzle (16) and the second spray nozzle (17) are controlled together and the washing fluid is delivered simultaneously; or (b) in each of the washing chambers (7-10), the first spray nozzle (16) and the second spray nozzle (17) are controlled independently of each other, and the washing fluid can be delivered by the first spray nozzle (16) and the second spray nozzle (17) with a time delay; Characterized by:

18. The method of claim 17.

20. (a) in each of the washing chambers (7-10), the washing fluid for the first spray nozzle (16) is selected independently of the washing fluid for the second spray nozzle (17); (b) optionally, the first spray nozzle (16) ejects air as a cleaning fluid onto the outer surface of the finger-shaped outer electrode (4); (c) optionally, the second spray nozzle (17) sprays a mixture of rinsing fluid and air as a cleaning fluid onto the end surface of the finger-shaped external electrode (4); Characterized by:

18. The method of claim 17.

21. (a) determining the degree of soiling of each of the finger-like external electrodes (4) prior to a cleaning process, said degree of soiling being optionally determined by an operator or a measuring device; (b) depending on the degree of contamination of the finger-like external electrodes (4) introduced into each of the cleaning chambers (7-10), in particular the operating parameters of the cleaning fluid: (b1) a concentration of the rinsing fluid in the cleaning fluid, the rinsing fluid being a mixture of the rinsing fluid and air; and (b2) the amount of cleaning fluid dispensed during the cleaning process; and (b3) a spraying pressure at which the cleaning fluid is sprayed; and adjusting the wash fluid in each of the wash chambers by adjusting one of Characterized by:

17. The method of claim 16.

22. An electrode assembly (3) for a sprayer (1), in particular a rotary sprayer (1), for the electrostatic external charging of a coating agent, comprising: (a) a plurality of finger-shaped external electrodes (4) for electrostatically charging the coating agent externally; (b) the finger-shaped external electrodes (4) are aligned parallel to one another at least at their ends; Electrode assembly (3).

23. (a) the electrode assembly (3) has an annular mounting ring for mounting to the atomizer; (b) the finger-like external electrodes (4) are distributed, in particular at equal intervals, around the circumference of the annular electrode assembly; (c) the finger-like external electrodes (4) are aligned such that at least their parallel ends are perpendicular to the mounting ring; (d) each of said finger-like external electrodes (4) has an exterior covering of an electrically insulating material, in particular of plastic; and / or (e) at the free end of each of the finger-shaped external electrodes (4), a tip of the electrode projects axially from the outer casing; Characterized by: Electrode assembly (3) according to claim 22.

24. A sprayer (1), in particular a rotary sprayer (1), comprising: (a) a sprayer central axis, in particular a rotation axis of a bell cup (2), along which the sprayer (1) ejects droplets of coating agent; (b) an electrode assembly (3) having a plurality of finger-shaped external electrodes (4) for electrostatic external charging of the coating agent; having (c) the electrode assembly (3) is designed according to claim 22, Sprayer (1).

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