Automatic liquid dispensing system for paint and coating and method of using the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of feeding or unloading mechanisms for mixing, and specifically to an automatic liquid dispensing system for paint and coatings and a method for using the same. An automatic liquid dispensing system for paint and coatings comprises a coating machine (1), and is characterized in that it further comprises a raw liquid tank (21), a diluent solvent tank (22), a mixing tank (23), a circulation tank (24), a raw liquid pump (31), a diluent pump (32), a paint circulation pump (33), a raw liquid switch valve (41), a diluent switch valve (42), a paint switch valve (43), a radar level meter (51), a diluent flow meter (52), a paint viscometer (53) and a controller (6). A method for using an automatic liquid dispensing system for paint and coatings is characterized in that it comprises raw liquid control, diluent control, liquid dispensing control, viscosity control and coating operation. The viscosity control of the present invention is accurate, and the health of personnel is protected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of feeding or unloading mechanisms for mixing, in particular to an automatic liquid dispensing system for paint and coatings and a use method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Currently, industries like home appliances and construction are in high demand for corrosion-resistant, cold-rolled, color-coated steel sheets. The production of color-coated steel sheets typically involves applying paint to the steel surface using a roller coater, followed by drying and setting in a baking oven. This process requires the use of paint, and paint viscosity is a key performance indicator, significantly impacting its storage stability, coatability, and film-forming properties. To ensure the quality of the coating, different paint coating methods, and film thickness requirements require varying working viscosity ranges. Too low a viscosity can result in thin films, color variations, sagging, and runniness; too high a viscosity can lead to defects such as thick films, rough surfaces, pores, and bubbles. To ensure uniform paint coating thickness and minimize surface defects, the process generally requires a certain viscosity to ensure sufficient flow and circulation to achieve the required film thickness. Controlling paint viscosity is a core process in color-coated steel sheet production lines, directly impacting the appearance quality and performance of the color-coated steel sheets.

[0003] Currently, paint viscosity control relies primarily on manually adjusting the paint viscosity using a specific ratio of paint and thinner, then measuring the time using Zahn cups. This method is repetitive and cumbersome, prone to human error, and emits toxic fumes from both the paint and thinner in the coating room, seriously impacting operator health. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to overcome the defects of the prior art and provide a paint dispensing device with precise viscosity control and protection of personnel health, the present invention discloses an automatic liquid dispensing system for paint and coatings and a method for using the same.

[0005] The present invention achieves the purpose of the invention through the following technical solutions:

[0006] An automatic liquid dispensing system for paint and coatings includes a coating machine, and is characterized by further comprising a raw liquid tank, a diluent solvent tank, a dispensing tank, a circulation tank, a raw liquid pump, a diluent pump, a paint circulation pump, a raw liquid on-off valve, a diluent on-off valve, a paint on-off valve, a radar level meter, a diluent flow meter, a paint viscometer, and a controller.

[0007] On one side of the coating machine, there are the original liquid tank, diluent solvent tank, batching tank and circulation tank in sequence;

[0008] The paint outlet of the raw liquid tank is connected to the paint inlet of the batching tank through the first delivery pipe. The first delivery pipe is connected in series with a raw liquid pump and a raw liquid switch valve. The raw liquid tank is provided with a radar level gauge.

[0009] The outlet of the diluent solvent tank is connected to the inlet of the batching tank through a second delivery pipe. The second delivery pipe is connected in series with a diluent pump, a diluent flow meter and a diluent switch valve. The diluent solvent tank is provided with a radar level gauge.

[0010] The batching tank is equipped with a radar level gauge, and the discharge port of the batching tank is connected to the first feed port of the circulation tank through a third delivery pipe. The third delivery pipe is connected in series with a paint circulation pump, a paint viscometer and a paint switch valve.

[0011] The circulation tank is equipped with a radar level gauge, and the discharge port of the circulation tank is connected to the feed port of the coating machine through the fourth conveying pipe. The fourth conveying pipe is connected in series with a paint circulation pump and a paint viscometer.

