Paint mist separation device

Abstract

The invention relates to a paint mist separation device comprising a paint mist separation base device, a paint mist separation support device, and at least one paint particle receiving device that is attachable to the paint mist separation support device, wherein the paint mist separation support device includes two leaves and has, for example, slots in the leaves for attaching the at least one paint particle receiving device.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Farbnebe labs ehe ide device

[0003] The innovation proposed here concerns the technical field of the separation of particles carried along with an air stream (raw gas stream), in particular paint particles, in particular the separation of paint or varnish particles or the like carried along with a so-called paint mist or the like, i.e. a raw gas stream (paint mist separation).

[0004] Devices, namely (paint mist) separation devices - hereinafter sometimes referred to as separation devices for short - for this purpose are already known, for example in the form of the separation device described in EP 2 532 409 B and referred to therein as a filter module or in the form of the separation device described in DE 10 2014 003 608 A1 and also referred to therein as a filter module.

[0005] One object of the proposed innovation is to provide a supplement that can be used efficiently together with a separation device, for example a separation device according to EP 2 532 409 B or DE 10 2014 003 608 A1, in particular a supplement that increases a so-called service life (the duration of usability) of the respective separation device.

[0006] A separation device from which the innovation proposed here is based comprises an outer frame which itself or in its interior has one or more separation elements or separation surfaces (paint mist separation elements or paint mist separation surfaces; in short: separation elements or separation surfaces; collectively: separation stage(s)). The frame is a separation stage(s) receiving frame and the surface of the frame is the surface of the separation device. During operation, the raw gas flow laden with particles, in particular paint particles, flows through such a separation device. The frame of the separation device accordingly has a first side (front side) with an inflow opening for the raw gas flow to enter the interior of the separation device and a second side with an outflow opening for the raw gas flow to exit the separation device.The second side is, for example, the back of the frame opposite the front side.

[0007] A further separation device (pre-separator) acting as a pre-separator can be attached to the front of such a separation device. The pre-separator is located in front of the inlet opening and upstream of the separation device in relation to the raw gas flow flowing through the separation device and therefore comes into contact with the particles carried by the raw gas flow first (before the separation device). The pre-separator therefore already collects some of the particles carried by the raw gas flow. In this way, the pre-separator relieves the load on the downstream separation device and thus increases its absorption capacity and its service life. This also means that the combination of separation device and pre-separator is characterized by a longer service life compared to a separation device alone.

[0008] The innovation proposed here is also fundamentally based on a combination of a separation device and a pre-separation device operating upstream of the separation device. Such a combination is itself a separation device. Therefore, the following terms are used to distinguish them: A separation device on its own is referred to as a basic paint mist separation device. A pre-separation device is referred to as a paint mist pre-separation device or generally as a paint particle collection device. A combination of a basic separation device and a pre-separation device is referred to as a paint mist separation device.

[0009] In the interest of better readability, the following abbreviations are sometimes used instead of the comparatively cumbersome terms paint mist separation base device, paint mist pre-separation device and paint mist separation device: A paint mist separation base device is also referred to as a separation base device or, for short, as a separation base; a paint mist pre-separation device is also referred to as a pre-separation device or, for short, as a pre-separator. A paint mist separation device is also referred to as a separation device or, for short, as a separator.

[0010] A separator in the form of a combination of a separation base and a pre-separator is known from the following publications attributable to the applicant of the innovation presented here: DE 20 2021 104 962 U, DE 20 2021 106 573 U, DE 20 2022 101 219 U .

[0011] DE 20 2021 104 962 U discloses a separation base, referred to therein as a separation device, and a pre-separator in the form of two parts of the separation base extending from the separation base. DE 20 2021 106 573 U and DE 20 2022 101 219 U disclose a separation base, referred to therein as a separation device, and a pre-separator, namely a pre-separator in the form of two parts of the separation base that can be attached to the separation base.

[0012] The object stated at the outset is achieved according to the invention by means of a device having the features of claim 1, namely by means of a separator (paint mist separation device) intended for separating particles carried along with a raw gas stream. The separator comprises - as already known from the prior art - a separation base (paint mist separation base device), namely precisely one separation base, and a paint particle receiving device, in particular a paint particle receiving device functioning as a pre-separator (paint mist pre-separation device), namely at least one paint particle receiving device. The separation base comprises or is intended and configured to receive at least one separation stage (paint mist separation stage). The separation base is preferably a structural element which surrounds the or each separation stage in the manner of a frame / housing.The separator base corresponds to what was referred to above as the frame (frame of the separator device). The separator base has an inlet and an outlet. These two openings, individually or together, are sometimes referred to below as the separator base opening.

[0013] A special feature of the proposed innovation is that the separator, in addition to the separation base and the at least one paint particle receiving device, also comprises a paint mist separation carrier device. This is sometimes referred to below as a carrier device or simply as a carrier, in keeping with the abbreviations introduced above. The at least one paint particle receiving device or, if applicable, a plurality of paint particle receiving devices can be attached to the carrier. To obtain a separator as proposed here, at least one paint particle receiving device (or, if applicable, a plurality of paint particle receiving devices) is attached to the carrier, and in a ready-to-use separator of the type proposed here, at least one paint particle receiving device (or, if applicable, a plurality of paint particle receiving devices) is attached to the carrier. It is attached by means of a plug-in connection.

[0014] The plug-in connection includes plug-in connection means, namely on the one hand a plug-in element and on the other hand a receiving element intended for receiving the plug-in element, i.e. a receiving element that matches the plug-in element (corresponding receiving element). A tab, for example, functions as the plug-in element and a slot intended for receiving the tab, for example, functions as the receiving element. As a paint particle receiving device can be attached to the carrier, the paint particle receiving device on the one hand and the carrier on the other hand each have at least one plug-in element and a corresponding receiving element, i.e. for example the paint particle receiving device has at least one plug-in element and the carrier a corresponding number of corresponding receiving elements or the carrier at least one plug-in element and the paint particle receiving device a corresponding number of corresponding receiving elements.Mixed configurations are also conceivable, in which the carrier has a plug-in element and a receiving element, and the color particle receiving device each has a corresponding receiving element or plug-in element. All of this also applies to other plug-in connections not yet mentioned. In a preferred embodiment, the color particle receiving device can be attached to the carrier by the carrier having plug-in tabs as plug-in elements and the carrier having slots as receiving elements, and by the plug-in tabs being inserted into the slots in the wings of the carrier (plug-in connection). Such attachment can be carried out quickly and easily and without the need for tools.

[0015] For plug-in tabs - including other plug-in tabs not yet mentioned - the following applies: whenever a plug-in tab is mentioned, a plurality of plug-in tabs must be included ("at least one plug-in tab"). When there are a plurality of plug-in tabs, a corresponding plurality of slots is required for insertion. Accordingly, whenever a slot is mentioned, a possible plurality of slots must also be included ("at least one slot", one slot for each plug-in tab). A plug-in element therefore comprises, for example, one plug-in tab or several plug-in tabs and a corresponding receiving element accordingly comprises one slot or a number of slots corresponding to the number of plug-in tabs.

[0016] The carrier carries the or each ink particle receiving device attached to it. Therefore, the carrier is referred to as a support. Alternatively, the carrier can also be referred to as a support structure, because the carrier is a structural element that supports (and carries) the or each ink particle receiving device attached to it.

[0017] The paint particle collection device preferably functions as a pre-separator; each paint particle collection device functions as a pre-separator. A paint particle collection device functioning as a pre-separator is, by definition, located upstream of the separator in relation to the flow direction of a raw gas stream through the separator, i.e. before the separator. In principle, however, with the separator proposed here, the use of the paint particle collection device downstream of the separator is also conceivable (additionally or alternatively), i.e. after the separator or after the separator. The term paint particle collection device therefore does not restrict the installation / use location and includes installation or use before the separator (pre-separator) as well as installation or use after the separator.The attachment is made to the carrier; the color particle collection device is attached / can be attached to the carrier.

[0018] Insofar as the term "pre-separator" is used individually below in the interest of better readability of the further description, this is to be read as "paint particle receiving device, in particular pre-separator" and any such use of this term is intended, with this note, to include the meaning "paint particle receiving device, in particular pre-separator".

