Coating machine cleaning method, cleaning liquid supply device, and cleaning system

Abstract

To provide a painting machine cleaning method which enables reduction of a used amount of a cleaning liquid used for cleaning while maintaining cleaning ability.SOLUTION: In a painting machine cleaning method, a painting machine 21 and a painting machine auxiliary facility 31 which are cleaning objects are cleaned by using an air bubble containing cleaning liquid in which fine bubbles are dispersed in a cleaning liquid W1. A cleaning liquid supply device 71 used in the method generates the air bubble containing cleaning liquid in which fine bubbles are dispersed in the cleaning liquid W1, changes air bubble diameters of the fine bubbles according to the cleaning objects, and sends the air bubble containing cleaning liquid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a coating machine cleaning method, a cleaning liquid supply device, and a cleaning system. [Background technology]

[0002] The coating of automobile bodies and parts requires strict coating quality, so rotary atomizers are used to produce uniform, high-quality coatings. These atomizers are equipped with a rotary atomizing head, which atomizes and sprays the paint using centrifugal force generated by rotating the rotary atomizing head.

[0003] Meanwhile, on an automobile body painting line, automobile bodies with different paint colors are conveyed together. Therefore, rotary atomizer atomizers are configured to be able to change the color of the automobile body accordingly. When changing from a previous paint color to a new paint color, this type of atomizer typically alternates between pumping out an aqueous cleaning solution or organic solvent and compressed air to clean the paint passage and the inside and outside of the equipment. As a result, any paint remaining in the paint passage and inside and outside of the equipment is discharged, preventing color mixing. This type of atomizer is also disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, for example. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-83351 A (Fig. 4, etc.) [Patent Document 2] JP 2018-12088 A (Claim 2, Figures 2 to 4, etc.) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In recent years, there has been a demand to reduce the environmental impact by reducing the amount of cleaning fluid used when cleaning sprayers. This is because, particularly when the cleaning fluid contains chemicals, the wastewater must be collected and treated after cleaning, which places a heavy burden on the environment.

[0006] However, simply reducing the amount of cleaning liquid used makes it impossible to maintain the desired cleaning performance. Furthermore, optimizing the cleaning liquid for each individual cleaning device requires preparing and supplying a cleaning liquid suited to each. This requires multiple types of cleaning liquid supply devices, making the device more complex and costly. Furthermore, because the cleaning ability of a cleaning liquid (its ability to strip paint) fundamentally depends on the chemical elements contained in the cleaning liquid, changing the cleaning liquid or reducing the amount used is difficult in the first place. Furthermore, it is desirable not only to reduce the amount of cleaning liquid used, but also to reduce the amount of compressed air used for cleaning.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a coating machine cleaning method, a cleaning liquid supply device, and a cleaning system that can reduce the amount of cleaning liquid used for cleaning while maintaining cleaning performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the invention described in Means 1 is a method for cleaning a coating machine and its auxiliary equipment using a bubble-containing cleaning solution in which fine bubbles are dispersed in the cleaning solution. When cleaning the cleaning object, the bubble diameter of the fine bubbles is changed depending on the cleaning object. How to clean a sprayer a first step of dispersing fine bubbles having different bubble diameters in the cleaning liquid to produce a plurality of types of the aerated cleaning liquid; a second step of selecting a cleaning device to which the liquid is to be sent from a plurality of types of cleaning devices provided for each of the objects to be cleaned; a third step of setting a mixing ratio of the plurality of types of the aerated cleaning liquid according to the type of paint to be cleaned in the selected cleaning device; and a fourth step of mixing the plurality of types of the aerated cleaning liquid at the set mixing ratio and sending the mixed aerated cleaning liquid. The gist of the paper is as follows.

[0009] Therefore, according to the invention described in Means 1, the fine bubbles in the bubble-containing cleaning solution have a positive effect on cleaning ability, which increases the cleaning ability of the cleaning solution alone, making it possible to reduce the amount of cleaning solution used for cleaning while maintaining cleaning ability.

[0011] Also, Method 1According to the invention described in the above, the bubble diameter of the fine bubbles dispersed in the bubble-containing cleaning solution can be optimized according to the object to be cleaned, so that cleaning performance can be maintained for each object to be cleaned.

[0013] Furthermore, Method 1 According to the invention described in the document, in the first step, multiple types of bubble-containing cleaning liquids are generated, and in the second step, a cleaning device to which the liquids are to be sent is selected from multiple types of cleaning devices provided for each cleaning object. Then, in the third step, a mixing ratio of the multiple types of bubble-containing cleaning liquids is set according to the type of paint to be cleaned in the selected cleaning device. Then, in the fourth step, the multiple types of bubble-containing cleaning liquids are mixed at the set mixing ratio, and the resulting mixed bubble-containing cleaning liquid is sent to the cleaning device to which the liquids are to be sent. As a result, the bubble diameter of the fine bubbles dispersed in the bubble-containing cleaning liquid can be reliably optimized according to the type of paint.

