A painting apparatus for forklift component production

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of coating equipment, and particularly relates to a coating equipment for forklift component production, which comprises a self-cleaning spraying equipment installed on a movable mechanical arm movable end, the self-cleaning spraying equipment comprises a spray gun, a spray head switching device, a self-cleaning device and a spray head; the spray gun is fixedly installed on the movable mechanical arm movable end; the spray head switching device is installed on the spray gun, the spray head switching device comprises a shunt mounting seat fixedly installed on the output end of the spray gun, a rotary driver is installed in the shunt mounting seat, a rotary mounting seat is installed on the output end of the rotary driver, a linear driver is installed on the side of the shunt mounting seat, a pressing frame is installed on the output end of the linear driver, and the pressing frame is in abutment with the rotary mounting seat; the self-cleaning device is fixedly installed on the cleaning area of the spray head switching device; the spray head is provided with two, and is uniformly distributed on the rotary mounting seat, and the present application can effectively improve the production efficiency and production quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of coating equipment technology, and more specifically to a coating equipment for the production of forklift parts. Background Technology

[0002] During the production process, forklift parts typically require surface coating to improve their rust and corrosion resistance as well as their appearance.

[0003] Chinese Patent No. CN223717439U discloses an automatic coating equipment for forklift parts, including a transfer rack with a base inside its middle section. A rotating shaft is rotatably connected to the upper surface of the base, and a rotating table is fixedly connected to the top of the rotating shaft. A threaded rod is rotatably connected between the left and right inner sidewalls of the transfer rack, and a moving block is threadedly connected to the outer surface of the threaded rod. This automatic coating equipment for forklift parts, through automated components such as a rotating table, moving blocks, electric push rods, and electromagnets, can achieve rapid and accurate loading, unloading, and rotary spraying of forklift parts, significantly improving the efficiency of coating operations and reducing labor costs. By using a linear module and an angle axis to adjust the spray angle of the spray gun, it can ensure that the paint is sprayed evenly and continuously onto the workpiece surface, avoiding problems such as uneven coating and missed coatings common in manual coating, and improving the consistency and stability of coating quality.

[0004] However, forklift parts are generally large and heavy, and existing automated coating equipment mostly adopts a single-station operation mode, which can only spray one forklift part at a time. After the spraying of a part is completed, the processes of curing, unloading, loading new parts, and positioning calibration need to be performed in sequence. Due to the large size and weight of the parts, the time required to change the parts to be sprayed is long, which means that the spray gun needs to be stopped for a long time after each spraying. When the spray gun is idle for a long time, the paint residue in the nozzle area is prone to drying and sticking. Long-term continuous operation will cause excessive paint accumulation in the nozzle area, affecting the normal atomization and spraying of the paint, resulting in quality defects such as uneven spraying, missed coating, and particle formation.

[0005] To ensure coating quality, current technology relies on manual periodic shutdowns to clean the spray gun nozzles. This not only wastes manpower and increases labor costs, but also interrupts the continuity of coating operations, reduces overall production efficiency, and makes it difficult to meet the requirements of high-efficiency, high-quality automated coating production for forklift components. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the aforementioned issues, a coating equipment for forklift component production is provided, which can effectively improve production efficiency and quality through self-cleaning spraying.

[0007] To address the problems of existing technologies, the present invention provides a coating equipment for forklift component production, including a self-cleaning spraying device installed on the movable end of a mobile robotic arm. The self-cleaning spraying device includes a spray gun, a nozzle switching device, a self-cleaning device, and a nozzle. The spray gun is fixedly mounted on the movable end of the mobile robotic arm; The nozzle switching device is installed on the spray gun. The nozzle switching device includes a diversion mounting base fixedly installed on the output end of the spray gun. A rotary driver is installed inside the diversion mounting base. A rotary mounting base is installed at the output end of the rotary driver. A linear driver is installed on the side of the diversion mounting base. A pressing frame is installed at the output end of the linear driver. The pressing frame abuts against the rotary mounting base. The self-cleaning device is fixedly installed on the cleaning area of ​​the nozzle switching device; There are two nozzles, which are evenly distributed on the rotating mounting base.

[0008] Preferably, the distributor mounting base is provided with a paint delivery hole, a disassembly hole, and a cleaning fluid delivery hole. The paint delivery hole is connected to the output end of the spray gun, the cleaning fluid delivery hole is used to install a self-cleaning device, and the disassembly hole facilitates the disassembly of the nozzle.

[0009] Preferably, the contact surface of the diversion mounting base is provided with two mounting slots, each mounting slot is provided with a magnetic block, and each mounting slot is provided with a detachable contact panel.

[0010] Preferably, the rotary mounting base is provided with a plurality of first limiting mounting holes for limiting the installation of the nozzle. The rotary mounting base is also provided with a mounting groove, and a movable abutment ring is slidably installed inside the mounting groove. A first spring is installed between the movable abutment ring and the mounting groove, and the end of the movable abutment ring away from the first spring abuts against the diverter mounting base.

[0011] Preferably, the self-cleaning device includes a flow guide pipe, an airflow unblocking device, and a flushing device; the flow guide pipe is fixedly installed on the pressing frame, and the input end of the flow guide pipe abuts against the nozzle; the airflow unblocking device is installed between the diversion mounting base and the flow guide pipe, and the output end of the airflow unblocking device is connected to the cleaning fluid delivery hole; the output end of the flushing device is connected to the cleaning fluid delivery hole.

[0012] Preferably, the airflow unblocking device includes a friction cleaning component, an air supply pipe, and a circulation pipe; the friction cleaning component is rotatably installed in the guide pipe, and an airflow channel is provided between the friction cleaning component and the guide pipe; the output end of the air supply pipe is connected to the airflow channel; the input end of the circulation pipe is connected to the airflow channel, and the output end of the circulation pipe is connected to the cleaning fluid delivery hole.

[0013] Preferably, the friction cleaning assembly includes an airflow drive wheel and a cleaning component; the airflow drive wheel has a second limiting mounting hole at its axial center and several drive blades on its outer side; the cleaning component is detachably mounted on the second limiting mounting hole and has multiple cleaning brushes on it.

