A vehicle headlight painting device and method

Abstract

This invention discloses a painting device and method for vehicle lights. The painting device includes: a housing for accommodating the vehicle light, comprising: a base and a cover; an adjustable fixing structure for fixing the vehicle light on the base; the cover having an opening for painting the vehicle light, and a movable paint baffle at the opening; a spray gun also disposed on the cover and at least one side of the opening; and a control unit electrically connected to the spray gun and the paint baffle; the control unit controls the spray gun and the paint baffle to paint the vehicle light. This invention utilizes an adjustable fixing structure to adapt to vehicle lights of various shapes. Simultaneously, the opening on the cover and the paint baffle help to prevent paint splattering during the painting process. Furthermore, each spray gun and paint baffle is controlled by the control unit, enabling the painting of patterns on the vehicle light to meet customer needs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automotive lamp manufacturing technology, and in particular to an automotive lamp painting apparatus and method. Background Technology

[0002] As people's demand for vehicle personalization increases, customized headlight design has become a specialty service for many auto shops. Currently, most headlight painting equipment is assembled by the shop's technicians themselves, who then manually paint the headlights using spray guns. Because these self-assembled equipment is only for fixing the headlights and facilitating manual painting, painting complex designs on the headlights requires extremely high skill levels from the technicians. This makes these headlight painting systems unsuitable for a wider range of headlight painting needs.

[0003] Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, there is an urgent need to invent a new vehicle headlight painting device and method. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a painting device and method for vehicle lights, so as to solve the problem that the existing vehicle light painting devices and methods cannot paint complex patterns on vehicle lights.

[0005] This invention provides the following solution: A vehicle headlight painting device, comprising: A housing for vehicle lights, comprising a base and a cover; the housing is equipped with a plasma cleaning mechanism; The base is provided with an adjustable fixing structure for fixing the vehicle lights; The lid has an opening for painting the headlights, and a movable paint baffle and a UV curing lamp are provided at the opening. A spray gun is also provided on the lid of the box and on at least one side of the opening; A control unit electrically connected to the spray gun and the paint spray baffle; The control unit controls the spray gun and paint spray baffle to spray paint the vehicle lights.

[0006] Preferably, the base and the lid are slidably connected.

[0007] Preferably, the fixing structure includes: multiple tracks disposed on the base, and clamping members sliding on each track; the clamping members sliding together or apart on the tracks.

[0008] Preferably, at least one of the clamping members has a snap-fit ​​portion, on which the end of the vehicle headlight to be painted is secured.

[0009] Preferably, the number of paint spraying baffles is at least two, and the opening is closed when the paint spraying baffles are assembled.

[0010] Preferably, there are two spray guns, which are respectively set on both sides of the opening, and each spray gun sprays a different color for the vehicle headlights.

[0011] Preferably, a support frame is provided on the box cover, and the spray gun is located on the support frame.

[0012] Furthermore, a painting method for a painting apparatus for a vehicle headlight as described in any one of claims 1-7 is characterized by comprising: setting a correspondence between the spray gun painting mode and the spray baffle movement mode; and controlling the spray gun to paint in the headlight area exposed by the spray baffle according to the correspondence.

[0013] Preferably, if there are multiple spray guns, then the correspondence between setting the spray gun painting mode and the spray baffle movement mode includes: setting a painting mode that includes the spraying time and painting sequence of each spray gun according to each single color and overlapping color in the preset pattern; and setting a movement mode that includes the corresponding blocking area and blocking time during the gradual movement of the spray baffle according to the position area of ​​each single color and overlapping color in the pattern.

[0014] Preferably, in the overlapping color area, the spraying sequence is set as follows: first spray with a preset light color, then spray with a preset dark color.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are: The vehicle headlight painting apparatus and method disclosed in this invention utilize an adjustable fixing structure to adapt to headlights of various shapes. Simultaneously, the openings in the cover and the paint spray baffle help to prevent paint splattering during the painting process. Furthermore, each spray gun and paint spray baffle is controlled by a control unit, enabling the painting of patterns on the headlights to meet customer headlight requirements. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the painting device for the vehicle lights of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a flowchart of the painting method for vehicle lights according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The technical solution of the present invention will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0018] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0019] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0020] See Figure 1 As shown, the painting device specifically includes: a housing for accommodating vehicle lights, a spray gun, and a control unit. The housing includes a base 11 and a cover 12. The cover 12 can be supported by a support column, creating space between the base 11 and the cover 12 for accommodating the vehicle lights. The cover 12 can also be configured as an inverted drawer, with the base 11 and the cover 12 slidably connected. An adjustable fixing structure 111 for securing the vehicle lights is provided on the base 11. The cover 12 has an opening 121 for painting the vehicle lights, and a movable paint baffle 122 is provided at the opening 121. The fixing structure 111 can be a custom-designed model based on the shape of the vehicle lights, embedded in the base 11. Figure 1 As shown, to accommodate more shapes of vehicle lights, the fixing structure 111 includes: multiple tracks 112 disposed on the base 11, and clamping members 113 sliding on each track 112; wherein each clamping member 113 slides together or apart on the track 112. The tracks can be smooth tracks; correspondingly, the bottom of each clamping member 113 has a fastening structure to secure the track, so as to fix the vehicle light on the track when clamping it. The track can also have a limiting rack; correspondingly, the bottom of each clamping member 113 has an adjustable toothed row that matches the limiting rack, and the clamping member 113 can be moved by adjusting the position of the adjustable toothed row on the limiting rack. The clamping member 113 can have a universal steering shaft and a clamp mounted on the universal steering shaft.