[0014] means 2 The invention described in is an apparatus for supplying a bubble-containing cleaning liquid to a plurality of types of cleaning devices that individually clean objects to be cleaned, and generates the bubble-containing cleaning liquid by dispersing fine bubbles in the cleaning liquid, and changes the bubble diameter of the fine bubbles according to the object to be cleaned before supplying the bubble-containing cleaning liquid. The device includes a bubble-containing cleaning liquid generating device having a plurality of flow paths for introducing the cleaning liquid, and a plurality of fine bubble generators respectively provided on the plurality of flow paths for generating fine bubbles of different bubble diameters, and dispersing fine bubbles of different bubble diameters in the cleaning liquid flowing through each flow path to generate the plurality of types of bubble-containing cleaning liquid; and a liquid sending ratio changing device capable of changing the ratio of the plurality of types of bubble-containing cleaning liquid when sending the liquid. It is characterized by being equipped with Washing The gist of the present invention is a purified liquid supply device.

[0015] Therefore, according to the invention described in Means 4, the bubble diameter of the fine bubbles dispersed in the bubble-containing cleaning solution can be optimized according to the object to be cleaned, and the solution can be sent to each object individually. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of cleaning solution used for cleaning while maintaining the cleaning performance for each object.

[0017] Also, means 2According to the invention described in the above, the bubble-containing cleaning liquid generating device disperses fine bubbles of different bubble diameters in the cleaning liquid to generate multiple types of bubble-containing cleaning liquid. Then, the liquid delivery ratio changing device changes the ratio of the multiple types of bubble-containing cleaning liquid, optimizing the bubble diameter of the fine bubbles according to the object to be cleaned, and then delivers the liquid.

[0018] means 3 The invention described in 2 The gist of the present invention is that the cleaning liquid supply system further comprises a temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the cleaning liquid before it is introduced into the bubble-containing cleaning liquid generating device.

[0019] Therefore, the means 3 According to the invention described in the above, the temperature is controlled by the temperature control means to a temperature suitable for generating and dispersing fine bubbles, so that multiple types of bubble-containing cleaning liquid can be produced efficiently.

[0020] means 4 The invention described in 3 The gist of the present invention is that the cleaning apparatus further comprises a storage means for storing mixing ratio data that defines the mixing ratio of the plurality of types of bubble-containing cleaning liquid for each cleaning object, and a control means that drives the liquid delivery ratio changing device based on the mixing ratio data and controls the mixing and delivery of the plurality of types of bubble-containing cleaning liquid at the mixing ratio defined for each cleaning object.

[0021] Therefore, the means 4 According to the invention described in (1), the control means appropriately drives the liquid delivery ratio changing device based on the mixing ratio data determined for each cleaning object stored in the memory means, thereby mixing the cleaning liquid containing bubbles at the mixing ratio determined for each cleaning object. As a result, a cleaning liquid containing bubbles optimized for each cleaning object can be generated, and the optimized cleaning liquid containing bubbles can be reliably delivered to each cleaning object.

[0022] The invention described in means 5 includes a plurality of types of cleaning devices that individually clean cleaning objects, a cleaning liquid supply device described in means 2, a cleaning liquid supply path that supplies the gas bubble-containing cleaning liquid sent from the cleaning liquid supply device to each cleaning device, and a supply path switching means that switches the cleaning liquid supply path to connect any one of the plurality of types of cleaning devices to the cleaning liquid supply device, and when the mixed gas bubble-containing cleaning liquid is sent to the cleaning device connected to the cleaning liquid supply device, The cleaning liquid supply device is provided with The gist of the cleaning system is that the control means selects a mixing ratio suitable for the object to be cleaned by the cleaning device from among mixing ratios determined for each object to be cleaned, drives the liquid delivery ratio change device, and controls the mixing of multiple types of bubble-containing cleaning liquid at the selected mixing ratio. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] As described above in detail, claims 1 to 5 According to the invention described above, it is possible to provide a cleaning liquid supply device, a sprayer cleaning system, and a sprayer cleaning method that can reduce the amount of cleaning liquid used for cleaning while maintaining cleaning performance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a sprayer cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a cleaning liquid supply device in a coating machine cleaning system. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a sprayer cleaning system of a comparative example (conventional example). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A sprayer cleaning system 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1 , the sprayer cleaning system 11 of this embodiment is a system for cleaning a sprayer 21 and a paint refilling device 31 (paint refilling device accessory equipment) using a bubble-containing cleaning solution in which fine bubbles are dispersed in cleaning solution W1. The sprayer 21 is attached to the tip of an arm 20 of a painting robot and is configured to paint an object to be painted (not shown), such as an automobile body. The sprayer 21 also includes a substantially cylindrical sprayer main body 22 and a bell-shaped rotary atomizing head 23. The sprayer main body 22 includes a paint cartridge (not shown) into which paint is filled and a paint supply mechanism (not shown) that supplies paint from the paint cartridge to the rotary atomizing head 23. The rotary atomizing head 23 is attached to the sprayer main body 22 and rotated by an air motor 24 for rotating the atomizing head, which is provided within the sprayer main body 22. When the rotary atomizing head 23 rotates, centrifugal force causes paint supplied by a paint supply mechanism (not shown) to be scattered toward the outer periphery and atomized. The cleaning liquid W1 in this embodiment is an aqueous cleaning liquid containing a surfactant.