[0014] Preferably, the cleaning end of the cleaning component is provided with a shielding baffle, the shielding baffle is provided with a flow opening, and a cleaning brush is provided at the flow opening.

[0015] Preferably, the output end of the circulating pipeline is equipped with a connector, which is fixedly connected to the cleaning fluid delivery hole. The circulating pipeline also includes a mounting bracket installed inside the cleaning fluid delivery hole. A movable sealing block is slidably installed on the mounting bracket, and a second spring is installed between the movable sealing block and the mounting bracket.

[0016] Preferably, the rinsing device includes a delivery pump, a storage tank, and a spray frame; the storage tank is located beside the mobile robotic arm and is used to store cleaning fluid; the delivery pump is mounted on the storage tank, and the output end of the delivery pump is provided with a delivery nozzle; the spray frame is fixedly installed inside the cleaning fluid delivery hole, and the input end of the spray frame is connected to the delivery nozzle.

[0017] The advantages of this invention compared to the prior art are: 1. This invention, through a dual-nozzle alternation operation and an online self-cleaning collaborative structure, completely solves the technical drawbacks of traditional forklift component painting operations, such as idle spray guns and manual shutdowns for cleaning blockages. This significantly improves the continuous operation efficiency and automation level of the painting production line. Addressing the industry pain point of time-consuming workpiece changeover processes due to the large size and weight of forklift components, the equipment, relying on the mechanical linkage structure of the nozzle switching device, can quickly switch between blocked and clean nozzles during workpiece changeover intervals, without interrupting the entire painting production line. Simultaneously, the equipment enables parallel spraying and nozzle cleaning operations. Working nozzles continuously complete the workpiece spraying process, while idle, blocked nozzles can be cleaned by the self-cleaning device in the cleaning area, simultaneously removing dried and adhered residual paint from the nozzles. This structure eliminates the traditional process of relying on manual periodic shutdowns to clean the nozzles, thus eliminating problems such as production interruptions and wasted time caused by manual cleaning. It effectively reduces non-operational hours, ensures uninterrupted operation of the coating process, and significantly improves the overall capacity and automated operation stability of batch coating production of forklift parts, making it suitable for the needs of large-scale, high-efficiency industrial production.

[0018] 2. This invention, through the combination of switchable dual spray heads and an online self-cleaning structure, effectively avoids spraying quality defects caused by paint buildup and clogging in the spray heads, comprehensively improving the quality consistency and finished product qualification rate of forklift component coating operations. In traditional single-spray head coating equipment, during workpiece replacement waiting periods, residual paint on the spray head easily dries and clumps, causing poor atomization, nozzle clogging, and consequently leading to uneven coating, missed areas, and paint particle formation. This invention can quickly switch to a clean spray head when the atomization performance of the working spray head declines or a clogging hazard appears, ensuring that the spray head in the spraying area always has excellent paint atomization and spraying performance, ensuring that the paint can evenly and continuously cover the surface of the forklift components. Simultaneously, the replaced clogged spray head can undergo immediate online deep cleaning, thoroughly removing residual hardened paint from the nozzle and restoring the spray head's original working performance, providing quality assurance for subsequent rotational spraying operations. This structure eliminates coating quality defects caused by abnormal nozzle operating conditions at the source, effectively unifies the coating effect of forklift parts in different batches, significantly reduces the coating defect rate, and improves the stability of the product's rust prevention, corrosion prevention performance, and appearance coating quality. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the working state of a coating equipment for forklift component production according to the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a coating equipment for forklift component production according to the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a front view of a painting equipment component structure for forklift parts production according to the present invention.

[0022] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Planar sectional view at section AA.

[0023] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A three-dimensional planar sectional view of section AA.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a flow distribution mounting base in a painting equipment for forklift component production according to the present invention.

[0025] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a rotating mounting base in a painting equipment for forklift component production according to the present invention.

[0026] Figure 8 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the airflow unblocking device in a coating equipment for forklift component production according to the present invention.

[0027] Figure 9This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a friction cleaning component in a coating equipment for forklift component production according to the present invention.

[0028] Figure 10 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a cleaning component in a coating equipment for forklift component production according to the present invention.

[0029] The numbers on the map are: 1. Mobile robotic arm; 2. Spray gun; 3. Nozzle switching device; 31. Diverter mounting base; 311. Paint delivery hole; 312. Disassembly hole; 313. Cleaning fluid delivery hole; 314. Contact panel; 32. Rotary actuator; 33. Rotary mounting base; 331. First limit mounting hole; 332. Movable contact ring; 34. Linear actuator; 35. Pressing frame; 4. Self-cleaning device; 41. Flow guide pipe; 42. Airflow unblocking device ; 421, Friction cleaning assembly; 4211, Airflow drive wheel; 4212, Drive blade; 4214, Cleaning component; 4215, Cleaning brush; 4216, Shielding baffle; 422, Gas delivery pipe; 423, Circulation pipe; 4231, Connector; 4232, Mounting bracket; 4233, Movable sealing block; 4234, Second spring; 43, Flushing device; 431, Infusion nozzle; 4311, Sprayer frame; 5, Nozzle. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To further understand the features, technical means, and specific objectives and functions achieved by the present invention, the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0031] See Figures 1 to 10 As shown, a coating equipment for forklift parts production includes a self-cleaning spraying device installed on the movable end of a mobile robotic arm 1. The self-cleaning spraying device includes a spray gun 2, a nozzle switching device 3, a self-cleaning device 4, and a nozzle 5. The spray gun 2 is fixedly mounted on the movable end of the mobile robotic arm 1; The nozzle switching device 3 is installed on the spray gun 2. The nozzle switching device 3 includes a diversion mounting base 31 fixedly installed on the output end of the spray gun 2. A rotary driver 32 is installed inside the diversion mounting base 31. A rotary mounting base 33 is installed at the output end of the rotary driver 32. A linear driver 34 is installed on the side of the diversion mounting base 31. A pressing frame 35 is installed at the output end of the linear driver 34. The pressing frame 35 abuts against the rotary mounting base 33. The self-cleaning device 4 is fixedly installed on the cleaning area of ​​the nozzle switching device 3; There are two nozzles 5, which are evenly distributed on the rotating mounting base 33.