[0021] The shape formed by each track 112 can be as follows: Figure 1As shown. Those skilled in the art should understand that, Figure 1 The shape of the track 112 described is merely an example and not a limitation of this application. The tracks can also be arranged such that they converge from the periphery of the base towards the center. Alternatively, the tracks can be bent structures (such as W-shaped, V-shaped, or U-shaped) extending from the edge of the base towards the center. When the headlight is placed on the base 11, the technician adjusts the position of the clamps 113 on each track to match the headlight's structure and secures the headlight by rotating the clamps on the clamps 113. In one alternative, at least one of the clamps 113 has a snap-fit ​​portion on which the end of the headlight to be painted is secured. Here, the snap-fit ​​portion can replace the clamp or be mounted together with the clamp on a universal swivel. After the headlight is secured to the base 11, the base 11 is returned to the housing, and the opening 121 on the housing cover exposes the headlight for painting with a spray gun. A paint baffle 122 is provided at the opening 121. The paint spray baffle 122 can be rectangular, fan-shaped, or have other regular / irregular edges. Multiple paint spray baffles 122 can be present, and when assembled, they close the opening 121. For example, two paint spray baffles 122 can be present, each with matching crescent-shaped edges. When assembled, these matching edges meet, closing the opening 121. The paint spray baffles 122 are controlled by electronic devices such as stepper motors / electric tracks for opening and closing. These electronic devices are controlled by the control unit 14. A spray gun is mounted on the cover 12, located on at least one side of the opening 121. The spray gun contains paint and is controlled by the control unit 14 for spraying. Multiple spray guns can be present, each containing a different color of paint. In this embodiment, two spray guns are present, respectively positioned on both sides of the opening 121, each spray gun applying a different color to the headlights. Each spray gun is mounted on the cover 12 via a separate support frame. The spray gun can be fixed on the support frame at a preset tilt angle. To ensure even painting, the spray gun can also be controlled to swing within a preset angle range. Correspondingly, the spray gun and the support frame are connected by a pivot. The control unit 14 can be a single-chip microcomputer containing a CPU. This control unit 14 controls the spray gun and the paint spray baffle 122 to paint the vehicle lights. A cross-shaped track is fixed / integratedly formed on the base 11 housing the vehicle lights, and a clamping member 113 that can slide along the track is provided on each track. The clamping member 113 also has a snap-fit ​​part. The cover 12 of the housing has an opening 121 for painting the vehicle lights, and a movable paint spray baffle 122 is provided at the opening 121. Simultaneously, a spray gun is also provided on the cover 12 and located on at least one side of the opening 121. Both the paint spray baffle 122 and the spray gun are controlled by the control unit 14.

[0022] The working process of the vehicle headlight painting device is illustrated below: The technician removes the base 11 from the device. Due to the curved design of the headlight surface, a single headlight may require multiple changes in clamping method. When painting the upper surface of the headlight, the technician adjusts the clamping parts 113 on each track to select a suitable position to clamp the headlight base 11, and pushes the base 11 into the housing. The control unit 14 is then activated to control the painting baffle 122 and spray gun to paint the headlight. When painting the edge of the headlight, the technician removes the base 11 and adjusts the clamping parts 113 on each track to select a suitable position. Using the snap-fit ​​part of one clamping part 113, the technician secures the end of the headlight (such as the tip on the base 11), while the other clamping parts 113 clamp other parts of the headlight. The base 11 is then pushed into the housing, and the control unit 14 is activated to control the painting baffle 122 and spray gun to paint the headlight.

[0023] This embodiment utilizes an adjustable fixing structure to accommodate various shapes of vehicle lights. Meanwhile, openings in the cover and paint baffles help prevent paint splattering during the painting process. Furthermore, each spray gun and paint baffle is controlled by a control unit, enabling the application of decorative patterns to the vehicle lights to meet customer needs.

[0024] like Figure 2 As shown, the present invention also provides a method for painting vehicle lights using the aforementioned vehicle light painting device. The painting method is suitable for providing vehicle lights with multiple painting mode options and controlling the vehicle light painting device to perform painting.

[0025] The painting method is mainly executed by the control unit in the painting device. The control unit performs the following steps: Step S110, setting the correspondence between the spray gun painting mode and the spray baffle movement mode. The spray gun painting mode includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: spray gun painting duration and painting sequence. The spray baffle movement mode includes, but is not limited to, the masking area and masking time.