[0019] The support comprises two wings (at least two wings). The two wings are spaced apart from one another on both sides of a separation base opening, i.e. either on both sides of the inlet opening or on both sides of the outlet opening, and are either connected to the respective outer surface of the separation base or can be attached to the respective outer surface of the separation base, namely on the outside of the separation base. The respective outer surface is the front of the separation base when attached on both sides of the inlet opening, and the rear of the separation base when attached on both sides of the outlet opening. Wings that can be attached to the separation base are attached to the outside of the separation base to obtain a separator as proposed here, and are attached to the outside of the separation base in a ready-to-use separator of the type proposed here. A plug-in connection, for example, can be used for attachment.For this purpose, the wings and the separation base have plug-in connection means as described above. For example, each wing has a plug-in tab (wing plug-in tab) starting from the edge intended for attachment to the separation base as a plug-in element of the plug-in connection, and the separation base has a corresponding slot in its surface and parallel to the immediately adjacent edge of the respective separation base opening as a corresponding receiving element of the plug-in connection for each wing for receiving a respective plug-in tab. Here, too, the plug-in element can be part of the wing or part of the separation base and the receiving element can be part of the separation base or part of the wing. Wings connected to the separation base, on the other hand, do not require attachment to the separation base because they are already connected to / remain connected to the separation base.Wings connected to the separation base and wings attached to the separation base point away from the adjacent surface of the separation base and outward.

[0020] In order to attach a paint particle receiving device to the carrier by means of a plug-in connection, the carrier preferably has slots in the wings as plug-in connection means, namely as receiving elements. Optionally, the carrier has a plurality of parallel slots in each wing. The at least one paint particle receiving device can be attached to the carrier, namely to its two wings, by means of the slots there, and in order to obtain a separator as proposed here, the at least one paint particle receiving device is attached to the carrier by means of the slots in the carrier, and in a ready-to-use separator of the type proposed here, the at least one paint particle receiving device is attached to the carrier by means of the slots in the carrier.

[0021] The carrier for the at least one paint particle receiving device functions as a support structure—hereinafter referred to collectively as the support structure—for the or each paint particle receiving device attached thereto. The terms "carrier" and "support structure" are synonymous. Thus, the terms "paint mist separation carrier device" and "separation carrier device" on the one hand, and "support structure" on the other, are also synonymous.

[0022] In the state of the art according to the above-mentioned DE 20 2021 104 962 U, DE 20 2021 106 573 U, and DE 20 2022 101 219 U, the respective pre-separator, possibly consisting of multiple parts, is always attached directly to the respective separator base. Therefore, there is no separate support and, accordingly, no separate support to which a pre-separator can be attached.

[0023] Slots as plug-in connection means of a plug-in connection, namely as a receiving element of a plug-in connection, represent a simple way of attaching a paint particle receiving device to the wings. The advantage of slotted wings, in addition to their ease of use, is that the slots make it particularly easy to specify the orientation of each paint particle receiving device relative to the separation base, namely to the front or rear surface of the separation base. In other words, a direction of a longitudinal extent of the slots used to attach a paint particle receiving device specifies the orientation of the each paint particle receiving device. With a plurality of parallel slots, a plurality of paint particle receiving devices can be attached to the carrier, namely to its wings, with a mutually parallel orientation.Several color particle receiving devices mounted in this way are located in parallel planes.

[0024] The advantage of the separation device proposed here is that one or more paint particle receiving devices can be attached to the carrier (at least one paint particle receiving device, in particular at least one paint particle receiving device acting as a pre-separator). The or each paint particle receiving device is located between or at least substantially between the wings, but also connects them to one another and bridges the distance between the wings. The wings carry the or each paint particle receiving device; the or each paint particle receiving device connects the two wings to one another.

[0025] Even the installation of just one paint particle capture device acting as a pre-separator on the blades results in additional separation efficiency upstream (upstream in the sense of upstream) of the separation base. This increases the separation efficiency / capacity and thus the service life of the combination. Installing multiple paint particle capture devices, each acting as a pre-separator, results in even greater separation efficiency upstream of the separation base.

[0026] The innovation proposed here creates a simple and efficient way of being able to attach, for example, an additional (paint mist) separation device upstream of a respective separation base. The carrier and the paint particle receiving device attached to it, which then functions as a pre-separator, act as such an additional separation device. The combination now comprises an increased number of separation stages, because the separation base comprises at least one separation stage, and the additional separation device, in the form of the pre-separator, comprises at least one further separation stage.

[0027] A separation base, for example a separation base as known from EP 2 532 409 B, is regularly placed in a so-called extraction wall or an extraction floor for paint mist separation. Such an extraction wall and such an extraction floor have compartments in a matrix-like structure, each for accommodating a separation base (separation base device). An extraction wall / extraction floor accommodates a plurality of separation base devices in the respective compartments.

[0028] The absorption capacity of an extraction wall / extraction floor depends on the number of compartments and the absorption capacity of the basic separation devices located in the compartments. In particular, in an existing system (painting system, painting line, or the like), the number of compartments cannot be increased, at least not easily. The absorption capacity of each basic separation device depends on its dimensions and therefore on the dimensions of the respective compartment. Also, and again especially, in an existing system, the dimensions of the compartments cannot be increased, at least not easily. The absorption capacity of each extraction wall / extraction floor is therefore fixed.According to the approach proposed here, for example, a further separation device can be installed in front of / upstream of a respective separation base. This now makes it possible to increase the absorption capacity of a respective extraction wall / extraction base by installing a further separation device of the type proposed here (support with at least one paint particle absorption device acting as a pre-separator, optionally a plurality of paint particle absorption devices acting as pre-separators) in front of at least one separation base. In order to increase the absorption capacity of a respective extraction wall / extraction base, preferably a plurality of separation base devices are each provided with such a further separation device, preferably each separation base device.

[0029] In the innovation proposed here, the carrier and the or each paint particle receiving device attached thereto advantageously form together a self-supporting unit in front of (upstream) the separation base or behind (downstream) the separation base.

[0030] The claims filed with the application are suggested formulations without prejudice to the attainment of more extensive protection. Since the features of the dependent claims in particular can constitute separate and independent inventions in view of the prior art on the priority date, the applicant reserves the right to make these or further combinations of features previously only disclosed in the description and / or drawings the subject of independent claims or declarations of division. They can also contain independent inventions which have a design independent of the subject matter of the respective claims referred to. In an advantageous embodiment of the innovation proposed here, it is provided that a paint particle receiving device which can be attached to the carrier, namely to its wings, has plug-in connecting means, namely plug-in elements, plug-in tabs for insertion into a slot in the wings.The color particle receiving device has the plug-in tabs adjacent to a central surface on opposite sides of the central surface. Reference will be made to the two remaining sides later. Therefore, for the sake of clarity, the sides to which the plug-in tabs are connected are referred to as the first sides (first sides of the central surface). The two remaining sides are correspondingly referred to as the second sides (second sides of the central surface).

[0031] The central surface is, at least initially, a level / flat central surface. This does not, however, exclude optional elevations above the plane of the central surface, for example in the form of fields that can be folded out from the central surface. The central surface is optionally structured, for example, for the purpose of paint mist separation and in this respect has, for example, a grid structure with openings. The central surface can also be referred to as an impact surface or impact plate, especially in the case of a paint particle collection device that functions as a pre-separator, because the particles to be separated impact onto it. The central surface then functions as a separation surface (impact separation surface) and the paint particle collection device functions as an impact separator due to the central surface and can therefore also be referred to as an impact separator.In an advantageous embodiment of the innovation proposed here, a paint particle receiving device can also be attached to the separating base by means of a plug connection to achieve even better stability of the combination of carrier and the or each paint particle receiving device, and is attached to the separating base by means of a plug connection to achieve even better stability. For this purpose, a foldable spacer tab with a plug connection means at its free end is connected to the central surface of the paint particle receiving device on at least one of the two second, opposite sides.Furthermore, it is provided that the separation base has a corresponding plug-in connection means, namely, in the case of wings connected to the separation base on both sides of the respective separation base opening or attached to the separation base and pointing outwards, a corresponding plug-in connection means between these wings. As a plug-in connection means at the free end of the spacer tab, for example, a plug-in tab acting as a plug-in element can be considered. As a plug-in connection means of the separation base, for example, a slot acting as a corresponding receiving element can be considered. The separation base has such a slot in its surface and parallel to the immediately adjacent edge of the respective separation base opening, i.e. the inflow opening or the outflow opening.

