Coating agent supply device and associated operating method

Abstract

The invention relates to a coating agent supply device for supplying an application station of a coating system with a coating agent to be applied, in particular in a paint mixing chamber for supplying a pig system in a painting booth of a painting system for painting vehicle body parts with the paint to be applied. The coating agent supply device according to the invention comprises at least one coating agent storage container (18) for providing the coating agent to be applied, a transfer point (15) for transferring the coating agent to be applied to the application station, in particular to the pig system in the painting booth of the painting system, and a line arrangement (20, 21, 27, 37, 38) between the coating agent storage container (18) and the transfer point (15). According to the invention, the line arrangement (20, 21, 27, 37, 38) between the coating agent storage container (18) and the transfer point (15) contains at least one piggable line (27). Furthermore, the invention comprises an associated operating method.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Coating agent supply system and associated operating procedure

[0003] Technical field of the invention

[0004] The invention relates to a coating agent supply device for supplying an application station (e.g., a painting robot) of a coating system (e.g., a painting system) with a coating agent (e.g., paint) to be applied. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the coating agent supply device is located in a paint mixing room for supplying a pigging system in a paint booth of a paint shop for painting motor vehicle body components with the paint to be applied. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding operating method.

[0005] Background of the invention

[0006] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a conventional painting system for painting motor vehicle body components 1. The motor vehicle body components 1 to be painted are conveyed along a painting line through a painting booth in which four painting robots 2-5 are arranged on opposite sides of the painting line, each of which carries a rotary atomizer as an application device, although other types of application devices (e.g. print heads) can alternatively be used. A pig target module 6-9 is located on each of the individual painting robots 2-5, whereby the individual pig target modules 6-9 are connected to a pig source module 14 via piggable coating agent lines 10-13. The pig source module 14 is located at a transfer point 15 of a coating agent supply device, which is only shown schematically here and provides the paint to be applied.For this purpose, the coating agent supply device has a valve arrangement 16 at the transfer point 15, which is connected to a coating agent storage container 18 ("delivery container") via a non-piggable coating agent line 17. For simplification, only the coating agent storage container 18 is shown as the sole coating agent storage container. In practice, however, up to four coating agent storage containers 18 can be provided, which are connected to the transfer point 15 via a color changer.

[0007] Figure 2 also shows a schematic representation of such a conventional painting system, so that to avoid repetition, reference is made to the above description, the same reference numerals being used for corresponding details. Here, only three piggable coating agent lines 10-12 extend from the transfer point 15, whereas in Figure 1, four piggable coating agent lines 10-13 extend from the transfer point 15. Furthermore, it can be seen from this drawing that the coating agent storage container 18 has a coating agent pump 19 for circulating the paint to be applied from the coating agent storage container 18 in a pump circuit, wherein the pump circuit has a feed line 20 from the coating agent pump 19 to the transfer point 15 and a return line 21 from the transfer point 15 to the coating agent storage container 18.The pump circuit with the flow line 20 and the return line 21 cannot be pigged either.

[0008] The concept of a conventional coating agent supply device for a painting system described above and schematically shown in Figures 1 and 2 has various disadvantages, which are described below.

[0009] One disadvantage is that previously only four of the coating agent storage containers 18 could be connected to the transfer point 15, meaning that only four different colors could be applied. If, on the other hand, a different color is to be applied, it is necessary to replace one of the coating agent storage containers 18 with another of the desired color. When replacing one of the coating agent storage containers 18 in this way, it is necessary to free the entire pump circuit, including the feed line 20 and the return line 21, of paint residues, which requires a flushing process. This leads to high flushing agent consumption and correspondingly high disposal costs for the disposal of the paint and flushing agent residues. Furthermore, such a color change by replacing one of the coating agent storage containers 18 is very time-consuming.

[0010] A further disadvantage is that the paint must continuously circulate in the pump circuit to prevent paint from settling in the supply line 20 or the return line 21. This permanent paint circulation is associated with undesirable shear stress on the paint. Another problem with the known coating agent supply system is the shear stress on the paint, which must circulate even when no application is taking place.

[0011] For the technical background of the invention, reference should also be made to DE 10006 310 A1, DE 10 2018 109 344 A1, DE 103 46 601 A1 and EP 1 319 441 A2. Description of the invention

[0012] The invention is therefore based on the object of creating a correspondingly improved coating agent supply device and an associated operating method for such a coating agent supply device.

[0013] This object is achieved by a coating agent supply device according to the invention or by a corresponding operating method.

[0014] The coating agent supply device according to the invention is preferably located in a paint mixing room of a painting system for painting motor vehicle body components and provides the paint to be applied at a transfer point. However, the invention is not limited to paints with regard to the coating agent to be applied, but can also be implemented with other types of coating agents. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to motor vehicle body components with regard to the components to be coated, but can also be implemented in other types of coating systems that coat other types of components.

[0015] The coating agent to be applied is taken from a coating agent storage container ("delivery container") in the coating agent supply device, which usually has a large capacity sufficient to coat numerous components.

[0016] Between the coating agent storage tank and the transfer point there is a line arrangement to guide the coating agent from the coating agent storage tank to the transfer point.