[0027] 1, an in-applicator cleaning liquid path 25 for supplying aerated cleaning liquid is provided inside the sprayer body 22. The in-applicator cleaning liquid path 25 starts at a connection port 26 provided on the outer circumferential surface of the sprayer body 22, passes through the interior of the sprayer body 22, and opens in the rotary atomizing head 23. Therefore, when aerated cleaning liquid is supplied from the connection port 26 side, the aerated cleaning liquid is discharged downward from the rotary atomizing head 23. The paint refilling device 31 is a device for refilling paint into used paint cartridges that were attached to the sprayer 21.

[0028] The sprayer cleaning system 11 also includes three types of cleaning devices 32, 40, and 60 that individually clean objects to be cleaned. Specifically, the sprayer cleaning system 11 includes the cleaning device 32 that cleans the paint cartridges in the paint refilling device 31, the cleaning device 40 that cleans the rear surface 23a of the rotary atomizing head 23, and the cleaning device 60 that cleans the inside of the sprayer main body 22.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning device 40 includes a cleaning liquid recovery container 41. The cleaning liquid recovery container 41 has the functions of recovering bubble-containing cleaning liquid sprayed from a cleaning nozzle 51 (described later) and recovering paint blown off from the coater 21 during color changes. The cleaning liquid recovery container 41 also includes a substantially cylindrical container body 42 and a substantially disk-shaped top lid 43. The container body 42 has an opening at its upper end. Waste liquid in the container body 42 is recovered into a waste liquid recovery container 45 via a waste liquid path 44. The top lid 43 is attached to the container body 42 so as to cover the opening. An insertion hole 46 is provided in the center of the top lid 43, allowing the rotary atomizing head 23 to be inserted into the container body 42.

[0030] The cleaning device 40 further includes a cleaning nozzle 51, a cleaning liquid supply pipe 52, and a cleaning valve manifold 53. The cleaning nozzle 51 is attached to the top lid 43 of the cleaning liquid recovery container 41. The cleaning liquid supply pipe 52 is fluidly connected to the rear end of the cleaning nozzle 51. The cleaning valve manifold 53 is connected to the rear end of the cleaning liquid supply pipe 52 and has a cleaning valve 54. When the cleaning valve 54 is switched to an open state, the cleaning liquid containing bubbles is supplied from the cleaning liquid supply device 71 to the cleaning liquid supply pipe 52, and the cleaning liquid containing bubbles is sprayed obliquely downward from the tip of the cleaning nozzle 51. The cleaning valve 54 in this embodiment is an electromagnetic valve operated by a solenoid (not shown).

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1 , the cleaning device 60 includes a cleaning unit 61, a cleaning liquid supply pipe 62, and a cleaning valve manifold 63. The cleaning unit 61 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the sprayer body 22. This cleaning unit 61 has the function of supplying aerated cleaning liquid and compressed air to the above-mentioned in-applicator cleaning liquid path 25. A connection port (not shown) on the cleaning unit 61 side projects from the side of the cleaning unit 61 at a position corresponding to the connection port 26 of the sprayer body 22. The connection port on the cleaning unit 61 side is flow-connected to the in-applicator cleaning liquid path 25 via a check valve 64 and is also flow-connected to the cleaning liquid supply pipe 62. The check valve 64 serves to prevent backflow of the aerated cleaning liquid and compressed air that have passed through the cleaning liquid supply pipe 62, the check valve 64, and the in-applicator cleaning liquid path 25 in that order.

[0032] The cleaning valve manifold 63 is connected to the rear end of the cleaning liquid supply pipe 62 and has a cleaning valve 65 and an air supply valve 66. When the cleaning valve 65 is switched to an open state, bubble-containing cleaning liquid is supplied from the cleaning liquid supply device 71 to the cleaning liquid supply pipe 62 and the in-applicator cleaning liquid path 25. When the air supply valve 66 is switched to an open state, compressed air is supplied from an air source (not shown) to the cleaning liquid supply pipe 62 and the in-applicator cleaning liquid path 25. The cleaning valve 65 and the air supply valve 66 in this embodiment are electromagnetic valves operated by solenoids (not shown).