[0032] When attaching such a paint particle receiving device to the carrier and immediately in front of the separation base (in front of the incoming raw gas flow; immediately upstream of the separation base) or immediately behind the separation base (behind the separation base in relation to the incoming raw gas flow; immediately downstream of the separation base), the paint particle receiving device can also be attached to the separation base (the above applies accordingly: can be attached / is attached), namely by connecting the plug-in connection means at the end of the folded-over spacer tab to the plug-in connection means in the surface of the separation base (plug-in connection), in particular by connecting the plug-in element at the end of the folded-over spacer tab to the receiving element in the surface of the separation base, in particular by inserting the plug-in tab at the end of the spacer tab into the slot in the surface of the separation base.The paint particle receiving device is then attached on the one hand to the two wings of the carrier and on the other hand to the separation base. When the plug-in connection means are connected, in particular when the plug-in element is connected to the receiving element, in particular when the plug-in tab is inserted at the end of the folded-over spacer tab, one edge of the spacer tab comes to rest on the surface of the separation base. The paint particle receiving device rests with this edge on the surface of the separation base, in particular the paint particle receiving device is supported with this edge to a certain extent on the surface of the separation base. The edge of the spacer tab is understood to be the edge of the free end of the spacer tab without the plug-in connection means extending from this edge, in particular without the plug-in tab or tabs extending from this edge.With a plug-in tab and a slot as the plug-in connection means, the or each plug-in tab inserted into the slot in the surface of the separation base penetrates through the surface of the separation base and is effective for attaching the paint particle collection device to the separation base. The sections of the edge of the spacer tab that do not penetrate through the surface of the separator form the edge that rests on the surface of the separation base. Pivoting of both wings of the carrier, which would previously have been possible, is thereby prevented or at least made significantly more difficult. This lack of pivotability gives the carrier, with the paint particle collection device attached at least to it and to the separation base, very considerable stability and structural rigidity, which is at least sufficient for use in paint mist separation.

[0033] For even further improved stability in this sense, in an advantageous embodiment of the innovation proposed here, a foldable spacer tab, each with a plug-in connection means at its free end, is provided adjacent to the two second sides of the central surface, as well as two corresponding plug-in connection means, each between the two wings and on both sides of the respective separation base opening. The plug-in connection means on the spacer tabs can, for example, be a plug-in tab (spacer tab plug-in tab). The plug-in connection means on or in the separation base can, for example, be slots in the surface of the separation base, between the two wings and parallel to the immediately adjacent edge of the respective separation base opening.There are therefore two foldable spacer tabs, each with a plug-in connection means, in particular a plug-in tab, as well as two plug-in connection means in the surface of the separation base, in particular slots. The plug-in connection means at the ends of both spacer tabs can now be connected to the corresponding plug-in connection means in the surface of the separation base. With plug-in connection means, namely plug-in elements, in the form of plug-in tabs at the ends of both spacer tabs on the one hand and plug-in connection means, namely receiving elements, in the form of slots in the surface of the separation base on the other hand, the plug-in tabs at the ends of both spacer tabs can each be inserted into a slot in the surface of the separation base (the above applies accordingly: can be inserted / is inserted).Thus, the attachment of the paint particle receiving device to the separation base comprises a further plug connection (for example, a plug-in tab inserted into one of the two slots) and the edges of both spacer tabs are supported - as described above - on the surface of the separation base, resulting in a correspondingly increased structural rigidity.

[0034] A carrier with at least one paint particle collection device acting as a pre-separator as proposed here is always mounted in front of / upstream of the inlet opening. Just as the separation base has an inlet opening for the raw gas flow to enter the separation base, it also has - usually opposite the inlet opening - an outlet opening for the raw gas flow to exit from the separation base. A carrier of the type proposed here can also be mounted in the area of ​​the outlet opening, and elements (at least one) of the type of the paint particle collection device proposed here can be mounted on the wings enclosed thereby. Because these elements are then located downstream of the separation base, they cannot, by definition, function as pre-separators.For this reason, the paint particle collection device is generally referred to as a paint particle collection device, and this designation includes an attachment / use upstream of the inlet opening, namely use there as a pre-separator, and an attachment / use downstream of the outlet opening. Downstream of the outlet opening, i.e. downstream of the separation base, unlike upstream of the inlet opening / separation base, only a limited number of particles are to be expected to be separated. However, filtration or similar can be useful here. This is also why the paint particle collection device is generally referred to as a paint particle collection device, and this designation includes a function as a separator (pre-separator) and a general function for collecting paint particles.A paint particle collection device mounted on a support downstream of the separation base can, for example, support a filter fleece or the like. The above and following provisions apply accordingly to the mounting of such a paint particle collection device or a support intended for its mounting, so reference is made here to avoid unnecessary repetition.

[0035] A plug-in connection, as described above for attaching a paint particle receiving device to the separation base, can also advantageously be considered for a connection between paint particle receiving devices following one another in the flow direction of the raw gas stream when a plurality of paint particle receiving devices are attached to the carrier. For this purpose, each paint particle receiving device is provided with a foldable spacer tab on at least one of the second sides with a plug-in connection means, for example a plug-in tab, and a corresponding plug-in connection means, for example a slot parallel to the edge between the spacer tab and the central surface, at its free end as well as in the central surface and at the edge of the central surface.Such a plug-in connection means on or in the central surface of the paint particle receiving device, in particular such a slot in the central surface, functions in the same way as each previously described plug-in connection means or slot on or in the surface of the separation base, so that additional reference can be made to the explanations there. In the case of a plug-in tab and a slot as plug-in connection means, the plug-in tab at the free end of the spacer tab of another paint particle receiving device (upstream of this paint particle receiving device) can be inserted into the slot in the central surface of the paint particle receiving device (the above description applies accordingly: can be inserted / is inserted). This also applies when the paint particle receiving device is used downstream of the outflow opening.By means of this plug-in connection, this additional ink particle receiving device is also attached to this ink particle receiving device (as well as additionally attached to the wings of the carrier), and the edge of the spacer tab rests against the surface of the central area, resting particularly on this surface, in the same way as previously described for attaching a ink particle receiving device (also) to the separator base. This results in considerable stability and structural rigidity, as previously described, and the number of such plug-in connections increases this stability and rigidity.Here too, for a further improved stability in this sense, two foldable spacer tabs, each with a plug-in element, in particular a plug-in tab, at their free ends and two receiving elements, in particular two slots, as described above, in the central surface of the paint particle receiving device come into consideration. The paint particle receiving device therefore has, on the one hand, on the second opposite sides, in each case a foldable spacer tab with a plug-in element, in particular a plug-in tab, at its free ends and, on the other hand, in its central surface two receiving elements, in particular two slots, namely, near each edge between the central surface and the spacer tab, in each case a receiving element, in particular a slot with a longitudinal extension parallel to the adjacent edge.For each plug connection mentioned in the description presented here, it generally applies that instead of a plug-in tab as the plug element and a slot as the receiving element, any plug connection means suitable for a plug connection can be considered, for example a pin as the plug element and a socket intended to receive it as the receiving element or the like.

[0036] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the innovation proposed here, the separation device, in particular a separation device with the above-described means for attaching a paint particle receiving device acting as a pre-separator (also) to the separation base and / or (also) to a further pre-separator, is characterized by the following: A plurality of paint particle receiving devices acting as pre-separators can be attached to the carrier, are attached to the carrier for use for paint mist separation, and are attached to the carrier for use for paint mist separation. For easier reference to individual pre-separators, these are numbered according to the order in which they come into contact with the incoming raw gas stream during paint mist separation.The pre-separator attached to the support which is first hit by the oncoming raw gas stream is the first pre-separator and the pre-separator attached to the support which is last hit by the oncoming raw gas stream is the last pre-separator. If there are only two pre-separators attached to the support, the first pre-separator is immediately followed by the last pre-separator. If there are more than two pre-separators attached to the support, there is at least one further pre-separator between the first and last pre-separator. The first and last pre-separators and any further pre-separators located between the first and last pre-separators form a pre-separator sequence (paint mist pre-separator sequence).The last pre-separator can be attached to the carrier and to the separation base and is attached to the carrier and to the separation base for paint mist separation, for example by means of the plug-in connections to the carrier and to the separation base as described above. The first pre-separator and any further pre-separators located between the first and last pre-separator can be attached to the carrier and to the pre-separator immediately following in the pre-separation sequence and is attached to the carrier and to the pre-separator immediately following in the pre-separation sequence for paint mist separation, for example by means of the plug-in connections to the carrier and to the pre-separator immediately following in the pre-separation sequence as described above.The plug-in connections and the respective plug-in elements, in particular plug-in tabs, as well as the receiving elements, in particular slots, provided for receiving the respective plug-in elements, are the means for attaching a pre-separator to the carrier and / or to the separation base and / or to another pre-separator. This applies accordingly to paint particle receiving devices that can be attached / are attached to a carrier downstream of the separation base.