[0017] In the known coating agent supply device described above, this line arrangement between the coating agent storage tank and the transfer point is not piggable, which is associated with the disadvantages described above. The invention therefore provides that the line arrangement between the coating agent storage tank and the transfer point contains at least one piggable line.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the coating agent supply device has a plurality of coating agent storage containers for providing different coating agents. For example, each coating agent storage container can contain paint of a specific color. The inventive design of the coating agent supply device, described in more detail below, allows for more than four different coating agent storage containers to be provided. For example, 15 different coating agent storage containers can be provided to provide a correspondingly large number of different colored paints without requiring replacement of one of the coating agent storage containers.

[0019] The individual coating agent storage tanks are preferably each connected to a pigging line system. The individual pigging line systems each contain a pigging station with a pigging source module and a pigging target module, as well as a piggable line between the pigging source module and the pigging module. Such pigging line systems are known per se from the prior art and therefore need not be described in detail. However, such pigging line systems have not yet been used in a coating agent supply system to connect the coating agent storage tanks to the transfer point.

[0020] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the coating agent storage containers is assigned a pigging line system. However, the invention also claims protection for a coating agent supply device in which only some of the coating agent storage containers are provided with their own pigging line system.

[0021] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the pig source module and the pig target module are each plate-shaped and mechanically firmly connected to each other, with the pig source module and the pig target module being plane-parallel to each other. The pig source module and the pig target module are thus both located in the pig station and thus at approximately the same location, which enables material circulation, as will be described in more detail below.

[0022] The piggable lines can be very long, as coating agent residues can be pigged back into the respective coating agent storage tank during application breaks or when changing colors ("reflow"), thus avoiding the disruptive losses of rinsing agent and paint residues described above. This offers the possibility of the piggable lines having a length of more than 1 m, 2 m, 4 m, 10 m, 20 m, 50 m, 100 m, or even more than 150 m. The longer line length between the transfer point and the coating agent storage tanks made possible by the invention in turn allows for greater flexibility in the structural design of the coating agent supply system.

[0023] The connection between the individual coating agent storage tanks and the associated pigging line systems is preferably established via a pump circuit. For this purpose, a circulation line is provided, which originates from the respective coating agent storage tank, leads to the associated pigging station, and then returns to the respective coating agent storage tank. This circulation line is preferably not piggable. The circulation line thus comprises a supply line from the coating agent storage tank to the pigging station and a return line from the pigging station to the coating agent storage tank.

[0024] In addition, the individual pump circuits preferably contain a circulation pump that draws the coating agent from the respective coating agent reservoir and circulates it within the respective pump circuit. The circulation pump draws the respective coating agent from the respective coating agent reservoir and conveys it through the feed line to the pigging station.

[0025] In addition, the individual pump circuits can each contain a return flow regulator, which is located downstream of the respective pigging station in the return line of the pump circuit and regulates the coating agent pressure at the associated pigging station. Such a return flow regulator is particularly useful when several distribution stations are located in the paint mixing room circuit described below.

[0026] In addition, the individual pump circuits can each contain a controllable valve located upstream of the pigging station in the supply line of the respective pump circuit. This controllable valve directs the coating agent flow either to the respective pigging station or into a return line. This controllable valve is preferably a dual valve. On the one hand, such a dual valve allows for the discharge of residual flushing agent from the circulation pump. On the other hand, the dual valve also enables bubble-free filling of the pigging source module.

[0027] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the individual pig target modules are connected not only to the associated pig source module by the piggable line, but also by an additional connecting line, which is not piggable in the preferred embodiment of the invention. Firstly, this connecting line enables material circulation through the piggable line and the connecting line, whereby material circulation is also possible in a large circuit that includes the pump circuit and the pig line system (paint mixing room circuit). The material circulation then starts from the coating agent storage tank via the supply line to the pig source module, through the piggable line to the pig target module, via the connecting line back to the pig source module, and then via the return line back to the coating agent storage tank.

[0028] On the other hand, the connecting line between the pig target module and the pig source module also enables unapplied coating agent to be returned from the piggable line via the pig target module through the connecting line and the pig source module and the pump circuit back into the respective coating agent storage container ("reflow").

[0029] Furthermore, it should be mentioned that the individual pigging stations can each contain a controllable valve arrangement, whereby this valve arrangement, depending on its control, preferably enables one of the following flow patterns in the coating agent supply device:

[0030] • When pressed: The coating agent flows from the coating agent storage container via the circulation line of the pump circuit to the pig source module and from there into the piggable line in order to fill the piggable line with the coating agent.

[0031] • For material circulation: The pump circuit and the associated pig line system (paint mixing room circuit) together form a large circuit with material circulation from the coating agent storage tank, via the pump circuit to the pig source module, through the piggable line to the pig target module, through the connecting line to the pig source module and through the pump circuit back to the coating agent storage tank.

[0032] • During material return: The coating agent remaining in the piggable line is pressed back into the coating agent storage container via the pig target module, the connecting line and the pump circuit.