[0032] When forklift parts are finished painting and enter the replacement process, due to the large size and weight of the parts, the replacement takes a long time. Paint residue in the nozzle area (spray head 5) dries and sticks, leading to decreased atomization performance and affecting the painting quality. At this point, the self-cleaning switching operation is initiated, and its working process is as follows: Step 1: Unlock the rotating mounting base 33. The linear actuator 34 drives the pressing frame 35 to move away from the rotating mounting base 33, releasing the pressing frame 35 from its resistance to the rotating mounting base 33, thus putting the rotating mounting base 33 into a rotatable state.

[0033] Step 2: Spray head 5 position switching. The rotary driver 32 drives the rotary mounting base 33 to rotate around its axis, causing the two spray heads 5 evenly distributed on the rotary mounting base 33 to switch positions synchronously—the spray head 5 with an unclogged nozzle is rotated to the spraying area, and the spray head 5 with a clogged nozzle is rotated to the cleaning area corresponding to the self-cleaning device 4.

[0034] Step 3: Reset and lock. The linear actuator 34 drives the pressing frame 35 to reset, and the pressing frame 35 re-applies to and presses against the rotating mounting base 33, so that the rotating mounting base 33 returns to the locked state, ensuring the stability of the nozzle 5 position during the spraying process.

[0035] Step 4: Resumption of continuous spraying operation. The spray gun 2 delivers paint to the unblocked nozzle 5 currently in the spraying area via the diversion mounting base 31, and continues to perform spraying operation on the next forklift component. The spray gun 2 does not need to stop and wait, thus achieving continuous spraying operation.

[0036] Step 5: Self-cleaning operation is performed simultaneously. The clogged nozzle 5 in the cleaning area is flushed by the self-cleaning device 4, which delivers cleaning fluid to the nozzle area to remove dried and sticky residual paint, restore the atomization and spraying performance of the nozzle 5, and prepare it for the next switch back to the spraying area.

[0037] This device enables the alternating use of dual nozzles 5 via a nozzle switching device 3: during spraying operations, one nozzle 5 performs spraying while the other nozzle 5 is simultaneously cleaned by the self-cleaning device 4; when the nozzles 5 in the spraying area become clogged due to prolonged operation, a three-step process—locking the linear actuator 34, driving the rotary actuator 32 to shift the nozzles, and resetting the linear actuator 34—completes the rapid switching of nozzles 5, allowing the spray gun 2 to switch to the clean nozzle 5 without stopping the machine, while simultaneously cleaning the clogged nozzles 5 online. This method eliminates the problem of nozzle clogging caused by prolonged idleness of the spray gun 2, avoids the interruption of the process by manually stopping the machine to clean the nozzles 5, and significantly improves the continuity and production efficiency of the coating operation while ensuring consistent spraying quality.

[0038] See Figures 1 to 6As shown, the diversion mounting base 31 is provided with a paint delivery hole 311, a disassembly hole 312 and a cleaning fluid delivery hole 313. The paint delivery hole 311 is connected to the output end of the spray gun 2, the cleaning fluid delivery hole 313 is used to install the self-cleaning device 4, and the disassembly hole 312 facilitates the disassembly of the nozzle 5.

[0039] One end of the paint delivery hole 311 is in fluid communication with the output end of the spray gun 2, and the other end is in communication with the nozzle 5 on the rotating mounting base 33 located in the spraying area. In the spraying operation mode, the paint output from the spray gun 2 is guided through the paint delivery hole 311 to the nozzle 5 currently located in the spraying area. The paint is atomized by the nozzle 5 and sprayed onto the surface of the forklift component to complete the coating operation.

[0040] The cleaning fluid delivery port 313 is used to connect with the self-cleaning device 4. In the self-cleaning switching mode, when the clogged nozzle 5 is rotated to the cleaning area via the rotating mounting base 33, the cleaning fluid delivery port 313 is aligned and connected with the cleaning fluid output end of the self-cleaning device 4. The self-cleaning device 4 accurately delivers the cleaning fluid to the nozzle area of ​​the clogged nozzle 5 through the cleaning fluid delivery port 313 to rinse the dried and sticky residual paint at the nozzle and restore the atomization and spraying performance of the nozzle 5.

[0041] The disassembly hole 312 is located at a predetermined position on the diversion mounting base 31 to provide a channel for disassembling and assembling the nozzle 5. When the nozzle 5 needs to be replaced or undergoes deep maintenance, the rotary driver 32 drives the rotary mounting base 33 to rotate, aligning the nozzle 5 to be disassembled with the disassembly hole 312. The disassembly hole 312 provides clearance and an operating channel for the axial removal of the nozzle 5. Operators or mechanical structures can quickly disassemble and assemble the nozzle 5 through the disassembly hole 312 without having to disassemble the diversion mounting base 31 and the rotary mounting base 33 as a whole, reducing maintenance time and improving equipment maintainability.

[0042] See Figure 6 As shown, the contact surface of the diversion mounting base 31 is provided with two mounting slots, each mounting slot is provided with a magnetic block, and each mounting slot is provided with a detachable contact panel 314.

[0043] During the nozzle 5 switching operation, the rotating mounting base 33 rotates around its axis to synchronously switch the positions of the two nozzles 5. When a nozzle 5 with a clogged nozzle is rotated away from the spraying area by the rotating mounting base 33 and passes the corresponding position of the contact surface, the dried and sticky paint remaining in the nozzle area of ​​the nozzle 5 comes into contact with the contact panel 314 on the contact surface. The contact panel 314 is made of a material with adsorption properties, which can adsorb and capture the residual paint in contact, preventing the residual paint from accumulating and spreading on the contact surface, avoiding paint contamination of the internal flow channel of the diversion mounting base 31 and the rotating mating surface of the rotating mounting base 33, and ensuring the movement accuracy and fluid sealing of the nozzle 5 switching mechanism.

[0044] The magnetic block is embedded inside the mounting groove, and its magnetic field direction is perpendicular to the surface of the contact panel 314, applying a normal attraction force to the contact panel 314, thus firmly installing the contact panel 314 in the mounting groove. When the contact panel 314 needs to be replaced due to saturation of the adsorbed paint, the operator can apply external force to overcome the attraction force of the magnetic block to remove the contact panel 314 from the mounting groove without the need for additional fasteners or tools, achieving quick disassembly and replacement of the contact panel 314. After replacement, the contact panel 314 automatically resets and adheres to the mounting groove under the attraction of the magnetic block, restoring the complete shape of the contact surface.