[0037] In an advantageous embodiment of the innovation proposed here, parts of the deposition base act as supports, namely as the wings encompassed by the support. In other words, the special feature of this embodiment is that the support comprises parts of the deposition base, in particular consists exclusively of parts of the deposition base. Specifically, the support that can be formed by means of the deposition base is created by detaching two surface sections of a surface of the deposition base from this surface of the deposition base. These surface sections act as the wings forming the support; the support comprises these two wings. The detachment can take place from exactly one surface of the deposition base (both wings are detached from the same surface) or from different surfaces of the deposition base (each wing is detached from one surface respectively).If the carrier comprises parts of the separation base, no or only comparatively little additional material is required for the carrier and the carrier is easy to manufacture, namely even by low-skilled personnel and / or can be manufactured at the place of use of the separation device.

[0038] The term “detachment” means that the two wings are, before being detached, part of the surface or part of the respective surface of the separation base and that their respective surfaces lie in the plane of the surface or surfaces of the separation base and that after being detached and after being possibly attached to the separation base, the surfaces of the wings form an angle of greater than 0°, in particular an angle of approximately 90° (essentially 90°, in particular 90°-100°), with the respective surface of the separation base, for example the front side. The wings are set off from the remaining surface of the separation base for detachment, for example by means of a perforation, a punch or the like.

[0039] The term “detachment” encompasses a complete removal of the wings from the separation base so that they can be plugged in when attached to the separation base, for example, so that after attachment, in particular plugging in, and as a result of the attachment, in particular plugging in, the above-mentioned angle results. The attachment is carried out by means of a plug-in connection as described above. The plugging in takes place by means of plug-in tabs extending from the wings (wing plug-in tabs) into slots provided for this purpose in the surface of the separation base (plug-in connection), namely slots on both sides of the respective separation base opening and parallel to the immediately adjacent edge of the separation base opening, as also described above.

[0040] However, the term "detachment" also includes the folding out of the wings from the surface of the separation base, whereby the wings remain integrally connected to the separation base along a fold line that then functions as an articulated connection with the separation base, and the above-mentioned angle results after folding out or as a result of folding out. This folding out is also a detachment, because after folding out, each wing, with its then free edges and the area enclosed by the edges and the fold line, is detached from the surface of the separation base. Such wings are the wings connected to the separation base and were already mentioned above.

[0041] The removal in the sense of complete removal can take place for one or both wings on the surface with the inlet opening (and there completely or partially frees the inlet opening) or on the surface with the outlet opening (and there completely or partially frees the outlet opening). The removal in the sense of complete removal can also take place for both wings on the one hand on the surface with the inlet opening and on the other hand on the surface with the outlet opening. In this case, one wing is removed from one of the surfaces (and there completely or partially frees the inlet or outlet opening). The removal in the sense of folding out takes place when the or each paint particle collection device is used as a pre-separator for at least one wing always on the surface with the inlet opening (and there completely or partially frees the inlet opening).When the or each paint particle collection device is used as a pre-separator, the carrier can comprise two completely removed wings attached to the front of the separation base, two wings folded out from the surface of the front of the separation base, or one completely removed wing attached to the front of the separation base and one wing folded out from the surface of the front of the separation base. When the or each paint particle collection device is used downstream of the separation base, this applies accordingly, whereby the front is replaced by the rear of the separation base with the outflow opening there.

[0042] Advantageously, removing the two vanes completely or at least partially exposes one of the separation base openings, in particular the inlet opening for the entry of a raw gas stream into the interior of the separation base. Removing the vanes therefore opens the respective separation base opening. For paint mist separation, opening both separation base openings is required anyway. Removing the vanes is therefore part of a measure that is already required.

[0043] The support can comprise two wings that are completely removed and attached to the separation base, two wings that are folded out from the surface of the separation base, or one wing that is completely removed and attached to the separation base and one wing that is folded out from the surface of the separation base. However, the support can also comprise one or two wings that do not originate from the material of the separation base. In an advantageous embodiment of the innovation proposed here, at least one of the two wings is / remains integrally and articulately connected to the separation base even when detached, and the at least one wing that remains articulately connected to the separation base starts from an edge of the respective separation base opening, i.e. from the edge of the inflow opening or the edge of the outflow opening. The respective wing can then also be referred to as a door / door leaf in the separation base.

[0044] Optionally, both wings are / remain integrally and articulatedly connected to the separator base even when removed, and extend from opposite edges of the respective separator base opening. These are then folded-out wings and can also be referred to as doors in the separator base, with each wing then effectively representing a door leaf of a two-leaf door.

[0045] Opening the respective separation base opening, i.e. detaching / folding out the wings / door wings to obtain the respective separation base opening and to obtain the carrier, is then a process that even low-skilled personnel perform intuitively. This embodiment of the innovation proposed here can also be briefly described as follows: the doors in the separation base are opened and are opened for use for paint mist separation, and at least one paint particle receiving device can be attached to the doors, in particular between the doors, in particular at least one paint particle receiving device acting as a pre-separator and is attached to receive paint particles, in particular for use for paint mist separation.When detached and attached to the separation base, for example by plugging in, or when folded out, the two wings are spaced apart by the distance mentioned above. Such a distance also exists between a wing that is detached and attached to the separation base, for example by plugging in, on the one hand, and a wing that is folded out of the separation base, on the other. Thus, even with such wings, it is possible to attach at least one paint particle collecting device as described above, and to avoid unnecessary repetition, reference is made to the corresponding description.

[0046] Wings folded out from the separation base advantageously require no further connection to the separation base. The one-piece, articulated connection to the separation base advantageously ensures a sufficiently resilient connection between the support formed by the wings and the separation base. A good, resilient connection to the separation base is advantageous, for example, because the paint particle collection device attached to the support and acting as a pre-separator experiences a considerable increase in weight during paint mist separation. A further advantage is that a door leaf is not normally lost.

[0047] The innovation proposed here is also the use of a support structure, which optionally comprises parts of the separation base, for attaching at least one paint particle receiving device to the support structure and thus to the separation base, wherein the paint particle receiving device functions, for example, as a pre-separator. This results in a separation device as described here and below, which comprises the separation base, the support structure / carrier and at least one paint particle receiving device, optionally a plurality of paint particle receiving devices, in particular a pre-separator, optionally a plurality of pre-separators. For design details of a separation device resulting from such use of a support structure, reference is made to the above statements and to the explanations in the special description section.Each paint particle receiving device acting as a pre-separator is an additional impact separator of the separation device and by means of the at least one paint particle receiving device acting as a pre-separator an increased receiving capacity and service life of the separation device results.

[0048] The innovation proposed here is also a method for producing a separation device as described here and below. Such a method for obtaining a separation device (paint mist separation device), namely a separation device designed and configured to separate particles entrained in a raw gas stream, in particular paint particles, comprises the following method steps, wherein the separation device comprises a separation base (paint mist separation base device), a carrier (paint mist separation carrier device) and at least one paint particle receiving device, in particular at least one paint particle receiving device acting as a pre-separator (paint mist pre-separator device):

[0049] The carrier comprises two wings. These are attached to the separation base or detached from the separation base, namely, folded out of the separation base, or detached from the separation base, namely, removed from the separation base and attached to the separation base. The at least one paint particle receiving device is attached to the carrier, namely, the wings encompassed thereby, by means of a plug-in connection.

[0050] In one embodiment of the separation device, the carrier has slots in the wings (each wing has at least one slot) and the attachment of the at least one paint particle receiving device to the carrier, namely to its wings, then comprises the attachment of the at least one paint particle receiving device by means of the slots.