[0033] • When flushing: Flushing agent and / or pulsed air is introduced at the pig source module and flows via the piggable line to the pig target module and from there via the connecting line to the pig source module and further into the circulation line and finally into a return line.

[0034] As already explained above, each of the individual coating agent storage containers is preferably assigned a pigging line system to convey the coating agent to be applied to the transfer point. The individual pigging line systems are preferably connected to a common distribution station. The common distribution station is thus connected to the piggable lines on the supply side to remove the coating agent from the piggable lines. On the application side, however, the distribution station is connected to the transfer point via at least one central channel. The common distribution station contains a controllable valve unit to selectively controllably connect the piggable lines to the at least one application-side central channel.

[0035] It should be noted that the at least one central channel between the distribution station and the transfer point is not piggable in the preferred embodiment.

[0036] It should also be mentioned that several central channels can be provided between the distribution station and the transfer point, such as two, three or four central channels.

[0037] However, the central ducts preferably have a relatively short pipe length, which is preferably less than 1 m.

[0038] The distribution station preferably contains a distribution module for each of the pigging line systems in order to remove the coating agent from the associated piggable line. The individual distribution modules are preferably plate-shaped and of identical construction, which enables a modular and expandable design of the distribution station. The individual plate-shaped distribution modules are then preferably aligned parallel to one another and arranged next to one another in a row. Furthermore, the distribution modules are mechanically connected to one another, in particular by a screw connection. Depending on the number of coating agent storage containers to be connected and the correspondingly large number of pigging line systems to be connected, a correspondingly large number of distribution modules can then be integrated into the distribution station.

[0039] It should be noted that the distribution station preferably has a passage channel for each piggable line, which is passable by a pig, so that the piggable lines each pass through the distribution station. In the modular design of the distribution station with multiple distribution modules described above, such a passage channel is preferably provided in each of the distribution modules.

[0040] In general, it should be noted that the common distribution station has n inlets for the piggable lines on the supply side. Furthermore, the common distribution station has m outlets for the central ducts leading to the transfer point on the application side. The number n of inlets for the piggable lines is preferably greater than the number m of outlets for the central ducts. For example, the number m of outlets for the central ducts can be two, three, or four, while the number n of inlets for the piggable lines is greater than four.

[0041] Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one pig sensor is arranged on the individual piggable lines in order to detect a pig in the piggable line. Such pig sensors are known per se from the prior art and therefore need not be described in more detail. Preferably, the pig sensor is arranged at the pig station, in particular at a distance from the pig station of less than 50 cm, 20 cm, 10 cm or 5 cm. For example, a double pig sensor can be used which can monitor both the pig inlet line and the pig return line. On the one hand, the double pig sensor can therefore detect whether a pig is entering the pig source module or leaving the pig source module. On the other hand, the double pig sensor can also detect whether a pig is moving into the pig target module or leaving the pig target module.

[0042] It was already mentioned at the beginning that at least one coating agent storage container (delivery container) can be interchangeable and usually has a large capacity sufficient to coat numerous components. For example, this capacity can be at least 10 l, 50 l, 100 l, 250 l or 500 l.

[0043] Within the scope of the invention, the number of coating agent storage containers can be greater than two, three, four, five, or even greater than ten. Due to the relatively large number of coating agent storage containers connected simultaneously, many different coating agents can be applied without replacing a coating agent storage container, thereby avoiding the disruptive color change losses described above. The coating agent supply device according to the invention, which provides the respective coating agent at the transfer point, has been described above. However, the invention also claims protection for a coating system that additionally has an application station connected to the transfer point of the coating agent supply device and has at least one application device (e.g., rotary atomizer) for applying the coating agent provided at the transfer point.

[0044] The transfer point can therefore have a pigging source module on the application side, which is connected to a pigging target module on an application device via at least one piggable line. The piggable line between the transfer point and the application device can have a relatively long length, for example, in the range of 30 m to 200 m.

[0045] It's also worth mentioning that the individual pigging target modules of the application station can each be connected to the pigging source module at the transfer point via several parallel piggable lines. This facilitates the application of different coating agents.

[0046] In general, it should also be noted that the application device is preferably an atomizer (e.g., a rotary atomizer). However, other application devices, such as so-called print heads, can also be used within the scope of the invention.

[0047] Preferably, however, the application device is guided by an application robot, whereby several such application robots can be provided in an application station.

[0048] Finally, it should be mentioned that the invention also claims protection for a corresponding operating method which carries out at least one of the following steps in at least one of the pig line systems of the coating agent supply device:

[0049] • Filling the piggable line of the coating agent supply device, wherein the coating agent is pumped from the coating agent storage container through the circulation line of the pump circuit to the pig source module and flows there into the piggable line, wherein preferably the pig is conveyed together with the coating agent in the piggable line from the pig source module to the pig target module.

[0050] • Circulating the coating agent in the large circuit formed by the pump circuit and the associated pig line system, preferably located in the paint mixing room, wherein the coating agent flows from the coating agent storage tank via the circulation line of the pump circuit to the pig source module, through the piggable line to the pig target module, through the connecting line to the pig source module and through the circulation line back to the coating agent storage tank.

[0051] • Stop the circulation of the coating agent in the large circuit before starting a coating process.