[0012] The second delivery pipe is connected to the second feed port of the circulation tank through the fifth delivery pipe, the paint switch valve is connected in series on the fifth delivery pipe, and the connection point of the fifth delivery pipe and the second delivery pipe is set between the diluent flow meter and the diluent switch valve on the second delivery pipe;

[0013] The third delivery pipe is connected to the feed port of the batching tank through the sixth delivery pipe, the sixth delivery pipe is connected in series with a paint switch valve, and the connection point between the sixth delivery pipe and the third delivery pipe is located between the paint viscometer and the paint switch valve on the third delivery pipe;

[0014] The discharge port of the coating machine is connected to the third feed port of the circulation tank through the seventh conveying pipe;

[0015] The controller is respectively connected to the coating machine, the raw liquid pump, the diluent pump, the paint circulation pump, the raw liquid switch valve, the diluent switch valve, the paint switch valve, the diluent flow meter, the radar level meter and the paint viscometer through signal lines.

[0016] The automatic liquid dispensing system for paint and coatings is characterized in that the controller is a programmable controller or a microcomputer.

[0017] The automatic liquid dispensing system for paint and coatings can be divided into five parts: the original liquid unit, the diluent unit, the liquid dispensing unit, the circulation unit and the coating machine.

[0018] The raw liquid unit includes: raw liquid tank, radar level gauge, raw liquid pump and raw liquid switch valve;

[0019] The diluent unit includes: a diluent solvent tank, a radar level meter, a diluent pump, a diluent flow meter and a diluent switch valve;

[0020] The liquid dispensing unit includes: dispensing tank, radar level gauge, paint circulation pump, paint viscometer and paint switch valve;

[0021] The circulation unit includes: a circulation tank, a radar level gauge, a paint circulation pump, a paint viscometer and a paint switching valve.

[0022] The method for using the automatic liquid dispensing system for paint and coatings is characterized by including the following steps: raw liquid control, diluent control, liquid dispensing control, viscosity control and coating operation:

[0023] Stock liquid control: This is implemented by the stock liquid unit. When the radar level gauge of the stock liquid tank detects that the paint stock liquid level in the tank is lower than the set value, the controller will issue an alarm message to prompt the operator to refill the tank with paint stock liquid. When the painting operation starts, the stock liquid pump keeps running to maintain the circulation of the paint stock liquid. The controller controls the opening degree of the stock liquid switch valve to output the paint stock liquid for automatic dispensing.

[0024] Diluent control: implemented by the diluent unit. When the radar level gauge of the diluent solvent tank detects that the diluent level in the diluent solvent tank is lower than the set value, or the diluent usage calculated based on the diluent flow measured by the diluent flow meter is higher than the set value, the controller will issue an alarm message to prompt the operator to replace the diluent in the diluent solvent tank. The controller controls the opening degree of the diluent switch valve to output the diluent for automatic liquid distribution.

[0025] Liquid dosing control: This is implemented by the liquid dosing unit. The ratio of the paint stock liquid and the diluent is stored in the controller. The stock liquid input from the stock liquid tank and the diluent from the diluent solvent tank are mixed into the dosing tank to form paint. The radar level gauge of the dosing tank detects the liquid level of the paint. The controller controls the opening degree of the stock liquid on-off valve and the diluent solvent on-off valve according to the liquid level, input flow rate and output flow rate of the dosing tank to proportion the paint. After the liquid dosing is completed, wait for the mixture to be evenly stirred, open the paint on-off valve, and start the paint circulation pump to circulate the paint.

[0026] Viscosity control: implemented by the liquid dispensing unit. When the paint viscometer on the third delivery pipe detects that the viscosity of the paint is lower than the set value, the controller starts the raw liquid pump and the raw liquid switch valve to input the raw liquid from the raw liquid tank to the dispensing tank until the viscosity of the paint reaches the set value.

[0027] When the paint viscometer of the third delivery pipe detects that the viscosity of the paint is higher than the set value, the controller turns on the diluent pump and the diluent switch valve to input the diluent from the diluent solvent tank to the batching tank until the viscosity of the paint reaches the set value;

[0028] Coating operation: It is carried out by the circulation unit and the coating machine. The paint and coating material stirred in the batching tank are input into the circulation tank, and then input into the coating machine from the circulation tank. The coating machine coats the paint and coating material on the strip.

[0029] The present invention adopts a stepped control method to complete the automatic liquid mixing process of paint and coatings, and can complete the proportioning process of paint concentrate and diluent in the production process according to the set paint viscosity value. It can automatically complete the liquid mixing process of paint and coatings in the production process of color coating line, and replace manual liquid mixing with highly automated equipment, thereby solving the problem of inconsistent viscosity and thus uneven film thickness of steel plate coating caused by manual liquid mixing. The present invention can be widely applied to the automatic proportioning of color coating paint for steel strip in the steel industry.