[0051] In an advantageous embodiment of the method, it is initially provided that each paint particle receiving device to be attached to the carrier has an at least initially flat central surface, to which plug-in connection means, in particular plug-in tabs, are connected on two first opposite sides for connection to plug-in connection means on or in each wing, in particular for insertion into a respective slot of the wings. The method for producing a separation device comprising at least one such paint particle receiving device then comprises the following additional method step: The plug-in connection means of each paint particle receiving device are connected to the plug-in connection means on or in the wings (plug-in connection), in particular plug-in tabs of each paint particle receiving device are inserted into a respective slot in the wings.With a plurality of plug-in connection means, in particular slots in the wings, the connection, in particular plugging, takes place with or in corresponding plug-in connection means or corresponding slots. A special advantage that applies to the innovation proposed here as a whole is that the carrier takes up hardly any space until use and that the or each paint particle receiving device also takes up hardly any space until use. The carrier, namely the two wings it encompasses, as well as each paint particle receiving device are flat or at least initially flat. If parts of the separation base function as wings, these lie in the plane of the relevant surface of the separation base until use and accordingly take up hardly any space, or in any case no additional space that is not already taken up by the separation base itself.Each paint particle receiving device comprises an at least initially flat central surface and, on the two first opposite sides of the central surface, for example plug-in tabs for insertion into a slot in the carrier, and optionally, on at least one of the two second opposite sides of the central surface, a spacer tab and, at the end of this, for example, a plug-in tab. Even with the plug-in and spacer tabs, the paint particle receiving device continues to be an at least initially flat component which takes up hardly any space in the flat configuration. The separation base and the or each paint particle receiving device can advantageously be shipped flat. A separation base shipped flat is only prepared at the place of use, for example to accommodate at least one separation stage, in particular unfolded and fixed in the unfolded state.The carrier and the color particle collection device(s) are only prepared or attached to the separation base at the installation site. Compared to large-volume separation devices, flat shipping allows for savings in transportation costs and / or allows for a larger number of parts to be shipped at the same transportation costs.

[0052] The manual measures for maintaining the separation device, namely in particular the attachment, insertion, folding, removal and / or folding out, for maintaining the support structure and for attaching a paint particle collection device to it, are extremely simple, can also be carried out by low-skilled personnel, in particular directly at the place of use, and also require little time.

[0053] Possible materials for the separation base include, for example, cardboard, paperboard (in particular solid cardboard or corrugated cardboard), plastic, metal (in particular pyrolysis-resistant metal) or the like. This also applies to the material of the carrier and the wings it encompasses. If parts of the separation base act as the carrier, this applies anyway. Possible materials for any color particle collection device that is / can be attached to the carrier are also, for example, cardboard, paperboard (in particular solid cardboard or corrugated cardboard), plastic, metal (in particular pyrolysis-resistant metal) or the like. Insofar as it is mentioned here and below with regard to the carrier that it comprises parts of the separation base, this also expressly includes that the carrier comprises exactly the two wings mentioned, in particular only the two wings, and that the wings are previous material of the separation base.

[0054] To avoid unnecessary repetition, the following applies to the description presented here: features and details described in connection with the separation device and any possible embodiments naturally also apply in connection with their use and the method for their manufacture, and vice versa. Accordingly, the method can also be further developed using individual or multiple method features that relate to design details of the separation device and its purpose. Likewise, the separation device can be further developed by means for carrying out method steps carried out within the scope of the method.Consequently, features and details that are described in connection with the separation device or in connection with its use or its manufacture are each reciprocal, i.e. method features are regarded as material features (device features), namely, for example, as means comprised by the separation device for carrying out a method step or a sequence of method steps, and device features are regarded as method features, namely, for example, a concrete use of a structural detail of the separation device. This note is intended to mean that, with regard to the disclosure, reciprocal reference is or can always be made to the individual device, method or use aspects of the innovation proposed here.

[0055] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. Corresponding objects or elements are provided with the same reference symbols in all figures. However, for the sake of clarity, the reference symbols are not repeated in all figures. In this respect, reference is made to one of the preceding figures.

[0056] The exemplary embodiments are not to be understood as limiting the invention. Rather, additions and modifications are also entirely possible within the scope of the present disclosure, in particular those which, for example, can be derived by a person skilled in the art with regard to solving the problem through the combination or modification of individual features or method steps described in the general or specific description and contained in the claims and / or the drawings, and which, through combinable features, lead to a new subject matter or to new method steps or method step sequences.

[0057] It shows

[0058] Fig. 1 shows a paint mist separation device with a paint mist separation base device, several paint mist pre-separation devices and a paint mist separation carrier device,

[0059] Fig. 2 shows the paint mist separator base device from Figure 1 with wings intended for use as a paint mist separator support device,

[0060] Fig. 3 shows the paint mist separator base device from Figure 1 with the wings folded out (opened) from the paint mist separator base device,

[0061] Fig. 4 and

[0062] Fig. 5 shows a paint mist pre-separation device according to Figure 1 in a flat state or in a state prepared for attachment to the wings of the paint mist separator support device,

[0063] Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating the process of attaching the paint mist pre-separation devices to the wings, to the paint mist separation base device and to each other,

[0064] Fig. 7 shows an alternative embodiment compared to the illustration in Figure 1 with wings attachable to the paint mist separator base device,

[0065] Fig. 8 shows yet another alternative embodiment with a wing that can be attached to the paint mist separator base device and a wing that can be folded out of the paint mist separator base device, Fig. 9 and

[0066] Fig. 10 shows the material for obtaining a paint mist separator base device in a flat state.

[0067] The illustration in Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a paint mist separation device 10 proposed here. Such a device is often referred to below as a separation device 10 or, for short, as a separator 10.

[0068] The separation device 10 comprises a paint mist separation base device 12, one (at least one) paint particle receiving device 14 functioning as a paint mist pre-separation device 14, and a paint mist separation carrier device 16. The illustration in Figure 1 shows three paint particle receiving devices 14 by way of example. More or fewer than three paint particle receiving devices 14, for example, one paint particle receiving device 14, two paint particle receiving devices 14, or four or more paint particle receiving devices 14 are also possible.

[0069] Because the separation device 10 comprises the paint particle receiving devices 14 and the paint mist separation carrier device 16 upstream of the paint mist separation base device 12, the paint particle receiving devices 14 function as paint mist pre-separation devices 14 when the separation device 10 is used to separate particles entrained with a raw gas stream, in particular paint particles, and the paint particle receiving devices 14 are accordingly referred to below as paint mist pre-separation devices 14. Attaching and using the paint mist separation carrier device 16 and the or each paint particle receiving device 14 downstream of the paint mist separation base device 12 is additionally or alternatively also possible. The further description will continue with reference to the embodiment shown, i.e. with paint particle receiving devices 14 each functioning as paint mist pre-separation devices 14.However, whenever a paint mist pre-separation device 14 is mentioned, the more general term paint particle receiving device 14 must always be included, and likewise, whenever a paint mist separation support device 16 is mentioned that is connected to or attached to the paint mist separation base device 12 upstream of the latter, a paint mist separation support device 16 is also mentioned that is connected to or attached to the paint mist separation base device 12 downstream of the latter.

[0070] A paint mist separation base device 12, a paint mist pre-separation device 14, and a paint mist separation support device 16 are often referred to below as separation base 12, pre-separator 14, and support 16, respectively. The terms support device 16 or support structure 16 are also sometimes used for a paint mist separation support device 16.

[0071] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the support 16 comprises two vanes 20, 22 connected to the separation base 12. Each vane 20, 22 is a part of the support 16. In the embodiment shown, several pre-separators 14 are mounted on the support 16, namely at least on the support 16 and its vanes 20, 22.

[0072] The illustration in Figure 2 shows the separation base 12 from Figure 1 with two wings 20, 22. The illustration in Figure 3 shows the same separation base 12 in the open state, i.e., with the wings 20, 22 folded out. In at least one pre-separator 14 attached to the support 16, i.e., to its wings 20, 22, the wings 20, 22 are open to a 90° position (90° or at least substantially 90°, in particular 90°-100°). In the open state, an inlet opening 24 (the reference line in Figure 3 extends to the edge line of the inlet opening 24) is exposed. The inlet opening 24 allows—in a manner known per se—the inflow of a raw gas stream laden with particles, in particular paint particles, into the interior of the separation base 12.