[0052] • Removal of the coating agent from the piggable line at the distribution station.

[0053] • Forwarding of the removed coating agent from the distribution station through the central channel to the transfer point.

[0054] • Forwarding of the removed coating agent from the transfer point to the application device of the application station, preferably via a pigging system between the transfer point and the application station or directly and without a pigging system from the transfer point to the application station.

[0055] • Apply the removed coating agent using the application device.

[0056] • Return of the unapplied coating agent from the piggable line of the coating agent supply system via the pig source module and the circulation line of the pump circuit back to the coating agent storage tank.

[0057] • Flushing the piggable line, the pig source module and / or the pig target module with pulsed air and / or flushing agent.

[0058] It has already been mentioned above that, within the scope of the invention, it is possible to return coating agents to the coating agent storage containers. For this purpose, the following steps are preferably carried out within the scope of the invention:

[0059] • Introducing the compressed air at the pig target module into the piggable line, whereby the compressed air pushes the pig and the column of coating agent located in front of the pig in the piggable line to the pig source module.

[0060] • Pushing the coating agent column on the pig source module back from the piggable line into the circulation line of the pump circuit.

[0061] • Pushing the coating agent column back from the circulation line of the pump circuit into the coating agent storage tank.

[0062] Furthermore, as already mentioned above, the coating agent supply system can be pigged. For this purpose, the following steps are preferably performed: • Introducing flushing agent and / or pulsed air from the pigging source module into the piggable line of the coating agent supply system.

[0063] • Forwarding the flushing agent and / or the pulsed air from the pig source module through the piggable line to the pig target module.

[0064] • Forwarding the flushing agent and / or the pulsed air at the pig target module through the connecting line to the pig source module.

[0065] • Forwarding the flushing agent and / or the pulsed air at the pig source module into the circulation line of the pump circuit.

[0066] Other advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims or are explained in more detail below together with the description of the preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the figures.

[0067] Brief description of the drawings

[0068] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the conventional painting system described above for painting motor vehicle body components.

[0069] Figure 2 shows a modification of the conventional painting system according to Figure 1.

[0070] Figure 3 shows a modification of the painting system according to Figure 1 according to the invention.

[0071] Figure 4 shows a modification of the painting system according to Figure 2 according to the invention.

[0072] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a pigging station of the painting system according to the invention according to Figures 3 and 4.

[0073] Figure 6 shows a sectional view of a pig source module of the painting system according to the invention.

[0074] Figure 7 shows a plan view of a distribution station of the painting system according to the invention.

[0075] Figure 8 shows a detailed view of a plate-shaped distribution module of the distribution station shown in Figure ?. Figure 9 shows the painting system shown in Figure 4 in a basic position.

[0076] Figure 10 shows the painting system according to Figure 4 when applying a paint.

[0077] Figure 11 shows the painting system according to Figure 4, with the pressing completed and material circulation taking place.

[0078] Figure 12 shows the painting system from Figure 12 pushing paint back into a coating agent storage container.

[0079] Figure 13 shows the painting system from Figure 4 during a rinsing process.

[0080] Finally, Figure 14 shows a flow chart to illustrate the operating method according to the invention.

[0081] Detailed description of the drawings

[0082] The following describes the exemplary embodiment of a coating agent supply device according to the invention, as shown in Figure 3 and, in a slightly modified form, in Figure 4. The exemplary embodiment according to the invention partially corresponds to the conventional coating agent supply device, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. To avoid repetition, reference is therefore made to the above description, with the same reference numerals being used for corresponding details.

[0083] A special feature of this embodiment is that three parallel piggable coating agent lines 10-13 run between the pig target modules 6-9 and the pig source module 14 at the transfer point 15, so that three different paints can be provided to the pig target modules 6-9.

[0084] A further special feature of this embodiment is the structural design and functioning of the coating agent supply device upstream of the transfer point 15.

[0085] The paint to be applied is provided by a total of 15 coating agent storage containers 18, whereby a larger or smaller number of coating agent storage containers 18 is also possible.

[0086] The coating agent storage tanks 18 each have a coating agent pump 19, which removes the paint from the respective coating agent storage tank 18 and conveys it to a pig source module 23 via a non-piggable supply line 20 and a dual valve 22. A non-piggable return line 21 leads from the pig source module 23 back to the coating agent storage tank 18. The supply line 20 and the return line 21 thus form a pump circuit that is non-piggable and enables material circulation in the pump circuit.

[0087] To avoid misunderstandings, it should be noted that each of the 15 coating agent storage tanks 18 is assigned a pump circuit, each of which leads to a pig source module 23. For simplicity, however, only a single pump circuit is shown in the drawings.

[0088] In addition, a return flow regulator 24 is arranged in the return line 21 of the pump circuit, which regulates the paint pressure at the pig source module 23 to a predetermined value.

[0089] The dual valve 22 can forward the paint supplied via the feed line 20 either to the pig source module 23 or via a return line 25 into a return line 26.

[0090] From the pig source module 23, a piggable coating agent line 27 leads through a distribution station 28 to a pig target module 29, wherein the pig target module 29 is mechanically connected to the pig source module 23, as can be seen from Figure 5.