[0033] 1 and 2, the coater cleaning system 11 includes a pump 111, a cleaning liquid supply device 71, cleaning liquid supply paths 81, 82, and 83, and a supply path switching means 91. The pump 111 supplies cleaning liquid W1 stored in a tank to the cleaning liquid supply device 71. The cleaning liquid supply paths 81-83 supply the bubble-containing cleaning liquid sent from the cleaning liquid supply device 71 to each of the cleaning devices 32, 40, and 60. The supply path switching means 91 switches the cleaning liquid supply paths 81-83 to connect one of the cleaning devices 32, 40, and 60 to the cleaning liquid supply device 71.

[0034] The cleaning liquid supplying device 71 supplies a bubble-containing cleaning liquid to each of the cleaning devices 32, 40, and 60. The cleaning liquid supplying device 71 generates a bubble-containing cleaning liquid by dispersing fine bubbles in the cleaning liquid W1 supplied by the pump 111. At the same time, the cleaning liquid supplying device 71 changes the bubble diameter of the fine bubbles according to the cleaning target and delivers the bubble-containing cleaning liquid. The cleaning liquid supplying device 71 also includes a temperature control device 72 (temperature control means), a bubble-containing cleaning liquid generating device 73, and a liquid delivery ratio changing device 74. The temperature control device 72 adjusts (controls) the temperature of the cleaning liquid W1 low before it is introduced into the bubble-containing cleaning liquid generating device 73, in order to make it easier for the fine bubbles to dissolve in the cleaning liquid W1.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2, the bubble-containing cleaning liquid production device 73 has three flow paths 75a, 75b, and 75c and three fine bubble generators 76a, 76b, and 76c. Each of the flow paths 75a to 75c is used to introduce the cleaning liquid W1, the temperature of which has been adjusted by the temperature control device 72. The fine bubble generators 76a to 76c in this embodiment are pressurized dissolution type fine bubble generators. Each of the fine bubble generators 76a to 76c is provided on each of the flow paths 75a to 75c. Each of the fine bubble generators 76a to 76c has a nozzle with a different inner diameter to generate fine bubbles with different diameters. Specifically, the first fine bubble generator 76a is provided on the flow path 75a and generates fine bubbles with a diameter of 1 μm (small diameter) in the cleaning liquid W1 flowing through the flow path 75a. The second fine bubble generator 76b is provided on the flow path 75b and generates fine bubbles with a bubble diameter of 1 μm to 10 μm (medium diameter) in the cleaning solution W1 flowing through the flow path 75b. The third fine bubble generator 76c is provided on the flow path 75c and generates fine bubbles with a bubble diameter of 10 μm to 100 μm (large diameter) in the cleaning solution W1 flowing through the flow path 75c. In other words, the bubble-containing cleaning solution generator 73 is a device that disperses fine bubbles with different bubble diameters in the cleaning solution W1 flowing through each of the flow paths 75a to 75c to generate three types of bubble-containing cleaning solutions.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 2, the liquid supply ratio change device 74 is a device that can change the ratio of three types of gas-bubble-containing cleaning liquid during liquid supply. The liquid supply ratio change device 74 has three flow paths 77a, 77b, and 77c, three valves 78a, 78b, and 78c, and three pressure adjustment units 79a, 79b, and 79c. Each of the flow paths 77a to 77c is connected to a corresponding flow path 75a to 75c of the gas-bubble-containing cleaning liquid generator 73. Each of the valves 78a to 78c has the function of adjusting the flow rate of the gas-bubble-containing cleaning liquid flowing through each of the flow paths 77a to 77c by changing the opening degree. Each of the pressure adjustment units 79a to 79c has the function of adjusting the pressure of the gas-bubble-containing cleaning liquid flowing through each of the flow paths 77a to 77c.

[0037] Next, the electrical configuration of the coater cleaning system 11 will be described.

[0038] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the sprayer cleaning system 11 is equipped with a control device 100 that controls the entire system. The control device 100 is configured with a well-known computer including a CPU 101 (control means), a ROM 102, a RAM 103, etc. The CPU 101 is electrically connected to a temperature control device 72, an aerated cleaning liquid generator 73, and a liquid feed ratio changer 74. The ROM 102 also stores mixing ratio data that defines the mixing ratio of three types of aerated cleaning liquid for each cleaning object. In other words, the ROM 102 functions as a "storage means."

[0039] Next, a method for cleaning a coater using the coater cleaning system 11 will be described.

[0040] For example, when painting of an object by the sprayer 21 is completed and a color change is required to paint the next object, the arm 20 of the painting robot is driven to move the sprayer 21. Then, when the sprayer 21 reaches a position above the insertion hole 46 of the cleaning liquid recovery container 41, the arm 20 is driven to lower the sprayer 21 and insert the rotary atomizing head 23 of the sprayer 21 into the insertion hole 46. The sprayer 21 is then driven to spray paint, which causes the paint inside the sprayer 21 to be discharged into the cleaning liquid recovery container 41. At this point, the object to be cleaned (here, the rotary atomizing head 23 and the sprayer body 22) is ready for cleaning.