[0045] See Figures 1 to 7 As shown, the rotary mounting base 33 is provided with a plurality of first limiting mounting holes 331. The first limiting mounting holes 331 are used to limit the installation of the nozzle 5. The rotary mounting base 33 is also provided with a mounting groove. A movable abutment ring 332 is slidably installed inside the mounting groove. A first spring is installed between the movable abutment ring 332 and the mounting groove. The end of the movable abutment ring 332 away from the first spring abuts against the diverter mounting base 31.

[0046] The nozzles 5 are evenly distributed on the rotary mounting base 33, and each nozzle 5 is inserted into the corresponding first limiting mounting hole 331. The inner wall of the first limiting mounting hole 331 and the outer wall of the nozzle 5 form a clearance fit or transition fit, which restricts the radial displacement and axial movement of the nozzle 5 on the rotary mounting base 33, ensures the positional accuracy and connection reliability of the nozzle 5 during the rotation of the rotary mounting base 33, and ensures the stable conduction of the paint delivery path.

[0047] The rotary mounting base 33 has an internal mounting groove. A movable abutment ring 332 is slidably mounted inside the mounting groove, forming a sliding fit between the movable abutment ring 332 and the mounting groove. The movable abutment ring 332 can reciprocate along the axial direction of the mounting groove. A first spring is installed between the movable abutment ring 332 and the bottom of the mounting groove. The first spring is in a pre-compressed state, applying an elastic thrust to the movable abutment ring 332 towards the diverter mounting base 31. The end of the movable abutment ring 332 away from the first spring extends out of the mounting groove, forming an elastic abutment contact with the contact surface of the diverter mounting base 31. In the normally locked state, the elastic thrust of the first spring is transmitted to the diverter mounting base 31 via the movable abutment ring 332, maintaining a constant axial clamping force between the rotary mounting base 33 and the diverter mounting base 31. This, combined with the external constraint of the pressing frame 35, achieves the locking of the rotary mounting base 33.

[0048] When the linear actuator 34 drives the pressing frame 35 to move away from the rotary mounting base 33, releasing the pressing frame 35 from its resistance to the rotary mounting base 33, the external locking force of the rotary mounting base 33 is eliminated. At this time, the first spring releases its pre-compressed elastic potential energy, pushing the movable contact ring 332 to slide along the mounting groove away from the diverter mounting base 31, causing the rotary mounting base 33 to move outward along the axial direction, creating a predetermined gap between the rotary mounting base 33 and the diverter mounting base 31. This axial separation causes the outer wall of the rotary mounting base 33 to disengage from or reduce the contact pressure with the inner wall of the diverter mounting base 31, significantly reducing the frictional resistance between the rotary mounting base 33 and the diverter mounting base 31 when the rotary mounting base 33 rotates under the drive of the rotary actuator 32. This avoids excessive frictional torque causing increased load on the rotary actuator 32 or causing rotational jamming, ensuring the smoothness and response speed of the nozzle 5 switching action.

[0049] See Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the self-cleaning device 4 includes a flow guide pipe 41, an airflow unblocking device 42, and a flushing device 43; The flow guide pipe 41 is fixedly installed on the pressing frame 35, and the input end of the flow guide pipe 41 abuts against the nozzle 5; The airflow unblocking device 42 is installed between the diversion mounting base 31 and the guide pipe 41, and the output end of the airflow unblocking device 42 is connected to the cleaning fluid delivery hole 313. The output end of the rinsing device 43 is connected to the cleaning fluid delivery port 313.

[0050] The guide pipe 41 is fixedly installed on the pressing frame 35, with its input end facing the nozzle area of ​​the nozzle 5 to be cleaned. The axis of the guide pipe 41 is coaxially aligned with the cleaning fluid delivery hole 313 on the diversion mounting base 31, forming a directional delivery channel for the cleaning medium from the cleaning fluid delivery hole 313 to the nozzle area of ​​the nozzle 5. The airflow unblocking device 42 is installed between the diversion mounting base 31 and the guide pipe 41, with its output end in fluid communication with the cleaning fluid delivery hole 313; the output end of the flushing device 43 is also in fluid communication with the cleaning fluid delivery hole 313. The cleaning fluid delivery hole 313 serves as the common outlet for the flushing device 43 and the airflow unblocking device 42, and the guide pipe 41 serves as a unified guiding component for the two types of cleaning media, accurately delivering the cleaning fluid and compressed airflow along a coaxial path to the nozzle surface of the nozzle 5 to be cleaned.

[0051] After the clogged nozzle 5 is rotated to the cleaning area via the rotating mounting base 33, its nozzle is aligned with the input end of the guide pipe 41 and positioned on the coaxial path between the cleaning fluid delivery hole 313 and the guide pipe 41. The flushing device 43 is activated, and the cleaning fluid enters the guide pipe 41 through the cleaning fluid delivery hole 313, guiding it along the inner wall of the guide pipe 41 to the nozzle area of ​​the nozzle 5. The cleaning fluid applies a scouring and dissolving effect to the dried and adhered residual paint at the nozzle, breaking the adhesion between the residual paint and the nozzle surface, causing the residual paint to quickly detach from the nozzle surface, restoring the effective flow section of the nozzle, and eliminating the atomization performance degradation caused by paint drying.

[0052] After the rinsing operation is completed, the airflow unblocking device 42 is activated. Compressed airflow enters the guide pipe 41 through the cleaning fluid delivery hole 313 and is transported to the nozzle area of ​​the nozzle 5 along the guide pipe 41. The high-speed airflow blows away the residual cleaning fluid and trace amounts of loose paint on the nozzle surface, thoroughly expelling the residual liquid and loose paint from the nozzle area. This prevents the cleaning fluid residue from evaporating at the nozzle and forming secondary drying, ensuring that the nozzle of the nozzle 5 is in a clean state before switching back to the spraying area, thus restoring its atomization and spraying performance.