[0073] Particularly in the illustrations in Figures 2 and 3, it can be seen that the carrier 16 has slots 26 in the wings 20, 22; each wing 20, 22 has at least one slot 26. In the embodiment shown, each wing 20, 22 has a plurality of slots 26, namely a plurality of mutually parallel slots 26.

[0074] At least one pre-separator 14 can be attached to the support 16 by means of the slots 26 there, i.e., by means of the slots 26 in the wings 20, 22 (Figure 1). In the embodiment shown, several pre-separators 14 are attached to the support 16, namely, for example, three pre-separators 14.

[0075] The number of pre-separators 14 that can be mounted on the support 16 depends on the number of slots 26 in the vanes 20, 22. With three slots 26 in each vane 20, 22, as shown here, one, two, or three pre-separators 14 can be mounted on the support 16. This applies accordingly with more or fewer slots 26.

[0076] The illustration in Figure 4 shows an embodiment of a pre-separator 14 in a flat state, and the illustration in Figure 5 shows the same pre-separator 14 in a ready-to-use state, namely as shown in Figure 1. The pre-separator 14 comprises a central surface 30 and, on two first opposite sides of the central surface 30, plug-in tabs 32 (pre-separator plug-in tabs 32). The distance between the two first sides is the width of the pre-separator 14, and this corresponds to the distance between the wings 20, 22 when connected to the separation base 12 or when attached to the separation base 12. In the embodiment shown, the pre-separator 14 also comprises - in a fundamentally optional manner - on the remaining sides, namely two second opposite sides of the central surface 30, spacer tabs 34 with in turn adjoining plug-in tabs 36 (spacer tab plug-in tabs 36).With a height of the pre-separator 14 measured transversely to the above-mentioned width (without the or each spacer tab 34), a surface of the central surface 30 results which, in the embodiment shown, covers the inlet opening 24.

[0077] By means of the plug-in tabs 32, namely the pre-separator plug-in tabs 32, the pre-separator 14 is attached to the carrier 16, namely to its two wings 20, 22. For this purpose, the plug-in tabs 32 are each inserted into a slot 26 in one of the wings 20, 22. The insertion results in a plug-in connection; the pre-separator 14 can be attached or is attached to the wings 20, 22 by means of the slots 26 and the plug-in tabs 32 as well as by means of the resulting plug-in connection. The slots 26 and the plug-in tabs 32 are examples of plug-in connection means 26, 32 and, in the embodiment shown, function as plug-in connection means 26, 32 for attaching the pre-separator 14 to the carrier 16 by means of a plug-in connection.

[0078] When several pre-separators 14 are mounted in this way, the parallel slots 26 result in a parallel alignment of the central surfaces 30 of the pre-separators 14, and the spacing of the slots 26 results in a corresponding spacing of the central surfaces 30 from one another. The illustration in Figure 1 shows several pre-separators 14 mounted by means of the slots 26 and the plug-in tabs 32 on the separator base 12 and on the support 16 extending from the separator base 12.

[0079] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the pre-separators 14 can be attached / are attached not only to the wings 20, 22, but also to the separation base 12 and to one another. For this purpose, the basically optional spacer tabs 34 and, following thereto, the plug-in tabs 36, namely the spacer tab plug-in tabs 36, are provided. The illustration in Figure 5 shows spacer tabs 34 bent over relative to the plane of the central surface 30. The central surface 30 and each spacer tab 34 enclose an angle of 90° or slightly over 90° (essentially 90°, in particular 90°-100°). Such pre-separators 14 are attached to the separation base 12 or to one another using spacer tabs 34 bent over in this way.

[0080] Regardless of whether such pre-separators 14 are attached to the separator base 12 or to one another, bent spacer tabs 34 provide the central surface 30 of a pre-separator 14 with considerable stability, namely for loads perpendicular to the plane of the central surface 30. Precisely such loads arise during paint mist separation due to a raw gas stream impinging on the central surface 30.

[0081] The spacer tabs 34 and the plug-in tabs 36 at their ends act as additional, basically optional means for attaching a pre-separator 14 to the separation base 12 or to one another. For this purpose, the separation base 12 and each pre-separator 14 each have slots 40, 42 and the spacer tabs 34 have a width b (Fig. 4) corresponding to the distance between the slots 26 in the wings 20, 22 and the distance between a first slot 26 and the surface of the front side of the separation base 12. The separation base 12 shown in the figures has the slots 40 (Fig. 2, Fig. 3) in its front side, i.e. the side with the inflow opening 24. These are slots 40 parallel to the immediately adjacent edge of the inlet opening 24; the slots 40 run in their longitudinal extent parallel to the immediately adjacent edge of the inlet opening 24.Each pre-separator 14 has the slots 42 in its central surface 30 and parallel to the immediately adjacent edge between the central surface 30 and each spacer tab 34. The slots 42 extend in their longitudinal extent parallel to the respectively adjacent edge between the central surface 30 and the respective spacer tab 34. The spacing of the slots 42 from one another corresponds or at least substantially corresponds to the distance between the slots 40 from one another.

[0082] A first pre-separator 14 is attached directly to the separator base 12 by means of such spacer tabs 34 and plug-in tabs 36 extending therefrom. For this purpose, its plug-in tabs 36 are inserted into the slots 40 in the separator base 12 (one plug-in tab 36 into one slot 40). This insertion results in a plug-in connection; the first pre-separator 14 is attachable or is attached to the separator base 12 by means of the slots 40 and the plug-in tabs 36, as well as by means of the resulting plug-in connection. The slots 40 and the plug-in tabs 36 are also examples of plug-in connection means 36, 40 and, in the embodiment shown, function as plug-in connection means 36, 40 for attaching the pre-separator 14 directly to the separation base 12 by means of a plug-in connection.In addition to this attachment, the first pre-separator 14 is / will also be attached to the wings 20, 22 by means of the plug-in tabs 32 extending directly from its central surface 30.

[0083] Each additional pre-separator 14 is attached to the next pre-separator 14 in the direction of flow by means of such spacer tabs 34 and plug-in tabs 36 extending therefrom. A second pre-separator 14 is therefore attached to the first pre-separator 14, a third pre-separator 14 is attached to the second pre-separator 14, and so on. When attaching a further pre-separator 14 in this way, its plug-in tabs 36 are inserted into the slots 42 in the central surface 30 of the next pre-separator 14 (one plug-in tab 36 in each slot 42). Here, too, the insertion results in a plug-in connection; Each additional pre-separator 14 can be or is attached to the respective subsequent pre-separator 14 by means of the slots 42 and the plug-in tabs 36 as well as by means of the resulting plug-in connection.The slots 42 and the plug-in tabs 36 are further examples of plug-in connection means 36, 42 and, in the embodiment shown, function as plug-in connection means 36, 42 for attaching the pre-separator 14 to the respective subsequent pre-separator 14 by means of a plug-in connection. In addition to this attachment, each additional pre-separator 14 is / will also be attached to the wings 20, 22 by means of the plug-in tabs 32 extending directly from its central surface 30.

[0084] The attachment of a first pre-separator 14 and further pre-separators 14 in the form of a second and third pre-separator 14 results in a configuration as shown in the illustration in Figure 1. The illustration in Figure 6 shows this configuration partially exploded, i.e. in a situation before the attachment of the pre-separators 14 to one another and to the separation base 12 and to the wings 20, 22.

[0085] For example, the following procedure can be used to attach several pre-separators 14 to the separation base 12:

[0086] The pre-separators 14 are interconnected by inserting the plug-in tabs 36 into the slots 42. The pre-separators 14 are then attached to the separation base 12 by inserting the plug-in tabs 36 of the first pre-separator 14 into the slots 40. They are then attached to the wings 20, 22. This is done, for example, by returning the wings 20, 22, which have been pivoted slightly outward when attaching the pre-separators 14 to the separation base 12, to the 90° position and inserting the plug-in tabs 32 into the respective slots 26.

[0087] So far, an embodiment has been explained in which the wings 20, 22 are detached, namely folded out, from the separation base 12. The illustration in Figure 7 shows—in the form of a partial explosion—an embodiment in which the wings 20, 22 are also detached from the separation base 12, but now detached from the separation base 12 in the sense of a complete removal; the wings 20, 22 are detached from the separation base 12, namely removed from the separation base 12.