[0030] The present invention has the following beneficial effects: precise viscosity control, protection of personnel health, reduction of operating personnel, and reduction of labor costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 It is a control principle diagram of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The present invention is further illustrated below by means of specific examples. Example

[0033] An automatic liquid dispensing system for paint and coatings includes a coating machine 1, a raw liquid tank 21, a diluent solvent tank 22, a dispensing tank 23, a circulation tank 24, a raw liquid pump 31, a diluent pump 32, a paint circulation pump 33, a raw liquid switch valve 41, a diluent switch valve 42, a paint switch valve 43, a radar level meter 51, a diluent flow meter 52, a paint viscometer 53 and a controller 6. Figure 1 As shown, the specific structure is:

[0034] On one side of the coating machine 1, a raw liquid tank 21, a diluent solvent tank 22, a batching tank 23 and a circulation tank 24 are sequentially provided;

[0035] The paint outlet of the raw liquid tank 21 is connected to the paint inlet of the batching tank 23 through the first delivery pipe 101. The first delivery pipe 101 is connected in series with a raw liquid pump 31 and a raw liquid switch valve 41. The raw liquid tank 21 is provided with a radar level meter 51.

[0036] The outlet of the diluent solvent tank 22 is connected to the inlet of the batching tank 23 through the second delivery pipe 102. The second delivery pipe 102 is connected in series with a diluent pump 32, a diluent flow meter 52 and a diluent switch valve 42. The diluent solvent tank 22 is provided with a radar level gauge 51.

[0037] The batching tank 23 is provided with a radar level gauge 51. The discharge port of the batching tank 23 is connected to the first feed port of the circulation tank 24 via a third delivery pipe 103. The third delivery pipe 103 is connected in series with a paint circulation pump 33, a paint viscometer 53 and a paint switch valve 43.

[0038] The circulation tank 24 is provided with a radar level gauge 51. The discharge port of the circulation tank 24 is connected to the feed port of the coating machine 1 through a fourth delivery pipe 104. The fourth delivery pipe 104 is connected in series with a paint circulation pump 33 and a paint viscometer 53.

[0039] The second delivery pipe 102 is connected to the second feed port of the circulation tank 24 through the fifth delivery pipe 105. The paint switch valve 43 is connected in series on the fifth delivery pipe 105. The connection between the fifth delivery pipe 105 and the second delivery pipe 102 is located between the diluent flow meter 52 and the diluent switch valve 42 on the second delivery pipe 102.

[0040] The third delivery pipe 103 is connected to the feed port of the batching tank 23 through the sixth delivery pipe 106. The paint on-off valve 43 is connected in series to the sixth delivery pipe 106. The connection between the sixth delivery pipe 106 and the third delivery pipe 103 is located between the paint viscometer 53 and the paint on-off valve 43 on the third delivery pipe 103.

[0041] The discharge port of the coating machine 1 is connected to the third feed port of the circulation tank 24 through the seventh conveying pipe 107;

[0042] The controller 6 is connected to the coating machine 1, the raw liquid pump 31, the diluent pump 32, the paint circulation pump 33, the raw liquid switch valve 41, the diluent switch valve 42, the paint switch valve 43, the diluent flow meter 52, the radar level meter 51 and the paint viscometer 53 through signal lines.

[0043] The controller 6 is a programmable controller or a microcomputer. In this embodiment, a programmable controller is selected.

[0044] This embodiment can be divided into five parts: the stock solution unit 71, the diluent unit 72, the liquid preparation unit 73, the circulation unit 74 and the coating machine 1.

[0045] The raw liquid unit 71 includes: a raw liquid tank 21, a radar level meter 51, a raw liquid pump 31 and a raw liquid switching valve 41;

[0046] The diluent unit 72 includes: a diluent solvent tank 22, a radar level meter 51, a diluent pump 32, a diluent flow meter 52 and a diluent switch valve 42;

[0047] The liquid dispensing unit 73 includes: a dispensing tank 23, a radar level gauge 51, a paint circulation pump 33, a paint viscometer 53 and a paint switching valve 43;

[0048] The circulation unit 74 includes a circulation tank 24 , a radar level gauge 51 , a paint circulation pump 33 , a paint viscometer 53 and a paint on / off valve 43 .