[0041] Next, the CPU 101 of the control device 100 performs a process of generating a bubble-containing cleaning solution by dispersing fine bubbles in the cleaning solution W1. Specifically, the CPU 101 performs a first step to generate three types of bubble-containing cleaning solutions by dispersing fine bubbles of different bubble diameters in the cleaning solution W1. More specifically, the CPU 101 outputs a drive signal to the temperature control device 72, which adjusts the temperature of the cleaning solution W1 supplied by the pump 111 to a predetermined low temperature. The cleaning solution W1, whose temperature has been adjusted by the temperature control device 72, is dispersed and guided to each of the flow paths 75a to 75c.

[0042] Next, the CPU 101 outputs a drive signal to the first fine bubble generator 76a of the air-bubble-containing cleaning liquid production device 73, generating fine bubbles with a bubble diameter of 1 μm (small diameter) in the cleaning liquid W1 flowing through the flow path 75a, thereby generating a cleaning liquid containing small-diameter air bubbles. The CPU 101 also outputs a drive signal to the second fine bubble generator 76b, generating fine bubbles with a bubble diameter of 1 μm to 10 μm (medium diameter) in the cleaning liquid W1 flowing through the flow path 75b, thereby generating a cleaning liquid containing medium-diameter air bubbles. The CPU 101 also outputs a drive signal to the third fine bubble generator 76c, generating fine bubbles with a bubble diameter of 10 μm to 100 μm (large diameter) in the cleaning liquid W1 flowing through the flow path 75c, thereby generating a cleaning liquid containing large-diameter air bubbles.

[0043] In the subsequent second step, the CPU 101 selects a cleaning device to which the liquid is to be sent from among the three types of cleaning devices 32, 40, and 60 provided for each cleaning target (paint refilling device 31, rotary atomizing head 23, and sprayer main body 22). In the subsequent third step, the CPU 101 sets the mixing ratio of the three types of bubble-containing cleaning liquid according to the type of paint to be cleaned in the selected cleaning device. Note that the smaller the fine bubble diameter, the stronger the force with which the fine bubbles can peel off dirt (paint) when they burst. On the other hand, the larger the fine bubble diameter, the more widely the fine bubbles can clean dirt. Therefore, if the paint to be cleaned in the selected cleaning device sticks to the cleaning target and is difficult to remove, it is preferable to set the amount of cleaning liquid containing small bubbles to be greater than the amount of cleaning liquid containing medium-sized bubbles and the amount of cleaning liquid containing large-sized bubbles. Furthermore, when the paint to be cleaned by the selected cleaning device adheres to a wide area of ​​the cleaning target, it is preferable to set the amount of cleaning liquid containing large-sized bubbles to be greater than the amount of cleaning liquid containing small-sized bubbles and the amount of cleaning liquid containing medium-sized bubbles. Note that when multiple types of dirt are attached (for example, when stubborn paint is attached to a wide area), the mixing ratio of the cleaning liquid containing small-sized bubbles, the cleaning liquid containing medium-sized bubbles, and the cleaning liquid containing large-sized bubbles may be set to, for example, 1:1:1. Note that the set mixing ratio is stored in ROM 102 as mixing ratio data.

[0044] In the subsequent fourth step, the CPU 101 mixes the three types of cleaning liquid containing bubbles at the set mixing ratio. First, the CPU 101 drives the liquid sending ratio change device 74 based on the mixing ratio data stored in the ROM 102. More specifically, the CPU 101 selects a mixing ratio (mixing ratio data) suitable for the object to be cleaned by the selected cleaning device, and drives the liquid sending ratio change device 74. Next, the CPU 101 controls the mixing of the three types of cleaning liquid containing bubbles at the selected mixing ratio. Specifically, the CPU 101 outputs drive signals to the valves 78a to 78c of the liquid sending ratio change device 74, and changes the opening of each of the valves 78a to 78c to the opening corresponding to the mixing ratio. For example, when the mixture ratio of the cleaning liquid containing small bubbles, the cleaning liquid containing medium bubbles, and the cleaning liquid containing large bubbles is set to 2:1:1, the opening of valve 78a downstream of fine valve generator 76a is set to 100%, and the opening of valves 78b and 78d downstream of fine valve generators 76b and 76c is set to 50%, respectively. This adjusts the flow rate of the cleaning liquid containing bubbles flowing through each of flow paths 77a to 77c. Furthermore, CPU 101 outputs drive signals to pressure adjustment units 79a to 79c of liquid supply ratio change device 74 to adjust the pressure of the cleaning liquid containing bubbles flowing through each of flow paths 77a to 77c according to the mixture ratio. The cleaning liquid containing bubbles flowing through each of flow paths 77a to 77c is mixed inside liquid supply ratio change device 74 (specifically, downstream of pressure adjustment units 79a to 79c).