[0088] Such wings 20, 22 can be attached to the separation base 12 and are attached to the separation base 12 to obtain a support 16 formed by the wings 20, 22. One possibility for such attachment is that the separation base 12 has slots 44 in its front side and on both sides of the inlet opening 24 and each wing 20, 22 has matching plug-in tabs 46 (wing plug-in tabs 46). This embodiment is shown in the illustration in Figure 7. As an alternative to such attachment, each wing 20, 22 can, for example, also be glued / attached to the front side or be attached to the front side in some other suitable manner.The slots 44 and the plug-in tabs 46 are also examples of plug-in connection means 44, 46 and, in the embodiment shown, function as plug-in connection means 44, 46 for attaching a wing 20, 22 to the separator base 12 by means of a plug-in connection.

[0089] The separation base 12 shown in the figures has the slots 44 on both sides of the inlet opening 24 and parallel to the immediately adjacent edge of the inlet opening 24. If the separation base 12 has slots 40 in its front side for attaching a pre-separator 14 directly on the separation base 12, the separation base 12 has the slots 44 for attaching the vanes 20, 22 parallel to the remaining edges of the inlet opening 24. If one wants to describe the location of the slots 40 as parallel to the upper and / or lower edge of the inlet opening 24, the separation base 12 has the slots 44 for attaching the vanes 20, 22 parallel to the lateral edges of the inlet opening 24. This applies accordingly to other orientations of the separation base 12.

[0090] The illustration in Figure 7 shows an embodiment with two slots 44 each for attaching the vanes 20, 22 on either side of the inlet opening 24 and correspondingly two matching, appropriately positioned and spaced-apart plug-in tabs 46 on the vanes 20, 22. Two slots 44 and two plug-in tabs 46 each are an option. Likewise, one slot 44 and one matching, appropriately positioned plug-in tab 46 on the vanes 20, 22 or more than two slots 44 and a corresponding number of matching, appropriately positioned and spaced-apart plug-in tabs 46 are possible and, with this reference, are deemed to be included in the description presented here.

[0091] In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the wings 20, 22 are attached to the separating base 12 by inserting the plug-in tabs 46 on the wings 20, 22 into the slots 44 in the separating base 12. This insertion results in a plug-in connection; the wings 20, 22 can be attached / are attached to the separating base 12 by means of the slots 44 and the plug-in tabs 46, as well as by means of the resulting plug-in connection.

[0092] The wings 20, 22 detached from the separation base 12, namely removed, can both originate from the front of the separation base 12 and, after removal, expose the inlet opening 24. Likewise, one of the wings 20, 22 can originate from the front of the separation base 12 and the other wing 20, 22 can originate from a rear side of the separation base 12 opposite the front, or both wings 20, 22 can originate from the rear of the separation base 12. Removable wings 20, 22 are also flat, originate from the separation base 12, and do not take up any additional space during transport.

[0093] Otherwise, the above applies to the wings 20, 22 and the pre-separators 14 which can be attached to the wings 20, 22 and, if applicable, to the separation base 12 and to one another, and to the attachment thereof, so that reference is made here in full to avoid repetition. To attach several pre-separators 14 to a separation base 12 with wings 20, 22 removed therefrom, the following procedure can be used, for example: The pre-separators 14 are connected to one another by inserting the plug-in tabs 36 into the slots 42. The wings 20, 22 are then attached by placing them with their slots 26 onto the plug-in tabs 32 of the wings 20, 22. The resulting combination (pre-separator 14 and vanes 20, 22) is then attached as a whole to the separator base 12 by inserting the plug-in tabs 46 of the vanes 20, 22 into the slots 44 and the plug-in tabs 36 on the first pre-separator 14 into the slots 40.A different sequence of the individual steps is also possible in principle, for example a sequence as explained above in connection with the illustration in Figure 6, wherein in a preceding step the wings 20, 22 are first attached to the separation base 12.

[0094] The illustrations in Figures 1 to 6, on the one hand, and the illustration in Figure 7, on the other hand, show configurations with either detached / detachable, namely foldable / unfolded wings 20, 22, or detached / detachable, namely removed wings 20, 22. As an alternative to either a total of folded-out wings 20, 22 or a total of removed wings 20, 22, a mixed form is also possible, namely a mixed form in which one of the wings 20, 22 is folded out and the other wing 20, 22 is / is removed, wherein the removed wing 20, 22 is / is attachable to the separation base 12.

[0095] The illustration in Figure 8 shows - in the form of a partial exploded view - an embodiment of such a mixed form. One of the wings 20, 22 is clearly detached from the separation base 12, namely folded out, and the other wing 20, 22 is clearly detached from the separation base 12, namely removed from the separation base 12 (either at the front, next to the folded-out wing 20, 22, or at the rear). The above applies accordingly to the folded-out wing 20, 22, in particular that it has at least one slot 26 for attaching a pre-separator 14 and that this remains integrally connected to the separation base 12 in the folded-out state.The above also applies accordingly to the removed blade 20, 22, in particular that it has at least one slot 26 for attaching a pre-separator 14 and that this can be / is attached to the separation base 12, for example, by means of a plug-in connection. In this respect, in order to avoid repetition, reference is made in full to what has been written above for the blades 20, 22. The above also applies again to the attachment of a pre-separator 14 or more pre-separators 14 to the blades 20, 22 and, if applicable, to the separation base 12 and to one another, and reference is also made to this here to avoid repetition.

[0096] Not shown is an embodiment in which at least one of the wings 20, 22 does not originate from the separation base 12 or both wings 20, 22 do not originate from the separation base 12. Even without a separate illustration, such an embodiment can be easily understood by a person skilled in the art with reference to the illustration in Figure 7: the wings 20, 22 shown in Figure 7 and originating from the separation base 12 are then replaced by at least one wing 20, 22 which does not originate from the separation base 12, or wings 20, 22 which neither originate from the separation base 12 then appear. Such a wing 20, 22 or such wings 20, 22 also has or. have slots 26 (each wing 20, 22 at least one slot 26) for attaching at least one pre-separator 14 and means for attachment to the separation base 12, for example plug-in tabs 46 (each wing 20, 22 at least one plug-in tab 46).Thus, with regard to such a wing 20, 22 or such wings 20, 22, reference can be made in full to what has been written so far. Wings 20, 22 not originating from the separation base 12 can also be shipped flat and require little space in the flat state. Wings 20, 22 not originating from the separation base 12 allow for larger dimensions of a support 16 formed with the wings 20, 22.

[0097] The illustrations in Figure 9 and Figure 10 each show, by way of example, a separation base 12 - or better: the material intended to obtain a separation base 12 - in a flat state, i.e. a state which is suitable for shipping, as well as in a state before unfolding to obtain the cubic, in particular cube-shaped configuration shown in the preceding figures.

[0098] In the embodiment shown in Figure 9, the view is drawn to two vanes 20, 22 which, when removed, reveal an opening which, for example, functions as an inlet opening 24 in the separation base 12. The vanes 20, 22 have slots 26 and, as described, these are intended for attaching at least one pre-separator 14 to the vanes 20, 22. Below and above the vanes 20, 22, the slots 40, 42 for attaching a pre-separator 14 (also) to the separation base 12 can be seen in Figure 9.

[0099] The illustration in Figure 10 shows the underside of the material from Figure 9. The material is shown as an example with an opening 50 which, after being unfolded to obtain the cubic, in particular cube-shaped, configuration shown in the preceding figures, can function as an outflow opening (the reference line goes to the edge of the opening 50) of the separation base 12.

[0100] The material for a separation base 12 for attaching at least one wing 20, 22 to the separation base 12 has a similar appearance in the flat state as shown in Figure 9 and Figure 10. The notches 52 shown in Figure 9 and Figure 10 allow the material to be erected to obtain a separation base 12 as shown in the preceding figures.