[0091] A connecting line 30 also runs from the pig target module 29 to the pig source module 23, whereby the connecting line 30 is not piggable. The piggable coating agent line 27 between the pig source module 23 and the pig target module 29, together with the connecting line 30, forms a paint mixing chamber circuit.

[0092] This enables paint circulation that encompasses both the pump circuit and the paint mixing chamber circuit. The paint is then drawn from the coating agent reservoir 18 and flows via the feed line 20 and the dual valve 22 into the pig source module 23. From there, the paint flows further via the piggable coating agent line 27 through the distribution station 28 to the pig target module 29. From the pig target module 29, the paint then flows through the connecting line 30 to the pig source module 23 and from there back to the coating agent reservoir 18 via the return line 21.

[0093] In addition, a double pig sensor 30 is provided, which can detect when a pig passes through the double pig sensor 30 in the piggable coating agent line 27. On the one hand, the double pig sensor 30 can detect whether a pig 32 is moving into the pig source module 23 or out of the pig source module 23. On the other hand, the double pig sensor 32 can also detect whether a pig 32 is moving into the pig target module 29 or leaving the pig target module 29.

[0094] To avoid any misunderstanding, it should be noted that each of the coating agent storage tanks 18 is assigned not only a pump circuit, but also a paint mixing chamber circuit. However, for the sake of simplicity, only a single paint mixing chamber circuit is shown in the drawings.

[0095] Figure 6 shows a sectional view of the pig source module 23, wherein the pig target module 29 is of identical construction, so that a separate description of the pig target module 29 can be omitted.

[0096] The drawing shows a pig 32 in the pig source module 23. The pig 32 can then be moved by compressed air from the pig source module 23 through the piggable coating agent line 27 to the pig target module 29.

[0097] To control this pigging movement and the paint flow, the pigging source module 23 has several valves 33-36. The functionality of the pigging source module 23 is generally known from the state of the art and therefore does not need to be described in detail.

[0098] Figure 4 also shows that the distribution station 28 is connected to the transfer point 15 via two central channels 37, 38. The central channels 37, 38 are not piggable.

[0099] Figure 7 shows that the distribution station 28 has numerous plate-shaped distribution modules 39, the number of distribution modules 39 being variable due to the modular design of the distribution station 28. In Figure 7, the distribution station 28 has nine of the distribution modules 39. In Figure 4, however, the distribution station 28 has only three of the distribution modules 39. Figure 8 shows a sectional view through the distribution module 39. This shows that a through-channel 40 passes through the distribution module 39, and the pig 32 can pass through the through-channel 40.

[0100] In addition, the distribution module 39 has several valves 41-44 to control the material removal from the through-channel 40.

[0101] The distribution station 28 has a specific number of input connections 45 on the supply side, each of which can be connected to one of the piggable coating agent lines 27. Furthermore, the distribution station 28 has a specific number of output connections 46 on the application side, each of which can be connected to one of the central channels 37, 38. In Figure 7, the distribution station 28 has nine input connections 45 and two output connections 46. In Figure 4, however, the distribution station 28 has only three input connections 45 and two output connections 46.

[0102] The basic position of the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 9 will now be described. In this basic position, the pig 32 is located in the pig source module 23.

[0103] Figure 10 now shows the application of paint. The coating agent pump 19 then pumps the paint from the respective coating agent reservoir 18 via the feed line 20 to the pig source module 23 into the piggable coating agent line 27, with the pig 32 being moved toward the pig target module 29. Flushing agent is located upstream of the pig 32 to flush the piggable coating agent line 27.

[0104] Figure 11 now shows the state when the pressing is complete and material circulation takes place. In this operating state, the coating agent pump 19 conveys the respective paint from the coating agent storage container 18 through the feed line 20 to the pig source module 23. From the pig source module 23, the paint then flows via the piggable coating agent line 27 to the pig target module 29. From there, the paint then flows through the connecting line 30 to the pig source module 23 and from there via the return line 21 back into the coating agent storage container 18. This material circulation therefore encompasses both the pump circuit and the paint mixing chamber circuit. Figure 12 shows reflow operation in which paint is pressed back into the coating agent storage container 18. Here, the pig 32 is moved back to the pig source module 23 by compressed air in the piggable coating agent line 27.The pig 32 pushes back the paint column located in the piggable coating agent line 27. The paint located in the piggable coating agent line 27 is then pushed out of the pig source module 23 via the return line 21 back into the coating agent storage tank 18.

[0105] Finally, Figure 13 shows a flushing process. Pulsed air and flushing agent are introduced into the piggable coating agent line 27 at the pigging source module 23 to clean it.

[0106] Finally, Figure 14 shows a flowchart illustrating the operating method according to the invention. In a step S1, the painting system is first brought into the home position, which is shown in Figure 9 and described above.

[0107] In the next step S2, the paint is pressed on, as shown in Figure 10 and described above.

[0108] The next step S3 then shows the state according to Figure 11, in which the pressing is completed and material circulation takes place.