[0026] Specifically, the control unit has preset correspondences between various spray gun painting modes and spray baffle movement modes. These correspondences are pre-built into the control unit according to preset patterns and headlight shapes. Technicians can select a correspondence through a human-machine interface. For example, the correspondence between spray gun painting modes and spray baffle movement modes for painting a single color includes: setting the spray baffle to fully open to expose the entire opening, and setting the spray gun painting duration to T1 to ensure uniform painting. In an optional mode, if there are multiple spray guns, step S110 includes: step S111, setting a painting mode that includes the spray gun painting duration and painting sequence according to each single color and overlapping color in a preset pattern. Specifically, the control unit has preset single colors and overlapping colors in each pattern. When a technician selects a pattern, the distribution order of the single color and overlapping color of the corresponding pattern is read. For example, from top to bottom, the distribution order of the single color area and overlapping color area of ​​the pattern, and the composition of at least two colors in the overlapping color. The overlapping color can refer to a transitional color formed by mixing two single-color regions. The overlapping color can also refer to a new color formed by mixing paints from multiple spray guns. Next, the control unit determines the spraying sequence and duration of each spray gun according to the read distribution order. For a single-color region, the spraying duration of a single spray gun is T1. For an overlapping color region, the duration T1 is divided equally according to the number of each single color that makes up the overlapping color, so as to control each spray gun to spray paint sequentially within the same color region. Simultaneously with or before / after step S111, the control unit also executes step S112. Step S112: Set a movement method including the corresponding masking area and masking time during the gradual movement of the spray baffle, according to the position area of ​​each single color and overlapping color in the pattern. Specifically, the control unit presets the pixel start and end positions and graphics of each color region in the corresponding pattern, and calculates the spray baffle displacement and start and end positions corresponding to each color region according to the preset correspondence between unit pixel rows / columns and unit displacement of the spray baffle. Next, the control unit sets the movement mode of the paint spray baffle based on the obtained displacement and start / end positions of the paint spray baffle. For example, according to the connection relationship between the start and end positions, the control unit determines the displacement position corresponding to the exposed unmasked area of ​​each paint spray baffle at each start and end position during the process of the paint spray baffle moving from one side of the opening to the other.

[0027] After setting the above correspondence according to the pattern selected by the technician, the control unit executes step S120. Step S120: According to the obtained correspondence, the control unit controls the spray gun to spray paint the headlight area exposed by the paint spray baffle. Specifically, the control unit controls the switching of each spray gun and the movement of the stepper motor of each paint spray baffle to spray paint the headlight area located below the opening. This embodiment achieves multi-pattern, multi-color headlight painting by pre-setting the correspondence between the spray gun's spraying mode and the paint spray baffle's movement mode, enabling the spray gun and paint spray baffle to work together.

[0028] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vehicle headlight painting device, characterized in that: include: A housing for vehicle lights, comprising a base and a cover; the housing is equipped with a plasma cleaning mechanism; The base is provided with an adjustable fixing structure for fixing the vehicle lights; The lid has an opening for painting the headlights, and a movable paint baffle and a UV curing lamp are provided at the opening. A spray gun is also provided on the lid of the box and on at least one side of the opening; A control unit electrically connected to the spray gun and the paint spray baffle; The control unit controls the spray gun and paint spray baffle to spray paint the vehicle lights.

2. The vehicle headlight painting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The base and the lid are slidably connected.

3. The vehicle headlight painting device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The fixing structure includes: multiple tracks disposed on the base, and clamping members sliding on each track; the clamping members sliding together or apart on the tracks.

4. The vehicle headlight painting device according to claim 3, characterized in that: At least one of the clamping members has a snap-fit ​​portion, on which the end of the vehicle headlight to be painted is secured.

5. The vehicle headlight painting device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The number of paint spraying baffles is at least two, and the opening is closed when the paint spraying baffles are assembled.

6. The vehicle headlight painting device according to claim 5, characterized in that: There are two spray guns, one on each side of the opening, and each spray gun is used to spray a different color for the headlights.

7. The vehicle headlight painting device according to claim 6, characterized in that: A support frame is provided on the box cover, and the spray gun is located on the support frame.

8. A painting method for a painting apparatus used in any one of claims 1-7 for vehicle lights, characterized in that, include: Set the correspondence between the spray gun spraying mode and the spray baffle movement mode; According to the aforementioned correspondence, the spray gun is controlled to spray paint on the headlight area exposed by the paint spray baffle.

9. The vehicle headlight painting apparatus and method according to claim 8, characterized in that: If there are multiple spray guns, the correspondence between setting the spray gun painting mode and the spray baffle movement mode includes: setting a painting mode that includes the spraying time and painting sequence of each spray gun according to each single color and overlapping color in the preset pattern; and setting a movement mode that includes the corresponding blocking area and blocking time during the gradual movement of the spray baffle according to the position area of ​​each single color and overlapping color in the pattern.

10. The vehicle headlight painting apparatus and method according to claim 9, characterized in that: In areas with overlapping colors, the spraying order is set as follows: first spray with the preset light color, then spray with the preset dark color.

Images