[0101] Individual, foreground aspects of the description submitted here can be briefly summarized as follows: A separation device 10 (paint mist separation device 10) is specified. This comprises a separation base 12 (paint mist separation base device 12), at least one paint particle receiving device 14, in particular a paint particle receiving device 14 functioning as a pre-separator 14 (paint mist pre-separation device 14), and a carrier 16 (paint mist separation carrier device 16) also referred to as a support structure. The separation base 12 is intended and designed to receive at least one separation stage (paint mist separation stage). The special feature is that the carrier 16 comprises two wings 20, 22. The two wings 20, 22 are connected to the separation base 12 or can be attached to the separation base 12. The wings 20, 22 have plug-in connection means 26, for example slots 26.At least one paint particle receiving device 14 can be attached to the carrier 16, namely to the wings 20, 22, by means of the plug-in connection means 26 or slots 26, and is attached to the carrier 16 for use together with the separation base 12. The carrier 16, together with the or each paint particle receiving device 14 attached thereto, forms a unit, in particular in front of (upstream of) the separation base 12, with a number of additional separation stages corresponding to the number of paint particle receiving devices 14.

[0102] glossary

[0103] Separator = Separation device = Paint mist separation device

[0104] Separation base = paint mist separation base device Paint particle collection device = pre-separator = impact separator = paint mist pre-separation device

[0105] Carrier = support structure = carrier device = paint mist separation carrier device

[0106] Reference symbol list

[0107] 10 paint mist separator, separator, separator

[0108] 12 paint mist separation base device, separation base device, separation base

[0109] 14 Paint particle collection device, paint mist pre-separation device, pre-separator

[0110] 16 paint mist separator support device, separator support device, support, support structure

[0111] 18 -- free --

[0112] 20 , 22 Wings (part of the separation base; to maintain the support structure)

[0113] 24 Inlet opening (in the paint mist separation base device)

[0114] 26 Plug-in connectors, slotted (in one wing)

[0115] 28 -- free -- central surface (of a pre-separator) plug-in connection means, plug-in tab (on two first sides of the central surface of a pre-separator; for inserting into the slots in the wings), pre-separator plug-in tabs spacer tab (on at least one second side of the central surface of a pre-separator) plug-in connection means, plug-in tab (connecting to a spacer tab; for inserting into a slot in the separator base or a slot in the central surface of a pre-separator), spacer tab plug-in tabs -- free -- plug-in connection means, slot (in the front side of the separator base; for inserting a plug-in tab of a pre-separator, namely a plug-in tab connected to a spacer tab) plug-in connection means, slot (in the central surface of a pre-separator; for inserting a plug-in tab of a pre-separator, namely a plug-in tab connected to a spacer tab) plug-in connection means, slot (in the front side of the separator base;for inserting a plug-in tab of a wing that can be attached to the separator base) Plug-in connection means, plug-in tab (on a wing; for attaching the wing to the front of the separator base), wing plug-in tabs -- free - Opening (in the separator base; for example, outflow opening) Incision (in the material intended to receive a separator base);

Claims

Patent claims 1. Paint mist separation device (10) comprising a paint mist separation base device (12), a paint particle receiving device (14) and a paint mist separation carrier device (16), wherein the paint mist separation carrier device (16) comprises two wings (20, 22) connected to the paint mist separation base device (12) or attachable to the paint mist separation base device (12), and wherein at least one paint particle receiving device (14) can be attached to the paint mist separation carrier device (16) by means of a plug connection (26, 32).

2. Paint mist separation device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the plug connection (26, 32) for attaching a paint particle receiving device (14) to the paint mist separation support device (16) comprises plug connection means (26, 32), wherein the paint particle receiving device (14) and the wings (20, 22) each have plug connection means (26, 32), namely at least one plug element (32) and at least one corresponding receiving element (26), and the paint particle receiving device (14) and the wings (20, 22) each have plug connection means (26, 32) that match one another.

3. Paint mist separation device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the paint mist separation support device (16) has slots (26), in particular a plurality of parallel slots (26), in the wings (20, 22) as receiving elements (26), and wherein at least one paint particle receiving device (14) can be attached to the paint mist separation support device (16) by means of the slots (26) there.

4. Paint mist separation device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each paint particle receiving device (14) has a flat central surface (30), to which plug-in connection means (32) for attaching the paint particle receiving device (14) to the paint mist separation support device (16) are connected on two first opposite sides, in particular plug-in connection means (32) in the form of plug-in tabs (32) for insertion into a slot (26) of the paint mist separation support device (16).

5. Paint mist separation device (10) according to claim 4, wherein a foldable spacer tab (34) with a plug-in connection means (36), in particular a plug-in tab (36), at the free end of the central surface (30) of the paint particle receiving device (14) is connected on at least one of two second opposite sides, and wherein the paint mist separation base device (12) has, between wings (20, 22) attached to it, in its surface a plug-in connection means (26), in particular a slot (26) with a longitudinal extension parallel to the adjacent edge of an inflow opening (24) of the paint mist separation base device (12).

6. Paint mist separating device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each paint particle receiving device (14) has a plug-in connection means (42), in particular a slot (42), at the edge of its central surface (30) parallel to the edge between the central surface (30) and the spacer tab (34).

7. Paint mist separation device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each paint particle receiving device (14) has on the second opposite sides in each case a foldable spacer tab (34) with a plug-in connection means (36), in particular at least one plug-in tab (36), at the free ends thereof, and wherein the paint particle receiving device (14) has in or on its central surface (30) plug-in connection means (42) matching the plug-in connection means (36) on the spacer tabs.

8. Paint mist separating device (10) according to claim 7, wherein the paint particle receiving device (14) has two slots (42) in its central surface (30) as plug-in connection means (42), namely in the vicinity of each edge between the central surface (30) and the spacer tab (34) a respective slot (42) with a longitudinal extension parallel to the adjacent edge.

9. Paint mist separation device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the paint mist separation support device (16) and the or each paint particle receiving device (14) attached thereto together form a cantilevered unit in front of or behind the paint mist separation base device (12).

10. Paint mist separation device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the paint mist separation support device (16) comprises parts of the paint mist separation base device (12).

11. Paint mist separation device (10) according to claim 10, wherein the paint mist separation support device (16) is created by detaching the two wings (20, 22) from a surface of the paint mist separation base device (12) and by detaching the two wings (20, 22) an opening (24, 50) is created in the paint mist separation base device (12), namely an inflow opening (24) for the entry of a raw gas flow into the interior of the paint mist separation base device (12) or an outflow opening for the exit of the raw gas flow from the interior of the paint mist separation base device (12) or an inflow opening (24) and an outflow opening.

12. Paint mist separation device (10) according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the two wings (20, 22) remains integrally and articulately connected to the paint mist separation base device (12) even when detached and functioning as a paint mist separation support device (16).

13. Paint mist separator (10) according to claim 12, wherein both wings (20, 22) remain integrally and articulately connected to the paint mist separator base device (12) and extend from opposite edges of the opening (24).

14. Paint mist separation device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of paint particle receiving devices (14), each functioning as a paint mist pre-separation device (14), can be attached to the paint mist separation carrier device (16), wherein a first paint mist pre-separation device (14) attached to the paint mist separation carrier device (16) is first hit by an incoming raw gas stream when the paint mist separation device (10) is used for paint mist separation, wherein a last paint mist pre-separation device (14) attached to the paint mist separation carrier device (16) is last hit by the incoming raw gas stream when the paint mist separation device (10) is used, wherein the first and last paint mist pre-separation devices (14) and anya further paint mist pre-separation device (14) located between the first and the last paint mist pre-separation device (14) forms a paint mist pre-separation device sequence, wherein the last paint mist pre-separation device (14) can be attached to the paint mist separation support device (16) and to the paint mist separation base device (12), and wherein the first paint mist pre-separation device (14) can be attached to the paint mist separation support device (16) and to the paint mist pre-separation device (14) immediately following in the paint mist pre-separation device sequence.

15. Paint mist separation device (10) according to claim 14, wherein the last paint mist pre-separation device (14) can be attached to the paint mist separation support device (16) by means of a plug connection (26, 32) and to the paint mist separation base device (12) by means of a plug connection (36, 40), and wherein the first paint mist pre-separation device (14) can be attached to the paint mist separation support device (16) by means of a plug connection (26, 32) and to the paint mist pre-separation device (14) immediately following in the paint mist pre-separation device sequence by means of a plug connection (36, 42).

16. A method for producing a paint mist separation device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the two wings (20, 22) encompassed by the paint mist separation support device (16) are attached to the paint mist separation base device (12) and the at least one paint particle receiving device (14) is attached to the paint mist separation support device (16) by means of a plug connection.