[0053] The airflow unblocking device 42 and the flushing device 43 are activated synchronously. The cleaning fluid and compressed airflow converge at the inlet end of the guide pipe 41 through the cleaning fluid delivery hole 313, and enter the guide pipe 41 in the form of a gas-liquid two-phase flow and are guided to the nozzle area of ​​the nozzle 5. The gas-liquid mixed flow makes comprehensive use of the dissolving and scouring effect of the liquid and the shearing and purging effect of the gas to jointly remove stubborn dried coating at the nozzle, which significantly improves the cleaning efficiency and is suitable for working conditions where the residual coating at the nozzle of the nozzle 5 is highly dried.

[0054] The guide pipe 41, as the core guiding component of the self-cleaning device 4, allows both liquid cleaning fluid and compressed gas flow to pass through its internal channels. In all three cleaning modes, the guide pipe 41 constrains and guides the cleaning medium along a coaxial path to the nozzle area of ​​the nozzle 5 to be cleaned, preventing the cleaning medium from diffusing into the internal channels of the distribution mounting base 31 and the rotating mating surface of the rotating mounting base 33, thus preventing contamination of non-painting areas. The guide pipe 41 is fixed to the pressing frame 35 and is simultaneously positioned with the reset and locking action of the pressing frame 35, ensuring that the cleaning operation is performed only when the nozzle 5 is in the cleaning area. This highly coordinates with the alternating operation logic of the dual nozzles 5 in the nozzle switching device 3, ensuring the continuity of the coating operation and the consistency of the coating quality.

[0055] See Figures 1 to 8 As shown, the airflow unblocking device 42 includes a friction cleaning assembly 421, an air supply pipe 422, and a circulation pipe 423; The friction cleaning component 421 is rotatably installed in the guide pipe 41, and an airflow channel is provided between the friction cleaning component 421 and the guide pipe 41; The output end of gas pipeline 422 is connected to the gas flow channel; The inlet of the circulating flow pipe 423 is connected to the airflow channel, and the outlet of the circulating flow pipe 423 is connected to the cleaning fluid delivery hole 313.

[0056] The friction cleaning assembly 421 is rotatably mounted inside the guide pipe 41, and an annular airflow channel is formed between the outer wall of the friction cleaning assembly 421 and the inner wall of the guide pipe 41. The output end of the air supply pipe 422 is in fluid communication with this airflow channel and is used to input compressed airflow into the airflow channel. The input end of the circulation pipe 423 is connected to the airflow channel, and the output end of the circulation pipe 423 is in fluid communication with the cleaning fluid delivery hole 313 on the distributor mounting base 31. The cleaning end of the friction cleaning assembly 421 extends out of the airflow channel and contacts and engages with the nozzle area of ​​the nozzle 5 to be cleaned. The above structure makes the airflow channel serve as both the driving space of the friction cleaning assembly 421 and the transmission path of the circulating airflow. The air supply pipe 422 and the circulation pipe 423 serve as the air inlet and exhaust end of the airflow channel, respectively, and the cleaning fluid delivery hole 313 serves as the return outlet of the circulating airflow.

[0057] When the unblocking operation is initiated, compressed air is continuously supplied into the airflow channel via the air supply pipe 422. The compressed airflow forms a directional flow within the airflow channel, impacting the outer surface of the friction cleaning component 421 and applying a tangential driving torque to it. Under the action of this driving torque, the friction cleaning component 421 rotates relative to the guide pipe 41 around its axis. The cleaning end of the friction cleaning component 421, during its rotational motion, generates continuous mechanical friction contact with the dried residual paint in the nozzle area of ​​the nozzle 5. The cleaning end of the friction cleaning component 421 applies shearing and scraping action to the dried and adhered residual paint at the nozzle, breaking the adhesive bond between the residual paint and the nozzle surface, causing the stubborn dried paint to gradually peel off under the action of mechanical friction.

[0058] During the rotation of the friction cleaning component 421, the compressed airflow in the airflow channel carries the paint particles and loose residue scraped off by the friction cleaning component 421, flowing along the airflow channel towards the circulation pipe 423. The airflow enters the circulation pipe 423 through its input end and exits through its output end to the cleaning fluid delivery hole 313. The airflow exiting through the cleaning fluid delivery hole 313 is redirected to the nozzle area of ​​the nozzle 5, performing a secondary purging on the nozzle surface to thoroughly remove the paint particles and debris remaining in the nozzle area after scraping by the friction cleaning component 421. At the same time, the airflow washes over the inner wall of the nozzle to prevent the residue generated by the friction cleaning component 421 from accumulating again at the nozzle.

[0059] The airflow unblocking device 42 operates by forming a complete airflow self-circulation loop: compressed air enters the airflow channel through the air supply pipe 422, driving the friction cleaning component 421 to rotate and mechanically clean the nozzle 5 nozzle. The airflow carrying the cleaning products flows back to the cleaning fluid delivery hole 313 through the circulation pipe 423, and then the cleaning fluid delivery hole 313 redirects the airflow back to the nozzle 5 nozzle area for secondary purging. This circulation loop allows a single air source to simultaneously achieve the self-driven rotation of the friction cleaning component 421 and dual unblocking of the nozzle area, eliminating the need for an additional independent airflow generating device. It features a compact structure and high energy efficiency. The rotational speed of the friction cleaning component 421 is positively correlated with the airflow velocity in the airflow channel. By adjusting the airflow pressure in the air supply pipe 422, the rotational speed of the friction cleaning component 421 can be controlled, thus adapting to the cleaning needs of residual paint with different degrees of dryness.

[0060] See Figures 5 to 9 As shown, the friction cleaning assembly 421 includes an airflow drive wheel 4211 and a cleaning component 4214; The airflow drive wheel 4211 has a second limiting mounting hole at its axial center and a number of drive blades 4212 on its outer side. The cleaning component 4214 is detachably mounted on the second limiting mounting hole, and the cleaning component 4214 is provided with multiple cleaning brushes 4215.