[0049] When this embodiment is used, it includes stock solution control, diluent control, liquid preparation control, viscosity control and coating operation:

[0050] Liquid control: This is implemented by the liquid unit 71. When the radar level gauge 51 of the liquid tank 21 detects that the level of the paint liquid in the liquid tank 21 is lower than the set value, the controller 6 issues an alarm message on the display screen, prompting the operator to refill the liquid tank 21 with paint liquid. When the painting operation starts, the liquid pump 31 keeps running to maintain the circulation of the paint liquid. The controller 6 controls the opening degree of the liquid switch valve 41 to output the paint liquid for automatic dispensing.

[0051] Diluent control: implemented by the diluent unit 72. When the radar level gauge 51 of the diluent solvent tank 22 detects that the diluent level in the diluent solvent tank 22 is lower than the set value, or when the diluent usage calculated based on the diluent flow measured by the diluent flow meter 52 is higher than the set value (generally 90% of the initial volume), the controller 6 issues an alarm message on the display screen to prompt the operator to replace the diluent in the diluent solvent tank 22. The controller 6 controls the opening degree of the diluent switch valve 42 to output the diluent for automatic liquid distribution.

[0052] Liquid dosing control: implemented by the liquid dosing unit 73. The ratio of the paint stock solution and the diluent is stored in the controller 6. The stock solution input from the stock liquid tank 21 and the diluent input from the diluent solvent tank 22 to the dosing tank 23 are mixed into the paint coating in the dosing tank 23. The liquid level of the paint coating is detected by the radar level meter 51 of the dosing tank 23. The controller 6 controls the opening degree of the stock liquid switch valve 41 and the diluent solvent switch valve 11 according to the liquid level, input flow rate and output flow rate of the dosing tank 23 to mix the paint coating. After the liquid dosing is completed, wait for the mixing to be uniform, open the paint switch valve 43, and start the paint circulation pump 33 to circulate the paint coating;

[0053] Viscosity control: implemented by the liquid dosing unit 73. When the paint viscometer 53 of the third delivery pipe 103 detects that the viscosity of the paint is lower than the set value, the controller 6 turns on the raw liquid pump 31 and the raw liquid switch valve 41 to input the raw liquid from the raw liquid tank 21 to the dosing tank 23 until the viscosity of the paint reaches the set value.

[0054] When the paint viscometer 53 of the third delivery pipe 103 detects that the viscosity of the paint is higher than the set value, the controller 6 turns on the diluent pump 32 and the diluent switch valve 42 to input the diluent from the diluent solvent tank 22 to the batching tank 23 until the viscosity of the paint reaches the set value;

[0055] Coating operation: It is implemented by the circulation unit 74 and the coating machine 1. The paint and coating material stirred in the batching tank 23 are input into the circulation tank 24, and then input into the coating machine 1 from the circulation tank 24. The coating machine 1 coats the paint and coating material on the strip.