[0109] In step S4, the actual painting operation then takes place. The distribution station 28 removes the desired paint from the piggable coating line 27 and forwards it to the painting robots 2-5 via the transfer point 15.

[0110] In the next step S5, the reflow operation takes place as shown in Figure 12 and described above.

[0111] Finally, in step S6, a rinsing operation takes place as shown in Figure 13 and described above.

[0112] The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Rather, the invention also encompasses a multitude of variants and modifications that also utilize the inventive concept and therefore fall within the scope of protection. In particular, the invention also claims protection for the subject matter and features of the subclaims, independent of the respective claims referred to, and in particular even without the features of the main claim. The invention thus encompasses various aspects of the invention that enjoy protection independently of one another.

[0113] Advantages of the invention

[0114] The invention enables the connection of a large number of paint systems to the transfer point to the pigging system of the painting plant, i.e. more than four coating agent storage containers ("delivery containers") with different paints can be provided.

[0115] The invention enables significantly faster paint availability when more than four different paints are applied, since the different paints can be kept in stock in the paint mixing room circuit without the need to replace one of the coating agent storage containers ("delivery containers").

[0116] Even when applying more than four different colored paints, the rinsing and pressing processes that would otherwise be required are eliminated, as no coating agent storage container ("delivery container") needs to be replaced.

[0117] The invention enables a reduction in conventional ring line systems, so that for paints that are rarely required ("low runner"), no additional paint waste is generated due to the shear stress on the paint.

[0118] Existing pigging systems can be used more efficiently.

[0119] The invention enables higher system availability, ie the necessary interruptions of application operation are shortened.

[0120] Reduction of paint losses by minimizing the replacement of coating material storage containers ("delivery containers"). This means that the coating material storage containers no longer need to be replaced when changing colors, but only when the coating material storage containers are empty.

[0121] Reduction in the amount of paint applied compared to conventional ring main systems (smaller filling quantity than with ring mains)

[0122] Automatic provision of paint material at the required time (without manual intervention). List of reference symbols

[0123] 1 motor vehicle body component

[0124] 2-5 painting robots

[0125] 6-9 pig target modules

[0126] 10-13 Coating agent lines (piggable) between the pig source module and the pig target modules

[0127] 14 Pig source module at the transfer point

[0128] 15 Transfer point

[0129] 16 Valve arrangement at the transfer point

[0130] 17 Non-piggable coating line of the pump circuit

[0131] 18 coating agent storage containers ("delivery containers")

[0132] 19 Coating agent pump on the coating agent storage tank

[0133] 20 Non-piggable flow line of the pump circuit

[0134] 21 Non-piggable return line of the pump circuit

[0135] 22 Double valve in the flow line of the pump circuit

[0136] 23 Pig source module

[0137] 24 Return flow regulator in the return line of the pump circuit

[0138] 25 Return line from the double valve to the return

[0139] 26 Repatriation

[0140] 27 Piggable coating agent line between pig source module and pig target module

[0141] (color mixing room circle)

[0142] 28 Distribution station in the paint mixing room circuit

[0143] 29 Pig Target Module

[0144] 30 Connection line between the pig source module and the pig target module (paint mixing room circuit)

[0145] 31 Double pig sensor in the paint mixing room circuit

[0146] 32 newts

[0147] 33-36 valves in the pig source module

[0148] 37, 38 Central channels from the distribution station to the transfer point

[0149] 39 distribution modules of the distribution station

[0150] 40 Through channel in the distribution module of the distribution station

[0151] 41-44 valves in the distribution module

[0152] 45 input connections of the distribution station for the piggable lines

[0153] 46 output connections of the distribution station for the central channels to the transfer point

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Coating agent supply device for supplying an application station of a coating system with a coating agent to be applied, in particular in a paint mixing room for supplying a pigging system in a paint booth of a paint shop for painting motor vehicle body components with the paint to be applied, with a) at least one coating agent storage container (18) for providing the coating agent to be applied, b) a transfer point (15) for transferring the coating agent to be applied to the application station, in particular to the pigging system in the paint booth of the paint shop, and c) a line arrangement (20, 21, 27, 37, 38) between the coating agent storage container (18) and the transfer point (15), characterized in that d) that the line arrangement (20, 21, 27, 37,38) contains at least one piggable line (27) between the coating agent storage container (18) and the transfer point (15).

2. Coating agent supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that a) several coating agent storage containers (18) are provided in order to provide different coating agents, b) the individual coating agent storage containers (18) are each connected to a pig line system (23, 27, 29), and c) the individual pig line systems (23, 27, 29) each have the following components: c1) a pig station (23, 29) with a pig source module (23) and a pig target module (29) and c2) a piggable line (27) between the pig source module (23) and the pig target module (29), d) the piggable lines (27) preferably each have a line length which is greater than 1 m, 2 m, 4 m, 10 m, 20 m, 50 m, 100 m or 150 m and / or less than 1 km, 500 m, 200 m or 100 m, e) that the pig source module (23) and the pig target module (29) are preferably firmly connected to one another in the pig station, f) that the pig source module (23) and the pig target module (29) are preferably plate-shaped and lie plane-parallel to one another.