[0061] An airflow drive wheel 4211 is rotatably mounted in the airflow channel inside the guide pipe 41. Several drive blades 4212 are evenly distributed along the circumference of the airflow drive wheel 4211 on its outer side. When compressed air is input into the airflow channel via the gas supply pipe 422, the compressed air impacts the pressure-bearing surfaces of the drive blades 4212, applying a tangential driving torque to the airflow drive wheel 4211. Under the action of this driving torque, the airflow drive wheel 4211 rotates continuously relative to the guide pipe 41 around its central axis. The rotational speed of the airflow drive wheel 4211 is positively correlated with the airflow velocity within the airflow channel. By adjusting the airflow pressure in the gas supply pipe 422, the rotational speed of the airflow drive wheel 4211 can be controlled, thereby adapting to the cleaning needs of residual coatings with different degrees of dryness. The airflow drive wheel 4211 has a second limiting mounting hole at its axial position. The second limiting mounting hole is used to achieve a detachable connection with the cleaning component 4214, so that the rotational motion of the airflow drive wheel 4211 is transmitted to the nozzle area of ​​the nozzle 5 through the cleaning component 4214.

[0062] The cleaning component 4214 is detachably installed in the second limiting mounting hole at the axis of the airflow drive wheel 4211. A positioning fit is formed between the cleaning component 4214 and the second limiting mounting hole, ensuring the radial positioning accuracy and connection reliability of the cleaning component 4214 when the airflow drive wheel 4211 rotates at high speed, and facilitating quick replacement of the cleaning component 4214 after wear. The cleaning component 4214 is equipped with multiple cleaning brushes 4215, distributed along the outer wall of the cleaning component 4214. The cleaning brushes 4215 are made of a bristle material with a certain degree of hardness and elasticity, and the bristle ends of the cleaning brushes 4215 extend beyond the outer wall of the cleaning component 4214 and form elastic contact with the nozzle area of ​​the nozzle 5 to be cleaned.

[0063] When the airflow drive wheel 4211 rotates under the drive of compressed air, its rotational motion is transmitted to the cleaning component 4214 through the second limiting mounting hole, causing the cleaning component 4214 to rotate synchronously around its central axis. As the cleaning component 4214 rotates, multiple cleaning brushes 4215 on it apply continuous shearing and scraping action to the dried and sticky residual paint in the nozzle area of ​​the nozzle 5. During rotation, the bristles of the cleaning brushes 4215 generate high-frequency reciprocating friction contact with the nozzle surface, breaking the adhesive bond between the residual paint and the nozzle surface, causing stubborn dried paint to gradually peel off under mechanical friction. The distribution structure of multiple cleaning brushes 4215 ensures that the nozzle area of ​​the nozzle 5 is covered by the friction of the cleaning brushes 4215 in the circumferential direction, eliminating blind spots in cleaning at single cleaning points and ensuring complete removal of residual paint from the nozzle surface.

[0064] See Figures 8 to 10 As shown, the cleaning end of the cleaning component 4214 is provided with a shielding baffle 4216, the shielding baffle 4216 is provided with a flow opening, and a cleaning brush 4215 is provided at the flow opening.

[0065] The cleaning end of the cleaning component 4214 is equipped with a shielding baffle 4216. The outer diameter of the shielding baffle 4216 is larger than the size of the flow opening. When the cleaning component 4214 rotates to the nozzle area of ​​the nozzle 5, the surface of the shielding baffle 4216 covers most of the flow area of ​​the nozzle 5, leaving only the flow opening as the sole passage for the cleaning medium. This structure physically constrains the flow cross-section of the nozzle 5, forcing the cleaning fluid and compressed airflow to pass through the nozzle 5 only through the flow opening. According to fluid mechanics principles, the reduction in the flow cross-section significantly increases the velocity of the cleaning fluid and airflow at the flow opening, and correspondingly increases the flow pressure. The increased flow pressure enhances the scouring intensity of the cleaning fluid on the dried residual paint at the nozzle, while also increasing the purging kinetic energy of the airflow on the inner wall of the nozzle. This causes the cleaning medium to form a high-speed concentrated jet in the flow opening area, effectively penetrating the adhesion layer between the residual paint and the nozzle surface, accelerating the peeling and removal of the residual paint.

[0066] A cleaning brush 4215 is installed at the flow opening. The bristles of the cleaning brush 4215 extend beyond the surface of the shielding baffle 4216 and make elastic contact with the nozzle area of ​​the nozzle 5 to be cleaned. When the airflow drive wheel 4211 drives the cleaning component 4214 to rotate around its axis, the cleaning brush 4215, along with the rotation of the cleaning component 4214, continuously applies mechanical friction to the nozzle area of ​​the nozzle 5 corresponding to the flow opening. During rotation, the bristles of the cleaning brush 4215 generate high-frequency shearing and scraping action on the nozzle surface, breaking the adhesive bond between residual paint and the nozzle surface, causing stubborn dried paint to gradually peel off under the action of mechanical friction. The cleaning brush 4215 is positioned at the flow opening, concentrating the mechanical friction action on the core area where the cleaning medium passes at high speed. Friction cleaning and high-pressure rinsing are simultaneously superimposed in the same space, significantly improving cleaning efficiency.

[0067] See Figures 1 to 5 As shown, a connector 4231 is installed at the output end of the circulating flow pipe 423. The connector 4231 is fixedly connected to the cleaning fluid delivery hole 313. The circulating flow pipe 423 also includes a mounting bracket 4232 installed inside the cleaning fluid delivery hole 313. A movable sealing block 4233 is slidably installed on the mounting bracket 4232. A second spring 4234 is installed between the movable sealing block 4233 and the mounting bracket 4232.

[0068] When the airflow unblocking device 42 performs unblocking operations, the compressed airflow carrying the cleaning products, during the rotation of the friction cleaning assembly 421, flows along the airflow channel towards the circulation pipe 423, and enters the interior of the circulation pipe 423 through the inlet end. The airflow flows along the circulation pipe 423 towards the outlet end, and when it reaches the connector 4231, the airflow applies an axial thrust to the movable sealing block 4233. This thrust overcomes the preload force of the second spring 4234, driving the movable sealing block 4233 to slide along the mounting bracket 4232 away from the connector 4231, compressing the second spring 4234. After the movable sealing block 4233 slides, the flow channel between the connector 4231 and the cleaning fluid delivery hole 313 opens. The compressed airflow enters the interior of the cleaning fluid delivery hole 313 through the connector 4231 and is redirected to the nozzle area of ​​the nozzle 5 to perform secondary purging on the nozzle surface, thoroughly removing the paint particles and debris remaining in the nozzle area after being scraped by the friction cleaning component 421.