[0045] Thereafter, a controller (not shown) that manages the sprayer 21 and the cleaning devices 32, 40, and 60 controls the supply of the mixed, bubble-containing cleaning liquid to the selected cleaning device. For example, if the selected cleaning device is the cleaning device 40 that cleans the rotary atomizing head 23, the air motor 24 in the sprayer 21 is driven to rotate the rotary atomizing head 23. In this state, the controller outputs a drive signal to the supply path switching means 91 and the cleaning valve 54 of the cleaning valve manifold 53. As a result, the cleaning device 40 and the cleaning liquid supply device 71 are connected to each other, the cleaning valve 54 is switched to an open state, and the mixed, bubble-containing cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid supply device 71 is supplied into the cleaning liquid supply pipe 52 and the cleaning nozzle 51. The supplied bubble-containing cleaning liquid is then sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 51 toward the rear surface 23a of the rotary atomizing head 23. As a result, the paint adhering to the rear surface 23a of the rotary atomizing head 23 is washed away, and the waste paint washing liquid is collected in the washing liquid collection container 41. In addition, as the rotary atomizing head 23 rotates, the air-bubble-containing washing liquid and paint adhering to the rotary atomizing head 23 are scattered toward the outer periphery by centrifugal force, and the rotary atomizing head 23 dries.

[0046] Furthermore, when the selected cleaning device is the cleaning device 60 that cleans the coater body 22, the controller outputs drive signals to the supply path switching means 91 and the cleaning valve 65 and air supply valve 66 of the cleaning valve manifold 63. As a result, the cleaning device 60 and the cleaning liquid supply device 71 are connected to each other, and the cleaning valve 65 is switched to an open state, so that the mixed, bubble-containing cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid supply device 71 is supplied into the cleaning liquid supply pipe 62 and the in-coater cleaning liquid path 25. Furthermore, the air supply valve 66 is switched to an open state, so that compressed air is supplied into the cleaning liquid supply pipe 62 and the in-coater cleaning liquid path 25. In this embodiment, the bubble-containing cleaning liquid from the cleaning valve 65 and the compressed air from the air supply valve 66 are alternately supplied to the in-coater cleaning liquid path 25. As a result, paint (residual paint) remaining in the cleaning liquid path 25 inside the coater is washed away, and the paint cleaning waste liquid is discharged into the rotary atomizing head 23 and collected in the cleaning liquid collection container 41.

[0047] After the rotary atomizing head 23 and the coater body 22 have been cleaned, the arm 20 of the coating robot is driven to raise the coater 21, thereby moving the rotary atomizing head 23 out of the cleaning liquid recovery container 41. This completes the series of cleaning operations performed by the coater cleaning system 11.

[0048] Therefore, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0049] (1) In the cleaning liquid supply device 71 of this embodiment, the fine bubbles in the bubble-containing cleaning liquid have a favorable effect on cleaning ability, and therefore the cleaning ability of the bubble-containing cleaning liquid is improved compared to when there is no cleaning liquid supply device 71 (see FIG. 3). As a result, the amount of cleaning liquid W1 used for cleaning can be reduced, for example, by the volume of the fine bubbles, while maintaining the cleaning ability.

[0050] (2) In this embodiment, the amount of cleaning liquid W1 is reduced by the inclusion of fine bubbles in the bubble-containing cleaning liquid, which facilitates drying of the areas cleaned with the bubble-containing cleaning liquid (such as the rear surface 23a of the rotary atomizing head 23 and the inside of the cleaning liquid path 25 in the coater). As a result, the time required for a series of cleaning operations using the coater cleaning system 11 can be shortened.

[0051] (3) In the cleaning device 60 of this embodiment, the aerated cleaning liquid from the cleaning valve 65 and the compressed air from the air supply valve 66 are alternately supplied to the in-coater cleaning liquid path 25. As a result, even if the aerated cleaning liquid adheres to the in-coater cleaning liquid path 25, the adhered aerated cleaning liquid can be blown off by the compressed air supplied later. This prevents the aerated cleaning liquid from remaining in the in-coater cleaning liquid path 25. Furthermore, because the aerated cleaning liquid contains air, the aerated cleaning liquid can be removed more quickly than conventional cleaning liquids that do not contain air.

[0052] (4) In this embodiment, by dispersing fine bubbles in the cleaning solution W1 to generate a bubble-containing cleaning solution, the bubble-containing cleaning solution can penetrate even small gaps (for example, gaps in an O-ring). This further enhances the cleaning ability of the bubble-containing cleaning solution. Furthermore, the bubble-containing cleaning solution contains fine bubbles, which reduces its surface tension, making it easier for the bubble-containing cleaning solution to penetrate even small gaps. It is also thought that the impact of the fine bubbles collapsing improves the cleaning ability and allows the bubble-containing cleaning solution to penetrate small gaps.