3. Coating agent supply device according to claim 2, characterized in that a) the connection between the individual coating agent storage containers (18) and the associated pigging line systems (23, 27, 29) is made by a respective pump circuit, b) the individual pump circuits each contain the following components: bl) a circulation line (20, 21) in circulation, which starts from the respective coating agent storage container (18), leads to the associated pigging station (23, 29) and leads back to the respective coating agent storage container (18), wherein the circulation line (20, 21) is preferably not piggable, wherein the circulation line (20, 21) has a feed line (20) and a return line (21), b2) a circulation pump (19) which removes the coating agent from the respective coating agent storage container (18) and in the respective pump circuit circulates, and / or b3) a return flow regulator (24),which is arranged in the pump circuit downstream of the respective pigging station (23, 29) and regulates the coating agent pressure at the associated pigging station (23, 29), and / or b4) a controllable valve (22) which is arranged in the pump circuit upstream of the respective pigging station in the feed line (20) and directs the coating agent flow optionally to the respective pigging station (23, 29) or into a return line (26).

4. Coating agent supply device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that in at least one of the pig line systems (23, 27, 29) the pig target module (29) is connected to the pig source module (23) by a connecting line (30), a) in order to return unapplied coating agent from the piggable line (27) via the pig target module (29) through the connecting line (30) and the pig source module (23) through the pump circuit into the respective coating agent storage container (18), and / or b) in order to enable material circulation in a large circuit which connects the pump circuit and the pig line system (23, TI , 29), namely starting from the coating agent storage container (18) via the pump circuit to the pig source module (23), through the piggable line (27) to the pig target module (29), via the connecting line (30) to the pig source module (23) and from there via the pump circuit back to the coating agent storage container (18).

5. Coating agent supply device according to claim 4, characterized in that the connecting line (30) between the pig target module (23) and the pig source module (29) is not piggable.

6. Coating agent supply device according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that a) the individual pigging stations (23, 29) each contain a controllable valve arrangement, b) the valve arrangement, depending on its control, selectively enables one of the following flow courses in the coating agent supply device: bl) Pressing: The coating agent flows from the coating agent storage container (18) via the circulation line of the pump circuit to the pig source module (23) and there into the piggable line in order to fill the piggable line (27) with the coating agent, b2) Material circulation: The pump circuit and the associated pig line system (23, 29, 27) together form a large circuit with a material circulation from the coating agent storage container (18), via the pump circuit to the pig source module (23), through the piggable line (27) to the Pig target module (29),through the connecting line (30) to the pig source module (23) and through the pump circuit back to the coating agent storage tank (18), b3) Material return: The coating agent remaining in the piggable line (27) is pressed back into the coating agent storage tank (18) via the pig target module (29), the connecting line (30) and the pump circuit, b4) Flushing: Flushing agent and / or pulsed air is introduced at the pig source module (23) and flows via the piggable line (30) to the pig target module (29) and from there via the connecting line (30) to the pig source module (23) and further into the circulation line and finally into a return line (26)., 7. Coating agent supply device according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that a) the coating agent supply device for the pig line systems (23, 27, 29) has a common distribution station (28), b) the distribution station (28) is connected on the supply side to the piggable lines (27) in order to remove the coating agent from the piggable lines (27), c) the distribution station (28) is connected on the application side via at least one central channel (37, 38) to the transfer point (15), and d) the common distribution station (28) has a controllable valve unit in order to selectively controllably connect the piggable lines (27) to the at least one application-side central channel (37, 38).

8. Coating agent supply device according to claim 7, characterized in that a) the at least one central channel (37, 38) between the distribution station (28) and the transfer point (15) is not piggable, and / or b) the distribution station (28) is connected to the transfer point (15) by one, two, three or four central channels (37, 38), and / or c) the at least one central channel (37, 38) preferably has a line length that is greater than 5 cm, 10 cm, 25 cm, 50 cm, 75 cm or 100 cm and / or less than 100 m, 50 m, 25 m, 10 m, 5 m, 2 m or 1 m.

9. Coating agent supply device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that a) the distribution station (28) has a plurality of distribution modules (39), b) one of the distribution modules (39) is assigned to each of the pigging line systems (23, 27, 29) in order to remove the coating agent from the associated piggable line (27), c) the individual distribution modules (39) are each plate-shaped, d) the distribution modules (39) are aligned parallel to one another and arranged next to one another in a row, e) the distribution modules (39) are connected to one another, in particular by a screw connection, and / or f) the distribution modules (39) are of identical construction.

10. Coating agent supply device according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the distribution station (28) for the individual piggable lines (27) a passage channel (40) which is passable for a pig (32), so that the piggable lines (27) each pass through the distribution station (28).

11. Coating agent supply device according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that a) the common distribution station (28) has a number n of inputs on the supply side (45) for the piggable lines (27), b) that the common distribution station (28) has a number m of outputs on the application side (46) for the central channels (37, 38) to the transfer point (15), c) that at the distribution station (28) the number n of inlets (45) for the piggable lines (27) is greater than the number m of outlets (46) for the central channels (37, 38), and / or d) that at the distribution station (28) the number m of outlets (46) for the central channels is two, three or four, and / or e) that at the distribution station (28) the number n of inlets (45) for the piggable lines (27) is greater than four.