[0069] When the airflow unblocking device 42 stops supplying airflow or the airflow pressure in the air supply pipe 422 drops below the pre-tightening force of the second spring 4234, the movable blocking block 4233 loses its airflow thrust. The second spring 4234 releases its pre-compressed elastic potential energy, driving the movable blocking block 4233 to slide back to its original position along the mounting bracket 4232 towards the connector 4231. The end face of the movable blocking block 4233 re-fits the end face of the connector 4231, sealing the flow channel between the connector 4231 and the cleaning fluid delivery hole 313. This sealing state blocks the fluid communication between the cleaning fluid delivery hole 313 and the circulating flow pipe 423, preventing the cleaning fluid inside the diversion mounting base 31 from flowing back into the circulating flow pipe 423 under pressure difference or gravity, avoiding contamination of the friction cleaning component 421 and the air supply pipe 422 in the airflow channel by the cleaning fluid, and ensuring the long-term operational reliability of the airflow unblocking device 42.

[0070] The circulating flow pipe 423, through the elastic cooperation of the movable sealing block 4233 and the second spring 4234, forms a one-way valve structure at the connector 4231. The opening and closing of this structure are automatically controlled entirely by the relationship between the airflow pressure and the spring preload: when the airflow pressure is greater than the spring preload, the valve opens, allowing forward airflow; when the airflow pressure is less than the spring preload, the valve closes, sealing in the reverse direction. This one-way flow control mechanism requires no additional electric or pneumatic control components, achieving one-way airflow circulation and reverse isolation of the cleaning fluid through purely mechanical elasticity. It features a simple structure, rapid response, and reliable operation, effectively ensuring the purity of the medium in the airflow self-circulation loop and the long-term stability of the circulating flow pipe 423.

[0071] See Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the flushing device 43 includes a delivery pump, a liquid storage tank, and a spray frame 4311; The liquid storage tank is located next to the mobile robotic arm 1 and is used to store cleaning fluid. The delivery pump is installed on the storage tank, and the output end of the delivery pump is equipped with a delivery nozzle 431; The spray frame 4311 is fixedly installed inside the cleaning fluid delivery hole 313, and the input end of the spray frame 4311 is connected to the fluid delivery nozzle 431.

[0072] A storage tank is located beside the mobile robotic arm 1 and is used to store cleaning fluid. The volume of the storage tank is designed to match the cleaning frequency and consumption per cleaning cycle during the painting operation to ensure a sufficient supply of cleaning fluid during continuous spraying operations. A delivery pump is installed on the storage tank, with its inlet connected to the inside of the storage tank. The output end of the delivery pump is equipped with a delivery nozzle 431. When the rinsing operation is started, the delivery pump operates, pressurizing the cleaning fluid in the storage tank. The cleaning fluid is then delivered to the spray frame 4311 at a certain pressure through the delivery nozzle 431.

[0073] The spray frame 4311 is fixedly installed inside the cleaning fluid delivery hole 313 on the diversion mounting base 31. The input end of the spray frame 4311 is in fluid communication with the output end of the delivery nozzle 431. After the cleaning fluid enters the interior of the spray frame 4311 through the delivery nozzle 431, it is directionally output from the spray port of the spray frame 4311 along the axial direction of the cleaning fluid delivery hole 313. When the blockage nozzle 5 is rotated to the cleaning area by the rotating mounting base 33, its nozzle is aligned with the input end of the guide pipe 41 and is on the coaxial path between the cleaning fluid delivery hole 313 and the guide pipe 41. The cleaning fluid output by the spray frame 4311 is precisely guided to the nozzle area of ​​the nozzle 5 along this coaxial path, achieving precise coverage of the nozzle surface by the cleaning fluid.

[0074] After the cleaning fluid reaches the nozzle area of ​​nozzle 5, it applies a scouring and dissolving effect to the dried and adhered residual paint at the nozzle. The cleaning fluid penetrates to the interface layer between the residual paint and the nozzle surface, disrupting the adhesion between the residual paint and the nozzle surface. This softens and swells the dried paint, reduces the viscosity of the adhered paint, and allows the residual paint to quickly detach from the nozzle surface under the scouring action of the cleaning fluid, restoring the effective flow cross-section of the nozzle and eliminating the atomization performance degradation caused by paint drying.

[0075] Specific working principle: When forklift parts are finished painting and enter the replacement process, due to the large size and weight of the parts, the replacement takes a long time. Paint residue in the nozzle area (spray head 5) dries and sticks, leading to decreased atomization performance and affecting the painting quality. At this point, the self-cleaning switching operation is initiated, and its working process is as follows: Step 1: Unlock the rotating mounting base 33. The linear actuator 34 drives the pressing frame 35 to move away from the rotating mounting base 33, releasing the pressing frame 35 from its resistance to the rotating mounting base 33, thus putting the rotating mounting base 33 into a rotatable state.

[0076] Step 2: Spray head 5 position switching. The rotary driver 32 drives the rotary mounting base 33 to rotate around its axis, causing the two spray heads 5 evenly distributed on the rotary mounting base 33 to switch positions synchronously—the spray head 5 with an unclogged nozzle is rotated to the spraying area, and the spray head 5 with a clogged nozzle is rotated to the cleaning area corresponding to the self-cleaning device 4.

[0077] Step 3: Reset and lock. The linear actuator 34 drives the pressing frame 35 to reset, and the pressing frame 35 re-applies to and presses against the rotating mounting base 33, so that the rotating mounting base 33 returns to the locked state, ensuring the stability of the nozzle 5 position during the spraying process.

[0078] Step 4: Resumption of continuous spraying operation. The spray gun 2 delivers paint to the unblocked nozzle 5 currently in the spraying area via the diversion mounting base 31, and continues to perform spraying operation on the next forklift component. The spray gun 2 does not need to stop and wait, thus achieving continuous spraying operation.