[0053] (5) In this embodiment, by dispersing fine bubbles in the cleaning liquid W1 to generate a bubble-containing cleaning liquid, the bubble-containing cleaning liquid is more likely to spread when sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 51 onto the rotary atomizing head 23. As a result, it is possible to wash a wide area of ​​the rear surface 23a of the rotary atomizing head 23. Furthermore, when the bubble-containing cleaning liquid spreads, the momentum of the sprayed bubble-containing cleaning liquid decreases, which prevents the bubble-containing cleaning liquid from splashing.

[0054] (6) The cleaning liquid supply device 71 of the present embodiment disperses fine bubbles in the cleaning liquid W1 to generate a different bubble-containing cleaning liquid for each of the cleaning devices 32, 40, 40. In this case, only one tank is required to store the cleaning liquid W1, which allows the coater cleaning system 11 to be made smaller and less expensive.

[0055] This embodiment may be modified as follows.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the number of flow paths 75a to 75c into which the cleaning liquid W1 is introduced is three, and the number of fine bubble generators 76a to 76c provided on each of the three flow paths 75a to 75c is also three, but this is not limited to this. The number may be two, four or more.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the temperature control device 72 is provided to control the temperature of the cleaning liquid W1 before it is introduced into the bubble-containing cleaning liquid generator 73, but this may be omitted.

[0058] Although the temperature control device 72 in the above embodiment adjusts (controls) the temperature of the cleaning liquid W1 to be low, it may also adjust the temperature of the cleaning liquid W1 to be high. Also, the temperature control device 72 may adjust the temperature of the cleaning liquid W1 to any temperature that improves the cleaning power.

[0059] Although the liquid feeding ratio change device 74 in the above embodiment has three valves 78a to 78c and three pressure adjustment units 79a to 79c, the pressure adjustment units 79a to 79c may be omitted. Also, a flow rate adjustment unit may be provided instead of the pressure adjustment units 79a to 79c.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the ROM 102 stores mixing ratio data determined for each paint type, but this is not limiting. For example, mixing ratio data determined for each object to be cleaned may be stored instead of for each paint type.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the cleaning liquid containing gas bubbles is mixed at a fixed mixing ratio determined for each cleaning target (the rotary atomizing head 23, the sprayer main body 22, and the paint refilling device 31) and delivered to the cleaning target. However, the method of delivering the cleaning liquid containing gas bubbles is not limited to this. For example, a cleaning liquid containing small gas bubbles may be delivered to the cleaning target for the first 5 seconds, and then a cleaning liquid containing large gas bubbles may be delivered to the cleaning target. Alternatively, the bubble diameter of the fine bubbles contained in the cleaning liquid containing gas bubbles may be gradually increased. That is, after a cleaning liquid containing gas bubbles with strong cleaning power due to its small bubble diameter is delivered to the cleaning target, the bubble diameter of the fine bubbles may be gradually increased to gradually increase the amount of air in the cleaning liquid containing gas bubbles being delivered. This allows the cleaning of the cleaning target to be completed quickly and the cleaning target to be dried quickly, thereby shortening the cleaning operation time using the sprayer cleaning system 11.

[0062] In the above embodiment, multiple types of bubble-containing cleaning liquids are mixed inside the liquid supply ratio change device 74, but they do not have to be mixed inside this device, and may be mixed in a mixer or the like installed outside the liquid supply ratio change device 74.

[0063] The fine bubble generators 76a to 76c in the above embodiment are pressurized dissolution type fine bubble generators that generate fine bubbles using only the dissolved oxygen contained in the cleaning solution W1. However, fine bubble generators of a type that supplies a gas such as compressed air to the fine bubble generator and generates fine bubbles using the supplied gas (for example, ultrafine hole type, rotary type, ejector type, Venturi type, static mixer type, swirling liquid flow type, steam condensation type, etc.) may also be used.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the ratio of the multiple types of bubble-containing cleaning liquids during liquid delivery is changed by the liquid delivery ratio change device 74, but this is not limiting. For example, the control device 100 may directly control the on / off of the multiple fine bubble generators themselves to change the mixture ratio of the multiple types of bubble-containing cleaning liquids.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the system is embodied as having two cleaning devices for the sprayer 21 and one cleaning device for cleaning the paint refilling device 31, but is not limited to this. For example, the system may be embodied as having only one cleaning device for the sprayer 21 or three or more cleaning devices.

[0066] In the above embodiment, a system is employed in which the mixed cleaning liquid containing bubbles is directly supplied from the cleaning liquid supply device 71 to each of the cleaning devices 32, 40, and 60, but this is not limiting. For example, instead of directly supplying the mixed cleaning liquid containing bubbles from the cleaning liquid supply device 71 to the cleaning devices 32, 40, and 60, a system may be employed in which the cleaning liquid is temporarily stored in a plurality of separate containers and then selected from the plurality of containers and supplied.