12. Coating agent supply device according to one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that a) at least one pig sensor (31) is arranged on the individual piggable lines (27) in order to detect a pig (32) in the piggable line (27), and / or b) that the pig sensor (31) is arranged on the pig station (23, 29), in particular at a distance from the pig station (23, 29) of less than 50 cm, 20 cm, 10 cm or 5 cm.

13. Coating agent supply device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a) the coating agent storage container (18) is exchangeable, and / or b) the coating agent storage container (18) has a capacity of at least 10 l, 50 l, 100 l, 250 l or 500 l, and / or c) the number of coating agent storage containers (18) is greater than two, three, four, five or ten.

14. Coating system for coating components with a coating agent, in particular a painting system for painting motor vehicle body components with a paint, with a) a coating agent supply device according to one of the preceding claims, and b) an application station (2-5) which is connected to the transfer point (15) of the coating agent supply device and has at least one application device for applying the coating agent provided at the transfer point (15).

15. Coating system according to claim 14, characterized in that a) the transfer point (15) of the coating agent supply device has a pig source module (14), b) a pig target module (6-9) is provided on the application device, c) the pig source module (14) of the transfer point (15) is connected to the pig target module (6-9) via a piggable line (10-13), d) the piggable line (10-13) between the transfer point (15) and the application device (2-5) preferably has a line length that is greater than 1 m, 2 m, 3 m, 5 m, 10 m, 25 m, 50 m, 100 m, 150 m or 200 m and / or less than 1 km, 500 m, 250 m or 200 m.

16. Coating system according to claim 15, characterized in that the pig source module (14) at the transfer point (15) is connected by several parallel piggable lines (10-13) to the pig target module (6-9) on the application device in order to be able to supply different coating agents.

17. Coating system according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that a) the application device is a print head or an atomizer, in particular a rotary atomizer, and / or b) the application device is guided by an application robot (2-5), and / or c) the application station is arranged in a painting booth, and / or d) the application station has a plurality of application devices, each of which is guided by an application robot.

18. Operating method for a coating agent supply device according to one of claims 1 to 13 or for a coating system according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized by the following steps for at least one of the pig line systems: a) Filling the piggable line (27) of the coating agent supply device, wherein the coating agent is pumped from the coating agent storage container (18) through the circulation line (20, 21) of the pump circuit to the pig source module (23) and flows there into the piggable line (27), wherein preferably the pig (32) is conveyed together with the coating agent in the piggable line (27) from the pig source module (23) to the pig target module (29), b) circulating the coating agent in the large circuit formed by the pump circuit and the associated pig line system preferably located in the paint mixing room, wherein the coating agent flows from the coating agent storage container (18) via the circulation line (20, 21) of the pump circuit to the pig source module (23), through the piggable line (27) to the pig target module (29), through the connecting line (30) to the pig source module (23) and through the circulation line (20, 21) back to the coating agent storage container (18), c) terminating the circulation of the Coating agent in the large circuit before coating begins,d) removing the coating agent from the piggable line (27) at the distribution station (28), e) forwarding the removed coating agent from the distribution station (28) through the central channel (37, 38) to the transfer point (15), f) forwarding the removed coating agent from the transfer point (15) to the application device of the application station, preferably f1) via a pigging system between the transfer point (15) and the application station or f2) directly and without a pigging system from the transfer point (15) to the application station, g) applying the removed coating agent by the application device, h) returning the unapplied coating agent from the piggable line (27) of the coating agent supply device via the pigging source module (23) and the circulation line (20, 21) of the pump circuit back to the coating agent storage container (18), and / or i) Flushing the piggable line (27),the pig source module (23) and / or the pig target module (29) with pulsed air and / or flushing agent., 19. Operating method according to claim 18, characterized in that the coating agent circulates in the pump circuit when filling the piggable line (27) of the coating agent supply device.

20. Operating method according to one of claims 18 or 19, characterized by the following Steps for returning coating agent: a) introducing the compressed air at the pig target module (29) into the piggable line (27), wherein the compressed air pushes the pig (32) and the column of coating agent located in front of the pig (32) in the piggable line (27) to the pig source module (239), b) pushing the column of coating agent at the pig source module (23) back from the piggable line (27) into the circulation line (20, 21) of the pump circuit, and c) pushing the column of coating agent back from the circulation line (20, 21) of the pump circuit into the coating agent storage container (18).

21. Operating method according to one of claims 18 to 20, characterized by the following steps for flushing the coating agent supply device: a) introducing flushing agent and / or pulsed air at the pig source module (23) into the piggable line (27) of the coating agent supply device, b) forwarding the flushing agent and / or the pulsed air from the pig source module (23) through the piggable line (27) to the pig target module (29), c) forwarding the flushing agent and / or the pulsed air at the pig target module (29) through the connecting line (30) to the pig source module (23), and d) forwarding the flushing agent and / or the pulsed air at the pig source module (23) into the circulation line (20, 21) of the pump circuit.

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