Claims

1. An automatic paint dispensing system, comprising a coating machine (1), characterized in that: The system further comprises a raw liquid tank (21), a diluent solvent tank (22), a batching tank (23), a circulation tank (24), a raw liquid pump (31), a diluent pump (32), a paint circulation pump (33), a raw liquid on-off valve (41), a diluent on-off valve (42), a paint on-off valve (43), a radar level meter (51), a diluent flow meter (52), a paint viscometer (53) and a controller (6). A raw liquid tank (21), a diluent solvent tank (22), a batching tank (23) and a circulation tank (24) are sequentially provided on one side of the coating machine (1); The paint outlet of the raw liquid tank (21) is connected to the paint inlet of the batching tank (23) through a first delivery pipe (101). The first delivery pipe (101) is sequentially connected in series with a raw liquid pump (31) and a raw liquid switch valve (41). The raw liquid tank (21) is provided with a radar level meter (51); The outlet of the diluent solvent tank (22) is connected to the inlet of the batching tank (23) through a second delivery pipe (102); a diluent pump (32), a diluent flow meter (52) and a diluent switch valve (42) are sequentially connected in series on the second delivery pipe (102); and a radar level meter (51) is provided on the diluent solvent tank (22); The batching tank (23) is provided with a radar level meter (51), the discharge port of the batching tank (23) is connected to the first feed port of the circulation tank (24) through a third delivery pipe (103), and the third delivery pipe (103) is connected in series with a paint circulation pump (33), a paint viscometer (53) and a paint switch valve (43); A radar level gauge (51) is provided on the circulation tank (24), and the discharge port of the circulation tank (24) is connected to the feed port of the coating machine (1) through a fourth delivery pipe (104). The fourth delivery pipe (104) is connected in series with a paint circulation pump (33) and a paint viscometer (53); The second delivery pipe (102) is connected to the second feed port of the circulation tank (24) through the fifth delivery pipe (105), the paint on-off valve (43) is connected in series to the fifth delivery pipe (105), and the connection point between the fifth delivery pipe (105) and the second delivery pipe (102) is provided between the diluent flow meter (52) and the diluent on-off valve (42) on the second delivery pipe (102); The third delivery pipe (103) is connected to the feed port of the batching tank (23) through the sixth delivery pipe (106), the sixth delivery pipe (106) is connected in series with a paint on-off valve (43), and the connection point between the sixth delivery pipe (106) and the third delivery pipe (103) is located between the paint viscometer (53) and the paint on-off valve (43) on the third delivery pipe (103); The discharge port of the coating machine (1) is connected to the third feed port of the circulation tank (24) via the seventh conveying pipe (107); The controller (6) is connected to the coating machine (1), the raw liquid pump (31), the diluent pump (32), the paint circulation pump (33), the raw liquid switch valve (41), the diluent switch valve (42), the paint switch valve (43), the diluent flow meter (52), the radar level meter (51) and the paint viscometer (53) respectively through signal lines.

2. The automatic liquid dispensing system for paint and coatings according to claim 1, characterized in that: The controller (6) is a programmable controller or a microcomputer.

3. The method for using the automatic liquid dispensing system for paint and coatings according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Including original liquid control, diluent control, liquid distribution control, viscosity control and coating operation: Liquid control: When the radar level gauge (51) of the liquid tank (21) detects that the liquid level of the paint liquid in the liquid tank (21) is lower than the set value, the controller (6) issues an alarm message to prompt the operator to refill the liquid tank (21) with paint liquid; when the painting operation is started, the liquid pump (31) keeps running to keep the paint liquid circulating, and the controller (6) controls the opening degree of the liquid switch valve (41) to output the paint liquid for automatic liquid distribution; Diluent control: When the radar level meter (51) of the diluent solvent tank (22) detects that the liquid level of the diluent in the diluent solvent tank (22) is lower than the set value, or when the diluent usage calculated based on the diluent flow rate measured by the diluent flow meter (52) is higher than the set value, the controller (6) issues an alarm message to prompt the operator to replace the diluent in the diluent solvent tank (22), and the controller (6) controls the opening degree of the diluent switch valve (42) to output the diluent for automatic liquid distribution; Liquid dosing control: The ratio of the paint stock solution and the diluent is stored in the controller (6), the stock solution input from the stock liquid tank (21) to the dosing tank (23) and the diluent input from the diluent solvent tank (22) to the dosing tank (23) are mixed in the dosing tank (23) to form a paint coating, the liquid level of the paint coating is detected by the radar level meter (51) of the dosing tank (23), the controller (6) controls the opening degree of the stock liquid switch valve (41) and the diluent solvent switch valve (11) according to the liquid level, input flow rate and output flow rate of the dosing tank (23) to proportion the paint coating, wait for the mixing to be uniform after the liquid dosing is completed, open the paint switch valve (43), and start the paint circulation pump (33) to circulate the paint coating; Viscosity control: When the paint viscometer (53) of the third delivery pipe (103) detects that the viscosity of the paint is lower than the set value, the controller (6) turns on the raw liquid pump (31) and the raw liquid switch valve (41) to input the raw liquid from the raw liquid tank (21) to the batching tank (23) until the viscosity of the paint reaches the set value; When the paint viscometer (53) of the third delivery pipe (103) detects that the viscosity of the paint is higher than the set value, the controller (6) turns on the diluent pump (32) and the diluent switch valve (42) to input the diluent from the diluent solvent tank (22) to the batching tank (23) until the viscosity of the paint reaches the set value; Coating operation: the paint and coating material stirred in the batching tank (23) is input into the circulation tank (24), and then input into the coating machine (1) from the circulation tank (24), and the coating machine (1) coats the paint and coating material on the strip.

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