[0067] In the cleaning device 60 of the above embodiment, the aerated cleaning liquid from the cleaning valve 65 and the compressed air from the air supply valve 66 are alternately supplied to the in-applicator cleaning liquid path 25 of the applicator body 22. In this case, the concentration of fine bubbles contained in the aerated cleaning liquid may be gradually increased or decreased each time the aerated cleaning liquid is supplied. Alternatively, the diameter of the fine bubbles contained in the aerated cleaning liquid may be gradually increased or decreased each time the aerated cleaning liquid is supplied.

[0068] In the cleaning device 60 of the above embodiment, the air-bubble-containing cleaning liquid and compressed air are supplied to the cleaning liquid passage 25 inside the coater, but the supply of compressed air does not have to be performed.

[0069] The cleaning system in the above embodiment is a cleaning system for the sprayer 21 (sprayer cleaning system 11), but the present invention may be embodied as a system for cleaning equipment other than the sprayer 21. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 11...Painting machine cleaning system as a cleaning system 21...painting machine 31...Paint filling device as ancillary equipment for paint sprayers 32, 40, 60...Cleaning equipment 71...Cleaning liquid supply device 72...Temperature control device as a temperature control means 73...Air bubble-containing cleaning liquid generating device 74... Fluid delivery ratio change device 75a, 75b, 75c...flow path 76a, 76b, 76c...Fine bubble generator 81, 82, 83...Cleaning liquid supply passages 91...Supply path switching means 101...CPU as a control means 102...ROM as a storage means W1: cleaning solution

Claims

1. A coating machine cleaning method in which, when cleaning a coating machine and its auxiliary equipment as cleaning targets using a bubble-containing cleaning solution in which fine bubbles are dispersed in the cleaning solution, the bubble diameter of the fine bubbles is changed depending on the object to be cleaned, a first step of dispersing fine bubbles having different bubble diameters in the cleaning solution to produce a plurality of types of the bubble-containing cleaning solution; a second step of selecting the cleaning device to which the liquid is to be sent from among a plurality of types of cleaning devices provided for each of the cleaning targets; a third step of setting a mixing ratio of the plurality of types of bubble-containing cleaning liquids according to the type of paint to be cleaned by the selected cleaning device; a fourth step of mixing the plurality of types of the bubble-containing cleaning liquids at the set mixing ratio and delivering the mixed bubble-containing cleaning liquid; A method for cleaning a sprayer including:

2. An apparatus for supplying a bubble-containing cleaning liquid to a plurality of types of cleaning devices that individually clean objects to be cleaned, the apparatus generating the bubble-containing cleaning liquid by dispersing fine bubbles in the cleaning liquid, and supplying the bubble-containing cleaning liquid while changing the bubble diameter of the fine bubbles according to the object to be cleaned, a bubble-containing cleaning liquid generating device having a plurality of flow paths for introducing the cleaning liquid and a plurality of fine bubble generators respectively provided on the plurality of flow paths for generating fine bubbles having different bubble diameters, and dispersing the fine bubbles having different bubble diameters in the cleaning liquid flowing through each flow path to generate a plurality of types of the bubble-containing cleaning liquid; a liquid sending ratio changing device capable of changing the ratio of the plurality of types of bubble-containing cleaning liquids during liquid sending; A cleaning liquid supply device comprising:

3. 3. The cleaning liquid supply device according to claim 2, further comprising a temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the cleaning liquid before it is introduced into the bubble-containing cleaning liquid generator.

4. a storage means for storing mixing ratio data that defines a mixing ratio of the plurality of types of bubble-containing cleaning liquid for each cleaning object; a control means for driving the liquid sending ratio changing device based on the mixing ratio data, and controlling the liquid sending by mixing the plurality of types of bubble-containing cleaning liquids at a mixing ratio determined for each cleaning target; 4. The cleaning liquid supply device according to claim 3, further comprising:

5. A plurality of types of cleaning devices for individually cleaning objects to be cleaned; The cleaning liquid supply device according to claim 2; a cleaning liquid supply path that supplies the bubble-containing cleaning liquid sent from the cleaning liquid supply device to each cleaning device; a supply path switching means for switching the cleaning liquid supply path to connect any one of the plurality of types of cleaning devices to the cleaning liquid supply device; Equipped with When the mixed cleaning liquid containing bubbles is sent to the cleaning device connected to the cleaning liquid supply device, the control means provided in the cleaning liquid supply device selects a mixing ratio suitable for the object to be cleaned by the cleaning device from among the mixing ratios determined for each object to be cleaned, drives the liquid sending ratio change device, and controls mixing of the plurality of types of cleaning liquid containing bubbles at the selected mixing ratio. A cleaning system characterized by:

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