[0079] Step 5: Self-cleaning operation is performed simultaneously. The clogged nozzle 5 in the cleaning area is flushed by the self-cleaning device 4, which delivers cleaning fluid to the nozzle area to remove dried and sticky residual paint, restore the atomization and spraying performance of the nozzle 5, and prepare it for the next switch back to the spraying area.

[0080] This device enables the alternating use of dual nozzles 5 via a nozzle switching device 3: during spraying operations, one nozzle 5 performs spraying while the other nozzle 5 is simultaneously cleaned by the self-cleaning device 4; when the nozzles 5 in the spraying area become clogged due to prolonged operation, a three-step process—locking the linear actuator 34, driving the rotary actuator 32 to shift the nozzles, and resetting the linear actuator 34—completes the rapid switching of nozzles 5, allowing the spray gun 2 to switch to the clean nozzle 5 without stopping the machine, while simultaneously cleaning the clogged nozzles 5 online. This method eliminates the problem of nozzle clogging caused by prolonged idleness of the spray gun 2, avoids the interruption of the process by manually stopping the machine to clean the nozzles 5, and significantly improves the continuity and production efficiency of the coating operation while ensuring consistent spraying quality.

[0081] The above embodiments only illustrate one or more implementations of the present invention, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A coating equipment for forklift component production, comprising a self-cleaning spraying device mounted on the movable end of a mobile robotic arm (1), characterized in that, The self-cleaning spraying equipment includes a spray gun (2), a nozzle switching device (3), a self-cleaning device (4), and a nozzle (5). The spray gun (2) is fixedly installed on the movable end of the mobile robotic arm (1); The nozzle switching device (3) is installed on the spray gun (2). The nozzle switching device (3) includes a diversion mounting base (31) fixedly installed on the output end of the spray gun (2). A rotary driver (32) is installed inside the diversion mounting base (31). A rotary mounting base (33) is installed at the output end of the rotary driver (32). A linear driver (34) is installed on the side of the diversion mounting base (31). A pressing frame (35) is installed at the output end of the linear driver (34). The pressing frame (35) abuts against the rotary mounting base (33). The self-cleaning device (4) is fixedly installed on the cleaning area of ​​the nozzle switching device (3); There are two nozzles (5), which are evenly distributed on the rotating mounting base (33).

2. The coating equipment for forklift component production according to claim 1, characterized in that, The distributor mounting base (31) is provided with a paint delivery hole (311), a disassembly hole (312) and a cleaning fluid delivery hole (313). The paint delivery hole (311) is connected to the output end of the spray gun (2). The cleaning fluid delivery hole (313) is used to install the self-cleaning device (4). The disassembly hole (312) facilitates the disassembly of the nozzle (5).

3. The coating equipment for forklift component production according to claim 2, characterized in that, The contact surface of the shunt mounting base (31) is provided with two mounting slots, each of which is provided with a magnetic block and a detachable contact panel (314) is installed in each mounting slot.

4. The coating equipment for forklift component production according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotating mounting base (33) is provided with multiple first limiting mounting holes (331). The first limiting mounting holes (331) are used to limit the installation of the nozzle (5). The rotating mounting base (33) is also provided with an installation groove. A movable abutment ring (332) is slidably installed inside the installation groove. A first spring is installed between the movable abutment ring (332) and the installation groove. The end of the movable abutment ring (332) away from the first spring abuts against the diverter mounting base (31).

5. A coating equipment for forklift component production according to claim 2, characterized in that, The self-cleaning device (4) includes a flow guide pipe (41), an airflow unblocking device (42), and a flushing device (43). The flow guide pipe (41) is fixedly installed on the pressing frame (35), and the input end of the flow guide pipe (41) is in contact with the nozzle (5); An airflow unblocking device (42) is installed between a diversion mounting base (31) and a guide pipe (41), and the output end of the airflow unblocking device (42) is connected to a cleaning fluid delivery hole (313); The output end of the rinsing device (43) is connected to the cleaning fluid delivery port (313).

6. A coating equipment for forklift component production according to claim 5, characterized in that, The airflow unblocking device (42) includes a friction cleaning assembly (421), an air delivery pipe (422), and a circulation pipe (423). The friction cleaning assembly (421) is rotatably installed in the guide pipe (41), and an airflow channel is provided between the friction cleaning assembly (421) and the guide pipe (41); The outlet end of the gas pipeline (422) is connected to the gas flow channel; The inlet of the circulating pipe (423) is connected to the airflow channel, and the outlet of the circulating pipe (423) is connected to the cleaning fluid delivery hole (313).

7. A coating equipment for forklift component production according to claim 6, characterized in that, The friction cleaning assembly (421) includes an airflow drive wheel (4211) and a cleaning component (4214). The airflow drive wheel (4211) has a second limiting mounting hole at its shaft center and several drive blades (4212) on its outer side. The cleaning component (4214) is detachably mounted on the second limiting mounting hole, and the cleaning component (4214) is provided with multiple cleaning brushes (4215).

8. A painting equipment for forklift component production according to claim 7, characterized in that, The cleaning end of the cleaning component (4214) is provided with a shielding baffle (4216), the shielding baffle (4216) is provided with a flow opening, and a cleaning brush (4215) is provided at the flow opening.

9. A coating equipment for forklift component production according to claim 6, characterized in that, The output end of the circulating flow pipe (423) is equipped with a connector (4231), which is fixedly connected to the cleaning fluid delivery hole (313). The circulating flow pipe (423) also includes a mounting bracket (4232) installed inside the cleaning fluid delivery hole (313). A movable sealing block (4233) is slidably installed on the mounting bracket (4232), and a second spring (4234) is installed between the movable sealing block (4233) and the mounting bracket (4232).

10. A painting equipment for forklift component production according to claim 5, characterized in that, The flushing device (43) includes a delivery pump, a storage tank and a spray rack (4311). The liquid storage tank is located on the side of the mobile robotic arm (1) and is used to store cleaning fluid; The delivery pump is installed on the storage tank, and the output end of the delivery pump is equipped with a delivery nozzle (431). The spray frame (4311) is fixedly installed inside the cleaning fluid delivery hole (313), and the input end of the spray frame (4311) is connected to the fluid delivery nozzle (431).

Images